Monthly Archives: January 2015
Concreting: The 7 Tools You Need
Home improvement projects are inevitable. At one point, there would probably be something you want to add or renovate in your home. Some projects, like installing a concrete floor, will call for concreting, so you should know how to do it yourself. Whatever it is you plan on doing, you need the right tools; specifically, these seven:
Builder’s Barrows
The barrows needed for concreting is different from what you use in the garden. Builder’s barrows are generally bigger, which make them suitable for carrying the weight of cement. The inflated rubber tyres are also better than the small metal wheels of garden barrows.
Edging Tool
In some parts of your concreting project, it is necessary to contour the edges and make cross-joints. You can only achieve this when you have the right edging tool for it.
Float
A wooden float comes in handy during the last phase of the project: finishing. This is the tool you will use to flatten the surface.
Screed Board
Right after you pour the concrete, you need to screed it to make it a little smoother. The result would still look rough, but this is something you can address during the finishing phase.
Shovel
You cannot complete a concreting project without at least one good shovel to use. You will need this to mix the cement with water, as well as when you finally apply the wet concrete to the surface. For concreting projects, DTSWA.com.au recommends square-mouthed shovels.
Timber
Yes, wood is not exactly a tool, but it is an important part of concreting. Regardless of the nature of your project, it is essential to have planks of timber to create pegs and guide the formwork. There are different types of formwork, so be sure that you do your homework before proceeding with the concreting project.
Trowel
You need a trowel when you finally start pouring concrete onto the surface. Consequently, trowels are also useful when you want a finish that is smoother than what the wooden float can achieve.
Before you venture into any concreting project, make sure that you have these at your disposal for a hassle-free DIY experience.
For More Than 911 Calls: Phone as Breathalyzers
With legions of new smartphone accessories and apps hitting the market each day, it is not hard to imagine using them to check whether you are a point or two above the lawful average already. As such, it is also no surprise that most Houston traffic law enforcers and even DWI lawyers are now advocating the use of phone compatible, portable breathalyzers and apps to avoid drunk-driving incidents.
According to David A. Nachtigall, “In addition to the risk of going to jail for up to six months for a first offense, a person convicted of DWI faces license suspensions, surcharges from the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other potentially burdensome restrictions on his or her driving.”
Despite their increasing popularity, however, only a handful of devices and apps are available today, such as:
1. Alcohoot
This fuel cell run device pairs with mobile devices easily via an app. It connects with mobile gadgets running iOS 6.0 and Android 4.0 or higher through the headphone jack. It has breathing ports located on its upper-left corner, as well as a keychain hole on its upper-right corner and a slider for deploying the 3.5mm headphone jack on its bottom. It also comes with eight mouthpieces and a USB charger.
2. BACtrack Mobile
This Bluetooth-enabled device doesn’t need to be connected directly to your phone to determine your blood alcohol concentration or content (BAC) level. It has a plus or minus 0.005 accuracy from the correct lab value. It also comes with three mouthpieces, as well as a USB charger and carrying pouch.
3. Breathometer
This mouthpiece-less device connects to phones via a 3.55mm jack, similar to the Alcohoot. Unlike the other two devices, however, it uses a port, located on its upper-left corner for BAC readings.It is made from a smooth, black plastic, and weighs less than an ounce.
There is no need to wait for a traffic enforcer to pull you over to test your BAC level. With these devices, you can determine if you have imbued more than you need to drive. After all, a night out should never result in imprisonment.
Knowing When to First Aid (and Not)
Knowing a little about first aid can be quite useful, especially when you have children in your home. The knowledge of how to treat some of the common ailments and problems can help you take care of your family and ensure that you go to a hospital at the right time.
The Wells Suite lists three simple things to keep in mind when you are familiarising yourself with first aid practices:
1. You need to be ready to take immediate action. Almost any common medical condition is treatable when you address the problem as soon as possible.
2. Any first aid care you provide requires a cool mind, careful deliberation and deliberate activity. Ensure that you and any bystanders are safe before acting.
