Do You Really Need a Strong Insulated Garage Door?

Garages No Comments

Garage doors come in all shapes and sizes, and if you want to properly protect your vehicles, you have to opt for the right one. Depending on where you live, there may be varying threats that a good garage door could protect you from. The most common is car theft, as low quality garage doors can easily be bypassed by thieves. With modern doors this doesn’t happen as often, but buying a flimsy door to save money can still be a pretty big risk.

Another thing you have to pay close attention to is whether or not your door is equipped to protect you garage from the elements. While most types of metals will protect against rain, snow or hail quite easily, and some are also well-equipped to prevent sudden drops of temperature, there are also many instances when an insulated door will definitely come in handy.

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One of the top advantages of having an insulated door is that you won’t have to deal with heat losses during the winter. If you live in a colder area, then an insulated garage door will actually make it easier for you to heat your home and keep the heat inside. If you leave the interior door to the garage open and you only have a standard garage door, heat can quickly escape so you’ll have to compensate by overusing your HVAC. However, with an insulated garage door that won’t be a problem.

A quieter operation can also be a great advantage, as many garage doors are quite noisy. If you want to avoid waking up your spouse when you open the garage door to leave for work in the morning, then having an insulated garage door can help a great deal. The insulation can actually absorb much of the noise produced when the garage door is opening or closing, so you and your household can avoid some of the stress associated with your previous, old and noisier door.

Insulated garage doors also increase the security of your door to some extent. The insulation you add can increase the strength of the door so that forced entry is made a little more difficult. As many insulated garage doors Denver experts will agree, even the smallest advantage is crucial in such cases, and it can make a great deal of difference.

You might wonder if these garage doors actually make a difference, and the truth is that, while the advantages they offer are very clear, everyone needs something different from the safe and functionally sound operation of their garage door. While some might prefer the added noise reduction, others will be more interested in the possibility of saving money on heating and avoiding the need for more extensive HVAC repairs and frequent replacements for heating components.

These issues and many others can be solved by simply getting an insulated garage door or having your existing one insulated. Of course, the cost and complexity of the installation process will differ depending on the thickness and type of insulation you’ll need, so make sure you ask your local insulated garage doors Denver installation experts about the details involved.

What Is the Typical Process for Home Flood Insurance Claim?

Plumbing No Comments

Getting your life back after your home has suffered water damage because of flooding is a complex and difficult process that involves more than cleanup and drying – if you have a property insurance that covers for flood damage, the recovery after the disaster should also involve actions to obtain compensation for the damage sustained by your property. Like most processes involved in the restoration, the process of putting together the claim file, of submitting it and of negotiating the compensation amount that your insurer is willing to pay is daunting, too, so here are some things that can help you understand the insurance claim procedure.

Practical Things to Do

The first thing to do after you notice the damage is to ensure the safety of the site by safely disconnecting any utilities that might cause hazards, such as the gas and the water supply and the electricity. If your home has been severely affected by the flood, no inspection and no mitigation action should commence before the safety of the premises is ensured.

The First Phone Calls

The first person to notify about the damage sustained by your property is your insurer – more precisely, your insurance agent. Call your agent and describe the damage – your insurance expert will help you with guidance regarding the next steps.

In most cases, insurance representatives advise their clients to turn to a damage restoration company for professional mitigation action. Insurance companies usually work with a network of preferred water damage Fort Collins restoration companies, so it is a good idea to ask your agent to recommend you specialized companies.

water damage Fort Collins contractors

The next step is to establish contact with a damage restoration Fort Collins specialist. Many water damage Fort Collins companies provide emergency services, so you can expect your restoration team to arrive at your doorstep very soon.

The Process of Damage Assessment, Mitigation and Restoration

The first thing that your water damage Fort Collins technicians will do is to assess and document the damage. Your specialists will inspect every inch of the damaged area and they will record video footage and pictures of the damage. The recordings will be used for restoration purposes and they are important for the insurance claim file as well. The restoration company will also provide a cost estimate that you will also need to include into your claim file to substantiate your claim.

