Mold is formed as a direct result of the increased moisture in your residential or commercial building. It can be caused due to floods, pipe leakage or a sewage backup. Contrary to what it may seem, mold is not a surface level growth and keeps burrowing itself into walls, cabinets, dark areas, or anywhere where it gets favorable conditions.

Since mold isn’t always obvious, there are situations when something that looks like mold is actually not mold. Then, how to identify that fungus type correctly and detect if your home is actually affected by it? The first sign you experience is that of a sore throat, itchy eyes and headache. Make an appointment with your doctor and get the symptoms treated but if it keeps happening quite often then the situation calls for further mold inspection by a professional mold removal company. Generally, the process of mold testing involves taking air or surface samples to confirm the presence of mold and to identify the type of infestation hence formed. Let us discuss these mold testing techniques in more detail-

Air Sampling

This is one of the most conventional practices used by mold experts. In this method, samples are taken from the air and are examined under a microscope. Now, the air samples can be taken and analyzed in a variety of ways. A spore trap is used to draw in a specific volume of air from a particular place or room in your home for a specified time duration. Actually, mold spores comprise of a subset of air particles that get captured inside the spore trap along with few other particulates and can then be sent for identification. Air sampling tells you whether there is a mold problem or not, even if no mold growth is found in the building. However, the amount of mold spores keeps changing drastically with time, giving varied results during different times.

Surface Sampling

This method involves taking samples from household surfaces to find any type of mold growth and spores deposited around the home. Its main focus is usually on the qualitative outcome rather than a quantitative one. This method is sub-divided into techniques like Bulk Sampling, Dust Sampling, and Swab Sampling. During Bulk Sampling, the materials are removed from the contaminated area and sent for further testing to identify and determine the concentration of mold in the sample. Whereas, during the Dust Sampling, testing the dust of a potentially mold-infected area leads you to the identification of the types of spores affecting the area. For carrying out Swab Sampling, a cotton swab is rubbed across a measured area for sample and then sent to the mold testing laboratory.

You may also find some mold testing kits readily available in the market, but you should know that they differ a lot from the testing kits used by the professionals. No matter whatever way you choose, just calling something “mold” is never enough when it comes to sorting out the best plan of attack. Moreover, there is a variety of different mold testing methods and each type has its own benefits and limitations. Each type of mold has unique strategies for remediation that often require lab testing to find the solution. To choose the right type of method, firstly identify the exact type of mold and treat it accordingly.

 

Read Full Article

So you have been thinking to get a perfect place for your horse lately but not having enough knowledge to be able to build the perfect stable. Whether you are a big breeder with 100 horses or own just one horse, a right plan to build the stable is always required.

In this article, we will be discussing some important things that you should be aware of before taking a decision of building or investing in a horse property to make it more efficient and cost-effective-

The Right Space

Horses do not like being confined to a space, so making them habitual of it is quite challenging. It is important to create a comfortable space for them and design it professionally to make things easier and safer. If you own small horses, they can be adjusted in a compact area but large horses require a wide area to move around freely and lie down in comfort. There are proper size recommendations for a stable as laid by the experts that should be followed to create an apt space for the horses without making them feel overly confined.

The Right Doors

Horses are known to tamper with doors and end up ransacking the stables easily. To decrease the possibility of horses escaping from their stalls, choose either sliding or swinging doors for the stalls when planning horse stables. The doors should swing open into the alley and should be closed at all other times. The doors should be wide enough and latches should unfasten smoothly, but not so easily that the horses open it themselves. To keep their safety intact, keeps the doors to the grain room locked too.

The Right Flooring

There are ample of flooring options for stables but the most commonly used one is Concrete because of its non-slippery surface and easy cleaning. But concrete or stone floors do not drain naturally and require the installation of drains in the stalls to keep them well-cleaned. Moreover, concrete is slightly harder on the horse’s legs which is why some horse breeders resort to the installation of rubber mats to provide additional comfort to the horses. Some people choose to leave just the earth floor as it is easier on horse’s legs and also more warm than concrete. The only difficulty comes with its cleaning process as sometimes it gets overtaken with water and urine.

