Need A Cleaner Carpet? Check This Advice Out!
The carpets in your home work full time. They withstand an enormous amount of traffic. It takes a true professional to undo years of damage and foot traffic. However, are you familiar with the makings of a good carpet cleaning business or how you should work with one? Read the below article, and you will learn.
Learn about the reputation of any carpet cleaning company you are considering hiring. There are plenty of companies, and there are some more reputable and knowledgeable than others. Ask for references from trusted individuals and check online as well. In this way, you can find a good match in a carpet cleaning professional.
Before you choose a carpet cleaning company, you should make comparisons. Research each company online and find customer reviews. Check with the BBB for the company's local reputation, and don't hire a company who doesn't have a good one.
Every carpet is unique and requires different cleaning methods. It is best to test a small hidden section of your carpet 24 hours before getting the entire floor cleaned. The cleaning process can damage delicate materials such as silk or wool. If you don't know how to clean the carpet, hire a pro.
Move all of your fragile items and valuables out of the rooms you are getting cleaned. You shouldn't leave your valuables in someone else's hands despite any guarantees.
Ensure the carpet-cleaning company you hire has an actual, physical address. If a problem should occur with the company, you will need to know their address to solve the problem. If their business address is a P.O. box, you should look elsewhere.
White vinegar is a fast cleaning solution for carpets. To be honest, you'd be wise to hire a professional cleaner for the job. This will help remove the surface dirt before the professional cleaners arrive.
You should let the carpet cleaner you hire know where electrical sockets are. The cleaner will have to avoid these areas to prevent accidents. There's a risk to the equipment and them, but there is a greater risk of having your home damaged.
You know a carpet cleaning company is reliable when their work is guaranteed. If there's no guarantee offered by the company at all, find another company for the job. If a guarantee kicks-in, give the cleaning company another chance to repair the work. If you are not satisfied after their second attempt, then you can ask for a refund.
Baking soda is an excellent and affordable deodorizer for your carpets. Many deodorizers used by pros are a mixture of fragrance and baking soda. You can save money when you use baking soda. You can mix essential oils with the baking soda if you want to create a nice fragrance.
You can think of your carpets as the unsung downtrodden. Every day dirt and grime is tracked over them. They have earned a professional cleaning. Armed with the tips presented here, you can now choose a skilled and affordable carpet cleaning professional.
The Magic Formula Behind Appliance Repair Laid Open
For those who have a wide range of electric appliances in your own home, you must already know the significance of appliance repair. This is actually a much better alternative because this is cheaper in comparison with replacement most of the time.
You cannot prevent repairs no matter what you do even though you carry out standard routine maintenance. You may expect that electric appliances will wear out while you utilize them.
Most individuals will most likely state that they can prevent repairs on their home appliances, but this is not possible. Before you attempt to mention anything on repairs, below are a few of the essential details that you have to know.
If you are home appliances are still in one piece and they are not smashed by rocks, you could still repair them. Your home appliances will still have a chance to be fixed as long as you will buy the right components for it. However, several individuals choose to purchase a completely new one rather than replacing the parts, especially if the repairs and replacement cost is almost the same as buying a new one. In case you have to choose whether to repair or purchase a completely new one, you can only consider a new model if it is less pricey than repair.
If the various components of your appliances are broken, repairs can completely repair it. The components can be substituted with a new one and you may make your appliance like new.
This means that if you may find the best appliance repair expert, they could completely fix your appliances no matter what kind of damage it has. Since the components can be substituted with a new one, most appliances may be repaired completely.
The only thing that you'll need to think about is the value of the components and the complexity of the repair. If you don't desire to buy a new one because you still want to your electrical appliance, repairs can be an excellent choice, despite the fact that it could be a bit costly at times.
Maintenance is achieved to ensure that your home appliances are still operating like it used to. Routine maintenance doesn't have the ability to avoid your appliances from repair.
No matter what you do, your appliances will still be repaired and routine maintenance only helps you prevent expensive repairs by showing you the components that are very close to being broken. If you may find potential problems in your home appliances, you may avoid more expensive repairs in the future.
You only need to remember that maintenance cannot prevent repairs. This is one of the reasons why repairs on your electrical home appliances are essential.