Your restoration company will then start the damage mitigation and restoration process – they will perform the cleanup and the drying and they will also make recommendations regarding the further steps of the restoration process.

Filing the Claim and Negotiations

When your claim file is complete, it is time to submit it. In most cases, the owner of the damaged property has about a year to submit the claim file, but the sooner you submit yours, the sooner you can receive the compensation. After you submit the document, your insurer will send their own expert called insurance adjuster to discuss the details of the damage and the steps taken to restore your home and to negotiate the final amount. If your claim is accepted and an agreement regarding the amount is reached, your insurer will the compensation soon.

What Should I Know About CO State Bed Bug Laws?

Pest Control No Comments

state bed bug laws Colorado

If you are traveling to Colorado and staying at a hotel, or if you are a tenant and have the inconvenience of finding bed bugs, it is good to know what you should do; the Centennial State has laws regarding landlord duties in such situations.

First of all, insist that you talk to the people who should be responsible with keeping the place clean and free of pests. If you are not a native assertive speaker, it might be tempting to settle for the room you have, despite the tiny stain you found on the mattress. But there can be consequences.

Bed bugs, unlike mosquitoes and ticks, do not actively transmit disease, but a recent study found that they may still transmit germs from one person to another – including antibiotic-resistant germs, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus etc. Through its toxins, Staphylococcus aureus can cause various diseases, from skin reactions to sepsis.

Bed bugs in hotels and other accommodation units

When you find bedbugs, do not ignore them. Be bolder instead and ask the right questions. You do not want to become a victim, especially since most hotels will be willing to offer you another room and will make a proper inspection immediately, because they certainly do not want problems and negative publicity. Hotel owners and staff have the best interest to make sure their guests do not leave the hotel unhappy.

Ask about bedbug prevention plans. Before the accommodation formalities, ask the hotel staff about the practices they have put in place to deal with the prevention and treatment of pests and especially bedbugs.

The vast majority of businesses in the hospitality industry do an excellent job of having an action plan to protect themselves and their guests. Many hotels conduct proactive inspections and work with pest control companies to quickly resolve any issues.

Also, read reviews about bedbug infestation. With a little research on the internet, it is easy to find out if bed bugs have been reported at your hotel. For example, traveling sites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp offer many reviews.

Bed bugs in residential premises

Like we mentioned before, state bed bug laws Colorado stipulate a landlord’s duties in the case of a bed bug infestation. Tenants are required to notify the landlord in writing, to have proof of the delivery of their notice.

Landlords are required to act promptly, within 96 hours after being noticed of the presence the infestation. They must contact professional pest-removal services and bring a qualified inspector on site. If the result of the inspection is positive, the landlord must allow the professionals to inspect and clean all contiguous dwelling units, paying for the associated costs related to inspection and treatment. Tenants must be informed about the inspection and they must allow the access of the professionals to their dwelling units and permit the inspection and the necessary treatment against bed bugs. Tenants who fail to comply with these requirements will be liable for subsequent bed bug treatments, not just of the dwelling unit but also for contiguous units.

In their turn, landlords who fail to comply with their duties are liable to the tenants.

Choices to Consider for Your Automatic Gate

Gates and Fences No Comments

Automatic gates represent the optimal solution in the field of property protection, ensuring maximum comfort, characterized by increased burglary resistance, long service life and stability over time. They ensure a silent closing and opening, being also provided with an unlocking system for the event of a power failure. Most systems do not require any maintenance. The reducer is hermetically sealed and contains special oil under pressure that must not be changed. The operating temperature range of the systems is in the industrial range of -35 – + 55 degrees Celsius.

The automation systems for doors and gates are professional and offer great comfort, completely eliminating human effort necessary to open/ close regular gates; they allow or restrict access easily, to both humans and motor vehicles. All you have to do is press a button on a remote control. A complete gate automation system contains: one or two motors, control unit, 2 three-channel remote controls, photocells (to prevent vehicles from hitting the gate), antenna radio, and control lamp.

