What Separates Great Electricians From Good Electricians?

Guest Post by Pratik Dalshi

Generally, every electrician knows how to install, diagnose, and repair electrical systems, switchboards, cables, wirings, and anything that runs on electricity.

Each technician has also completed their Australian apprenticeship, gained their qualification, and holds a license to operate. 

All these factors certainly make a good electrician.

But do you want to hire a GOOD electrician to handle one of the most important systems in your home or business? . . . . Or do you want to hire a GREAT one?

Of course, to get the best results you need the best people for the job. . . .but how will you know?

Well, here’s a guide on how to determine which electricians are good and which ones are great. 

Top 4 Differences Between a Good Electrician and a Great Electrician

1. Safety

Being an electrician is a high-risk occupation.

Any error in the installation or maintenance of power systems may result in damages in your property

More importantly it could result in injury or death which is why safety is their highest concern.

Good electricians can guarantee you a properly functioning system that follows safety codes as they have the necessary knowledge about safety protocols and procedures before conducting any job.

But for great electricians, safety is not only a rule they follow but it’s part of their culture.

They make sure that they go through regular training to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest health and safety practices and standards.

They also take it up a notch and work with other organizations that can help them achieve their safety goals. 

So if you want to make sure that your property is fully protected, choose a great electrician. 

2. Experience

Since working with electricity is dangerous, you should choose someone who has practical experience in your type of work. 

This way, you can be at ease knowing that your electrician knows what he is doing

This doesn’t mean that fresh graduates can’t handle simple jobs, but choosing an experienced electrician does eliminate the risks of faulty work. 

There are many good technicians with a lot of experience.

But if you want the best, look for those with decades of experience.

This means that they have pretty much seen, repaired, and attended to every problem there is with electrical systems, so you can trust them to fix and accomplish any job that involves electricity. 

3. Scope of Skills

Good electricians are knowledgeable and skilled in the most common electrical projects.

This includes light fixtures and chandeliers, outlet, ceiling fans, electrical panels, circuit breakers, outdoor lighting, wiring, and other electrical fixtures. 

On the other hand, great electricians are experts in every field.

They can work on everything mentioned above plus more such as smart homes.  

4. Guarantee

If you’re hiring an electrician for a job, you’d want it done right and fast.

After the job, you expect everything to run smoothly with no problem.

Of course, you don’t want to pay more for issues that were not addressed.

A good electrician will provide you with a guarantee that spans for at least a year for his work so  if anything goes wrong with the electrical problem he attended to, you have this specific period to call him again to resolve issues. 

While that’s already good, this doesn’t stand a chance with what a great electrician can offer.

Usually, the best electricians, like Electrician To The Rescue, trust their workmanship so much that they give their clients a lifetime guarantee.

That’s right. If you hire a great electrician to fix any of your electrical problems, expect it to get fixed for life!

Additionally, great electricians are backed with insurance. This is important when choosing who to hire for liability reasons. So if you want to have peace of mind, make sure that you’re dealing with great professionals

Electrician To The Rescue is Sydney’s first choice when it comes to electrical services. They have over 35 years of experience and offer a 100% lifetime guarantee for our workmanship.

You can enjoy reliable and prompt services that are available  24/7. 

A beginner’s guide to financial fitness

Guest Post by Emily Taylor 

If you are going to be looking for a mortgage for your new house you will need to be financially fit

Becoming financially fit is a marathon, not a sprint.

You need to train yourself to know what is wise to spend money on and what isn’t.

If you start too quickly you’ll burn out. Being financially fit means feeling confident with your finances and managing your money for the long term.

It means knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

While starting to train for a marathon requires a basic level of fitness, anyone can become financially fit if you’re willing to learn, act and restrain from old habits, financial fitness is totally attainable.

Here’s the beginner’s guide to financial fitness.

Set goals

The first step in becoming financially fit is to set goals for saving.

How can you save if you don’t know what you’re saving for?

So, determine how much you need and work out how long it will take to get there.

You’ll be more determined if you have a rough idea of how long it will take.

Be thrifty 

Being financially fit means finding out how to get the most from your money.