To discover additional advice concerning refrigerator repair; check this out https://twitter.com/AppliancePros11
If you are managing problems on your home appliances, these information will let you know if you will need to purchase a new one or consider repair. You must always make the right choices when it comes to this since your finances will be affected.
To find out more about appliance repair, try this.
Ring-fencing works at Waikato DHB.
Waikato District Health Board's (DHB) decision to ring-fence 78 positions for new graduates appears to be paying off for the new graduates and the board. The board has retained the same number of positions for new graduates this year, despite a major contraction in nurse turnover. While there is no guarantee of permanent positions once the new graduates have completed the nurse-entry-to-practice (NETP) programme, director of nursing and midwifery Sue Hayward says attempts have been made this year to hold vacancies, and for the vacancies to be prioritised for those who have completed the NETP programme.
"This has required a great deal of trust but charge nurses and charge nurse managers have made a real commitment to holding vacancies, and without that commitment, it couldn't have worked," she said. Ninety-four per cent of those who have completed the NETP programme at Waikato DHB want to stay there.
Chair of Nurse Educators in the Tertiary Sector, Kathy Holloway, supports ring-fencing positions for new graduates as one solution to the imbalance between the number of graduates and the number of available jobs.
COPYRIGHT 2012 New Zealand Nurses' Organisation
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2012 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ring-fencing+works+at+Waikato+DHB.-a0309314543
Decorations :: Decorative Birdhouses: What Makes Them So Popular?
The function of a birdhouse at times dictates its popularity but there are other reasons why particular nesting boxes are so popular. Birders recognize the functionality of a birdhouse but prefer something with an interesting form as well. Keep reading to find out why decorative bird houses are so popular.
Those who love watching birds, feeding birds, and offering them safe alternative homes are usually very appreciative of good art as well and they acknowledge the sensory benefits of having interesting and unique art in their homes and backyards. What actually are "decorative" birdhouses you might ask? Decorative birdhouses are any nesting box that has been primarily constructed to be an artistic feature for an individual's garden or backyard, yet obviously one that will also be utilized as attracting nesting birds.
Miniature houses are the more elaborate decorative houses and are more often Victorian in style, completed with front porches, windows with frames and shutters, a shingle or metallic roof, and a chimney and possibly a steeple. Some look like Victorian mansions and others small cottages. Colors could be remindful of a Martha's Vineyard crafted "gingerbread" beach home or in a conventional house color, primarily white. Also, several decorative houses just exhibit the Rosewood on the exterior.
These birdhouses can be functional for nesting birds, but the styling will impact your success. The nesting box needs to meet the fundamental requirements of a bird that nests in holes in order to be functional. Meaning there should be only one entrance, the "door". If the bird can only "go up" once inside, a miniature house with the ground level door being the bird's entrance hole may not be a successful nesting box. An entrance hole at the attic level or near the roof would increase your odds of this house becoming a home. The interior should also be weather proof and should be below the entrance hole to give you the best opportunity to have your decorative birdhouse occupied. Although interesting and great fun to look at, these "miniature" houses, churches, libraries, etc. are often made of materials that can with stand the Spring and Summer conditions making them functional but should not be left outside year round. The wood may have a hard time with extreme cold and wet, and the paint used is not always "exterior" quality paint.
An owner that is looking to display their appreciation for the outdoors and for nature will utilize these decorative birdhouses inside their homes. These items are frequently sold as accessories or accents by retailers as well as online. If your looking to compliment your own personal garden style and taste to make your birding experience all the more enjoyable; and when multiple bird houses are occupied by a variety of species of birds, the joy of the whole experience is multiplied. You won't be disappointed.
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051514363-1-decorative-birdhouses-what-makes-them-so-popular/
What You Should Know Before Hiring Roofing Companies
When you are looking for roofing companies to repair or replace your roof, there are certain important factors you should consider. Whether you are repairing or replacing an existing roof or putting a roof on new construction, hiring one of Charlotte's best roofing companies is the right decision.
How to know you are hiring the best choice
Before making a decision on which roofing company to hire, ensure you know that each of the roofing contractors being considered is licensed and certified. Your state will require all roofing companies have up to date certifications on all of their employees.
