Category: Uncategorized

Most of the trades people we work alongside in Bentonville have a dog somewhere in the picture. Riding in the truck, waiting by the shop door, following someone around the yard on a Saturday. And if you spend your working life judging whether a part is built right, you tend to apply the same eye to everything else you buy. Which brings us to a small piece of hardware most people never think twice about: the collar.

Flat Versus Rolled

A flat collar is a strip of leather or webbing, wide and flat against the neck. A rolled collar is a strip stitched around into a round cord, so the section touching the dog is a smooth cylinder rather than an edge.

That sounds like a cosmetic difference. It is not. A flat collar presents two edges to the coat and lies the hair down flat underneath it. A rolled collar lets the coat move around it. On a short-coated dog it barely matters. On anything with feathering or a long silky coat, it is the difference between a neat ruff and a permanent band of broken, matted hair where the collar sits.

Who Actually Benefits

Setters, retrievers, spaniels, collies, anything with a long coat around the neck. Owners of those breeds tend to discover rolled collars after a year of wondering why there is a worn stripe through an otherwise beautiful ruff.

It is worth being straight about the counter-argument, though, because there is one. A rolled collar concentrates its contact on a smaller area of the neck, so for a strong dog that pulls hard on lead, a wider flat collar or a harness spreads the load better. Plenty of people run both: a rolled collar for everyday wear and tags, something wider for training walks. That is the sensible answer rather than the marketing one.

What Makes a Good One

This is where the tradesman’s eye earns its keep. Look for full-grain leather rather than bonded or split, because bonded leather is essentially glued scrap and it delaminates. Look at the stitching that closes the roll, since that seam is the whole structure. Look for solid brass or stainless hardware, not plated zinc, which corrodes and then snaps at the worst moment.

And check how it is finished at the ends, where a cheap collar is usually just glued. A well-made rolled dog collar leather piece is stitched and burnished there, and it is the first thing worth checking before you spend money.

Watch: Top 5 Best Rolled Leather Dog Collars (YouTube)

Keeping It Alive

Leather dies from water and neglect, in that order. A dog that swims will soak a collar repeatedly, and if it dries hard it cracks. Rinse the salt or pond water off, let it dry away from a heater, and put a little leather conditioner on it a couple of times a year. Do that and a good collar will outlast several nylon ones, soften to the dog’s neck, and end up looking better at five years old than it did new.

That is the same reason we do not buy the cheapest fittings for a job. Something built properly and looked after simply costs less over time.

Much the same as most adults, plumbers have a life that does not revolve around pipes and septic tanks, too. That is a job that is done, but not a job that consumes their entire life. The same is true for other types of contractor. Most all have families and kids that they want to spend more time with than they actually get to do. They often do not have the opportunities that traditional 9 to 5ers may have as ways to stay close to their family. They do not have the option of “bring your child to work” days because their work environment is labor intensive. Some are working to change it and discovering ways to work around the difficulties of bringing your baby to work.

The Office Worker Bonus

Many offices allow parents to bring their children to work sometimes. It is often considered a very special day for the parents and the kids. They get to see what mommy and daddy do during the day and have fun while they are there. There are other offices that provide a daycare center so that parents have their children close by and they can go have lunch with their child during the day. In all cases, it is something that is just enjoyable.

Taking Advantage of Rare Times

Most contractors do not have any of the luxuries that office workers have. Therefore, the fact that every family has days that are busy and there are always a lot of errands to run, can make things crazy. They may lose touch with their families and its even worse if the day gets more complicated than usual. At times, it is not always possible to get a sitter because your spouse has a doctor’s appointment, and most cannot simply take a day off because they need a couple hours. This means everyone may still consider taking their child to work with them. The downside is, running around a worksite isn’t always safe, so they may take a lot of toys along for the child to play with and books for the child to read during the day. This can work for a little while, but then other things must be done to ensure that the child is not going to get in the way.

The Perfect Work Around for All

Even taking a small infant or toddler to work at an office can be complicated. Therefore, baby carriers are a great helping hand. They allow you to work easily work around having a toddler, even in the toughest construction zones. Many of them purchase stylish camo baby carriers from babycarrierreviewguide.com to further ensure that they have the right carrier for their needs. There are ideal solutions for contractors and office workers. There are solutions for both moms and dads to wear. There are options that provide different styles and different colors. Which one will you choose and what will you do with it? You will be happy that you did your research and found the right solution for your workplace.

In many of the newer homes being built at this time, there are a lot of people ditching tradition. They like creating homes that are one of a kind or uniquely different from the ones that were being built a few years ago. It is the modern style that everyone loves and there is no place that proves it more than in the bathroom where people are choosing updated toilets, faucets, and even custom glass shower enclosures.