This might not necessarily mean buying what’s cheapest if it’s not the best quality.

So, do your research and consider what you’re spending your money on.

Some of the places to save money might surprise you. For example, you can save money if you find the best providers for international money transfers

Budget

Budgeting means understanding where your money is going and keeping track of everything you spend.

It’s best to do so on a month-on-month basis.

So, establish your income, your necessary spending and any luxuries.

Keep an eye on your spending and make sure it stays on track with the budget or, you’ll need to make some changes.

Invest

Being financially fit means thinking about the future. It’s no good being great with money now and not thinking ahead.

Investing means that your money is in something concrete and won’t be affected by inflation.

Plus, it can significantly reduce tax.

So, consider investing in a property to prepare for the future.

Whether it’s somewhere you’ll be living or you’re renting it to tenants, it will massively improve your financial fitness.

Be automatic

You probably already know that online banking is the way forward.

Having access to a banking app helps to keep track of your finances and move money quickly.

However, go one step further by being automatic, and set up payments that go out without you physically having to move them each month.

This means that you can’t forget to make the relevant payments or accidentally spend the money elsewhere.

Maintain

Being financially fit means applying new practices and maintaining them.

Anyone can be good with money for a month or two.

But being financially fit means continuing good practices and sticking to them in the long run.

So, once you’ve established a good routine, make sure you don’t lapse.

Like training for a marathon, taking a couple of months off could do a lot of damage.

Six Bathroom Renovation Rip-Offs and How to Avoid Them

  Guest Post by Asad Shoaib

A bathroom renovation can add more value to your home if you carry out the entire process successfully.

However, it can also turn into a nightmare if you don’t pay heed to little details.

The more aspects you take into account, the more easily you can avoid mistakes and disasters at the end of the day.

Here are six bathroom renovation rip-offs mentioned which you should learn to avoid.

Budget 

The amount of money you spend on your bathroom renovation project must neither be too large nor too small.

A lot of people don’t take their budget requirements seriously so they end up facing financial crises or significant losses.

So, you must have a clear idea about the exact amount of money that your bathroom renovation requires.

To be more precise, you must plan everything from the designing of the bathroom to the layout. You can also get multiple quotes to have a better cost estimate.

DIY

Some homeowners prefer to try their skills to be able to save a few dollars when it comes to renovating the bathroom.

However, the bathroom is one of the most important parts of your home so you would never want to regret later if anything goes wrong.

Basic DIY such as replacing tap washers is one thing.

For a complete bathroom renovation, it is better to call a professional whenever you feel the need.

It might require investing more money but it can save you from facing critical damages.

Big Changes

Sometimes your bathroom needs to undergo a little change to look fresh as a new one.

So, you can avoid big changes by replacing the vanity, replacing old tapware, and installing new wall tiles to make your bathroom modern and updated.

It would help save a significant amount of time and money that you can spend on any other area of your home that is not structurally sound.

However, if you still intend a proper renovation, you must take help from a professional.

Trends

Trends come and go so you must not let yourself get obsessed with them.

Instead, you should prefer functionality over trends to make your renovation last longer.

It is also advised to choose simple and classical designs that never get outdated.

The style of your bathroom must match with the rest of your home.

It must look like a part of your home if you don’t want to kill the vibe.

Spacing

You must pay attention to proper spacing to make your bathroom comfortable for everyday use.

It is better to leave the decorating and looks for later.

However, if you don’t care about the placement of plumbing fixtures beforehand, you might get into huge trouble.

Material

The material you choose for your bathroom renovation can make or break your experience.

If you don’t want to get stressed out, you must consider the quality of the material you buy for floors, walls, top, vanity, and other major parts.

Since you invest a huge amount of money in bathroom renovation, you must make sure that the material can stand the test of time.

DIY Blinds And Window Decorations You Can Do At Home

Guest Post

Windows provides an overall vibe within a home.

Putting some decoration like blinds or shade can change your home ambience extensively.

Manufactured blinds and other window decors may cost you a heavy amount of money.

