Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

Event Etiquette

October 05, 2021   Matt

Event Etiquette

The workshop was over. The delegates had long gone and Margaret Kerr was recovering with a cup of coffee. The room was strewn with sheets of flip chart paper, the debris of the buffet lunch and countless empty coffee cups covered every horizontal surface in the room. Margaret was drained. The workshop had been a tough one for a trainer; the delegates had all been sharp and smart; they had challenged her knowledge and demanded long explanations of the reasons behind the theories she was asking them to buy into. She looked at the bomb-site that was once an orderly training room and knew she didn’t have the energy to do much more than crawl to her car. After all, she reasoned, the conference center cleaning staff would tidy up, wouldn’t they.

Once the rooms are clear of delegates and you have bathed in the glory of a successful event, it is time to dismantle everything that you came with. As with the assembly process, it is useful to assign specific responsibilities to members of the event team and to manage the process as smoothly as possible. For larger events, keep a checklist of everything that needs to be done on a flip chart and, as items are completed, score them out. Using a clearly visible list like this gives everyone involved an easy reference and allows them to decide themselves how they can best help others once they have completed their own tasks.

If events are to be a frequent part of your life, you will want a venue to welcome you back with open arms. To make this a certainty, try as much as possible to leave the venue rooms as you found them, litter-free and ready for the cleaning staff to prepare them for the next users.

This may seem like common sense but you will be surprised how easy it is, at the end of a particularly stressful event, to follow the impulse to cut and run. Your reputation is worth more than a few sheets of paper.

Providing venue feedback

As you leave with the last load of equipment, make a point of contacting your conferencing contact at the venue. Show them your feedback from the evaluation forms; if they are worth their salt, they will be eager to read it. Add any feedback of your own, positive and negative but always leave a nice, juicy positive comment to the last and tell them you’ll be back.

If you’ve had any particularly excellent service from the conferencing staff, make a point of following up your feedback with a thank you letter to the venue manager. A little careful attention to detail now will buy you royal treatment on your next visit.

Margaret was about to slide quietly away when her colleague Ben, walked in looking full of energy. “Where do you get the energy, Ben?” she asked. “I pace myself” he stated in a matter of fact way “the day ain’t over till it’s over”

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Try These Tips If You Have Plumbing Issues 2

September 30, 2021   Matt

Try These Tips If You Have Plumbing Issues

How many times have you called in a plumber, only to have him charge you an expensive rate for a simple fix that you could have done yourself? If you know a little more about your plumbing system, you can save a lot of money. Read this article dealing with some plumbing tips that you can use.

Many people have nightmares about plumbing, because they believe it is something that can destroy their home. This is easily avoided if you only know one thing. The key to saving your home from water damage is to know exactly where the water register is, and how to turn it off quickly.

If your water bills are unusually high, check for undetected or underground water leaks. Turn off the water in your house and check the meter. If it is moving, there is a good chance that you have an underground leak. To check for indoor leaks, write down the meter number in the morning before you leave for the day, and check it when you return. If the number has changed, you have an undetected leak inside the house. Armed with this information, you can try to tackle the problem yourself, or it could be time to call in the professionals.

To avoid frozen pipes in your home, never allow the temperature in your house to drop below freezing and insulate any pipes that are exposed to the elements. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. At best, it can take time for them to thaw and for you to be able to have running water. But they could also burst, causing a mess and a large repair bill.

If you wake up to find that one of your pipes has frozen, try working on it with a hairdryer. By using a low level of heat the task may take longer, but you will not have to face the potential danger of using more hazardous methods while at the same time avoiding that call to the local plumber.

Check how well your toilets are flushing. If the handle needs to be played with in order to keep the water from running constantly, or if it needs to be held down several times in order to flush, you may need to switch out some of the parts in your tank. This is not expensive, and it could help reduce your monthly water bill. It could also mean that you avoid the embarrassment of the flushing system breaking when you have visitors!

You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.

There are times when a plumber’s service is necessary. However, many plumbing issues can be addressed easily if you know how. Learning more about how your plumbing works can save you time and money in repairs. Remember these tips, and they could save you a lot of headaches the next time you have a plumbing problem.

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Finish Your Painting Projects Without Sacrificing Your Free Time

