I was walking along a street in Chicago and saw these two workmen who seemed to be repairing a solar power panel.
I couldn’t help wondering if the problem was the panel never actually saw any sunlight as it was under fairly heavy shade from a lot of well established tree cover>
Guest post by Andre Smith
The world offers a seemingly limitless number of choices when it comes to choosing a career.
Some people know what they want right away, while others take most of their life to discover their calling.
Most places of employment require the usage of some sort of structure, so the world needs people who work in construction based careers.
A person who would enjoy construction will have a few different qualities.
One of the qualities a person in construction should have is an interest in buildings.
Without this, a person will likely feel stuck in the job and as if they have wasted their life.
When choosing to work in construction, a person should be satisfied with what their life will become.
People who like problem solving and pay attention to detail are people who may benefit from a career in construction.
There are many problems that may be present in construction.
For example, the plan for a building may not work out the way it was predicted, so a worker will have to work around this issue to complete the project.
This would also require an attention to detail so that the problem is solved without creating more problems.
Organized people who are motivated to meet deadlines would do well with a career in construction.
Deadlines are important to meet because construction projects can cause inconveniences for people.
By staying organized, a person will be able to get the job done efficiently because the person will already know what things are and where those things are needed.
A person who wants a meaningful career may also consider construction a nicely suited career.
People who work in construction build many places that are necessary for society.
Hospitals, political buildings, and houses are just a few of the things are person could build.
Without these buildings, society would have a challenging time functioning.
Without construction workers, these buildings would not be built.
People who enjoy traveling should consider a career in construction.
There are jobs all over the place for construction workers, so all a person has to do is secure one. after that, the person
gets to work in new place and experience a new culture.
There are not many other jobs that offer such a great ability to travel to far, diverse places, but construction is one of them.
Getting a job in construction is not necessarily hard, but there are things a person can do to improve their opportunities to get a job.
One of these things is taking a course to earn a Diploma of Building and Construction.
This can give a person a head start on earning jobs such as foreman or site supervisor.
To earn this diploma, a person can take an online course, giving people the ability to choose when to begin and study within the confines of their schedule.
The course will give students the skills needed manage, plan, supervise, and finish the construction of medium rise buildings.
As such, the course is relatively in depth to ensure students master the skills for these sorts of jobs.
The course will teach students skills that allow them to make cost estimates, manage different areas of construction jobs, and sustainable design techniques.
Additionally, the course will allow students to become licensed in many different countries and states.
While a career in construction is not for everyone, there are some people who will thrive in this career.
Organization, time management, and problem solving abilities are a few examples of
traits people who should consider construction may have.
The diversity of construction makes it an excellent career choice.
Have you thought about a laundry chute?
They don’t have to be that big, or use complicated pipework.
This one is really just a long, open ended, box using melamine boards.
I have heard of small children climbing/falling down laundry chutes so I would aim to keep them fairly small (say 300mm x 300mm)
Aim to make it very difficult for a child to even see into it, like this example with a bottom hinged door complete with stay to make sure the door doesn’t open too far.
This is a photo of me last year on holiday in Vancouver. . . . . but what is that strange shed above me.
Well it is actually a cast aluminium sculpture called the ‘Light Shed’
Apparently it “recalls the simple industrial buildings which were common in the Coal Harbour district 100 years ago.
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The pipes that penetrate exterior walls bring the power, water, gas, telecommunications into a house and take away the waste.
If not properly sealed, but they can also bring in drafts, insects, mould and wood rot.
Make sure all penetrations aren’t left unsealed,like the example above, during your PCI.
Best practice is simple.
Flashing, an insulating expanding foam, or in some cases, caulk, should be present to seal these penetrations and prevent problems.
It just the strategically placed balloon that makes the difference. . . . but this photo does make me smile!
Do you want a gravel driveway?
Some people say they can deter burgalaries as thieves don’t like the noise when they approach your house!
They can look nice. . . . . Just don’t think it is a cheap option.
To do a good job you need to provide a good foundation otherwise the gravel will be punched into the soil and you will finish up with a muddy mess.
Even with a good foundation you need to make sure that the stones don’t get pushed around.
If you look carefully at the above picture you will see there is a geogrid keeping the stones in place.
If you took the stones away the geogrid looks like this:
You can buy these at the ‘Big Green Warehouse’ but they aren’t cheap!
Expect to pay around $40 per square metre.
Lots of people say they like houses with ‘Character’
I don’t know what they would think about this house I saw the other week in Melbourne.
It appears to have a complete lack of character to me.
Guest post by Hubert Dwight
You may think that home burglary will never happen to you, but the unfortunate truth is that it’s a real possibility.
With most families embracing a tech-forward lifestyle in which they own many expensive devices, it’s easier than ever for burglars to enter your home and steal thousands of dollars worth of possessions in one hit.
Instead of putting yourself at risk of becoming a victim of crime, read these tips below to get some ideas on improving your home safety:
Not everyone knows that a low-end system is often not enough to stop a high-end burglar.
If your home security systems aren’t up to date or lack the necessary features to keep a burglar out of your home, you run the risk of them being a minor inconvenience for a thief rather than a complete deterrent.
Alongside a standard burglar alarm, you should also incorporate sensors, lights, and 24/7 monitoring by an alarm company to ensure maximum security.
You can even opt for a security system you can monitor from your smartphone that alerts you any time there’s unexpected movement in your home.
Using outdoor lighting can add a beautiful touch of ambiance to your property, but it can also boost your home’s security.
By eliminating dark spots around your yard and keeping your entire property well-lit, you can deter would-be thieves from entering your home.
When burglars know that they’re in full view of cameras and other people, they’re less likely to strike.
Given the alarming number of burglaries that occur each year, every little thing you can do to protect your property will help.
Spare Key Safety
If a burglar is trying to gain access to your home, the first place they’re going to look is under your doormat or flowerpot for your spare key.
Even if you have a home security system in place, a swift thief will be able to unlock the door, make a beeline for the closest item of value and run away.
In some cases, your insurance may not even cover your loss. Instead of leaving a key outside, give it to a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member that you can contact should you get locked out.
Lock Everything
When you believe you live in a safe neighborhood, it’s easy to get complacent and leave your children’s bikes on the lawn, the garage unlocked, and garden tools on the front porch.
All it takes is an opportunist to pass by and swipe your belongings in seconds.
To prevent this from happening, make a point of locking everything up when you finish with it – that includes your front and back doors!
Even though burglary has been on the decrease in the United States since 1991, there are still on average 470 cases per 100,000 people each year.
This means that, unfortunately, you’re more at risk than you think you are.
Be Wary of Visitors
Burglars often want to make sure they’re visiting the best houses, so it’s not uncommon for them to sniff around before making their move.
Always be wary of those asking to use your phone, trying to sell you something at the door, or offering to do odd jobs around your home.
Never let a stranger into your house unless they can provide you with formal, valid identification.
Take the time now to check all your locks, remove that spare key from under the mat, and install outdoor lighting. These quick and simple measures are all it takes to prevent becoming a victim of burglary and most importantly, ensuring the safety of you and your family.
If you think it means is that your house will have a 6 Star Energy Rating you could be wrong!
You could be up for thousands of dollars of upgrades to meet the required standards.
All the following, and more, can lower your energy rating.
If you aren’t careful you could find you will be getting a bill for extra insulation and double glazing to restore the rating to 6 star.