But do not fret, because there are many DIY window décor projects you can easily do at home.

So to help you decide which one of these projects will suit your taste, below are some ideas and materials you may be needing for your DIY project.

Types of Window Shades and Blinds

The window shade and blinds are the most common decorations to dress up your naked window.

The main difference between these two is how to control the light from outside.

Made up with a solid piece of fabric, window shades have open and close function while blinds have adjusted light control because they can be tilted as they are made with multiple slats.

Here are some types of window shades and blinds where you can get an idea for your DIY project:

  1. Roman shades have a unique horizontal fold that shows its style when raised up. It is one of the most popular shades.
  2. Solar shades act like sunglasses as this shade provides light control while you still have an outside view of your home.
  3. Woven wood shades are commonly made with bamboo, reeds and grass. The natural vibe it brings suits almost any house design.
  4. Cellular shades are sometimes called smart windows. Although there are no electronics or electrical tinkering involved, the unique honeycomb cell design provides decent temperature control both in winter and summer.
  5. Roller shades are equipped with blackout and filter light features that come at an affordable price.
  6. Pleated shades have a slat-like design that made it look neater when raised up. The design will stack up nicely when folded.
  7. Wood blinds provide a warm and cozy vibe for your home. The natural style also fits in almost every household because it is made from real wood.
  8. Faux wood blinds have lower price than wood blinds since they are made of polymers or wood composite. They are moisture resistant making them more tough from wear and tear factors.
  9. Panel track blinds have vertical design suitable for extended glass windows and doors. They are made of slats of fabric that can slide freely in a curtain bar.

Other Materials for Window Decors

While the staple of window decors are polymers, fabric and wood, there are alternative materials that you can work with.

Here are some materials you can use for your do-it-yourself blinds and shades project:

  • Faux Wood If you want to maintain the natural style with polymer-like features, faux wood may be the best choice. It is moisture resistant, making it suitable for your kitchen and bathroom. Unlike wood, it will not warp or break in high moisture areas around your home.
  • Aluminum With its rust resistant feature, aluminum may sit around in any part of your house. It is also sturdy, cheap and low maintenance which is perfect when you have a limited budget. The design process is also pretty easy since you can finish it off with any color you like.
  • Bamboo A cheap and renewable source. Bamboo provides a vibe from the tropics.It is durable and nature-friendly making it suitable for diy projects.

Creative Ways to Hype Up Your Windows

    1. Mix some colors or fabric: Adding additional color or fabric to your existing curtains will provide a refreshing vibe. Start with mixing and matching your favorite colors and patterns. Eventually, you will have unlimited options.
    2.  Indoor shutters: Shutters are commonly found outside the windows. Putting them inside will give you a different experience when opening them to get a view of the outside surroundings. It will also provide a classic and elegant look.
    3.   Bamboo shades: Tired of fabrics? Add a little twist to the usual material used to make window shade. Bamboo is  available almost everywhere and is much more affordable than other alternative materials. You can mix different styles like roman and woven wood shade to add more style.
    4. Ruffles and more ruffles: Ruffles fit almost any fabric you can imagine. The style and elegance will hype up by adding these on the edges, sides or body of your current curtains.
    5.  Contrast of colors: If you want to emphasize your windows, painting the window frames with contrasting colors to your wall paint may be the greatest way. Naked windows will be much better to look at for an affordable price and less labor.
    6. Add cornices: Another great element to add on your windows are cornices. Located above the frame of your window, you can go plain or design it with your most favorite pattern. All you will be needing is paint, wood and creativity.

Takeaways

Taking your window decors to the next level does not need to be expensive.

Now that you are knowledgeable of the types, materials and ideas, you can easily make your dream window décor.

When you are going to do unusual designs, keep in mind the safety of children.

It’s time to make the dream window décor of yours!

 

How to Choose the Best Flooring for your Home 

Guest Post by Maria Dalit

Are you building or renovating your home? . . . If you are, one of the major things to think about would be the flooring.

The floor makes a major impact on your home.

There are many things to consider in choosing the best flooring for your home., including; costs or budget, theme, design, and maintenance.