September 25, 2021   Matt

Finish Your Painting Projects Without Sacrificing Your Free Time

(ARA) – With a little planning, you can complete your painting projects faster than ever, without sacrificing all of your free time.
The first step is to get organized. Buy all your painting materials before the weekend, so that when it’s time to get started, you won’t waste time tracking down supplies. Your checklist should include paint applicators, a drop cloth, stepladder, screwdriver for removing hooks, switch plates and the like, masking tape for window edges, and of course, enough paint to complete the project.
Shortcut your painting prep by spreading it out over a couple of evenings, or do it the weekend before painting. Carve out manageable bits of time to do the routine tasks such as patching and filling holes, removing grease or crayon marks — even removing cobwebs from corners and ceilings. If your wall surfaces have mildew on them, try removing it using one part bleach in three parts water and then rinsing. Let everything sit for a couple days, so you’re ready to dive in and paint on the big day.
Some projects require more diligent treatment of surfaces. If you need to remove wallpaper, there are several power prep tools that can save time and elbow grease. For example, Wagner Spray Tech offers power wallpaper steamers in a variety of styles and sizes that can provide a fast, clean way to remove the paper without having to use chemicals, solvents or detergents.
When it’s time to start painting, consider using some of the newer products on the market that are designed to give fast, professional-looking results, such as Wagner Spray Tech’s new QuickTouch electric paint rollers. Simply attach a standard gallon-sized paint can, insert the paint hose, turn the unit to “paint” mode, and you’re ready to go. The rollers make it fast and easy, eliminate back-bending trips to the roller tray, and greatly reduce the potential for messy drips and spills by eliminating the need to pour paint.
Choose the QuickTouch version that fits your job: The QuickTouch Power Roller package includes painting project basics, including a 12-foot hose, 14-inch extension and spatter shield for approximately .99. The QuickTouch Power Roller PRO offers even more options to make bigger projects go faster, including a five gallon adapter, variable speed control, a built-in carrying handle, 18-inch extension cord and a trim pad, for approximately 9.99.
If you’ve got an especially large painting territory to cover, consider a battery-operated roller. Wagner Spray Tech makes a portable model, the 929 Variable Speed Power Roller, which can apply 20 gallons of paint (enough to cover five average-sized rooms) on one set of batteries. It’s not only easy to operate, it’s easy on the operator. It has an ergonomically designed handle with fingertip control, quick release for simple assembly and cleanup, and a paint distribution system that enhances the flow of paint for better coverage. At a suggested retail price of .00 to .00, it can provide fast, professional results for a relatively small investment.
After your painting project is complete, clean up can be quicker than ever, too. Try rubbing protective cream onto your hands before you paint — it’ll ensure faster and easier removal of paint from your skin. To remove paint from the electric or battery powered rollers, simply insert the paint hose into a bucket of water, switch the unit to “clean” mode, let water circulate for about 10 minutes, and you’re done.
When your painting is complete and your tools have been tucked away for the next project, there’s just one final task. Pack up your family and head for the beach — it’s the perfect place to relax while you’re waiting for the paint to dry.
For more information on painting equipment, including The QuickTouch Power Roller and QuickTouch Power Roller PRO, or other Wagner Spray Tech products, call (763) 553-7000 or visit www.wagnerspraytech.com.
Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, is the leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial power painting equipment as well as faux-finishing products.

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The Tools Needed For Radio Controlled Hobbyists

September 20, 2021   Matt

The Tools Needed For Radio Controlled Hobbyists

Building a radio controlled project requires a huge amount of time and detail when you are putting the pieces together, or even cutting the pieces out to be assembled. Most people who do it as a hobby will have many different tools that they use throughout the course of assembling a radio controlled project. If you want to build something for the first time, you will need some materials that will come in immensely handy throughout the process. Here I will name some of the main ones, but you will most likely need to find some more specific tools to fit your personal needs.

Of course, the first thing you need is the raw material that will be used to construct the project. Most radio controlled projects are made out of wood. If your plans don’t call for a specific type, you will have to choose it yourself, which can be tough. Balsa wood is the most popular choice, especially for toy airplanes and helicopters. It is extremely light, while maintaining a good level of solidity. You can build an entire airplane frame out of it, and it will have a minimal amount of flex. IF you are building a larger model of an airplane or other vehicle, then balsa may be too soft, in which case you will want to look for other woods.

The radio and motor equipment is the 2nd most important part. If you are a really enthusiastic radio controlled hobbyist as well as an engineer of some sort, then you may consider making it all out of the various components. It is possible to buy all of the electric components of the radio and motor systems separately. However, if you do this you will have to deal with all of the electrical concepts and parts including transistors, resistors, and all those other things that make it so daunting. There is no shame in buying transmitters or motors pre-assembled and just gluing them wherever they need to go. It will definitely save you some time.

The first tool that should never leave the arsenal of a radio control enthusiast is a good old X-Acto Knife. Even if you are buying a kit that allows for easy assembly, you will still need the X-Acto knife to shave off any bumps or extra pieces of wood / plastic that are getting in the way. If you are building it entirely from scratch, the knife will be perfect for cutting outlines from thinner pieces of wood, cutting notches for the electrical equipment to keep steady, or just getting everything to the exact shape that you want it. You can buy them for just a few dollars at your local hobby store, or home improvement store.

Depending on the material that you are using to build your project, you will need some type of tack or glue to hold it together. There are many different choices for this area. You can use superglue, wood glue, or epoxy, and each one will hold fairly sturdy. Look up the type of wood or plastic that you are using, and see what type of tack is recommended to fasten it. If you are building a remote control boat or even a submarine, you will have to consider the matter of waterproofing it to avoid ruining the electrical components when you first put it in the water. This is usually accomplished through some sealing putty for cracks and a spray-on sealant to keep the wood from soaking.