Types of Glass Shower Enclosures

Most people prefer to stick with a clear glass shower enclosure because they are easy to maintain, but that does not mean it is the only option for you. There are HD glass options, which many people prefer since there is less risk of a greenish tint discoloring your shower tile. You may also choose a frosted or rain glass. Both add a little different texture to your bathroom’s shower. If you want, you can also choose a colored glass to kind of hide what is in the shower. If you want to avoid the metal in your shower, you may also choose a slightly thicker “frameless” glass enclosure. It is usually 3/8” or 1/2” thick rather than the traditional 3/16” or 1/4” glass showers that have a metal frame.

Average Cost of a Shower Enclosure

The cost of a frameless shower enclosure is currently at least $900, but could go as high as $1300. It depends on the thickness of glass that you want to use and how large a shower you are trying to create. A framed shower enclosure is much more affordable for most people at around half the price, but it loses out on some of the sleak appeal that comes with frameless. A standard shower size will be less costly than a large shower enclosure with dual shower heads on each end that can hold two people at a time with room to move around. To find out what price range your project will fall into, you will have to talk to a company that specializes in plumbing or shower enclosures. A place like Arkansas Glass and Mirror will be able to give you an estimate that is easy to understand so that you can create the shower space you want.

Design Your Dream Bathroom

High End Enclosure

When creating a new bathroom or remodeling one that you are bored with and no longer functions the way you want it to; you have many options. There are unique tiles and patterns for you to consider and shower heads that will set it apart from “tradition”. Very few people are settling for basic showers. They are creating areas that allow them to relax at the end of a long, hard day. You can create a space for yourself that will let you do the same thing. We suggest that you do a little research and find a style that suits your personality. Once you have done that, choosing the right toilets, sinks, faucets, and showers will be easy. An added bonus is that most all of it will be well within your budget. What more could you hope for?

What is your very first thought when you see a brown spot on your ceiling? Most often, we think about a leak from either water pipes that may be in the attic or the roof. In many cases, this is true. That is one of the most common issues, but it isn’t the only issue you may have to deal with. It is no secret that an air conditioner can form condensation, but that doesn’t mean it will not cause it in other areas. Especially since many homes and offices use air handlers as well as the actual unit. You may think about calling a plumber out since it is a waterline, but you would be wasting time. Air conditioner damage is not caused by a plumbing issue and it isn’t something a plumber can repair.

What Is an Air Handler?

This unit, which is often called an air handling unit or AHU is used to regulate and circulate the air that it inside of it so that it spreads equally throughout the home or office through all the vents. It may be located in either the attic or the basement of a building, depending on where the vents are located.

Common Air Handling Unit Issues

Most people never have a reason to think about the air handler. They usually do not simply stop working properly. However, there are certain things that can go wrong and virtually all of them will result in a buildup of condensation that may cause you further damages.

Whether water has stained your roof or you are finding puddles in the basement, it could be and is most likely caused by dirty or clogged air filters, a clog in the coil, or a faulty blower motor inside of the AHU. Any of these things will stop the unit from being able to do what it needs to do and although the water is definitely a problem that you will want to deal with as soon as you notice it; you have to choose the right technician to help you out with it.

Hiring the Right Technician

If you are unable to locate the cause of your leak, you can try to contact a plumber to make sure that the isn’t with your water lines. That is unless you know exactly where the air handler is and you can get to it. If you know its location and feel that it is close to the AHU, you are better off to start out with contacting an air conditioning repair technician. Some of our favorite technicians are air conditioning service naples fl. They will be able to find the issue and fix it before it has the chance to cause more damage to your home’s ceiling and before the damaged areas begin to grow mold.

The key is to remember that just because you see water stains and puddles; you shouldn’t immediately feel as though you have a plumbing leak. It could be something that is much easier to fix and more affordable than that.

We are proud of our ability to help people with their plumbing issues and keeping our prices fair. In our area, we have managed to get enough dedicated customers who are willing to refer us to our friends. It has paid off well for everyone because we have been enabled to upgrade our tools and even our services. However, with all the newfound popularity and our busy schedules, we have had a few issues that make us want to increase our security. This is why we are going to be adding a driveway gate to our shop.

The Upgrades We Have Made

We have made upgrades in our tools so that we are able to keep up with the changes that newer toilets and faucets require. This has enabled us to keep up with our client’s needs. We can install larger pipes and we can install the newer toilets that may have warmed seats and water rinses. We have also upgraded our vehicles to company trucks. This makes us appear more professional and gives homeowners a sense of security in the services that we provide. The downside is that our success leads to us worrying about potential break ins and thefts of the tools that we provide.

Avoiding Potential Issues

We have put a lot of time and effort into our business. As we grow and expand, even more, we will be adding a driveway gate, thanks to Driveway Gates For Sale,  to protect the new trucks and supplies that we have managed to acquire. We are not trying to keep people out, but we do prefer that only honest people are on our property. Since we do not have the ability to babysit our company day and night; it is important to us that we control access. It is something that we have learned from other businesses in the area who have been robbed, who now also use a gate at their driveway.

How Can Driveway Gates Help?

