Is It Worth It To Fix Your Appliance Yourself?

The following is another scenario that I run into a lot in the course of running an appliance repairservice. Usually, it also involves a disgruntled customer who has just lost a fair amount of time and money. Sometimes they will have voided the warranty on their appliance as well. All of these are caused because the client tried to repair the problem with their appliance themselves.

Sometimes this is a good idea if the problem is only a minor one and your appliance is currently not under warranty. Keep in mind that most factory warranties are voided if you attempt to repair the appliance yourself before calling an authorized service representative, so if your do have a current warranty your best bet is to let an authorized tech take care of it.

If you don't have a warranty, you may be able to save some money by doing minor repairs yourself. On the other hand, you may also waste a good deal of time and money, something you may want to consider. Let me give you a few examples of these kinds of cases I've run into lately.

Not long ago, I ran into an individual who had voided the warranty on his range because he had attempted to fix a bad heating filament himself. He had pulled the range out and taken the back off before deciding to call the dealer who sold it to him. When the tech came out and saw the appliance had been dis-assembled, he informed the owner that the warranty was void. In addition, he flatly refused to work on the range because the home owner had already taken it apart, something a lot of appliance repair companies do.

Another example, last month I was called out to an expansive mansion on a local river. The owner was a local contractor, obviously a very wealthy individual and one who was accustomed to working on things himself. His refrigerator's ice maker had recently gone on the blink and he had attempted to repair it himself. He had gone on YouTube, found out some of the most common causes, gone down to the local parts store and purchased a part he didn't need.

All together, he told me he'd spent about 4 hours of his weekend trying to fix the ice maker. He was not happy when I inquired what his time was worth by the hour, he said he normally billed out at about 95.00 per hour. So including the part, his attempt at repair had cost him around 450.00, and then he still had to pay me to perform the repair on the correct part.

Yesterday, I visited a young married couple whose mother had given them her old refrigerator, which had worked well for years except for one lower corner of the door seal which didn't close quite properly. The young man had ordered a new door seal which is usually about a hundred bucks and attempted to replace it. However, he had bent the door in several critical areas as he performed the replacement and when he had it back together, the door wouldn't seal at all and the refrigerator was shot.

Sadly there was nothing we could do to help him, you can order a replacement door seal but you can't order a new door. In addition, they had to pay us a service charge for coming out to look at and diagnose the refrigerator; a bad day all around.

While there are repairs you can easily take care of, replacing a busted water hose on your washer for example, many of the more complex repairs may be better off in the hands of a qualified technician.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7992625

What to Look for in a Good Vacuum Cleaner

The range of vacuums in the market today can make it difficult for us to find the best vacuum for our needs. Different types and models of vacuums have differing levels of efficiency. In order to find a good vacuum, you should consider a few important factors.

Factors to consider:

The features of the vacuum are very important. The range of capabilities that are featured in certain vacuums is very impressive. In addition to cleaning floors, carpets and furniture, certain models have added capabilities, such as trapping allergens and other harmful substances. You need to consider your vacuuming requirements in order to choose the type of vacuum that has features that fit your requirements.

The design of the cleaner is also important. If you opt to go for a small vacuum, it may have implications on the power of the vacuum. A small design may mean that the vacuum motor is also small, providing less vacuuming power. A less powerful vacuum may not be able to sufficiently clean large spills. On the other hand, if you choose to buy a large vacuum, you may benefit from the powerful vacuum but lose on the ability of being able to access hard to reach places.

It may also force you to work harder by lifting pieces of furniture in order to vacuum under them. A smaller vacuum will be able to sufficiently clean under furniture without having to move the heavy items of furniture. The size of the vacuum will also affect its mobility. Consider having to lift and carry a heavy vacuum down the stairs. This can be a very annoying and tiring experience. You may also choose a design with, or without a power cord. Many types of vacuums use chargeable batteries, while for others; you will be forced to plug them into a wall socket. The ease and effectiveness of cleaning will be greatly affected when using a corded vacuum.

Something else to look for in a good vacuum is the accessories that come with it. Some vacuums come with extension wands, to help access hard to reach places, stair cleaning tools, brushes, and other accessories. Your cleaning requirements will help you choose the best type of cleaner to use. A good cleaner should come with many accessories to cater for the different vacuuming requirements.

Another important factor you need to consider is the level of technology and capability of the vacuum you need. You may opt to go for automatic and robotic vacuums, or a manually operated cleaner. You should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both types in order to find the best option for you.

Finally yet importantly, an important factor to consider in choosing the best vacuum is the cost. A good cleaner should be affordable and good value for money. In the case of complicated vacuuming requirements, going for a cleaner with many features and good capabilities would be your best bet. The contrary applies to people with limited cleaning requirements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7985245

7 Ways to Begin Improving the Look of Your Property

Owning your own property leaves you with many obligations and responsibilities. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start when you don't seem to have a lot to work with. However, there are some things that you can do to start improving the look of your property rather quickly. Of course, not all of these things need to be done together. One of two items will dramatically increase the look of your property easily.