The system is operated from the remote control, but can also be operated manually, via a key button. The button with a custom key proves its usefulness especially when the power supply is interrupted.

The motors and other components are available in a wide variety of models and areas of use. Automatic gate Denver specialists will help you choose the system that best suits your gate. For any type of gate (swinging or sliding), for industrial or residential use, no matter how extensive it is, there is a professional solution.

automatic gate Denver

In order to identify the optimal automatic gate for your needs, the following factors are taken into account: the model of the gate, its dimensions and weight, constructive particularities, traffic intensity and, of course, aesthetic considerations.

Linear, elongated motors or articulated arm motors can be mounted on swing gates. Where the construction of the gate does not allow, or you do not want to change its appearance, you have the option to choose engines buried in the ground, in stainless steel housings. The motor for the sliding gates has a special construction.

Access control

The increasingly demanding security, whether it is for home users or legal entities, has led to the emergence of access control systems, which allow authorized persons to have access to certain areas and eliminate the risk of unwanted people entering where they are not allowed. These systems can be installed together with any automatic gate.

Since their inception, access control systems have developed a lot. There are both simple systems, such as intercoms, and more complex systems, which can monitor every person from the moment they enter the building, until the moment they leave.

Such access systems are used very often in the corporate environment, but it is becoming more and more popular among various businesses and even among home users. The main benefit that such a system brings is safety, but also the fact that you can easily control every entrance and every exit from the house or building you manage.

Top Commercial Roofing Materials

Roofing No Comments

commercial roofing companies Connecticut

Choosing the best roofing material for your business is no small task – there are so many materials available on the market and so many design solutions that picking the right combination might feel daunting. To make your task easier, here are some of the top materials used on commercial roofs.

Metal

One of the most durable materials available on the market today is also one of the most appreciated solutions for commercial applications. Metal roofing panels are made from various alloys, including steel, aluminum, copper, coated and galvanized varieties, all of them offering a lifespan of around five decades and very low maintenance and repair needs. Though the metal sheets used on roofs are strong and durable, their resistance to the effects of the elements can be further enhances with the help of protective coatings.

EPDM Roofing

These membranes are made from synthetic rubber and they are ideal for being used on any low-sloping roofs, in any climate area. The material is lightweight, therefore suitable for buildings that use lightweight frames and its superior resistance to UV radiation makes it the perfect solution for roofs in hot climate areas.

BUR

Built-up roofs are roofing systems that have been around for a long time and are likely to stay popular in the future, too. BUR systems have a lot to offer, such as resistance to high traffic, very low maintenance needs, durability and resistance to the elements and affordability.

PVC Roofing

These systems are usually made up from two layers of PVC, with a layer of polyester between the layers of PVC. The UV-resistance and the flexibility of the material are ensured with the help of additives. The solution is resistant to fire, therefore it is especially suitable for sensitive applications. The only downside of the material is that repair is very difficult, therefore the replacement of the deteriorated panel is usually the preferred solution.

TPO Roofing

The material is relatively new on the market, but it is becoming increasingly popular due to the great qualities it offers. It is very quick and easy to install (it does require professional mounting, but the process takes very short to complete), it does not develop leaks and it is also very easy to maintain. TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a synthetic rubber that comes with all the flexibility and durability that can be expected of rubber.

Coating Products

According to some of the best commercial roofing companies Connecticut has, commercial roofs need to be constructed from the right material to offer long-lasting and reliable performance, but there are also many supplementary products that can – and should – be used for enhancing the protection offered by the roof. These products usually come in the form of coatings that need to be applied regularly on the roof surface. Today, there are special coatings available for improving the roof’s resistance to water penetration, to make them more resistant to UV radiation or to impact. Most of these products are of the consistency of thick paint and they can be applied the same way as paint, with brushes, rollers or from spray cans.