It is also important to ask the roofing companies for a copy of their insurance. All roofing contractors are required to carry contractor's insurance, both on each of their employees and to cover any accidents on the job site.
It is also important to ask how long the company has been in business. Longevity is a good indicator of how well roofing contractors perform. The Charlotte's best roofing companies have all been in business at least five years.
Where the contractor is located is another important factor to consider before hiring. This is especially true following a natural disaster when contractors from outside the region will often travel to the disaster site to pick up work. When a contractor is located close by, they are more easily found after the work is completed in case there are problems with the work. When a contractor is located out of state or far away, it can be very difficult to get them to honor warranties on their work.
Roofing contractors in the Charlotte and Concord NC area typically work all year, even during winter. Most have great reputations and will be happy to provide you with references to check to see how their customers like their work. Some companies specialize in roof repair, replacement, or other types of roof work, including metal roofs, while others are more all-around roof contractors and can do just about any work you need. If you live in the Charlotte or Concord NC area, there are several excellent roofing companies to choose from.
When it is better to hire a roofing company
When a natural disaster hits and your home's roof is damaged, it is recommended that you hire one of Charlotte's best roofing companies to get the repairs done correctly. Charlotte's best roofing companies are professionally trained technicians who will be happy to visit your home and take a look at your roof.
About the Author:
Shirley A. Dudley writes about roofs and Charlotte roofing contractors. Contact Advanced Roofing and Exteriors, Charlotte's best roofing company, 704-999-4130 for more information about roofing companies and for a free roofing estimate.
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/What-You-Should-Know-Before-Hiring-Roofing-Companies/6555933
The History Of Who Invented The Electric Water Heater.
The answer to who invented the electric water heater begins around 1850 with an experiment that was created in which both water and bath, on the underneath side, were heated by gas jets. An Englishman Benjamin Maughan, however in 1868 invented the first instant water heater called "The Geyser", a device where the water was heated as it flowed into the bath. They were known to be quite dangerous.
Maughn's invention influenced the designs of a Norwegian mechanical engineer by the name of Edwin Ruud, who immigrated to Pittsburg. Ruud who invented the electric water heater (automatic storage) in 1889, founded the Ruud Manufacturing Company, which is still in operation today, and pioneered the advancement of water heaters, in both the residential and commercial market.
The Water Heater is still sometimes referred to as a geyser in the UK. Other terms include: an electric water boiler, electric dispensing pot, or electric water urn.
There are various kinds of water heaters. The most common water heaters are the storage water heaters. Instantaneous (tankless) water heaters are newer on the market, and newer still, solar water heaters.
Storage Tank Water Heaters:
This is typically the kind of water heater you saw growing up, the big white tank often beside the furnace. Tank type water heaters come in different varieties - gas, oil electric. This refers to the type of burner used to heat the water. Energy efficiencies between the different types of burners on the tank water heaters can differ greatly. In this tank, cold water is used to fill the tank, and an element, usually near the top bottom inside the tank is used to heat it. In between the inside tank and the outer shell is often insulation to help keep the water hot, without the elements having to do all of the work.
Instantaneous Water Heaters:
Instantaneous Water Heaters, also called Tankless Water Heaters are just that. They do not have a tank, and therefore are thought to be more energy efficient. Sometimes they are called an in-line water heater, as it only heats the water it needs as it passes through, and therefore energy is not wasted by heating extra water all day that is not in use.
Other terms for Tankless Water Heaters is Combination Water Heaters, Combi Boilers, Continuous Flow Water Heaters, Inline Water Heaters, Flash Water Heaters, On-Demand Water Heaters or Instant-On Water heaters.
These particular Water Heaters are rapidly gaining in popularity and will soon become the standard. Often, one main Tankless Water Heater will be installed near the furnace, and supplemental smaller Tankless Water Heaters will be situated in tactical spots, such as a far reaching bathrooms, etc to be located right where the water is being used. This strategy saves water as well as energy, thereby making this option one of the most efficient, as well as saving on space.
