It is estimated that termites cause American homeowners over a billion dollars in damage each year.

How can you repair your home after a termite infestation?

Following this easy guide will help you find repairing termite damage may be fast and easy.

Signs of Termites

Most people know the classic the termites who live inside and eat wooden objects. Despite popular belief, termites will eat other materials other than wood. Termites will eat cardboard, books, and any type of paper you may have.

Termites will attack any materials containing cellulose.

The termites will stay dormant in the food sources they’re tunneling through. Most people are unaware that they have a termite infestation until they find a swarm of them.

If you suspect you may have a termite infestation, look for these physical signs.

• Multiple chewed holes within wooden surfaces
• Rippled or sunken areas (behind wallpaper)

• Mud tubes

What Does Termite Damage Look Like?

Termite damage can come in a variety of forms. Here are some things to look out for if you are inspecting your home for termite damage.

• Swarming
• Buckling wood — wood lifting a few inches off the floor
• The smell of mildew or mold

Solving the Problem

Before you can start repairing your home, you have to get rid of the problem. The best way to get rid of a termite infestation is to call an exterminator. Handling termite infestations on your own can be difficult.

A few ways you can ward off termites yourself is by setting termite bait traps outside. They go in your backyard or front lawn. Also, make sure to keep woodpiles away from your house.

These are a few preventative measures you can take yourself, but it’s best to call a pest control service.

Repairing Termite Damage

Before you start repairing termite damage, make sure there are no more termites.

Damaged wood should be repaired by a professional, according to Mr. Handyman. But there are ways to repair the damage yourself with these steps.

1. Inspect the damage
2. Remove the damaged wood — it will often look discolored, or decayed
3. Fills the chewed holes within the wood with a wood hardener
4. You can also replace the wood

Repair Cost

Repairing termite damage will vary depending on the severity of the infestation. Large infestations usually need fumigation of the home.

Treatment for termites can cost up to $35 thousand dollars, according to an article written by CBC news in 2013.

There are also some important questions to ask pest control services before hiring them. The questions are included in this article.

Other factors

A major factor that influences the cost of repairing termite damage is the size of your home. To fumigate a person’s home for termites, the company uses a gas — the larger the home, the more gas required. A larger home will cost more to fumigate.

Some companies also charge a fee to inspect your home before they actually come in to fumigate. And that could cost you $100 to $200 dollars extra on top of the fumigation costs.

Decorating Your Home

Once you know the signs of a termite infestation, it’s important to get rid of the problem. And put in preventative measures to make sure it doesn’t happen a second time. Hopefully, you learned that repairing termite damage isn’t as difficult as you thought.

You won’t have to worry about termites anymore, so you can put in hardwood flooring and decorate your home worry-free.

Did you know that the first 3D printer was created in the mid-1980s? 3D printing became very popular because it brought many benefits to the world of manufacturing. Nowadays there is another technology, CNC machining that has a few benefits over a 3D carving machine.

Keep reading to learn the main benefits to see which manufacturing option is best for you and your needs.

1. Speed

One of the major benefits of using a CNC machine like Inventables is the speed. It is a lot faster than 3D printing which makes a bigger difference when you are working with larger-scale production.

CNC machine will produce very quickly on an assembly line. When you need to produce a large volume of items you will get much better results with CNC machining. 3D printers on the other hand build layer by layer, meaning that it can take a 3D printer the same amount of time to create one piece while a CNC machine creates hundreds of pieces.

2. Materials

Another benefit is that CNC machining works with a much larger range of materials than 3D printers. 3D printers can only work with metals, plastics, and polymers. CNC machining can work with all of those plus metals, wood, acrylic, modeling foam, metal alloys, thermoplastics, and machining wax.

You will need different 3D printing machines every time you are going to use a different material but with CNC machining you can adapt the machine to different materials.

3. Diversity

With CNC machining you can work with larger parts than 3D printing. 3D printers can only use the area of the printing bed to create parts. The assembly line can be used to create a large number of larger parts quickly.

Although you can create larger parts with 3D printing, you have to break them down into smaller components to print and then assemble them later. Depending on how many large pieces you have to produce it can end up costing you a lot of time if you attempt to use a 3D printer instead of CNC machining.

The parts that are created with CNC machining are durable, precise, and reliable. 

4. Quality

CNC machines are able to produce products with a more polished look because they have a much higher heat tolerance. Even with high heat, the materials do not get deformed during the manufacturing process. Materials with 3D printers, on the other hand, tend to get warped and the layer lines might become visible especially if the product has curves in it.

Now You Are Familiar With the Benefits Over a 3D Carving Machine

As you can see there are quite a few benefits CNC machining has over a 3D carving machine. You can now make an informed decision about whether CNC machining or 3D printing is best for you.