3. Assessing the situation carefully is extremely important. Check whether the condition is manageable with just first aid, or whether you need to take the individual to a hospital.
To First Aid or Not
Common medical problems include cuts, scrapes, broken limbs, burns, influenza, and fever. In case of open wounds, you should clean up the blood with a clean piece of cloth, and then evaluate whether the wound needs stitching or professional care. Where bleeding does not stop even after the application of first aid, take the wounded to hospital.
In case of bad falls or burns, you should take the injured person to emergency care as a precautionary measure after rendering first aid. Meanwhile, over-the-counter medication can help with conditions such as fevers and the flu. Again, if it does not abate even after a few days, consider taking the individual for a check-up.
Many private hospitals in Kent have emergency rooms equipped to provide care for a number of conditions. To be on the safe side, it is always better to know which hospital is the closest to your home.
How Can a Dentist Treat TMJ Syndrome?
Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ syndrome is a disorder that manifests as chronic discomfort and pain in the jaw. The reasons for this issue could be teeth grinding, past injuries, arthritis, stress, or other more mundane things, such as nail biting, misaligned bite, or tension.
Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome
Left untreated, this can lead to difficulties in swallowing, eating and even talking. This is different from other forms of joint pains and toothache; if you experience pain in the jaw area while chewing, yawning and swallowing, consult a dental specialist. The pain will be on one side of the jaw and persistent.
It either could gradually or suddenly get worse. TMJ sufferers are prone to headaches and have soreness near the ears, head, neck, etc. Others report hearing a clicking sound when they open their mouths. The sound could be due to muscle spasm or displacement of the bone.
A Dentist Can Help
Cosmetic dentistry can help if you have symptoms of TMJ. A neuromuscular dental specialist usually handles these cases, but if your family dentist cannot handle it, he will refer you to specialists. In South Bend, Indiana, family dentists also treat TMJ.
Normally after diagnosis, they will prescribe night guards or splints to keep the teeth apart while sleeping. These reduce grinding, keeping the condition from worsening.
Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the syndrome. For example, oral issues such as misaligned bites that cause TMJ may require reconstruction of the jawbone, and bridges and braces could correct the condition. It could also warrant an adjustment of facial bones. Some medications prescribed include painkillers, anxiety drugs and muscle relaxants.
Finding a quick remedy to this syndrome is necessary as negligence can lead to bigger problems involving more complex procedures and medications. Consult your doctor or a dentist for the solution that would work for you.
Donating Your Car and Help Fight Society’s Injustices
A used vehicle need not lie idle in your home. You can sell it, but if you cannot find the right buyer, just donate the car to a charitable organization. Did you know that by donating your car you could not only be helping someone in need, but will also join the crusade against some of society’s pressing concerns?
Read on for more information about car charities.
Charities and Donated Cars
Many charities accept donated cars. You can get information about most of them online. Most such charities will even offer to pick up the car for you. All you need to do is to find the right charity.
What Would They Do With an Old Car?
This is a good question, considering that you want your old vehicle to find proper use (and not just so you can dispose them). In fact, the charity can do several things with a donated car. Some of the typical purposes include:
- Donate directly to a needy person.
- Sell many donated cars en masse or through a dealer for little to no commission.
- Use the cash thus obtained for funding various organizational requirements.
- Use the vehicle themselves such as for transportation and lifting of goods.
Helping Fund Other Charities
Carsformadd.org says that some of the cars they receive help in the fight against drunk driving. These cars fund the effort for the victims of drunk driving and the families they leave behind, or support awareness programs to improve road safety for everyone.
Other car donation outfits funnel the funds from car donations to other purposes. Some fight certain illnesses or help fund the research for such diseases, while still others channel the cash to support education, drug rehabilitation, and other charities.
Do not fret that you are unable to find a good buyer. Simply donate your used car and help society become a safer – and happier – place to be in.
Some Interesting and Inexpensive DIY Home Renovations Ideas
Home renovations are certainly not a cheap task. There are minor renovations, however, whose inexpensive steps and simplicity belie its impact on the aesthetics of a home. For these renovations, you can either hire a professional renovator, or go the DIY route.