Solar Water Heaters:
If you're fortunate enough to live someplace sunny most of the year around, a solar powered water heater may be an option for you. Solar collectors are typically installed on the exterior of the building on the roof or nearby. If insufficient sunlight or at night, an automatic sensor turns off and keeps the remaining water from cooling.
For colder climates, you're not out of luck. The evacuated tube collector solar powered water heater is an alternate type of solar water heater, smaller and deemed more efficient, also roof mounted, is said to work very well in cold climates.
True to its name, the evacuated tube collector solar powered water heater has a row of glass tubes which contain heat conducting rods. Inside the heating rods is antifreeze, which is in a circulating loop. The heat is captured and transferred into a heat exchanger. The result is excellent, with very low heat loss due to the fact that once the inside coating has absorbed solar radiation, the air has been evacuated from the glass tubes to create a vacuum.
By: Stephan Bevan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Stephan Bevan writes for the Toronto Plumbing contrator: Draincom.com. If you need a water heater repair or installation please give us a call at: 416-989-5757.
http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/The-History-of-Who-Invented-the-Electric-Water-Heater/633796
Bamboo Flooring Reviews
Everybody knows how expensive hardwood flooring can be. An affordable alternative to wood flooring is bamboo flooring. If you are thinking about opting for this flooring then you need to learn some real facts about it. Because, though this flooring is more affordable than hardwood flooring, and said to be eco-friendly compared to other wood flooring; there are many issues surrounding bamboo flooring that you need to take into consideration, before you make your choice.
INDEX
Different Bamboo Flooring Reviews
The natural color of bamboo is light-yellow (blonde). But it can be stained or carbonized to the color of your choice.
Per square foot price of bamboo floors can be between $1.5 to $8, exclusive of the installation cost. The cheapest are the unfinished bamboo floors, which cost around $1.5 per square foot and the high-priced ones are the hand-scraped bamboo floors which cost around $8 per square foot.
When you are buying wood flooring, you might get a free installation service or a discount on the installation. If you wish to get it done by a contractor, then look for a reputed one. You can always bargain for lower installation cost. Installation of bamboo flooring is easy and similar to any hardwood floor installation. The easiest installation is the click and lock type. Another easy installation method of bamboo flooring is the tongue and groove. In this, pieces of bamboo fit with each other like a jigsaw puzzle.
The three most popular brands of bamboo flooring are Teragren, Home Legend and Shaw. These brands have received many positive reviews from consumers. So, you can consider bamboo flooring from these brands. However, it is very important that you choose the appropriate type of bamboo flooring even if a reputed manufacturer offers many types. Also, there are many distributors like Lumber Liquidators, Lowes, iFloor, etc. which offer bamboo flooring at a discounted price. So, make sure you compare every type, manufacturer and distributor of bamboo flooring smartly before making a decision.
Natural Bamboo Flooring
The natural color of bamboo is light-yellow. When bamboo is heated, different colors are produced. The more you heat the bamboo, the darker the color gets, and the softer and less durable the bamboo becomes. So, choose a lighter shade for the floor, if you want a natural and more durable flooring.
Natural bamboo flooring costs around $2 per square foot. Natural bamboo flooring is available in planks. You can install these planks by either nailing them or gluing them together.
Carbonized Bamboo Flooring
Carbonized bamboo flooring comes in shades of coffee, caramel and honey. These different colors are obtained by boiling bamboo at different temperatures. This makes it around 20% softer. So, it's not that durable when compared to natural bamboo floor. But, if you are looking for a specific color to match your home decor, carbonized bamboo flooring is one of the choices.
Carbonized bamboo flooring price is around $2 to $4 per square foot. It is available in strand woven flooring and solid flooring, both horizontal as well as vertical.
Stained Bamboo Flooring
If you wish to go for natural bamboo but want a specific color, stained bamboo flooring is the best option. Planks of natural bamboo are stained with different colors. So you can get strength of the natural bamboo and color of your choice.
It is available in planks, so installation is similar to natural bamboo flooring. It is priced around $4 per square foot.