Advantages Of Using Fire Resistant Shingles

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fire resistant roofing in productsIn the case of any roof, fire safety is very important, because the surface of a roof is a large and exposed area that may be easily prone to acts of nature (wildfires) and electric accidents. Even if you live in an area that is not exposed to wildfires, you should not consider your roof risk-free, because there are other causes of fire, especially during the summer: bonfire or barbecue embers that travel easily with the wind, sparks from a nearby accidental fire, chimney sparks, lightning strikes etc.

The only thing that offers additional protection in such cases is a fireproof roof. Such a roof is built from fire resistant materials (which mean they do not burn easily and do not keep alive a fire). These materials are tested and classified according to a rating system, which makes them easy to distinguish in terms of the provided safety. The main aspects specialists observe during tests are how the flame penetrates and spreads, as well as the degree that the material forms embers.

As a result, class A fireproof roofing in Littleton materials includes materials the least flammable, thus with the highest ratings, class B includes materials resistant against moderate surface fire, and class C materials are only effective against light surface fires, being the most flammable. However, the fire-resistance of these materials also depend on the roof’s structure. For example, a structure made of wood

Here are a few examples of fire resistant roofing materials.

Concrete and Clay Tiles

These are not among the most common materials, mostly because of their price. These materials are very efficient in providing different levels of protection, including fire protection, they look beautiful and complement different architectural styles.

Slate

Slate is a natural stone, thus a roof made of this material is not only rock solid, but also fire proof. Such a roof is virtually indestructible, if it has an adequate resistance structure (slate is probably the heaviest roofing material)

Metal

Metal tiles are probably the most popular fire proof roofing materials, but they are a great option even for homes in geographic areas with heavy rain falls, being covered with a protective layer that increases their resistance to moisture and sea salt particles.

The advantages of a metal roof are important for all those who pay close attention to the qualitative details of their home. Such a roof is very light, it has the ability to reflect the heat emitted by the sun, thus contributing to saving the energy consumed on air cooling systems, during the summer.

Steel and aluminum are the most common and economical materials in these roofs. The paint applied is resistant and provides a glossy or matte finish to the roof. Installed correctly, a metal roof can be as durable as the house. Snow and water are drained quickly from the slippery metal surface, the wind slides easily, and insects and pests will not attack it.

Also, because the metal roofing materials are non-combustible, they usually belong to class A fire resistance.

 

What Are The Typical Services That Restoration Companies Offer?

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Water Damage Restoration HomeDealing with home damage because of an unforeseen event such as a flooding or a fire is a terrible perspective and most of the people become to feel really overwhelmed when they are confronted with how much they have to do to make their house look like before the disaster.

Fortunately, now there are professional water restoration Phoenix services offered by specialized companied, for reasonable prices. They do not simply clean the mess and restore properties; they also provide high efficiency and will get the job done in no time, with very little disruption of the everyday activities. Besides, it will save you from A LOT of physical work and even restore objects that you may have considered compromised.

A restoration company is a fantastic help for residential and commercial property owners. However, before hiring one, you should make sure you leave your property in the hands of real professionals.

Check for certifications. A restoration company must be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification and carry additional credentials for specific restoration areas (e.g. mold restoration, fire restoration etc.).

Ask about the services the company is able to offer. There are different types of disasters that can damage a property (fire, water, toxic waste etc.) and companies are typically specialized only in some of them. Besides, regardless this aspect, you must ensure that the company can handle every part of the restoration process (inspection, remediation, reconstruction, clean up).

Also, make sure to calculate your available budget and ask for a price estimate before signing the contract.   Ask for recommendations and check the company`s reputation.

Finally yet importantly, make sure the company provides emergency services, which means it is ready to start the restoration project anytime instead of putting you on a waiting list.

There are also a few important aspects on what to avoid when hiring a restoration company. The first red flag is if the company asks you to pay a large sum of money upfront. It is not uncommon to pay 10% to cover materials, but anything higher should make you turn to another contractor. Another red flag is the missing license. A company that is not ready to offer you its credentials is not reliable.

