Author Archives: alanhs961

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What's That Clunking Sound? Probably A Problem With Your Plumbing

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While ghost stories have always been with us, nothing accelerated their popularity more than modern plumbing systems. Pipes, boilers, and faucets have an uncanny ability to stimulate our superstitions, thanks to the eerie sounds they make when they malfunction. 

Plumbing noises, however, aren’t the dead trying to communicate with you – they’re just a sign that you have something wrong with your system, and you need to do something to fix it. 

Knowing what different sounds mean, though, can be a challenge. If you’re not a plumber, you can’t always tell the difference between a whistling or clunking noise, and whether it is dangerous or not. 

In this post, we’re going to run through some of the noises you can hear and what they might mean. Don’t take any of this as gospel; you’ll need an accredited plumber to diagnose the actual issue with your system. But these general rules of thumb can help steer you towards the source of the problem. 

Banging Sounds In Your Pipes

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Banging sounds in your pipes are among the most unnerving noises that you can hear in your home. All that rattling and clanking can lead you to believe that there’s a poltergeist in your midst. 

The actual cause of this sound is something called a “water hammer,” and it usually means that you have some kind of blockage. 

Piping doesn’t stay perfectly clean forever. Over time, gunk builds up in the system and impedes the flow of water. When this happens, it jolts around, creating a hammer-like action. 

The trick here is to clear the obstruction. Identifying where that is, however, is a challenge, and requires the help of a professional. A company that specializes in plumbing such as Quick Clear Drainage is a good choice to address and identify the problem. Don’t start taking your piping apart yourself – you’ll wind up with flooding. 

Growling When You Turn On The Hot Water

If you’ve noticed a growling noise when you switch on the hot water in your home, you’re not alone. It is a plumbing problem that afflicts most homeowners at some point in their lives. 

The good news is that it doesn’t mean your plumbing is angry with you. Instead, it is usually a sign that there is a problem with your water heater. The thermostats in water heaters can sometimes go haywire, causing them to overheat the water. When this happens, they reach boiling point, creating bubbles of water vapor in the system. When you turn on the tap, these bubbles escape energetically, producing the noise that you hear. 

Growling is potentially a severe problem that could cause your water tank to explode. If you have this problem, leave your faucets running for ten minutes and turn off your boiler manually. 

Whistling When You Use The Shower Or Turn On A Faucet

Whistling sounds when you turn on your shower or faucet usually indicate an obstruction. It could mean that you have debris in the system or an issue with your ABS butterfly valve. Whatever the cause, the solution is relatively straightforward – replace the defective part. 

In some cases, whistling results from loose material inside the piping. As water rushes past, it creates a kind of howling sound. Usually, this kind of whistling is benign, but it is also annoying, so you may want to fix it anyway. 

If your toilet whistles after you flush it, then it is likely the result of limescale buildup. You can buy special products you add to your cistern that remove any residue naturally. 

Gurgling Sounds When You Empty The Bath

Hearing gurgling sounds when you empty the bath is another common plumbing annoyance, seemingly with no explanation. Again, it is not some spirit trapped in your piping – usually, it is a sign of a clog.

Most clogs in the bathroom result from hair traveling into the pipe and then becoming congealed with shower products. Typically, you wind up with a big, slimy lump of material. Eventually, this accumulates more debris and grows into a clog that blocks your pipes completely. 

Dealing with this issue is usually relatively straightforward. Either grab a plunger and try to dislodge it that way. Or use some drain unblocking fluid to dissolve and remove it. 

Dripping Sounds That Don’t Stop When You Turn Off The Faucet

Hearing dripping sounds when all your faucets are closed can be a little unnerving. Unfortunately, you can hear dripping for all kinds of reasons. If the dripping carries on regardless, then it could be a sign that your pipes are leaking. If that’s the case, seek professional assistance immediately. Leaving the problem unresolved could lead to severe water damage. 

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How Poor IT Support Damages Your Business

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There are a lot of elements in business that all contribute to the overall success of your company. And when it comes to your IT support, a poor service can be really damaging to your company. Here’s how poor IT support damages your business.

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It Impacts Productivity Levels

When you’ve got a poor response time for IT problems, then productivity levels will drop. They drop because the work that was supposed to be done can’t be done, and then you also have periods where we all naturally get bored and start procrastinating. Our productivity levels can definitely be impacted when we’re finding something difficult, and that can often be to do with slow-running computers or electronic devices that aren’t playing ball. Improving your productivity levels as a business is important, and it’s something that should always be maintained. If they aren’t, then there’s a lot of consequences that can come from it, such as a loss of staff or earnings. Neither of which you really want to happen, right? IT services need to always be on top of their game regardless of the size of the business.