Solid Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo wood flooring is filled with details and you can see the fine or thick lines. In horizontal grain bamboo, you can see fine long lines and in vertical grain bamboo you can see interesting small stripes. In solid bamboo flooring, planks of wood are used. These planks are then glued together to form a surface. In solid bamboo flooring there are two types, that is, horizontal and vertical. In horizontal, flat layers of planks are placed on each other. In vertical flooring - long, thick planks are glued to each other in one layer, displaying the fine nodes of the wood.
Solid flooring is stronger than red oak and cheaper than hardwood floors. It can also be floated on a sub-floor.
Engineered Bamboo Flooring
This is not 100% bamboo. It consists of different types of wood glued to each other and the top layer has bamboo strips. It is stronger than solid wood. It has a lesser expansion rate compared to non-engineered bamboo floors. Engineered bamboo flooring due to its expansion rate, is a good choice for places having very dry or very humid weather.
Engineered bamboo floor can also be floated and is a very good option if the sub-floor is concrete. Engineered bamboo floor price starts at $3 per square foot.
Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring
This kind of flooring is made by weaving different strands of bamboo together and sticking them by glue. It is visually attractive as you can see the different shades of stripes on the floor. It is more durable than grain bamboo floors, both horizontal and vertical. Thus, it a great choice for the high-traffic areas. It is very easy to clean and maintain; you can use a dust mop to clean strand woven bamboo flooring. For high-humidity areas, it is a great choice as it resists moisture and has a longer life.
Strand woven bamboo floors are more durable than solid bamboo floors. It is priced around $4 per square foot.
Floating Bamboo Flooring
If you are a DIY enthusiast, go for click-and-interlock bamboo flooring. In click and lock method, different planks of bamboo are fixed together without using adhesive. Floating flooring is the easiest to install as it is the click-and-interlock type.
Floating flooring is not attached to any sub-flooring. Planks of bamboo floors are fitted together like an interlocked puzzle. And only in certain cases adhesive is used. Because of its easy installation it is very popular.
Laminate Bamboo Flooring
For bamboo laminate flooring, thin long strips of bamboo are removed. Such pieces are converted to vertical or horizontal laminated pieces. Laminate floors are cheaper than hardwood floors and natural bamboo floors. Bamboo laminate flooring is more durable and easy to install.
But once after long use, the laminate floor starts showing signs of wear and tear, it can't be refinished or re-coated. If you are looking for a nice but cheap wood flooring, laminate bamboo flooring is the best option available.
Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring
Listed below are facts on bamboo used for manufacturing flooring.
Though bamboo is considered a tree by many, it is actually a grass. Most of the bamboo used for manufacturing bamboo flooring comes from China.
The species used for manufacturing the flooring is called moso. It is very strong and flexible. Growing moso is fast and easy, making it readily available.
Being a grass, bamboo grows faster than trees used for making hardwood floors. Trees used in hardwood flooring are oak, maple, cherry, etc. The harvest period for a hardwood tree can be anywhere between 50-120 years. On the other hand, bamboo has a harvest period of around 7 years.
As bamboo is a grass, it regenerates itself. After harvesting bamboo, its roots remain in the soil, and there is no need to replant it. For growing bamboo, very little amount of pesticides or fertilizers are required.
First of all, let us discuss the main issue regarding bamboo flooring. Do you think bamboo flooring is eco-friendly? Well, then think again.
Listed above, were some of the facts of bamboo flooring. But, many manufacturers knowing the ever-growing demand of this flooring, are interested in larger and faster production.
Many-a-times bamboo gets harvested before it reaches its ideal hardness. Bamboo reaches it's full growth within few months, but to reach the required hardness it needs many years. Manufacturer's harvest the bamboo within few months.
This quickly gives them the raw material required for manufacturing. Doing this means soil erosion and use of lot of fertilizers and pesticides to boost the growth of bamboo.
Also, bamboo comes from China, so one can't be sure of fair trade practices.
Another important issue is that in the manufacturing process of bamboo flooring, formaldehyde-based glues are used. This glue is unhealthy for the environment and the consumer too.
Lastly, it is shipped from China. This means a lot of fuel is used for transportation, which contributes to pollution.
So, it is clearly not as eco-friendly as you thought it was. Next comes another important question - Is bamboo floor really tough compared to other flooring types?