Here are a few interesting DIY home renovation ideas, which work well in Perth:
1. Paint, Paint, Paint
Bust the brushes and the spray cans out and paint whatever surface you find has become dull and boring. It could be something as small as the doorknobs in your house, or even entire rooms; just paint them if you see the paint peeling away or looks too dirty. Nothing works as well as painting the house afresh as this makes the area look bright and welcoming.
2. Replace the Fixtures and the Faucets
Another great way to upgrade your home is to replace the fixtures and faucets. A modern light fixture and a new faucet can add a contemporary touch to the rooms, the kitchen and the bathroom. Just make sure that the fixtures do not need special wiring and the faucets fit easily into the existing holes.
3. Add Some Track Lighting
Something as simple as lighting can make all the difference between good and great ambience in a home. Consider adding track lighting along the ceiling to make the rooms in your home seem cosier. These you can install yourself, as opposed to the recessed fixtures.
4. Other Small Ideas
You could also think of insulating the attic, which is great during either summer or winter, depending on the type of insulation you would put in. Alternatively, replace the tiles in the bathroom, and invest in new furniture. Just remember to choose designs that would complement the new style that you aim for.
You can do most of these improvements by yourself, though it would be better (and far faster) to hire a renovations expert to handle these. They would both procure and install them for you, trimming both expense and effort.
Dentists: The Good, the Bad, and the Guidelines
There is no dearth of dentists in Perth today, which makes finding a dentist an easy task. The same may not be true for good dentists, however, so if you need one, the task can become a herculean effort at times. You should know how to sift the good ones from the bad.
Here are a few tips to help you find good Perth dentists that you deserve:
-
First Impressions
First impression lasts, and the first impression you have of any medical practitioner is generally the best one. Among other things, this is important and a huge factor even as you contact the dentists’ office. Ask yourself a few questions, like:
- Is the staff at the dentists’ office communicative over the phone, or unnecessarily curt?
- What do you feel about their office – is it welcoming and well maintained?
- Do they make you wait for unduly long periods?
-
Cleanliness
Cleanliness in the dentists’ office, the equipment used and hygiene practices are all good indications of how good the dentist is. A littered office is usually the sign of a deeper problem; for example, the equipment may be outdated or not sterilized, or the staff does not perform proper hygienic procedures. In this case, find another dentist.
-
Money Matters
Good dentists are those who care more for their patient’s oral health than for the money they make. Like in the above, ask some questions:
- Does your dentist prescribe unnecessary medications and treatments?
- Do they sell you extra products off their desk?
- Do they demand payment in full even before the treatment begins?
Good dentists will never sell you anything, aside from prescribing the treatment that works for you. Their profession is in service, nothing more.
Above all, good dentists work with self-assured expertise, and recognize that the treatments may sometimes frighten the patients. They will attend to your doubts, and ease pain whenever it appears. Great dentists are prompt with post-treatment check-ups, as they are with the treatment itself.
Consider this guide as a dentist checklist, so you can guide yourself on a dentist that could become a mainstay in your life and in the future.
Touring the City of Bath: A Simple Guide for First-time Travellers
When the corporate world becomes too much for you, your best move is to take a well-deserved break. Now, if you are looking for a place to head to that is unique and relaxing, you might want to consider going to the city of Bath in Somerset.
Where is Bath Located?
The city of Bath can be found within Somerset in Southwest England. The name is derived from the fact that the city was once the Aquae Sulis, or a place where the Romans had built public baths. This made the city, during that time, a well-known spa place. Records, however, have shown that even before the said time, the place was already quite popular for its hot springs. Because of its heritage, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
What to Do in Bath
According to The Royal Hotel, a visit to the city of Bath is never complete without dropping by such places as:
1. The Great Bath
The Great Bath can be found at the center of what used to be the ancient Roman baths. From there, you can see the actual cobbled walkways from the streets of Rome some thousands of years ago. You would also be able to see the remains of heated as well as changing rooms.