You’re Likely Frustrating Your Staff

Frustrating your staff is something you don’t want to be doing because not allowing them to do their work efficiently, could cause a lot of problems. It’s important that you’re fixing IT problems as soon as they crop up else they’re the ones who won’t be able to get their work done. If they can’t get it done, they either need to spend more time in the office working, or they fail to reach their deadlines because their time was wasted due to under-performing IT equipment. And if the expectation to reach deadlines and complete tasks is pressured on staff, then they’ll likely snap.

It Can Leave You Vulnerable To Cyberattacks

A poor IT support service can leave your business vulnerable to cyberattacks. If something like a virus was accidently downloaded onto a computer and your IT support was very slow to respond, who knows what damage could be done. Within just a few minutes or hours, you could be seeing a huge and negative impact to your business. By leaving yourself vulnerable to cyberattacks, you’re likely to risk more than just your data but your company as a whole.

You Allow Your Business To Fall Behind

With very little support in the way of IT services, you’re allowing your business to fall behind. Not having the support and guidance to further protect your company and provide your business with the right resources, can be impactful to your staff and business. It can be very easy for a company to fall apart if an area of it isn’t working properly, and IT support can definitely be a part of that.

When you’re trying to improve your business, it’s good to make sure your IT support remains at its very best at all times. If it isn’t, then you know what needs to be changed in order for it to improve.

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5 Things to Remember When Purchasing Home Building Material

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Pre-constructed homes are the dream houses of countless people. Are you thinking of buying your own home and wondering if building your own home will be worth it? Building your own house will not only save you some money but also has numerous advantages for you to consider. One advantage is that you get the chance to modify everything to your precise needs and never have to remodel it again. Now, before you order your building materials, there are several things you should put into deliberation.

Image via Adobe Stock, by New Africa

Climate

Where are you going to have the house built? Some building materials are better matched for specific zones, whereas others are not. The best way is to use a blend of materials depending on the ecological characteristics of the area where you want to build your new home. Keep in mind that the climatic conditions might significantly influence your choice with respect to the preferred building materials. Study the climate of your region and choose a suitable building material.

Purpose

The building materials you choose will also depend on your motive. Are you going to rent out the house? Then consider more robust and wear resilient materials, for instance, concrete or brick. If you are building a vacation home for your family, then consider choosing lighter and more subtle building materials like wood.

Purchase Cost

You should add more capital to your initial cost when purchasing materials. Make sure you also consider the installation expenses and the time you’ll need to replace a building material. A better quality of building material can be expensive, but it is worth it. A cheaper building material should be replaced after a fewl years. Choose your construction materials according to the quality. Additionally, make sure to ask the seller of the lifespan of the building materials as well as other characteristics of the building materials.

Location

The location of the house is very critical. The type of building materials you choose will depend on the site where you want to build your home. If the location is on a vertical wedge, and you will be required to cut into the ground, use bricks or any other building material with a significant absorbent feature. On the other hand, if the site is level and tough to get to, use lighter materials.

Time

What is the timeline you have for deciding on your renovations as well as materials? Additionally, how much time do you have scheduled for the construction to be complete? If you are in a hurry, materials with a long lead time are not suggested for you; instead, choose manufactured ones. On the contrary, if time is not of significance to you, the choice of building materials is broader. Building a home from the ground should be a choice for people who are not in a hurry since many factors can delay the building, including weather conditions at the building site. Therefore, keep your timeline into consideration when selecting building materials.

At this point, you now know that the choice of building materials will be highly dependent on various factors. Therefore, be careful and choose the right materials to build the house of your dreams. Make sure that you are familiar with the factors that affect your choice of building materials. 

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Get a Lower Rate on Your Car Insurance

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Car insurance is a cost all drivers have to fork out for because unfortunately, it is necessary to protect yourselves and your car. It can be difficult for new drivers and others in high-risk categories to get a good rate on your premium. Here are some simple tips to help you reduce your car insurance as much as possible. 

Shop around

There are plenty of price comparison sites which can help you compare different offers and find the best one for you. Take your time and do your research.

Don’t opt for auto-renewal

Car insurance companies don’t tend to reward loyalty for some reason so you’ll never get a better offer than your first one. They tend to make better deals to lure new customers but you could even end up paying more your second year so it’s a better idea just to change company. Give yourself some flexibility and freedom. 