As mentioned above, bamboo needs many years to harden. The hardened bamboo makes durable and tough flooring.
However, bamboo which is harvested just after few months growth is not so durable.
Bamboo surpasses many hardwood flooring in the hardness test. This is because bamboo is a grass and not a tree. It can resist round objects falling on it. However, anything sharp can just cause a lot of damage to bamboo flooring.
It means this flooring is susceptible to denting and bending. Flooring made from bamboo which has been harvested after seven years is more durable. But early harvested bamboo can't be at all guaranteed against denting and bending.
Lastly, comes the question - Is bamboo flooring more affordable than other wood flooring?
If you are going for a good hardened variety of flooring, then it will last longer. This type of bamboo flooring will cost more too.
However, if you buy the inexpensive variety of flooring, then it will cost less. But, it will show wear and tear very easily. Also, refinishing such a flooring is not possible as the bamboo strips will fall out from the planks. So, instead of refinishing you will just need to replace planks. This adds to the cost of bamboo flooring.
Refinishing this flooring is not such a good idea as the glue which is mostly formaldehyde, is toxic. One needs to wear mask and gloves while doing it, as the fumes released during refinishing can be quite harmful to the person working on it. So, the safest is to replace the damaged floor planks which will add up to the cost.
Shopping Tips
Given above were the various pros and cons of bamboo flooring and the most frequently asked questions answered. However, if you still wish to go for this flooring, then here are some practical shopping tips that you need to keep in mind.
Go for bamboo flooring which is made from moso bamboo, which is at least 7 years old. This will ensure that you get the hardest and most durable flooring. Avoid going for carbonized bamboo, as this flooring tends to be soft. Strand woven stand out as the most durable flooring.
You can get samples of bamboo flooring and check them for denting. Also, compare the samples so that you can choose the one that goes with your home decor.
Do a good research on the supplier. It's very important to choose a reputed and trusted supplier, that sells you a quality product at an appropriate price.
Check if the manufacturer has an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
Bamboo floors are certainly cheaper than hardwood floors, but before you buy the bamboo floor planks, calculate the additional cost of installation. Also, if you are buying unfinished planks, the cost of staining the planks, beveling its edges, etc., should be taken into consideration.
It is advised that you go with pre-finished bamboo planks as this will make your job easier. Also, leaving the finishing and installation to the professionals is a good idea if you are looking for optimum results.
Bamboo floors come with a zero to lifetime warranty. Decide how long you want your wooden flooring to last and invest accordingly.
Avoid formaldehyde glue-based bamboo flooring. Though, this glue is used by most manufacturers to produce bamboo flooring. If you can't find a formaldehyde-free variety, then go for a manufacturer which uses the least amount of this glue.
As you can see bamboo flooring has many disadvantages to it. So, one needs to take a very wise decision when selecting the bamboo flooring type and manufacturer. If you wish to be more eco-friendly, then you can also consider going with recycled wood flooring. It is a more durable and cost-effective solution.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bamboo-flooring-reviews.html
These 2 Charts From Comcast Show Why Net Neutrality Is Vital
These 2 Charts From Comcast Show Why Net Neutrality Is Vital - Consumerist
This chart shows that Comcast is slowly losing pay-TV customers while it's gaining a significant number of broadband subscribers.
Comcast released its quarterly earnings report and the timing couldn't be better, with the FCC set to vote on Chairman Tom Wheeler's net neutrality proposal later this week.
In the above chart from Comcast [PDF], the company breaks down the year-over-year changes in its various cable/broadband/phone offerings.
Right there in the top line, you can see that Comcast only added a net 6,000 new pay-TV subscribers during the most recent quarter, down from a slightly better gain of 46,000 the same quarter in 2013.
And overall for 2014, Comcast lost 194,000 pay-TV customers. Even with rate increases and new fees, revenue from pay-TV customers was virtually flat, but it's still by far Comcast's largest money-maker, bringing in $20.783 billion last year.
While Comcast has virtually the same number of pay-TV and broadband customers, it brings in nearly twice as much money from pay-TV subscribers.