Finally yet importantly, never agree to work with a Colorado roofing contractor that is not so willing to make a contract, because the risks are too big. You are already vulnerable after the disaster that damaged your property, and additional problems are the last thing you need.

Restoration businesses are very profitable these days and have a great growth potential. A professional reliable company uses state-of-the-art equipment and methods to remediate the problems that generated the disaster (fire, flooding etc.), clean and reconstruct your damaged property and your belongings, whether it is about doing carpentry, flooring, mold or toxic substances removal and other operations.

It is also good to know that many of these companies also work with your insurer to get your house back to how it was.

Should You Repair or Replace Your Fence?

Home Improvement No Comments

Many of the fence problems that might look serious are, in fact, easy to repair, while others that look minor require complete fence replacement. If you are currently wondering which of the two categories your fence issues belong to, here are some tips and details that might help you.

Common Issues that Affect Wood Fences

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Wood is a natural material and as such, it is somewhat more prone to damage than synthetic materials. The wind, the rain, the snow, the moisture from the air and insects can all harm your wood fence, causing discolorations, rot, warping and splintering. Fortunately, most forms of damage that don’t affect large parts of the posts or of the boards can be fixed easily – here is how:

  • Try to remove as much of the damaged area as you can – use a file or a scraper to eliminate the parts attacked by pests or affected by rot;
  • Correct the section with some wood filler or putty;
  • Clean the entire fence, removing old paint and prime the wood with some protective product and paint it to prevent future damage.

However, if a large part of your wood fence is affected and the boards and posts seem weak and shaky, you would be better off having fence repair Thornton contractors replace the fence, at least partially.

Vinyl Fence Issues

Vinyl is a very durable, synthetic material that is susceptible to only one type of damage: cracking. If you see cracks on your vinyl, unfortunately there is only one way to correct the issue: you need to replace the damaged components.

Issues with Aluminum Fences

Aluminum fences are among the most durable and most resistant fencing solutions – there is not much that can get at your aluminum fence. However, very harsh weather can crack your panels- if that is the issue that you are faced with, you can only solve it by replacing the damaged section. Sometimes, aluminum posts can become loosened by high winds, therefore it is a good idea to inspect your fence after each storm and to re-anchor the loosened posts to ensure they are solid and vertical.

Problems with Wrought Iron Fences

Wrought iron is a very durable material, but it is a little prone to rusting. Fortunately, small spots of rust can be easily removed with a stiff brush and some rust-removing product, then you can improve the rust resistance of the repaired section with some protective paint. To prevent extensive rusting, it is a good idea to clean and treat your entire fence and to repeat the procedure every couple of years.

Chain Link Fences

Chain link is a simple, durable and low-maintenance material. While chain link fences don’t need to much maintenance, other than occasional inspection, rust removal and painting, the material is not very resistant to impact and larger objects carried by strong winds can deform it. If you detect this type of damage after a storm, inspect the posts to see whether they have been loosened by the wind, then secure the posts again and replace the damaged chain link section.

Creating Warehouse Shelving Designs – Tips and Ideas for an Efficient Warehouse

Construction Companies No Comments

Tips To Designing Your Warehouse Storage

Having a safe, easy to access and suitably sized shelving system in your warehouse is essential for the streamlined operations of your business, so here are a few ideas about how to create efficient warehouse shelving designs.

Understand Your Company’s Storage Needs

The size and the volume of the items that you need to store on your shelves will determine the measurements of your shelving as well as the structure that works best in your warehouse. If the items that will be placed on your shelves are small and lightweight, you can use shelves of lower weight-bearing capacity and you can also make your shelving system taller, but if your items are bulky and heavy, your shelves are best made from strong material and they cannot rise very high.

Maximizing Storage Capacity

You also need to come up with an arrangement of shelves that maximizes capacity while also minimizing space usage. Placing your shelves in long rows, for example, is more efficient than having shorter bursts.