Add an experienced driver

If you’re a new driver or in a high-risk category due to your age or inexperience, try adding a more responsible driver to your premium. This will help to reduce your rate as they will be considered a safer and more reliable option. Don’t commit “fronting” however and take out the insurance primarily in their name. This is fraud and will punishable by law. Once you have a blip on your car insurance it’ll be very difficult to get a good deal, if any again. 

Tweak your job title

This is a technique used to make you sound like you have more responsibility in your job, without actually lying of course. Some titles carry more weight, whether this is fair or not, and appear more impressive. Compare, “teacher” with “guitar teacher”, for example, or “construction worker” and “builder”. You can change the name without lying about what you do, as it’s very important to be honest about everything on your car insurance application. There are many interesting ways in how your job title can affect your car insurance, in fact, certain jobs are considered higher risk than others and won’t be offered a lower rate. 

Go used

Opting for a used car can reduce your car insurance premium. New cars face a dramatic depreciation as soon as they leave the dealership. They rapidly decrease in value in the first few years. Used cars will have already been through this depreciation process, so you won’t have to pay “gap” insurance which is on the calculated difference between the original price and the depreciated value. 

Avoid accidents
A sure-fire way to get a good deal on your car insurance is by becoming a safer driver. Don’t speed or slam on the brakes, keep that road rage under wraps and stay in control. If the unfortunate does happen to be sure to consult experts in auto body repair such Alan Byer Collision. Have regular checks on your car and keep up your maintenance. This will also save you money on costly repairs in the future.

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Why You Should Get IV Vitamin C Therapy

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Originally posted on iveeapp.com by Amber Theuer | Feb 4, 2020 

IV vitamin C therapy is the administration of a high dose of vitamin C administered intravenously. It is an antioxidant that aids in preventing oxidative stress, which essentially strengthens the immune system. Since humans cannot produce vitamin C, it is a nutrient that they must receive from food or supplements.  

High dose vitamin C can be taken orally or it delivered through IV infusion. In this process, vitamin C enters the bloodstream directly through the veins. IV vitamin C treatments allow for the nutrient to reach higher levels within the body, as absorption occurs much more quickly.  

Benefits of IV Vitamin C Therapy

Helping to neutralize and eliminate many toxins, vitamin C is a very powerful antiviral agent. Here are some of the many benefits that IV vitamin C therapy offers: 

  • Decreases pain after injury
  • Helps the body heal more quickly 
  • Increases energy levels and reduces fatigue 
  • Works to prevent infections like cold and flu 

With its many benefits, IV vitamin C therapy is effective in many situations – from fatigue to sickness to injury. 

With ivee, getting IV vitamin C therapy is simple. Just download the app and choose your treatment (The Refresh, The Illness Remedy, The Immunity Lift, The Productivity Boost, and The Detox all feature vitamin C!). Enter your location, and a nurse will be on their way. In no time, you’ll be feeling your best! 

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Four Tech Skills Everyone Should Learn

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There’s no escaping it – we live in a digital, technological, computerized, online world. Going “off the grid” may appeal to some, but most of us are fully assimilated into a lifestyle that allows us to order food delivery from a tiny smartphone, hop online to have a meeting via Skype, or read a book on a handheld device. 

Image Credit: Life Of Pix

However, when your life is digitized in every way, you become reliant on technology. Not enough people know how basic technology works or how to fix these “smart” items when something goes wrong. Many are able to utilize their technology without any true understanding of it, and that’s a shame. 

We’ve detailed four tech skills that everyone should learn, to better equip themselves in our digital world. 

How the Internet Works

Practically everyone on earth uses the internet, and yet you’d be surprised if you knew how many people have zero clue how it works. 

Having a basic knowledge of the internet, what it is, how it functions and how to do basic troubleshooting is a good rule of thumb for literally everybody. We all use the internet; we should all know the basics. If nothing else so you can reset your own IP address or figure out how to fix an issue with your modem. 

How to Fix your Computer

Now, of course, we’re not talking about major issues here, but it’s a good idea to have a basic working knowledge of how to fix your computer if something small goes wrong. Knowing how to troubleshoot basic software issues, how to clear out the memory a defrag, and even how to replace basic parts (and where to find IT parts, such as on Interbyte), are things you should know if you use a computer often. 

Basic HTML

These days, with sites like wordpress and even apps that do the work for you, nobody really feels the need to use HTML anymore for their blog or website. But you should take the time to learn it. HTML is a valuable language and it’ll serve you well if you know how to write basic tweaks and small bits of code. Those “build your website” platforms are cool, but they’re also slow, clunky and not very intuitive. If you learn HTML, you can whiz through website design in a snap and avoid those overused templates. 