At the same time as its pay-TV audience is slowly shrinking, Comcast's broadband business is booming, with 1.28 million net customers added in 2014, bringing the company's Internet subscribers almost equal with its cable subscribers. At this rate, withina year Comcast will have more broadband customers than it will have pay-TV subscribers. Additionally, while cable revenue was flat, Internet revenue was up nearly 10% over the previous year.
So how does this all tie into net neutrality?
Comcast's biggest revenue generator is sinking. It can continue to raise rates to counter subscriber losses, but that will eventually only drive away more customers who can get comparable video content online. And while Comcast's broadband business is on the rise, it brings in less per customer than pay-TV.
The company -- and other cable providers -- can't afford to let big-ticket pay-TV customers flee and go broadband only. But they're not going to drop their rates because there's no competition and broadcasters are constantly demanding more money from pay-TV providers to carry their channels.
So that leaves Comcast, et al, little option but to squeeze the online competition. They would love to simply be able to tell customers "No, you can't access Netflix," or to slow Netflix and other streaming services down so much consumers aren't tempted to cut the cord.
But what ISPs really want to do -- and it's why Verizon sued to gut the original 2010 net neutrality rules -- is to create "fast lanes" for content companies willing to pay. So rather than tell consumers they can't get quality access to streaming services, the ISPs could go to Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Apple, and others and say "Hey, if you pay us a lot of money we'll make sure your products reach customers."
Of course, this is a cost that will just be passed on to consumers who are already paying their ISPs to make sure that content gets delivered at advertised speeds.
A final way for ISPs to make their products look better than the online competition is to give preferred treatment to their own content.
The 2010 neutrality rules -- which Comcast, as a condition of its merger with NBC, has promised to abide by through 2018 -- forbade blocking, throttling, or prioritizing content. In early 2014, a federal appeals court sided with Verizon and gutted those rules, finding that the FCC didn't have authority to regulate broadband because of the way it had previously been defined by the Commission.
And so Wheeler's proposal seeks to reinstate those rules by reclassifying broadband as the vital piece of infrastructure it has become in the last decade.
Scaremongering opponents of neutrality claim it will hurt innovation or create government-run networks. But they gloss over the fact that neutrality rules existed for four years during which telecom and broadband companies spent an unprecedented amount of money developing new technologies.
And reclassification does not in any way turn broadband over to the government; nor will there be any new taxes because the Internet Tax Freedom Act bans state and local taxes on broadband access, regardless of the FCC's classification of the service.
Net neutrality is about nothing more than keeping Comcast, Verizon and the rest of them from extorting money from consumers and content providers just because they control the Internet off-ramps.
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http://consumerist.com/2015/02/24/these-2-charts-from-comcast-show-why-net-neutrality-is-vital/
Choosing Which Roofing Material to Use for Your Home by Chris Lontok
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles are made of asphalt. The base material can be made of organic fibre mat or fibreglass core. With their adhesive backing, composite shingles are easy to install. Nails, staples or tacks are used to attach them to the roof. If you live in an area common to hurricanes and rainstorms, then this roofing material is the choice for you. But make sure to add some roofing cement to secure the roof. Shingles are currently the most popular choice of material for roofs in the US. Roofers find the material easy to install and durable. They could last about 30 to 50 years, given that they are reinforced once in a while. Also, roofing contractors and manufacturers have come up with shingles that are resistant to mold and algae growth, which means longer life for your roof.
You can pair composite shingles with almost any type of gutter?from galvanized to wooden gutters.
Metal Roofing
No roofing material has as much variety in price and type as metal roofing. It can feature galvanised iron or lead on a low-cost barn, or it can take the form of elegant copper on royal homes and majestic museums. It can easily be installed as sheets or shingles, both of which are suitable for steep roofs. Mechanically seamed metal, on the other hand, is ideal for gentle slopes. Contrary to the natural property of metal, metal roofing does not absorb too much heat, making it very ideal for tropical areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Lutz. Those who live in places with occasional thunderstorms can feel safe with a roof covered with a metal sheet because of its ability to disperse lightning. It is non-flammable, too. Metal roofing also appeals to home owners because of its low cost and aesthetic appeal, although one usually has to choose from either of these two factors. The more attractive materials are also more expensive. Metal roofing is probably the cheapest roofing material available in the market today. Roofing companies guarantee 50 years of a secure roof for your home if you choose this material.