Did our article help you out today? Please browse around the rest of this section for some more helpful reads.

Great ventures often have humble beginnings that eventually led to something great. Big companies like Harley-Davidson, Microsoft, and even Apple started inside a garage. Who knows, you can also take this opportunity to start a garage business and be the next big thing.

Today, we will look at some small business ideas that you can try out. While these solo business ideas may give you suggestions, remember to research first and plan well. Read on to find out how garage businesses work and what you need to prepare.

1. Assembly Services

Among the garage services that you can start with is a workshop for assembling furniture and other various items. Some furniture pieces tend to have tricky instructions to follow. Others need proper assistance to assemble.

This works well as a starting point for a business centered on creating furniture pieces as well. You can consider that direction while growing the business and integrate the two.

2. Handyman Services

Another essential line of services that people need includes handyman services. Some households may have some trouble with repair work. Not everyone has expertise in electrical matters or basic carpentry.

Due to this lack of skill and resources, you can fill a niche and start a business. Focus on helping customers with their household needs. You can branch off from there afterward.

3. Photography

Photographers have specific fields they focus on. Your garage can start off as your studio for setting up your lighting equipment, reflectors, and backdrops for portrait photography. Or, you can simply use them for equipment storage and printing services.

If you have an eye for taking stunning pictures, you may wish to make a living out of it. Try this garage business idea and invest in both equipment and skill improvement. Don’t forget to market and build your photography portfolio.

4. CNC Machining

You can achieve something big by starting with small packages. CNC Machining is one of those ideas. You first need huge equipment followed by proficiency in using the related software.

Though you don’t have to worry about where to find a machine to start with. You can find a used CNC for sale here.

5. Craft Classes

You can also consider setting up a workshop for teaching arts and crafts classes. If you happen to have a creative knack in making items, this is a good skill to teach.

You can also set up a shop of your own where you can also sell these wares. Or you can help others pick up a hobby and skill set that they can also use for their own business.

Your Garage Business is Your Starting Point

These garage business ideas are among a good number of pursuits that you can try out now. Find something that fits your skill set and talents, then build it up from there. The journey to open a successful venture starts within the walls of your garage.

Did you find this startup guide helpful? You can check out our other articles, where we talk about a wide variety of topics to provide all the tips you need to earn more. Take a gander and enjoy them today.

You fell in love when you saw the photos online. You couldn’t wait to see it in person. Now, you’re ready to move in.

Congratulations! You’ve found your dream home!

Before you unpack the first box, read our new home guide. We’ve included a few essentials you might not have thought of, and we’ve also shared our take on managing new homeowner anxiety.

Things New Homeowners Need to Buy

You likely have a headstart on items needed to set up housekeeping in a new place. You can repurpose your cleaning supplies, pots and pans, small appliances, linens, and dishes.

Consider investing in a different type of essential — peace of mind.

Home security and safety is always a hot topic, and many savvy homeowners value the convenience of smart home devices. If you’ve never lived in a home with a smart thermostat, now is the time to install one. Take smart technology to the next level and buy smart light bulbs, outlets, plugs and door locks.

If you’re looking for money-saving tips for new homeowners, the best way to save money is to not go on a buying spree — just yet.

Wait until you’ve lived in your new home for a while before going on a shopping spree. Give yourself some time to get a feel for your budget, because buying a new home usually means financial adjustments.

Essential Tools for New Homeowners

For new homeowners moving into their first home with a yard and driveway, buy tools designed to keep the lawn cared for, a.k.a lawnmower, and a trash container for grass clippings and other yard debris.

You’ll have many years to buildup your tool collection, especially if you have a bit of DIY in your genes. For now, stick with the basic, including:

• Tape Measure
• Hammer
• Screwdriver Set
• Wrenches
• Nails and Screws
• Utility Knife
• Cordless Drill

Don’t forget a sturdy toolbox to keep it all organized!

Saying Goodbye to Your Old Abode

Whether you’re moving from an apartment or you’re a seasoned homeowner, the move will likely feel bittersweet.

If your current home hasn’t yet sold, perhaps you’re considering selling my property as is and aren’t sure about your next steps. You can find people who specialize in buying homes quickly so that you can finalize the purchase of your new home.

Buying a new home and saying “good-bye” to neighbors you treasure can make you feel the reality of new homeowner anxiety.

The best way to manage this phenomenon is to realize it’s normal. Then take a deep breath and remember all the reasons why you fell in love with your new home.

Enjoy Reading Our New Home Guide?

We know there’s a lot more to buying and moving into your dream home. If you take care of the essential purchases, make sure you start with a few useful tools, and wrap up the sale of your current home with minimum fuss, you’ll feel ready to take on the move.

If you enjoyed reading our new home guide, take some more time to look around on the blog. You’ll find more posts like this one to help make home ownership just a little bit sweeter.