Plant a small flower garden. A perfectly placed flower garden is a way to welcome people and to add some color to your property. You can easily plant flowers that require little to no maintenance on your part, or you can hire a landscaper to take care of the flowers for you. If you do choose to plant flowers and take care of them yourself, make sure you choose flowers appropriate for the climate and time of year.

Talk to someone who works in a garden center to help you decide which plants will work best for your yard and gardening ability. Remember that you must keep up with weeding and maintaining your flower garden or it may diminish the look of your property.

Keep your lawn trimmed and maintained. When you have a busy lifestyle, keeping your yard mowed and free of weeds can be difficult. However, keeping this part of your home neatly trimmed and maintained can make a huge difference in the appearance of your property. There are many teenagers and others who will mow yards for a small fee, or you can hire a professional to do it if you do not have the time.

Install new windows.Installing new windows is an investment in your property. They can dramatically increase the energy-efficiency of your building or home, and they instantly transform the look of your home based on the design of your choosing.

Install a new door.A new door can also increase the energy-efficiency of your home or building. A door sets the impression that you want to give customers or guests. Choose one that complements the rest of your building or home and creates a welcoming impression.

Paint dull areas of the front of the house or building with complementing colors.These areas may be around windows, porches, or other painted areas that are now peeling or losing their color. A fresh coat of paint can liven up the rest of the structure in ways that might surprise you.

Install a new walkway.If the walkway is crumbling or just a dirt path, then you need to consider placing some stone pavers, tiles, or other walkway to designate a real path and make it safer for guests. You may want to consider placing solar lights alongside the walkway to increase the safety and look of the walkway at night.

Consider pavement instead of gravel for your driveway. If your driveway needs some attention, then it may be time to consider an upgrade. You may want professionals to do this for you, but if you consider yourself handy you may be able to do this on your own. Visit a local hardware store to see what options you have for making your driveway look like new again.

Just one or two of these suggestions can make your property look like new, and some of them will actually save you money in the long run by making your property more energy efficient. Whichever suggestions you choose to put into action, you will be very impressed with the results, and you may become more motivated to make more improvements to your property.

Office Furniture Quality

The way that your office looks will either paint a favorable picture in your customer's mind or make them rethink their decision about doing business with you. While you don't have to empty your coffers in order to have fine office furniture, there are options available to you that will allow you to have a great looking office without going into debt.

The first thing you'll want to do is shop around before you make a final decision in order to find the right furniture for your business. Spend some time researching your options to make the most of the money you will spend on your office furniture. Compare prices, the quality of furniture and the warranties on the different types of office furniture you are considering. While you can do plenty of your research online, you'll also want to remember to bear in mind that there will more than likely be delivery costs involved, so you should be sure to compare those as well. If you have any business partners or business colleagues, ask them if they have any references for you.

Once you've decided on a provider for affordable office furniture, don't hesitate to negotiate the price. There might be a special offer or discount that you qualify for that you might not be aware of. If you're purchasing several items of office furniture, the furniture provider will definitely want to keep your business and would appreciate any new business that you could send their way. What this means for you is that they might be more willing to offer you a special discount. Even if you purchase your furniture online, you should still ask if you could get a discount on your shipping.

If you'd like for the furniture to be delivered to your office, ask if there's any way that you could get free delivery. You'll have a better chance of getting free delivery from a local furniture company since you're both located in the same area. An out-of-state company more than likely will see shipping as too high in cost to give you for free. If you do manage to get free shipping, you might want to think about getting higher quality furniture with the money you'll save on shipping costs.

Something else you can do is buy used office furniture. The office furniture quality can be just as good if not better than the quality of completely brand new furniture if you're willing to take the time and energy necessary to find it. One caveat with used furniture is that it might take you more time to find just the right type of furniture that you're looking for. Basically you'll be spending more time and less money.

As long as you know how and where to look and shop, you'll find that there are several ways to save money on office furniture, both new and used.

Fire Restoration Requires Some Expertise

If flames and smoke have damaged your property, fire restoration techniques will need to be carried out. This is a devastating experience for a homeowner. In addition to property damage, the inhabitants may also be suffering physically and emotionally. Cleaning up and making things right again will take some time as well as expertise of professionals.

Property Damage

After flames have engulfed a person's home, steps will need to be taken to heal on many levels. The house itself will need to be restored physically. Not only will there be burnt structures, there will also be smoke damage. These odors and contaminants may be embedded in carpeting, drapery, upholstery, and the walls. A smoky residue may coat walls, cupboards, appliances, and more. Fire restoration specialists have the proper tools, equipment, and cleaning products to make the physical space habitable again. Burned items will need to be removed, replace, cleaned, or discarded. During this process, the inhabitants will likely have to seek lodging elsewhere.

Physical Problems

The people who were present during the blaze may have a variety of physical problems as a result. They may have suffered burns, inhaled smoke, or experienced other bodily harm. They may require physical therapy, time spent in a burn unit, plastic surgery, and other medical intervention. Recovering from these types of injuries can be a challenging path. It's crucial that victims be treated by doctors who are burn specialists in order to take advantage of the best medical techniques available.