Tile and Slate Roofing
Roof tiles are usually made of slate, glazed ceramic and baked clay, and they top all the other roofing materials in terms of age and weight. They have been used to cover the tops of houses in ancient eras, much longer than the other types that we have discussed. Two factors discourage people from using tiles and slates?weight and price. Due to their heaviness, roofers must first ensure that your house has stronger roof and wall to support structure. They are also much more expensive than most materials. Traditional homes and mansions usually have slate roofing. If your aim is for the classic look, then this is your choice. Its best features are they are fire-resistant and sturdy, lasting for generations. They withstand snow and hail, moisture and heat. Termites are not able to build a home on these types of roofs. Most noticeably, they are beautiful. Japanese temples have been elaborately topped with tiles, and so have the famous Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore of Florence in Italy and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Seamless metal gutters should pair off with slates very well. You will need highly skilled roofers or roofing contractors to properly install this material.
For roofing services, roofing contractors, or general contractors, try Beacon Construction Services. They are a roofing company that services the areas of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lutz.
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Create An Inspiring Wine Bottle Backyard Fountain
Have you ever acknowledged anyone that collects wine bottles? Although there are many beautifully shaped and colorful wine bottles, there will not appear to be many uses for them as soon as the alcohol is consumed. Men and women happen to be known to make use of the wine bottles as candle holders; the candle wax melting down the sides in the bottles make for a really distinctive indoor decoration. Often persons just accumulate the bottles and add them to their shelves. Within this circumstance the bottles are extra like dust collectors.
One particular wonderful strategy for empty wine bottles would be to use them to make an outdoor backyard fountain. Not simply will you be building an uplifting and just about spiritual design and style, but also you are going to be assisting Mother Earth by recycling what otherwise could well be a dumpster contribution.
The fundamentals
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To be able to make a wine bottle backyard fountain you must initial come to a decision on the place you ought to dig the hole that can accommodate a minimal of 18 bottles, a spray fountainhead, water pump, a sump, rocks, bricks and some pavers. Your entire supplies are going to be submerged.
The wine bottles will be turned upside down so that the bottoms are on the top. You would like to discover classic wine bottles in the number of colours, as their bottoms are concave. The dipped bottoms catch the h2o since it sprays through the fountainhead and build magical, tiny, colorful pools. The reflection from your small pools that this generates while in the sunlight is magnificent and inspiring.
Your water fountain might be circular since the bottles dictate an automatic circle layout when set collectively. Start with a six-bottle core then each and every ring soon after that may double your will need for wine bottles (i.e.: 6 for the core, 12 for that second ring and in the event you want a bigger backyard fountain you'll need 24 bottles for that third ring). The first six bottles are going to be strapped throughout the rainwater pipe held with each other with waterproof tape. Be careful when managing the bottles, because the sheer excess weight of them will make them complicated to carry.
Mainly, you would like to cover the hole with plastic sheeting to guarantee correct drainage. You'll then fill the plastic lined hole with bricks to maintain the bottles in destination, the submersible water pump, armored piping to channel the wiring below the lawn or pavers and small cobblestones and gravel to organize around the bottles, serving as a lot more assist. The spray nozzle fountainhead will certainly rise previously mentioned from the middle. Soon after you arrange some more substantial, ornamental rocks atop the fountain to hide the many hardware, you'll ultimately add the pavers to maintain everything in destination and conceal the plastic sheeting.
You will want to check with which has a home and garden middle pro for those who have any concerns about the specifics on creating your wine bottle backyard fountain. Chances are you'll also do some exploration on the net for distinct guidelines and also thumb through any fountain undertaking literature.
Delightful Sight
Certainly, the mix of colorful wine bottles, ornamental, easy, river rock and cement pavers is often a magical sight. Wine bottle garden h2o fountains lend themselves nicely to a variety of themed gardens. It's a definitely conversational piece as you may speak about the way you were capable to accumulate each and every wine bottle and the way you are proud of your recycling efforts. Wine bottle spray water fountains are wonderful and eco-friendly.
By: Christopher Dale
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