At some point you will have to cut all of the wood into the segments that you require to piece together the final product. While it is possible with a handsaw, it is definitely not the best choice. A table saw works best for larger pieces, but for finer details you would be hard pressed to find a better tool than a Dremel Tool. They look like electric toothbrushes, and have quickly rotating heads that can grind away balsa wood in a matter of seconds. They allow for maximum accuracy, whether you are shaping a piece of wood or making holes for wiring.

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Spy Cameras And Home Protection

September 15, 2021   Matt

Spy Cameras And Home Protection

With crime on the rise, technology has lead to a decrease in home security prices. Although many devices have dropped in prices over the years, the spy camera is one of the most popular to experience a decrease in price. What was once only dreamed about in movies such as James Bond is now a reality that is very affordable.

The spy cameras of today are included with pin cameras, pens, and even cameras that are hidden in a pair of sunglasses. Most kits cost a few hundred bucks and will come with sensors and remote Internet access – complete with alarms. This way, you’ll have the chance to hook up your house wide cameras to your main cable system and watch the spy camera from any screen in your house. To watch the video though, you’ll need to have your television set to a specific channel.

Along with spy cameras there is also a variety of other devices that you can use to protect your home and yourself such as motion sensors, alarms, trip wires, spy cameras, surveillance cameras, finger print locks, digital locks, and many more. Almost everything is available at an affordable price, unless you choose to have professional installation. Professional installation will cost a lot more money, possibly even thousands of dollars if you have a big house.

If you aren’t familiar with the way spy cameras and other spy related security works, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional. A professional can show you how to work the equipment and answer any questions that you may have. Even though it will cost you a lot more than if you were to do it yourself, it would be a lot better than messing something up. Spy cameras and equipment can be very tricky – especially if you have no experience with home security.

The pin and sunglasses spy camera is among the most popular. These cameras may require professional installation, as you’ll need to hook the wireless panel up to a monitor or your computer. Depending on the type of spy camera that you are using, hooking everything up can be anywhere from novice to professional level. Sunglasses can be great to use at home or anywhere else you travel within distance, as the camera is completely undetectable to those who are standing within your field of vision.

For protection around the home or anywhere else you travel, a spy camera can be a great investment. These cameras are becoming more and more popular these days due to the drop in price. Although they were very expensive when they were first introduced, those times have changed. You can get a spy camera now for just a few hundreds bucks – making it an investment you can never go wrong with.

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Try These Tips If You Have Plumbing Issues 5

September 10, 2021   Matt

Try These Tips If You Have Plumbing Issues

You’ve done it. You’re ready to handle your home’s plumbing maintenance and repair. What perfect timing! You probably have tons of questions on how to start and what to do, but fear not, this article can help you. Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your plumbing aspirations.

It is important to know how to properly anchor your pipes when it comes to plumbing. This is extremely important to know because not having your pipes well anchored could result in loud noises, leaks, or pressure problems. Call a professional if you are unsure how to take care of it yourself.

Do not pour grease or oil down any of your household drains. Put them in containers and place in the fridge until they are solid, then throw them away. If you pour them down the drain, they can solidify in cold pipes. These solid masses will clog your pipes and are very difficult to remove.

If you are trying to decide on the material to use for your hose, stick with stainless steel. Stainless steel has a very solid construction and stays durable for many years, eliminating the need for replacement. Also, this material is less prone to bursting, which can yield severe plumbing issues.

Do not try to sell a product that you do not agree with. This includes paying attention to the company itself and their values and policies. If you have any qualms about the company, your customers will pick up on it. You want to be a full supporter of the product you are selling

Every now and then, you should pour a large bucket of water down your basement floor drain. This will help to keep the trap seal full and prevent certain gases from coming up into your home. Also, be sure that you have your floor drain checked by a professional every few years.

To prevent exposed pipes under your home from freezing during the winter, use foam pipe insulation or electric heat tape to cover your pipes according to the manufacturer’s directions. A burst pipe can cause damage and high water bills, so preventing freezing and bursting is essential during the coldest months of the year.

If you have a leaky faucet, the problem may be mineral buildup. Mineral building can cause you to have a broken seal in your faucet which will cause leaks and make it unreliable. If you’ve already checked for the most common leak problem which is the washer, looking for buildup is the next possible culprit.

One of the things that you can do to maximize the security of your home is to seal all of the cracks in your outdoor faucets. Even a tiny crack can intensify as the season progresses and lead to serious problems down the road. Reduce drips and leaks for optimal protection.

Now you should be much more prepared when it comes to plumbing. If you thought that you were ready before, well you should now be an expert! The tips that were given should have provided you some advice that can help you get started with maintaining and fixing your own plumbing.

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