For example, if you have a carpet, regular maintenance to clean and sanitize is a must. . . but don’t worry, if you are from Perth, carpet cleaning is easy.

Ensure Flooring matches the Theme and Design of Your Home 

What style and theme do you want?

Do you want a modern, classic, zen, rustic, industrial, contemporary, or vintage?

The first step is to decide your theme and design.

If you are hiring an interior designer, discuss with him or her your preferences.

Once you have decided on the theme and design of your home, you then need to also decide on the type of flooring.

The flooring should match the overall theme of your house. Flooring brings out the style and should be complementary to the look of the house.

Hardwood Flooring

A lot of traditional and modern homes opt for hardwood flooring.

This is because of its classic and timeless appeal that can cut across generations.

It can also match a lot of interiors.

While hardwood flooring is more expensive, it can also last longer and can increase resale value of the home.

Dark hardwood floorings match a bright and light colour walling or interiors.

Wooden floors are a better option for those with allergies or dust sensitivities since it does not collect as much dust mites.

Wooden floors are easier to clean just by regularly sweeping and mopping. . . .but it is hard and can also be slippery at times.

Caution is needed for those with elderly or children which is why some opt to add carpets.

However, as it is wood, it can still be naturally susceptible to termite damage, so you need to ensure the wood is also maintained by companies expert in pest control and cleaning.

Tiles 

Tiles are also popular in a lot of modern homes.

This is because of its functionality and versatility and can match a lot of themes.

Tiles have various shape designs like hexagonal or rectangular that can add to the visual appeal of the house.

Tiles are sold in different colours and styles.

Tiles are also very simple to install compared to other flooring.

They are easier to maintain too as dust is not much of an issue.

Stains are also not a problem with tiles unlike some flooring.

Depending on the type of tile, but generally tiles are also durable and can be cost effective especially for bigger areas to cover.

A disadvantage though for tiles is that they can be slippery when wet and can pose real danger if you fall on tiles.

Tiles are good for hot climates but for really colder climates, it can be really cold when you go barefoot.

Carpets

Carpets can be placed on any type of flooring.

You can put carpet on the whole flooring or put a carpet on certain areas.

Carpets can  be great as an accent.

For example, you can try a wool carpet. It can look luxurious in a room! .

An advantage of using a carpet is that it can provide thermal insulation and resistance. In colder climates, carpets retain warm air longer.

Carpet is also a great feel for comfort.

You can relax, sit, or even lie down!

Carpets give that cozy and warm vibe to any home.

There are so many types of carpet to choose from so you can match the style of your home.

The different types of carpet materials are; nylon, olefin, polyester, acrylic, wool, triexta, etc.

Wool is the softest carpet while Nylon is the most popular carpet.

Laminate

There is also laminate, which is an imitation of the real hardwood.

It is made from pressed wood.

It can be durable also and scratch-resistant. It is also easier to clean.

Laminate is not as visually appealing though as the real hardwood. . .but of course, if budget is a consideration, it can also be a good choice.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is synthetic and a popular choice for those who are not so concerned with the look but is more after the cost.

It is normally a choice for kitchen and bathrooms.

Vinyl floors do not stand much to heavy loads.

It can be easily damaged by sharp objects and it can also fade with too much exposure to direct sunlight.

 

Are you now ready to choose which type of flooring best fits your home?

It largely depends on your style, theme, consideration, and budget.

Remember that flooring has a big impact in your home so think carefully about what is best for you.

After choosing the best flooring for your home, maintaining it is the second thing to think about.

Make sure you entrust your new flooring to an expert in commercial and domestic such as Perth carpet cleaning service.

4 Tips on How to Avoid Dodgy Tradies

Guest Post by Andrej Kovačević

Tradies are not all equivalent.

Some are more competent than others, and a few (thankfully, not most) are just downright dodgy. (Like whover constructed the  trench across a new concrete driveway in the photo)

Here are 4 tips on how to avoid the dodgy ones so you can work with tradies who will actually give you a fair value for the work you need to get done:

1. Work With Tradies Who Have the Right Credentials

There’s a huge potential for problems and mistakes with work that is done in the construction trades.