The Right Layout

There are a lot of crucial aspects that need to be looked into while building a horse stable. A proper lighting and wiring system has to be placed and a good ventilation system has to be designed to remove toxic air within the stalls and bring fresh air in. But designing these important features yourself or deciding on the complete interior layout of your building isn’t as easy as it may seem and requires a lot of expertise. Something that looks good on paper may not work efficiently with your needs. In such a case, you need to look out for a professional horse stable builder and barn specialist to help you in covering all aspects of planning, designing and construction of your horse stable. They can help you design a perfect interior layout that will meet all your needs and takes care of your horses at the same time.

As an owner, it is your duty to find ways to make the stable a lot safer for your horses by taking all the necessary precautions and using high-quality materials in building that are durable and long lasting.

 

Read Full Article

Enumerated below are some of the best tips that you can implement when you are looking for the lowest mortgage rates for your requirements.

Compare The Rates In The Market

It is imperative that you do not finalize the deal with the very first lender that you meet in the course of your search for a mortgage. You have to make sure to make an application with several mortgage lenders so that you can be in a position to compare the different rates that they are offering you first. Additionally, they would also be charging you different fees. This discrepancy needs to be analyzed and calculated in accordance with your requirements. On an average, it is recommended that you get a quote from at least three or four mortgage lenders so that you can be witness to a fair spectrum of the charges that you would have to pay as well as the mortgage rate that you would have to bear. There are many instances where potential home buyers voluntary avoid getting multiple estimates from several lenders as it might seem that it could potentially lower the credit score, however, this is a gross misconception. You would be well within your rights to research the market and the rates that are going to be offered to you without it being detrimental to your credit score.

Maximize Your Credit Scores

Perhaps one of the most crucial determinants when it comes to your mortgage rate is your credit score. Your credit score is indirectly proportional to the interest rate that you will be levied on your mortgage loan. For this reason, it is what is that you maximize your credit score. You would have to be certain to stretch your credit score up to the highest level. You can compute your credit scores through various portals online. There are several ways to amend your credit scores if they are not up to the mark. First of all, it is recommended that you pay off any credit card balances that might not have been charged yet. The available credit that you would have left is commonly known as credit utilization ratio. On an average, the utilisation ratio constitutes for a significant percentage of your FICO score. In simple words, the more of it that you have the lesser your credit score would be. Hence, it is always advised that you pay of your debts as soon as possible so that you can maximize your credit score and get a lower rate of mortgage on your upcoming loan.

Pay Your Balances Off

It is also recommended that you get all your balances paid off. If in case you have a collection account on your credit, you would have to remove that at first. To do so, you could either counter the negative account with the Credit Bureau or you could get the collection accounts removed from the report as an agreement between the collection agency and yourself.

If you have been on the lookout for the lowest mortgage rates in the BC area, you can solicit the services of Super Rates.

 

Read Full Article

If your windows have started deteriorating, their seal has become weak, and your utility bills have grown, it’s time to replace your windows. As your windows age, you begin experiencing a cut in the energy efficiency of your home, as well as dust starts sneaking into your home.

Replacing windows can be a large undertaking and such decisions are not made overnight. You need to choose between the different window styles, consider options like glass coatings, as well as find the right window manufacturer and a reputable installer. This means a lot of careful planning and consideration goes into the process of window replacement. Most of the homeowners find this process overwhelming and ultimately they end up making some common mistakes. However, considering the cost involved and the crucial role windows play, it’s imperative to avoid these mistakes. So, to help you make the process as pleasant as possible, we’ve listed 4 common mistakes to avoid when replacing your home’s windows.

1. Not Considering Other Options for Replacement Windows

Most of the homeowners find it convenient to replace their windows with the exact same type or style that they already have. When you purchase exactly the same windows, you miss the opportunity of finding a better and more durable substitute for your home. There are plenteous designs, material, and styles of windows available on the market today. By simply changing the style and material, you may experience better energy efficiency and give a great new look to your home. For instance, you may replace your Double-Hung window with Casement window to get more energy efficiency.

2. Making a Selection Based Solely On Price

You don’t go about replacing your windows every year. Such an investment is made only once or twice in your lifetime which means you should not compromise with the quality. Remember, you get what you pay! Obviously, you need to find windows that fit your budget but this doesn’t mean that your final decision is based on price only. If you’re looking for affordable options, vinyl windows can be right for you. However, if you want windows that require little maintenance, fiberglass can be a perfect choice. You spend once on energy-efficient, beautiful, and durable windows and they give you benefits for years to come.

