Month: July 2017
If you have chosen to hire a professional painter rather than doing the work yourself, you are already on the right track. The next step is to ensure that the painter delivers as promised. There are a few critical areas to go over with professional local Calgary painters to guarantee that you are ultimately happy with the job done.
There are two critical types of insurance your professional painter should have; workman compensation insurance and comprehensive business liability insurance. The former guarantees that you are not hauled off to court in an unfortunate event where the painter is injured while on your property. The later means that you get compensation in case the painter damages your property in the course of his work. These incidents aren’t common with professional painters but it is still necessary to protect yourself against any eventuality.
Paint isn’t created equal so you need to make sure the contractor is using good quality paint. You may need to educate yourself on the best paints in the market so you know if your contractor is being honest. While at it, consider that the quality of brushes and other painting tools can also impact the overall quality of the job. It is easier to go with an established company that has an established record of quality workmanship.
It is very likely that your painting contractor will come with an additional painter or even a whole crew depending on the scale of the job. While it’s not necessarily a bad thing, you need to be aware of who you are letting into the home. Any additional people should preferably work for the contractor directly. This allows for accountability in case of any incident of loss or damage in the course of the project. Additional painters who work directly with the painter on previous projects are also means the quality will be consistent.
It is better to avoid accidents from happening in the first place especially where great heights are involved. It may be necessary to ask your contractor what safety measure he uses while on the job. The crew should also adhere to the same safety measures. If you are unsure, ask for a safety policy manual or other documentation as proof that the painter takes safety seriously.
A professional painter always gets a better result than you could hope by doing it yourself. It is however necessary that you hire the right person for the job so everything goes to plan and you are happy with the result.
Ladders are often used for home improvement projects but safety when climbing is usually overlooked. This is a problem when it comes to domestic work – many homeowners are severely injured because they didn’t follow the safety precautions needed to work at height. Whether you’re cleaning your windows or making minor roof repairs, following the below tips will help keep you safe when it really matters.
Firstly, never climb a ladder if you’re not confident in your ability or you’re not sure the ladder itself is stabilized. Many homeowners have succumbed to injuries because of this exact reason. Ensure the ladder is fully stable and you’re confident you can undertake work safely. Also, if you’re using power tools for the first time, ensure you practice using them on the ground first so you’re confident when you’re using them at height.
Another key thing to do to ensure you’re working safely is to have a friend or family member watch you undertake work. It may not necessarily prevent you from falling, but having someone there if you did fall could be lifesaving. Someone at the bottom of the ladder can also hold the ladder while you’re descending just for added safety precautions. They will also give you a heads up if they think something is wrong with your setup that you wouldn’t have been able to see yourself.
You’ll be surprised by how many people climb a ladder wearing their slippers or flip flops, or the amount of people that don’t wear any footwear at all. Don’t be one of those people, always wear footwear with the necessary rubber grips to keep you glued to the ladder at all times.
The idea of standing on a stool that’s sitting on your wheelie bin should be an idea that’s quickly forgotten about. Instead, invest in the right equipment to ensure the highest safety measures are in place to prevent a fall. Consider a quality ladder setup, fall protection equipment, PPE, and toolbelts to make carrying when climbing easier. The more you’re willing to invest in equipment will increase safety dramatically.
For the different working at height jobs that need to be undertaken – a ladder isn’t always the right tool for the job. If you need to get on the roof to replace tiles or conduct repairs, a ladder might not be the best choice of system. Carrying tiles up and down a ladder is a safety hazard, so you should consider a scaffolding system or something similar. Always plan the job and use the right equipment to make the job easy.
Many homeowners underestimate working from certain heights and they don’t think it will do any damage. However, some of the most severe injuries can come from a few steps high – always ensure your working environment is safe and follow the above tips to ensure the chance of falling is at its minimum.
Whether your tools are for professional purposes, or for home-improvement, keeping them in prime condition is essential to ensure that your jobs are always done in the best way. You will also avoid costly replacements or repairs in the future by keeping a disciplined maintenance schedule.
1. Storing your Tools on a Pegboard
Everyone has their own methods for storing tools. Some will bundle them all together in a container, while others prefer keeping everything in a cupboard. The problem with bundling all of your tools together in a heap is that they can begin grinding against each other, possibly damaging each other. The close proximity of the metal components can also foster the quick spread of rust.
The most accessible and healthy way to store your tools, however, is definitely with a pegboard. This is a vertical sheet placed on a wall, which is filled with pegs, upon which all of your tools can be hanged. This provides the oxygen and space that tools need, and allows for the most convenient accessibility.
2. Wherever you Hang your Tools, Make Sure that it is in a Dry Area
A pegboard is a great start, but you should make sure that it is hung in an area with plenty of ventilation. Unfortunately, most people do not have the space to store their tools outside of musty parts of their homes such as garages, but this issue can be solved by purchasing a dehumidifier, which will keep moisture out.
While many keen gardeners may love their garden tools, they unfortunately do not receive as much care as other home tools. Many will not be cleaned properly following dirty ventures, and will be heaped in a shed. With regards to your storage shed, make sure that your shed is properly ventilated, is clean and organized and that outside moisture does not get in.
3. Keeping your Tools Clean
Following a long and arduous day of work, cleaning your tools might be the last thing you want to do, but it is an essential part of tool maintenance. It actually takes very little time to properly wash a tool, provided you haven’t engaged with particularly resistant chemicals or substances.
4. Cleaning Hand and and Garden tools
These essential tools of the home can be largely cleaned with a rag soaked in water and soap. Try using a stronger detergent for the more obstinate smears, but make sure to wash and dry surfaces and handles thoroughly afterwards to avoid corrosion. Finish by applying a coating of lubrication.
5. Cleaning Power Tools
The first step to cleaning a power tool is to make sure it is properly turned off and unplugged to avoid a nasty shock. Tools such as power drills or saws will accumulate a lot of dust and chips, which can be removed with several blasts from an air compressor. While some power tools may require special substances for lubrication (which can be found in the relevant manual), you can generally use a good lubricant to keep moving parts well-oiled.