Recognising this, the Australian government has taken steps to regulate the trades to provide some measure of buyer protection.

One of the requirements is that tradies must generally get a white card.

Some jobs also require a contractor license, qualified supervisor certificate, endorsed contractor license or other license. 

It isn’t easy to get a white card in Melbourne, Sydney or any other city in Australia.

You have to actually know what you’re doing before they’ll give it to you.

White card holders have undergone risk management training to ensure they are able to safely deal with construction hazards.

When you have any sort of hazardous work that needs to be done, it is highly beneficial to you to ensure that your tradie has this in hand.

In Victoria, it is generally permissible for some types of work to be performed without a license if the billed cost of the work is less than $5,000.

Before you have work done, particularly if the work will cost more than $5,000, it is advisable to check whether a licence is required — and, if it is, to verify the tradie’s license before signing a contract with them.

Here are links to a couple of resources for helping you check on this:

On its own, having a license and a white card isn’t a guarantee that your tradie won’t be dodgy.

However, you definitely want to avoid working with anyone who’s trying to pass themselves off as a tradie without the proper training and credentials. 

2. Obtain Recommendations From Friends

When you undertake a construction project, one of the greatest risks is that the tradie you work with will not be able to finish the job under budget — or at all.

There are tradies who, for inexplicable reasons, will walk away from a job without finishing it. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid this scenario — but how do you accomplish that?

Short of looking for signs that your tradie is a hardcore substance abuser, there aren’t any easy ways to tell who will finish a job and who won’t. 

This is where personal recommendations come into play.

If you can find a friend, colleague or acquaintance who has had similar work performed, and was happy with the way their tradie completed it, that recommendation could be quite valuable to you.

If a tradie has done a good job on past projects, the chances are good that their future work will also be satisfactory.

So reach out to your network and get recommendations for tradies who have done well in completing the jobs your friends have entrusted them with.

3. Ask to See Photos of the Tradie’s Previous Work

Ask any tradies you might work with if you can see photos of their previous work.

This will help to give you an idea of the quality and style of the work they typically do.

4. Get Ultra-Detailed Estimates Up Front in Writing

Before you sign a contract for any work, request a detailed estimate for each job in writing.

Review it carefully and ask probing questions before you sign a contract. 

It really isn’t possible to be too nit-picky when it comes to the estimates.

You’ll want to know exactly what to expect for each and every aspect of the job at hand — right down to who is responsible for rubbish removal and how much said rubbish removal will cost.

Following these 4 suggestions can help you avoid the dodgiest tradies.

Any tradie who has proper credentials, a recommendation from someone you trust, appealing photos of completed work, and a willingness to prepare a detailed estimate is likely to be worth working with.

What to Look for in a Reputable Local Plumber

Guest Post by Pratik Dalshi

When doing renovations, building a home, or dealing with clogged drains and busted pipes, you must seek only professional plumbers.

They offer permanent solutions and they have the tools to fix any issue you may be facing.

Plus, if you choose to deal with it yourself or rely on a neighbour that knows “a little” about plumbing, it may result in bigger problems in the future.

So why risk it, right?

With the right plumber, you can get rid of issues faster and more efficiently.

You can also ensure that newly installed fixtures and appliances are safe and are compliant with plumbing standards and regulations. Now, if you don’t have a plumber yet, don’t worry.

Since plumbing is one of the most important systems of your home, it is only proper that it’s handled by a reputable local company.

If you don’t know one yet, here’s a guide on what to look for when choosing a plumber.

5 Things to Look Out For in a Reputable Local Plumber

Professionalism

Most clients prefer to work with people who look professional.

This is because it makes a good and lasting impression.

More importantly, it’s a sign that they are taking you seriously. So when choosing a plumber to work with, try to see how they present themselves. 

How do they communicate?

How do they respond to your queries?

Moreover, how are they dressed? . . .  . many good plumbing companies take great pride in how they carry themselves and their brands.

This is why they try to communicate respectfully, answer your questions in detail, and appear presentable. 