3. Neglecting Energy Efficiency

These days, most of the homeowners want to reduce their utility bills. As such, they look for energy-efficient windows that not only save energy cost but also protect the interior of the home from harmful sun rays. It’s seen that homeowners who made a hasty decision or purchase windows by simply looking at the price tag regret later. When you choose windows that are not energy-efficient, most of the heat escapes your home through these windows. But if you invest in energy-efficient windows, you will see a reduction in your energy bills.

4. Opting the DIY Installation

A big mistake is choosing the DIY route for installing your new windows. Some homeowners believe that self-installation could be a cost saver when in reality it’s a blunder. This is because you neither have the right tools nor the required skills that are necessary for perfect installation of windows. You have spent huge bucks for purchasing beautiful new windows but poor installation will result in expensive repairs and loss of energy in months to come. You don’t know how to properly seal the windows which means heat and air conditioning will escape and enter your home. Moreover, if installed incorrectly, you’ll also end up voiding all warranties on the windows. Therefore, tasks like this should be performed by professional window installers only.

 

Read Full Article

A piano is one of the most expensive and antique possession. However, this fragile music instrument is also awkwardly-shaped and weighs around 1000 pounds. This makes it difficult to move, handle and protect from potential damage. When shifting to a new home, people are worried about how to safely move their beloved piano. This is because the instrument has an intricate design and even a slight bump on the road, a single drop, can damage it.

It is important to safely relocate the piano to a new place because if anything breaks or damages, replacing the parts of the piano and fixing is very expensive. For this reason, people are advised to avoid DIY for moving a piano, unless they have experience and know how to deal with it. It is best to hire a professional piano moving service to save your energy, time and money. The professional piano movers will provide you with insurance for the job and will guarantee perfect service. However, before you hire the piano movers, it’s better to keep certain things in mind to ensure you’re hiring the right people for the job.

Lifting and moving a piano needs plenty of manpower and special equipment. Therefore, piano owners rely on professional services. While looking for a piano mover, always find someone with experience to execute their job professionally. For a safe move, always be clear with the way they deal and read their website for details carefully, including the terms and conditions of the company. It is highly recommended to hire a piano mover who would give an insurance cover. This is to ensure that the moving company would take care of all the costs if the piano is stolen, scratched or damaged in any ways during moving.

The piano moving company you hire must provide door to door delivery. It is the responsibility of the movers to pick up and deliver the instrument directly to your destination. In the case of moving piano overseas, it is important to know every detail related to the ship transportation. The details include airtight packing of the piano, import duties, and other regulations.

Proper prepping is crucial to ensure that your piano would reach the destination in proper shape. Wrapping the piano in the right way is the key to safely move it without scratches and other damages. For proper wrapping; first, close the piano and wrap up the whole instrument with a thick soft blanket. Next, to ensure that it stays in place, secure the blankets with tapes. It is important to note that the tapes should not be in direct contact with the surface of the piano as it might blot its surface.

Don’t wait for the last time to call a professional for help because a piano mover should get some time to look at the dimensions of the piano and the destination place. This will help them in deciding the types of equipment and the workforce required according to your needs. They have to consider many things like narrow staircases, doorways, various levels of the building that needs to be navigated to make sure that no damage comes to your piano.

Pianos are not only fragile, heavy, and expensive; they also have great sentimental value. For all these reasons and many more, hiring an experienced and professional piano mover for moving any type of piano is the best option.

 

Read Full Article

CHANDIGARH: A group of youth from Chandigarh have got together to organise the unorganised sector of property leasing and connecting it to the digital world and making it a customer friendly process. This startup is designed to cater leasing solutions to all the sectors of the industry i.e. commercial, residential, warehouses and industrial – one-stop shop for all your leasing problems. It caters to both landlord and tenants, besides also giving assistance in rented accommodation. Every property listed has its genuine pictures and no property is listed without the pictures.

The core team of the startup also includes Founder & Chairman Manmeet Singh, 38, Neha Duggal, 30, from the hospitality background, and Sakshi Bagga, 25 from management background, both co-founders of the startup. etolet.in was launched on Friday at INNOV8 Co-Working Space in Industrial Area Phase I.
Giving the information, Manmeet Singh, said, “I am a landlord myself and well aware of all the problems faced by landlords and tenants these days in leasing their properties. After facing all the challenges we decided to launch a solution for leasing properties.”
He said, “Locality view is our outstanding feature which showcases the entire locality including parking area to have a better view of the surroundings. We have special feature that let you save your favorite property on SMS. It sends you the required details and you can access it without the internet.”
“We also provide assistance for every transaction which is made between landlord and tenant is through etolet.in where we also process properties that fall under low foot fall markets. We are online but are physically present for Executing Agreements and handing over the possessions to tenants”, added Mr. Singh. The startup etolet.in promises to give full assistance to landlords at their door step and online assistance to tenants.