How to Type

Another thing that seems like a no-brainer. But in the day of the smartphone, less and less people are actually learning how to type properly, and instead chicken-peck keys in the rare instances they use a computer. Proper typing has become a bit of a lost art. Failing to type properly, though, slows you down and can hurt your accuracy. 

The ability to type properly (and quickly, not to mention accurately) is an incredibly useful skill and one that will carry you very far in the world of tech. 

These are just four tech skills that the average person should definitely know. If you take the time to learn these, you’ll find the technology as a whole is so much easier for you. You might even open up whole new avenues for yourself in technology.

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How to Create an Effective Interior Design Layout for Your Office

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One of the most crucial areas that are often neglected in an office is its layout. Although it’s just one part of the entire office, it usually says a lot about your company and its culture.

Your office layout can profoundly affect the way your business works. To provide both your clients and employees with a positive experience, it’s best to get the best workspace design that will suit your company culture.

How core values affect interior design

If you’re planning to get a few commercial fit-outs in Australia, you first need to understand the core values of your company entirely. Keep in mind that not every layout will work well with how every office works. For example, if your company revolves around employee collaboration, then having an open floor space plan may not work for you. That’s because it often ends up looking like a library instead of an office.

Instead of having an open floor plan, it’s best to have common gathering areas where employees can somehow relax. Having areas where employees can unwind helps encourage creativity, too. Also, the pieces of furniture that you have should reflect the style of working that you do in the office.

Another way to help strengthen your company culture is by displaying your core values throughout the entire area. It can be as simple as a piece of vinyl piece of lettering or artwork that’ll remind them of the company’s core values.

On the other hand, if you have the means to make drastic changes, you can also consider applying biophilic design elements into your space. It’s a way to utilize lush greenery into your layout, such as green walls. It’s becoming increasingly popular because of its cost-effectiveness. Another feature that it has is its ability to promote creativeness.

What to consider when creating a practical space design

Aside from your company’s vision and mission, it would be best if you also considered how your employees perform their job. Doing so will help you know how to carefully layout your space.

If most of your staff regularly go to the office to work, then they would most probably want to have space where they can relax. If that’s the case, it’s best to consider creating a patio that could function as an extension of their work area. At the same time, it should also be a place where they can breathe for a while. You can include seating arrangements where they can work as well and a few tables where they can unwind.

Most office layouts tend to be distracting to employees. It can affect their concentration and their ability to be creative. It would be best if you reduced it as much as you can by providing soundproof features inside. Check the materials as well as the pieces of furniture if it affects the acoustics inside your workspace.

These are only a few of the things that you need to consider when designing your workspace. You need to have an interior design that can help inspire your employees to work effectively and creatively as well.

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So, You Want To Make Some Music?

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Making music can be very therapeutic and enjoyable. The catharsis of creating music can be greatly beneficial in your life, and if you have a passion for music, making sounds that excite and inspire you might be a hobby worth pursuing. 

If you are thinking about getting into creating your own music, either for your own personal pleasure or as a professional sideline, you may be wondering where to start. 

Decide What You Want To Get Out Of It

Do you just want to make music for your own sake? Are you looking to create, record, and perform with other musicians? Or, are you looking at creating your own studio space, using your own equipment such as a Graham Slee HiFi – phono stages platform, and creating music that you can share and maybe even earn money from? 

There is no reason why you could not do any of these things if you apply yourself. Decide what you want to get out of your music and pursue that avenue. If you just want to play for your own sake, do it. When it comes to working with others, look online for bands to join. Once you have jammed with the right musicians, you might find a connection. 

Starting up your own studio space at home will involve buying the right equipment. 

Buying The Right Kit

Whatever you decide to do in order to make music, you will need the right equipment. This may mean instruments, amplifiers, or recording software and microphones so that you can turn your spare room into a studio. 

Whether you are reading focusrite 2i2 reviews or looking for opinions on which specific Fender guitar to buy, other people’s experiences with specific musical instruments and equipment can be invaluable when it comes to deciding on your next major purchase. 

Make a shopping list of all of the things that you will need, and then go and read as many reviews of different products as possible. With some purchases being quite expensive, you will want to be sure that you have made the right decision. 

Promoting Yourself

If you have decided to start a band, or are making your own music from home that you would like other people to listen to, you will need to promote yourself. There are plenty of avenues that you can explore when it comes to self-promotion. 

Firstly, get yourself a profile on the major social media sites. Make sure that you create an image that suits your musical brand. Think carefully about what you want people to know and focus on. Secondly, get yourself signed up with as many music promotion sites as possible. Think about using sites like Bandcamp or SoundCloud to promote yourself. 