So try to call or visit their shop before getting their services. If you’re looking for a local company in Sydney, check out Inspired Plumbing . All their plumbers are professionals and courteous.

They’d even leave their shoes at your door.  

Licenses or Credentials

To see if a plumber is qualified to work for your home, check if they have a license.

Every state in Australia requires plumbers to secure their licenses before they can work, which can be checked online.

Cost

Before making your decision, it’s best to know how much a plumber’s services would cost.

Reputable plumbers will inspect your problem and present you with the total cost inclusive of GST, making sure that they explain what and why things are needed to be done. 

Service orientated plumbers offer flat-rate pricing to unclog your drains.

Emergency Response

In plumbing, problems can happen anytime.

This is why it’s important to choose a professional plumber that you can call whenever you have issues with your system.

Look for a company that offers 24/7 emergency services. so no matter how late or early it is, you will have people dealing with the problem and preventing it from getting worse.

During emergency responses, check their timeliness.

Did you call for an emergency but they arrived 5 hours later?

Or did they call back after an hour and arrived at your place within minutes?

Use this as a reference on whether or not you should continue using that company. 

Insurance and Guarantees

A company that can provide insurance for any damages done to your property is important when something goes wrong with a job.

This is so you don’t have to pay for anything else or go through an exhausting process to be reimbursed for their mistakes. 

Finding a Local Plumber

A local plumber is best to deal with your urgent needs.

They are closer.

Thus, making it easier and faster for them to arrive when a drain suddenly clogs or pipes start leaking.

If you are looking for a trusted and reliable company now, you can check out Inspired Plumbing in Sydney. 

 

Why It’s Important To Change Your Air Filter

Guest Post

For a lot of people, having an air filter system is very important to control the indoor air quality of their homes.

If this sounds like your situation, try to remember the schedule when you are supposed to remove old and dirty air filters and insert new, clean ones.

If you want to know more reasons why you should change your air filter regularly, here are some of them:

Clogged Up Air Filters Make Your HVAC System Work Harder

You might not know it, but there is a close relationship between your air filter system and your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Often, air from the air filter system goes into the HVAC system, where the air is heated or cooled before it is sent back to your rooms. I

f the air filters are already clogged with dust, pollen, pet hair, and any other indoor air pollutants, that will make your HVAC system function at a reduced capacity.

It might also lead to your HVAC conking out completely, making you and your family feel extremely uncomfortable during extreme heat (summer) or extreme cold (winter).

To avoid these situations, you simply have to remove the dirty filters and insert new ones, especially when prompted by your air filter reminder.

Dirty Filters Can Drive Up Your Energy Bills

If your energy bills seem to be costing much, you may want to look into your home’s air filter system.

If the filters are clogged, it means that the fan has to work double time to push air into your room.

Once that happens, your energy consumption is bound to go up.

Uncleaned Filters Can Breed Mold And Bacteria

If your air filters are not cleaned regularly, these can trap moisture from indoor air, which, in turn, can become the incubation site of mold and bacteria.

If these elements are allowed to spread, you and your family could be breathing them in, going straight into your lungs. This might lead to illnesses, such as fungal and bacterial infections.

Filters That Need Replacing Fail To Screen Particulates

Another problem with dirty air filters is that they may stop filtering out indoor air pollutants, which is bad news for people suffering from allergies and asthma.

Dirty air filters put all the household members at high risk of breathing in indoor air pollutants that can trigger allergic reactions or make it hard for them to breathe.

When Is The Right Time To Change Your Air Filter?

Your home’s air filter system needs to be changed on a regular basis so that you don’t forget doing such an important task.

If you set a date for cleaning or changing your air filters, it becomes a habit for you, thus you won’t need to be constantly reminded about when that should be done.

For example, you could make the first Saturday of every month as the fixed schedule for changing air filters.

Doing so would make it so much easier for you to integrate changing air filters into your regular routine.

Some need to be changed less often, depending on the quality of the filters.

So, you can actually opt for an air filter system that only requires to be changed every three months rather than every month.

If you are using an air filter system that is reusable, it will probably require cleaning once a month for it to function efficiently.