Without a gate, people who are trying to get onto a property will have nothing in their way. The point of a fence is to keep people out and a gate can further prevent people from entering. There are some who have video cameras aimed at them so that in the event someone does come in, the camera will see it. A locked gate that has a camera aimed at it will send most people away because no one would want to get caught doing things that they shouldn’t. Even if they could climb over the gate, they wouldn’t be able to get to the tools and vehicles that they would be entering for. This enables us, as a company, to sleep more peacefully at night.

Other business owners who have already upgraded their property to include a gated driveway say that it is the ideal solution. It is the same statement that homeowners who have a gate on their driveway say. It is a very easy way to stop people who may be trying to steal from you to put a little cash or product in their pocket that they have not earned. We have chosen to not become a victim and encourage everyone to join us. Perhaps if we all have gates, we will slow down some of the theft in our area.

When it comes to bathroom upgrades, you cannot go wrong with installing a rain shower. They are beautiful when installed and relaxing to use. They add value to a bathroom, even though the price of them is very affordable. They are designed to wash you from above so that your entire body is covered with water gently cascading over you. This is one of the main reasons people want to know more about rain shower installation. They want the all-over water flow that traditional shower heads are unable to provide.

Proper Rainfall Shower Head Installation

If you want a truly impressive rainfall shower head installed, you will want to do it the right way. This could mean running new pipes in the bathroom, but it will be worth it. Standard shower heads use a pipe that is one half an inch in diameter. Many of the rainfall shower heads that are available need a larger sized pipe to work the way that they are supposed to. You can still have a rainfall shower head if you have the smaller sized pipes in place, but it will take a plumber to make it work properly. Therefore, if you have an already established shower, you may want to seek out a shower head that uses the size pipes you already have to save on installation costs.

Once you have the shower head, a plumber will need to tie in to the existing water lines that are already there or add new water lines. They may also add a fitting to enlarge the water line to accommodate the new rain shower head. Either way, they will run the water lines up toward your ceiling and then take it across the ceiling to where you want it to be in your shower. They will install the base plate on the ceiling so that it can mount flush or have an arm, depending on the way you want it to be installed and the shower head’s needs. He will also secure the new water lines to something so that they are not free to wiggle around with water pressure changes.

If your home does not have attic space, the plumber may need to take out a part of the ceiling to secure the new water lines. This should be a simple repair considering how great the new shower head will look, but it is a concern for some people.

Other Alternatives for a Rain Shower Head

Many people choose to do a DIY installation with the rainfall shower head. It is possible to have an arm extension added to the existing pipes so that you avoid having a plumber come in. The shower arms are easy to install, but most will not put the rainfall shower head into the middle of a shower or tub. They can get it up higher so that the rain will fall over your body, but you will be confined to standing near the shower wall, the same as you currently have to stand. You also must look at an exposed pipe and some people do not want to see it in their shower. You should be the one to decide how great you want for your shower to look with a rainfall shower head installed.

Does your shower function the way that you want it to? Do you have a steady stream of water or would you describe your shower as a trickle of water that takes forever to rinse shampoo from your hair? Most people want a shower that has a lot of water pressure. They want a shower that massages while rinsing away the stress from their day. For that reason, if you don’t have the shower that you want, it is time to increase the shower water pressure in your home.

Water Pressure in Your Home

Not all homes have as much water pressure as we may hope that they would. In apartment buildings, if you have several people washing laundry or taking a shower at the same time, you may not have as much as you would hope, even though the pipes are fine. In a single-family home, you may have good pipes, but little pressure and you may blame it on a faulty pump or something else. Chances are good that if you start thinking smaller, you will get the water pressure you want, without upgrading all the expensive plumbing parts of your home. Your issue may not even be in your home’s plumbing. It could simply be your faucets and your shower heads.

Get the Maximum Amount of Water Pressure

One of the first things you will want to do if you feel that you have zero water pressure in your shower is to clean the shower head. If you have iron build up or other deposits in your shower head, you are losing out on pressure. A good way to clean them is to soak the shower head in vinegar overnight. You can do this by placing a sandwich bag filled with vinegar over the shower head and leaving it overnight or by taking the shower head down and soaking it in a sink overnight.

If that doesn’t work, you may want to take the shower head down and locate the flow restrictor, so that you can remove it. A flow restrictor slows down a shower so that you are not wasting water. The downside is, less water can flow out through your shower head and in homes that are already low on pressure, you may end up with a trickle. You should look at the shower head you have to find out if there is a flow restrictor and how to remove it.

Upgrade Your Shower Head

If neither of those things are helpful and you see no increase in your shower pressure; you may want to upgrade your shower. There are pressurized shower heads available and many of them are very affordable. You can also purchase a cheaper shower head and remove the flow restrictor to see if perhaps your lack of pressure was caused by a clog in the old shower head that you couldn’t remove with vinegar. The best thing about the pressurized shower head is even if your pipes have issues that restrict water flow, you have a combination of air and water mixed to make it more powerful. It is a win/win situation because you can avoid tracking down more expensive ways to increase pressure.