Share your music online as often as possible. Sites like YouTube can be very helpful, you will need to create some great videos to share. 

Make sure that you are active on all of your profiles. The key to building a name for yourself will be interacting with anyone who pays your music any interest.

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Driving Habits We Need To Stop

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Ok, so you have been driving for some time, and you think you’re a great driver, right? Well, the chances are, like most people that have been driving for some time, you are probably guilty of many things that, in fact, make you quite a bad driver.

Now, before you get rather angry and think we are throwing out general accusations, don’t worry, the truth is, most of us are bad drivers, and there are many things we all do that are not only stupid, but some of them are dangerous and quite possibly illegal.

In this post, we are going to be looking at a few bad driving habits we all possibly do and why we need to stop them as soon as possible.

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Why We Have Driving Habits

The truth is, while many people often see new drivers as the worst drivers on the road, they are generally a lot better than they are given credit for.

If you think back to the times when you were a new driver, you possibly did everything by the book and followed every rule of the road. It seems that things only change as we get more comfortable and confident behind the wheel.

In the next section, we will look at some of those nasty habits we pick up as we become more experienced drivers.

Speeding 

Ok, so the first thing we are going to touch on is speeding. Now, while most of you are possibly thinking that you do not speed, the chances are you are thinking about excessive speed.

While this is more dangerous, it isn’t what we are talking about today. What we are asking is how many of us are guilty of driving 40 in a 30 zone? It seems that if we were all honest, we might find that it’s well over 90% of us. 

While the extra speed may not seem like a lot, what you may not know is that even a few kmph can mean the difference between life and death if we hit somebody in the car.  

Having Your Phone Out In The Car

Another thing nearly all of us are guilty of is doing something with our phones when driving. While in the past it may have been deemed to be ok to use your phone when in the car, long gone are those days, and now we see more and more fatalities on the road, and they are mainly down to your phone.

While we all know that it’s bad enough to talk on the phone when driving, there are some people who still don’t realize the dangers of texting while driving, if you really want to get out of this habit, then you are encouraged to place your phone in the glovebox for the journey, and you should also have on smart driving solutions that stop you from using your phone when in your car.

There are, of course, so many more bad habits that we all have, if this has inspired you to look within and make a few changes, perhaps you will go on to try and shake a few more of those nasty little driving habits that you may have.

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How to Prevent Your Work From Impacting Your Health

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We like to think that our jobs are good for us, but the reality is a little more complicated. While they can provide an income, they can have a negative impact on our health. That’s because, though we have some say in what we do, the working conditions are dictated by someone else; we’re not entirely (or probably even remotely) in charge of our working conditions. While you can’t change your career at the drop of a hat, you can take steps to protect yourself from potentially harmful aspects. We take a look at a few of these below. 

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Get Mobile

We tend to think that how we live is normal or natural, but in actual fact, the way we live would be considered pretty strange by our ancestors. The biggest thing they’d notice is that we’re so much less mobile than we were in the past. We’re always sitting down! And though it might seem comfortable, the truth is that it can have a negative impact on our long-term health. If you’re driving to work, sitting down all day, and then crashing on the couch each night, look at making some changes. Cycling to work and taking walks throughout the day will make a big difference.

Computer Safety

It’s true that working conditions are much safer than in the old days, because many fewer people are using heavy machinery. Yet, while the immediate risks of working at a computer aren’t that great, they can have a negative impact on your health. For example, you could develop RSI (repetitive strain injury) in the wrist from typing too much. And then there’s the matter of eye strain and the potential threats of blue light. In general, it’s best to monitor the effect that working at a computer has on your body and mind, and make adjustments as necessary.

Work-Related Stress

Your job will provide you with an income, but it sure can be stressful from time to time. And stress doesn’t just spoil your day: it can have a long-term impact on your health. As such, it’s best to find ways to deal with stress before it builds up to a problematic degree. One way to do this is to meditate each day — it only takes ten minutes but can have a profound impact on your overall ability to manage the more stressful side of life. 

In the Workplace 

Also, be sure to take a look at your workplace and identify any risks. Loose cables, clutter, and poor lighting can all lead to trips and falls, which can, of course, greatly compromise your health. It might not look like it, but it really is possible to have accidents in an office environment.

Regular Breaks 

Finally, even if you think you love your job, it’s still important to take regular breaks from time to time. Sometimes you won’t be aware of a particular health issue until you take a couple of steps back, and can see your situation with more perspective. 

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