If you are using disposable filters, you may need to stock up on the replacement filters so that you won’t have to worry about consistent supply.

This is especially true if the air filters you use at home tend to go out of stock as the specific brand or made you need could be popular in your location.

Some stores may allow you to make bulk purchases of filters, thus you need to take advantage of this opportunity.

But, don’t store these filters just anywhere; you need to keep them somewhere clean and dry if they are not in use.

Conclusion

Changing filters is a necessity, especially if your air filter system is connected to your HVAC system.

This is for the reason that your HVAC system may perform poorly or even break down if the air filters are dirty or clogged.

Having said that, you should make it a point to change or clean filters on a regular basis.

Having clean filters will allow your air filter system to perform at normal capacity, which directly results in your HVAC system functioning properly, enabling you and your family to enjoy clean, fresh air that is devoid of any pollutants.

 

 

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Guest Post by William Turner

Indoor ceiling fans can be a great fixture for any house, and most people will consider installing them in their own home or in any construction they’re working on.

However, outdoor fans can often prove just as beneficial in a house new or old. Whether it’s for a patio, deck, or any other area of your house or backyard, outdoor fans provide significant utility for a variety of installations. 

Efficient Cooling

Although a common patio fan may come to mind when you think of outdoor fans, the world of outdoor fans has a wide variety of designs and products to offer.

One of the biggest differences you’ll find between many fans is the length of the blades.

While most indoor ceiling fans for residential use feature blades of similar length across different products, the range in common outdoor fans is much larger.

A small patio can usually be efficiently cooled by a fan much like one you’d find in an average household room, with three to five blades of moderate length. 

However, if you’re looking to cool a larger area, it might be beneficial to look into high CFM fans, which move more air and provide more intense circulation.

Fans like these might have blade spans of up to 100 inches.

Like normal indoor ceiling fans, high CFM fans can be found with only three blades, but you’ll also commonly encounter models with six to eight blades.

Don’t be deceived simply by size and amount, however.

The shaping of the blades and the power behind a fan can have as much of an impact on cooling, and you might find a reasonably small three-bladed fan with surprising efficiency. 

Look into options with multiple speed settings and high specs from reputable brands to find the most power in any category. 

Pest Management

There’s nothing more annoying than trying to relax on a patio or porch and encountering droves of mosquitos or gnats.

Outdoor fans can help keep off unwanted pests as more powerful fans will create more intense air circulation that discourages small insects from attempting to fly into your area.

With a nice fan above your head, you can finally enjoy that cookout or family dinner without insects landing on your food left and right. 

Lighting can often be a challenge for outdoor areas.

Although sunlight can work its magic during the day, you’ll need something to supplement as the evening starts to wane.

You can avoid the instability of standing light fixtures and the clutter of more overhead lights by investing in a fan with a central ceiling light.

This can open up a whole new world of usability in the evening and night hours, and effect of air circulation on pests will help counteract the issue of drawing bugs to the light that you might suffer with many other light fixtures. 

Outdoor resilience

Most indoor ceiling fans would have difficulty holding up to the elements, but many outdoor fans are built to weather the storms.

If a fan is damp rated, it means it can handle the moisture of being outside on a covered patio or a similar structure. You shouldn’t have to worry about minor water damage or issues like the blades warping.

However, for a more fully exposed outdoor area, it’s best to look into wet rated fans, which are properly waterproofed to withstand rain in the environment.

Normal environmental conditions shouldn’t cause damage to the motor or tarnishing of metals with proper wet rated fans.

No matter what the purpose, an outdoor ceiling fan brings an enormous amount of value to the table.

If you’re designing or remodeling a space like a patio or porch, be sure to think about how you could naturally incorporate a fan.

You might be surprised by just how much it can transform an area!

New House Checklist: Warning Signs Before Buying!

Guest Post by Andrea Estrada

If you are serious about buying a new dream house for you and your family, then you have to be extra careful before you put pen to paper.

For all you know, your dream house may turn out to be a complete lemon – beautiful on the outside, but a total wreck on the inside. . . . and because of that mistake, you’re the one who’s going to be paying for all the pending issues.