Emotional Problems

In addition to fire restoration specialists and medical doctors, victims who were involved may need to seek help from therapists who specialize in PTSD. PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. Watching one's own home burn down is among the most stressful situations a person can go through. Therapists, social workers, and counselors can work to help adults and children overcome the nightmarish experience.

Keep Your Home Safe

In order to keep one's home and loved ones safer, it's important to be prepared. Steps to take include educating all family members about escape plans, having smoke detectors installed, cleaning chimneys on a regular basis, supplying extinguishers for the kitchen, and making certain that electrical wiring is up to code. If there are smokers living in the home, it's important to set ground rules about matches, lighters, and where inhabitants can smoke. Smoking in bed is a big mistake that often leads to trouble.

Fires are damaging to property and humans in a variety of ways. In order to reduce the possibility of this crisis happening, homeowners should take extra precautions to keep everyone safe. If a blaze has occurred, getting help from fire restoration specialists, doctors, and therapists can right all the wrong that was done.

What To Do If Your Home Has Sustained Flood Damage

No matter which area of the country you live in, flood damage can be a seriousconcern. Hurricanes, large-scale rainstorms, or broken dams or levees can all lead to flooding. Even if you don't live in a place where this is typically a concern, a broken water heater or leaky pipe could still cause flooding inside your home. If your home has been flooded, you should act fast to dry out your home and mitigate any destruction that has occurred.

First, you should lower the humidity in your home. This will dry out your home faster and reduce the risk of rot and mildew. Opening the doors and windows is a good way to lower the humidity in your home, as long as it is more humid inside than it is outside. At nights, this will generally not be the case, as the humidity level of the outdoors will drop. Therefore, you will need to close up your home at night to keep the humidity from seeping back in. Other ways to reduce the humidity in your home are to use a dehumidifier, open up cabinet and closet doors, or use a desiccant, which is a chemical that can reduce the humidity in your home.

After taking steps to reduce the humidity in your home, you should begin to sort your belongings to determine what can be salvaged. You should sort your possessions into three categories: things you want to save, things you don't want to or can't save, and garbage. You should throw garbage away immediately so it doesn't begin to accumulate. Garbage piles can attract animals or insects, causing yet another health hazard in your home. For this reason, it is especially important to throw out rotting or spoiling food as soon as possible.

Your next order of business when tackling flood damage should be to clean out mold and mildew. It can accumulate extremely quickly and can lead to a multitude of health problems if left unchecked. Mold and mildew can grow at an extremely rapid rate, so it's important to get your home inspected as soon as possible. Generally, household cleaning products will do the trick. You should clean one room at a time so the task doesn't get too overwhelming, and be sure to go over each room with a disinfectant once you finish using ordinary household cleaners. This will kill any germs and remove any odors that the floodwaters left behind.

Once you've cleaned your home, it may be necessary to repair or rebuild any parts of your home that have been destroyed by flood damage. Many states will require that you get a building permit before you begin rebuilding, so you should do some research on your state's permit laws before you start to rebuild. You should also find a qualified contractor who can help get your home back to normal.

Improving Your Garden With the Perfect Outdoor Furniture

The garden is an important place in any home, not just because of the way it contributes to the house's appearance and coziness, but also due to its potential as a gathering place for you and your friends and family. Of course this can hardly happen if you don't have anything to sit down on out there, so if you want to make your garden a great place for having get-togethers, you should look into decorating it with some furniture first.

Obviously you can't just go and use regular furniture meant for indoor use though, as this will quickly spell disaster thanks to the weather. There are companies that manufacture specialized outdoor furniture, and that's exactly what you should be looking for. There are various ways in which outdoor furniture differs from regular indoor one, but the main factors to look for include durable wood, good polish that protects against rain and dust, and of course a nice appearance.

There are various small details and features in a typical piece of outdoor furniture which help set it aside from standard furniture and can make it more suitable for use in your garden. For example, the bolts of your furniture are a very important detail as they should not be susceptible to any kind of rust. If there are pillows or anything like that involved, they should also be made from a water-resistant material that doesn't gather a lot of dust when it's left outdoors as well.

No matter how good your furniture is, it won't beindestructible however. This makes it important to also invest in some covers and similar materials which can help you protect your outdoor furniture while it's not in use. Often, you'll be able to buy those things from the same company that sold you the original furniture itself, and they might even recommend some of their cover products to you during your shopping, so don't disregard that advice.

Remember that not all furniture you're putting out there has to be designed for sitting on! There are various other details that you can install in your garden to make it a more comfortable place, such as ashtrays, lamps and other details that can make the place livelier and more comfortable. Just think about the comfort items that you lack outside and try to implement them in some type of furniture.

Last but not least, a more general tip for your shopping when you're looking for outdoor furniture. You should always try to see the furniture in person before purchasing it, because there's a lot that you can only see "live" and not in any pictures or product descriptions. You'll likely be investing a good sum of money into that furniture, so you should do your best to ensure that your money is going towards something that's actually worth it. Don't rush this purchase and don't go for the first thing that grabs your attention, always be sure to do lots of in-depth research to be sure what you're buying!