2. Thermae Bath Spa
If you are more into unwinding rather than visiting historic places, you should consider heading to the Thermae Bath Spa. In here, you can bathe in its naturally warm and mineral-rich waters. You can choose from a number of spa sessions being offered here without a need to sign up for membership or register for anything.
3. The Museum of Bath Work
If the city of Bath has piqued your interest in the past, you might want to consider visiting the Museum of Bath Work located at Camden Works. The place is a great way to see how the city has undergone development commercially.
Of course, make sure to book yourself in a hotel in Bath City centre if you want to enjoy all of these must-visit places.
No Win, No Fee: An Overview of a Conditional Agreement
A no win no fee solicitor 
agrees to work for your case if it involves a monetary award in damages. Also known as a contingent or conditional fee, a no win no fee agreement means that you pay the solicitor only when your case succeeds. These cases are common among low-income clients.
How does this work? Secure Law offers a glimpse into how conditional fees operate:
Charges
When you win the case, your solicitor may charge you on an hourly basis and a fixed fee, called a ‘success fee’. This may entitle the lawyer to anything from 33% to 50% of the amount you win. On the other side, there is no need to pay the solicitor if you lose the case.
Not all countries practice a conditional fee agreement, though. The UK, the United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand are among the few with some form of these agreements.
Practices of a No Win No Fee Solicitor
The high risk involved in such a contract makes most lawyers wary of it, unless the case has good merit – in other words, a big chance of success. A no win no fee solicitor will stay closely aligned to the best interests of the client, because of the money involved.
To make a proper selection, look for lawyers who work on a contingency basis, particularly in certain legal spheres.
Your case could be a personal injury or medical malpractice where usually large amounts of money may be involved, and you will accordingly have to look for a person who specializes in such matters.
Finding a Solicitor
The Internet will give you numerous names, even the local Yellow Pages. You may even consult friends, relatives and family members who have benefitted from the services of such lawyers.
Bear in mind though that a money judgment is necessary in hiring the services of conditional fee solicitors. You need to shortlist experts whose practice is in those areas that your case is in, or where contingent agreements are the norm, such as personal injury.
This agreement is a good idea for people who want to pursue a civil wrong in court, because the innate nature of such litigation involves a huge sum of money. Meanwhile, a no win no fee solicitor stands to benefit from such a venture, where there is often pecuniary compensation when the case is successful.
Safety Measures You Can Do to Protect Your Home Against Intruders
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 12 months prior to its Crime Victimisation Survey 2009-2010, about 254,500 households were victims of at least one break-in. If you’re one of those Aussies who are worried by the threat of home burglary, it’s important to take some measures to protect your property and possessions from theft.
Keep Gates Closed
Make sure all your gates are locked at all times. BoardWalk.com.au says locked gates and tall fences make it harder for criminals to enter your property. If entrance is too difficult, the intruders may give up and just move on to an easier target.
Secure Keys
Are you familiar with the “Bling Ring” — a group of high school kids who shocked the world by ripping off Hollywood from October 2008 to August 2009? One of their elite victims was hotel heiress Paris Hilton, who, unfortunately, has helped them out by leaving her keys under the mat.
If you seriously want to protect your home, make sure not to leave your keys hidden outside. Just like what happened to Paris, the intruders might easily locate them and unlock an outside door to your house.
Monitor All Targets
Garden sheds and garages are often targets for thieves. They can even use your own tools and ladders to get access to the main door. For this reason, make sure to have an automatic light fitted to the garage or shed along with keyed locks. These can be a useful deterrent.
Store Valuables in a Safe
Money and jewellery items are often the target in break-ins. So, it’s necessary to install a small safe in your house. It’s a relatively low cost way to protect those valuable items against theft.
Install an Alarm or Have a Dog
Having an alarm system in your home is a good layer of defence. Even installing a “Beware of the Dog” sign even if you don’t really own one can make intruders pause for a while before targeting your property.
Replacing the items that have been stolen can cost you a lot more than making your home more secure. Make sure to keep the above tips in mind to protect your home against intruders.