We understand how badly you and your family want to get into a new house but it’s not worth it if you’re going to end up being worse off financially.

So to ensure you don’t regret purchasing your new house, it’s highly recommend you inspect the home more diligently to look out for any lingering issues that need fixing or addressing. 

To help you out, we have put together a new house checklist highlighting some of the common issues that you should be wary of before buying.

Warning Signs Before Buying a New House

Problematic Construction

This is one of the more prominent issues that can, sometimes be determined with your own two eyes.

It’s not that easy to notice at first glance or from afar.

That’s why we suggest inspecting things up close to ensure there isn’t anything unusual with the walls like holes, cracks, or flaking paint. 

Sometimes, such structural issues can be very well hidden by home sellers to sweeten the deal to their clients.

You might never know when the problem isn’t obviously visible until and unless rain starts pouring down, a friendly neighborhood electrician comes in for a checkup, or a family member who works in construction notices something peculiar.

So before someone else’s problems become your own, wouldn’t it be better to get a proper inspection of the place done before officially committing to a deal?

If you don’t want to take any chances, you can hire a professional house inspector to browse around right in front of you and ensure everything in good condition.

Will Local Projects Affect the Home

You should also look into the construction of infrastructure around your home.

For those living in Australia, learn more about the various projects underway in your home area.

Noise and extra traffic for these projects may negatively impact your home’s value.

You can get a renowned, professional real estate agent to guide you over the process, giving you particular advice for the area where your new house is located.

Water Damage

Like construction, water damage can be, at times, easy to spot – like when you see a dark ring on the floor or the ceiling – and sometimes not.

Be sure to check for tiny cracks in the ceiling, some missing tiles from the bathroom, peeled off or bubbling paint.

These are obvious indicators of leaks from bathrooms, sinks, the roof, and other places.

If a simple repair is all it takes, then there’s nothing to worry about.

However, we implore you to pay extra heed to water damages and do not leave them up to chance as it could lead to bigger potential issues later on.

For instance, if the ceiling or the tub has been leaking for a while, it could result in grandiose structural problems.

Burning Smells

Another critical aspect of the ‘moving into a new house checklist’ is looking for burning smells.

Aire Serv owner Richard Ciresi says that some burning smells are quite common and harmless, especially when we turn on the heat, but others can be a lot more concerning.

For instance, a burning smell coming from the heater could suggest that the blower motor might have overheated due to frayed electrical wiring or mechanical issues. 

Other smells that we should be wary of are gunpowder-type odors from a fried motor fan or circuit board.

Any nasty smells coming from AC vents could mean that the unit’s wire insulation has fried.

Ciresi says that other types of burning heater aromas are not only possibly hazardous, but also quite expensive to repair, and require a professional heating technician to have a look.

The Roof

Usually, roofs are well maintained and can last at least 30 or more years – but those with tiles that are in poor condition or have been poorly installed could need to be replaced sooner than you expect.

If you notice the roof in such a condition, ask the seller how old the roof actually is.

You must also have the gutters inspected to ensure the drainage systems are in proper working condition.

Besides that, keep a sharp eye out for dry rot – usually the result of poor ventilation – that leads to crumbling and sagging.

Some cracks or damaged tiles may be visible from the ground, but it may be more feasible to have a professional roofer perform an inspection either while the offer is being made by the seller or during contract negotiations. 

But if the seller has already performed an inspection of the house before putting it up for sale, then ask them to review it in front of you.

Flood Zone

Another crucial aspect of moving into a new house checklist is checking to see if your new property is located in a flood zone.

Perhaps a picturesque waterfront view could serve as a unique selling point for a new house, but if that house is in a flood zone, then you could be facing a slew of problems over the course of your stay.

Unfortunately, many homeowners’ insurance policies don’t factor flooding as part of their plans and your bank probably might also ask you to invest in a flood insurance policy over the home insurance that you already have. 

Depending on the flood zone, insurance premiums can cost somewhere between hundreds or perhaps even thousands of dollars a year.

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