Read Full Article

MUMBAI: Mark Zuckerberg-owned Media Focus  social networking behemoth Facebook is the latest social media titan to join the race for the media rights of BCCI’s biggest property, the Indian Premier League. Twitter has already evinced interest in IPL’s digital rights.

BCCI sources confirmed to ET that Facebook has picked up the IPL tender and is most likely to bid for the digital rights of the league. A Facebook spokesperson, however, said: “We don’t comment on rumors and speculation.”
Earlier this year, Facebook had streamed Premier Futsal on its video platform Facebook Live. In August, it streamed Wayne Rooney’s testimonial match between Manchester United and Everton. It also allowed fans to chat with other fans, send wishes to Wayne, and learn how to donate to his foundation. In the summers, Facebook streamed nine USA Basketball exhibition games live.

“We’re focused on helping our partners experiment with a variety of Live content types — from ‘behind the scenes’ access to first-person athlete Q&As to live games. We have seen great results when we have streamed games live — and continue to be interested in testing the viability of this content on Facebook,” the spokesperson added. “We will continue to work with our partners to find the best ways to connect their content to the world’s largest community of sports fans.”
Interestingly, Facebook has been seeing a jump in conversations during IPL year-on-year. During IPL 2016, Facebook said that the league drove the highest level of conversation it has measured for any IPL season — 360 million posts, comments, and likes.

Facebook pages of the IPL and eight teams totalled over 140 million video views during the season. Also, during the 50-day tournament, the IPL’s Facebook page added over two million new fans touching 18.3 million subscribers.
Facebook will join the likes of Amazon, Twitter, Reliance Jio, Times Internet and broadcasters like Star India and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN). ET was first to report that Twitter has also joined the race, hinting at a very competitive bidding for the digital rights.

READ ALSO  : 

• Fullerton India raises Rs 500 cr via masala bonds
• Yahoo Mail Android App Now Supports Seven New Indian Regional Languages
• Apple iPhone 8: Everything we know
• ‘India needs to improve on entrepreneurship, quality of life’
• Mira Road con call centre kingpin’s mentor held

Read Full Article

Union home ministry has tasked Living Tired  Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP) of India to prepare a complete status list of enemy properties following which the Centre plans to act and take possession of all such properties.

A top government source said there are 9547 enemy properties, having estimated worth of more than Rs. 1.1 lakh crore, scattered in important cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Lucknow etc.

“There are court cases pending against 1215 properties. Most of the other properties are under illegal possession and occupation at prime locations in key cities, and can be used to serve government needs that are falling short of space in premium locations.”

Enemy properties are those abandoned properties which the government took over when their owners chose to leave India and move to Pakistan and China after Partition and the 1965 and 1971 wars.

“It is better if the government takes possession of all such enemy properties before they also get mired in court cases that linger on for years,”said the source.

Recently, the government has taken possession of 31 such properties and decided to give their possession to the central reserve police force (CRPF) and border security force (BSF) that facing space crunch for their offices.

The Government of India had created the office of CEP under the Enemy Property Act, 1968 soon after the 1965 war to tackle the growing list of abandoned buildings and their encroachment.

The new move comes after the government failed to pass an amendment in law governing enemy property.

The amended act says once the custodian’s office becomes responsible for a property, it shall continue to remain enemy property even if the original owner ceases to the country’s foe. Besides, the law of succession will not apply to enemy property and cannot be transferred as well.

The bill failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha because of protests by the opposition parties following which an ordinance was promulgated to keep the amendment in force.

 

READ MORE : 

• iPhone 7 Plus: Three days of photography and gaming
• “Our actors don’t need Bollywood to become stars”: Pakistani blogger in reply to Indian Journalist
• Cubs-Indians World Series could end up as one of the greatest sports stories ever
• India new active zone for Chinese IT investors after US: ‘China Daily’
• India’s biggest virtual property fair is here!

Read Full Article