One of the most popular methods to control small and local fires is to quickly spray them with a fire extinguisher. Therefore, you need to ensure that your fire extinguisher is always filled so you could use it at moment notice. “But what if my fire extinguishers run low and I don’t know any fire extinguishers refill near me?” you may wonder. In that case, this article is for you.

Down below, you would be introduced to the refilling principle of fire extinguishers as well as how to find a place that provides refilling services. In additional that, you could also find frequently asked question about fire extinguishers in general along with their answer in this article as well. From the cost of brand new fire extinguishers to how often should you refill them, everything would be carefully analyzed.  

The refilling of fire extinguishers

An overview of refill principle

As mentioned above, you have to keep your fire extinguisher filled so you could deploy it at any given time. To achieve that goal and prevent potential malfunctions in a critical moment, a tight refill and inspection schedule is necessary. Just by setting up a logical refill and inspection scheme for your fire extinguisher, you would be able to protect your property, friend and family much better than before.   

For most of the time, you have to refill the fire extinguisher periodically (not use) and immediately (after use).

In the usual case, periodic refills are accompanied by a thorough inspection as well and often take place once a year. The unit integrity, gauge, pressure and others would be examined before it could be refilled. Immediate refill is similar though it occurs after you use the unit no matter how much fire suppression agents are used.  

The fire extinguisher refill process

At first, the unit condition and its pressure will be evaluated in order to determine the best course of action. For example, units that have a slightly low pressure will be refilled with a sufficient amount of fire suppression agent. On the other hand, units with an unacceptably low pressure will be emptied and cleaned before being refilled with agents. After the refilling is finished, all units should have a pressure between 185 and 205 psi.

To ensure consistent performance and prevent leakage, parts that appear to be damaged or deteriorated would be replaced without delay. The last thing people want to experience is to see their fire extinguisher fail unexpectedly while they are dealing with a fire. For aged units, a hydrostatic test is necessary to check whether the strength of the fire extinguisher remain adequate for people to use or not.  

How to tell if your unit needs a refill

You only need to take a look at the fire extinguisher gauge in order to figure out whether it needs to be refilled or not. Almost all fire extinguishers in circulation come with an easy to understand gauge which consists of a green zone and a red zone. As long as the gauge needle stays within the green zone, there is nothing to worry about.   

FAQs about conventional fire extinguishers

How many classes of fire extinguishers are in circulation?

Nowadays, there are around 4 classes of fire extinguishers that you could run into, they are A, B, C and D with unique colors:

• Class A: Units contain water or foam and come in a silver cylinder. They are used to handle fires in ordinary combustibles like wood, rubber, plastic and paper.
• Class B and C: Units contain Carbon Dioxide or dry chemical and come in a red cylinder. They are used to handle fires in flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment.
• Class D: Units contain powder and come with a yellow cylinder. They are used to handle fires in industrial application.  

How much is fire extinguisher?

The price of brand new fire extinguisher depends a lot on its class as well as its purposes. Household/kitchen/car fire extinguishers could be as low as $10 and go as high as $60. In most of the case, single-use units are considerably cheaper compared to their rechargeable counterparts. Industrial class fire extinguishers that could deal with multiple types of fires are usually expensive with a unit price between $300 and $800.

How much does fire extinguisher cost?

Besides the acquisition cost, there are other expenses associated with the use and maintenance of a fire extinguisher. A standard refill/inspection service could cost you $35 – $75 and a hydrostatic test for old units would add around $40 to your bill. In many cases, it’s could be wise to just simply discard your old fire extinguisher and buy new units instead of refilling/maintaining it.

Where to recharge fire extinguisher?

Generally speaking, you should be able to locate nearby refill services looking on the Internet. Places that offer fire extinguisher refill often provide excellent unit inspection as well so you don’t have anything to worry about. Nonetheless, it’s also wise for you to compare the cost of the operation to the price of brand new units. In some case, it’s cost effective to ditch your fire extinguisher when it runs dry and then purchases a new unit.

How to recharge fire extinguisher?

It’s advised that you should always let the professional refill your fire extinguisher since it dangerous to do so without proper training and tool. However, it’s possible for you to refill certain types of units by yourself but you need to stay concentrated. To refill a fire extinguisher, you have to unthread the valve, let the pressure escape, pour in suppression agent, pressurize the unit, add sealing grease, rethread the valve and add a date label.

Could I use one fire extinguisher on all types of fires?

Fire extinguishers are classified into classes for a reason: a particular unit is only able to deal with fires that it has been designed for. To handle a fire with unsuitable fire extinguishers is generally inefficient and may even worsen the situation in some cases. There are indeed certain units that could extinguish multiple types of fires. However, there is no such thing as the perfect product that works on all types of fires.