Easy Access and Easy Cleaning

The width of the aisles left between your rows of shelves is essential for streamlining the operations of your warehouse. If you plan to use large machines, such as forklifts to access the items on your shelves, make sure that the aisles are sufficiently large for your machines, otherwise you risk damaging your goods and your machines and accidents and injuries are also more likely to happen if the aisles are too narrow.

Designing a shelving system that is easy to get to is also essential for making it possible for your employees to clean the shelves easily. Spills happen all the time, causing material to build up quickly on the shelves and damaging the items in the area surrounding the spill, so fast and easy clean-up is very important for preserving the integrity of your inventories. Make sure that your shelves can be approached easily, use dividers and smaller containers wherever possible to make item removal and cleaning easy.

Include Scalability into the Design

Business growth usually comes with increased storage needs as well, so try to pay attention to that aspect when you create your shelving design. Try to use modular racking as much as you can – these solutions are freely adjustable, expandable and they add versatility to your warehouse shelving system.  To save money buy used pallet racking Denver companies sell eliminating high costs.

Use a Shelving Design Software

Nowadays, there are lots of software solutions that you can use for designing your warehouse shelving. There are lots of great websites that you can use free of charge and you can also find various design apps that are available for a fee. Try out some free solutions, read a few reviews of solutions that come for a fee, maybe try the demo versions of some of these programs and pick the one that you find the easiest to use. Whichever design software you pick, it will allow you to see what your design ideas look like in reality and many of the programs also provide help with load bearing capacity calculations.

Security Systems for Small Businesses – Components and Benefits

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Surveillance For Small Businesses

According to statistical data, businesses, especially small companies are around four times more likely to suffer theft, vandalism and break-in than residential buildings, but even so, only around 30% of businesses have any security system in place, other than door locks and maybe some rails on the windows. If you are the manager or an owner of a small business and you are concerned about the security of your premises, of your assets, your employees and your clients, here are a few measures that are essential for the security systems of small businesses, whatever their profile is.

Proper Locks

Security starts with proper door locks. If the locks used on the doors of your company premises are simple and easy to pick, start the process of improving your security by replacing you existing locks with more sophisticated ones that are either unpickable or more difficult to break. There are many locking solutions that come with special, unique keys that cannot be copied and unbreakable lock mechanisms.

The Benefits of Lighting

Well-lit premises are rarely targeted by burglars and thieves. The installation of exterior illumination that is either on all the time or features motion control and is turned on when the attached sensors detect movement is known to be another excellent deterrent against crime.

Alarms

Burglar alarms that make a loud sound if their sensors detect any kind of illegal activity after the alarm has been armed are also great deterrents. The systems that are connected to a security company or directly to the nearest police station are even more efficient.

Security Cameras

Modern security camera installation Colorado provider systems no longer require a substantial investment, yet they provide high-quality video footages of whatever is going on among your corporate premises and they send the designated persons alerts whenever suspicious movement is detected.

The security benefits of surveillance camera systems range much further than preventing unauthorized outsiders to access your company premises – here are some:

  • Monitoring employees – surveillance cameras are not only for monitoring what is going on outside your building. They are just as effective inside, allowing you to know what is going on in your company during the day, whether your employees arrive punctually, whether they work as they are expected to. Many cameras can be used for recording audio as well, so you can also listen to the conversations on your corporate premises;

 

  • Improved work safety – surveillance camera footages provide managers and company owners useful information about their machines work or are operated and whether the safety regulations are observed during work. Employees who know that they are working under the surveillance of cameras take more care to use the safety equipment required for their activities and they avoid shortcuts while operating machines as well, so surveillance cameras ultimately improve the overall safety of the workplace;

 

  • More affordable insurance – insurers encourage companies to improve the security on their properties by offering them discounts if they install advanced security systems that use cameras. The process usually starts with a security audit to identify the potential hazards and the measures implemented by the company to eliminate those hazards or to reduce their likelihood of turning into real security problems.
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