Livingston Reporting - page 131

4 Ways in Which A New Roof Can Save Homeowners Money on Energy Expenses

Installing a new roof can have a positive effect not only improving your home’s aesthetics but also can help lower your overall energy costs.   Scores of homeowners have experienced a reduction in their energy expenses with the installation of a new roof.  In this installment on residential roofing we will examine four different ways in which having a new roof installed can help lower your energy expenses as a homeowner.

Ventilation:

Proper roof ventilation is crucial in addressing your homes energy costs.  Without proper roofing ventilation the energy costs associated with your home can significantly increase your homes energy bills.  In climates where the temperature is warm, the hot air will get trapped inside the home.  This will force your homes air conditioning system to work harder than normal.  When a roof is properly ventilated, air will flow properly in and out of the area, thus reducing the energy output on cooling system.

Coloring:

The color you and your roofing contractor have chosen will also have an effect on the energy usage of your home.  The color of the roofing material will depend on the climate of where your home is located.  In homes where a colder temperature is the norm will benefit from darker shingling as to absorb the heat of the sun.  Warmer climates require lighter colored roofing to help reflect the sun’s rays off of the home.

Updated Shingling:

Older shingling has a lower shingle rating, usually around 65 mph than newer, more modern styles of shingling.  Updated roofing materials can increase your shingle rating to withstand winds up to 130 mph.  The higher the rating of the shingle basically means that more wind will be kept from entering your home through the roof.  Thus, reducing your heating and cooling expenses.

Energy Star Labeling and Solar Reflectance:

A shingles solar reflectance states how well the sunlight will be reflected off the roof and back up into the environment.  Homes with higher solar roof reflectance can actually reduce the roof’s surface temperature upwards of 30%.  When choosing roofing materials your roofing contractor will show you a number of options, choosing a shingle that has earned the Energy Star Label means that the material is at the top tier of reflecting sunlight.  Thus, lowering the surface temperature upwards of 100 degrees, which naturally decreases energy costs overall.

Learn more about Home Pro Roofing and their vast line of custom roofing options installed by professional roofing contractors including: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, roof repair, and new roof installation at www.homeproroofingmi.com.  Our roofing contractors offer services throughout Michigan including: Kalamazoo, Brighton, Lansing, and the surrounding areas.

When to Use Single vs Double Aluminium Driveway Gates

Traditionally, wooden and wrought iron gates were used for fencing and driveway gates for their durability, beauty and strength. As technology has evolved instead of wooden or wrought iron gates, aluminium fencing and aluminium driveway gates are being used. They are much lighter in weight as compared to the wooden and iron ones. They have more strength. They can be shaped and molded into different shapes and sizes. Further they are more durable and can endure the changes of weather and rust more than what wooden and iron fencing and driveway gates can maintain.

Aluminium fencing and aluminium driveway gates are also more affordable than iron fencing and driveway gates. Aluminium fencing and gates can be purchased in several different ornamental styles, arches, colors, sizes, and more.  Aluminium fencing can be installed along the stairways, uneven pathways and curves. Aluminium driveway gates can be installed on both level and non-level surfaces.

The driveway gate is that aspect of your house which gives the first impression.  To create a lasting impression towards your guests, neighbors and any passer, it is important for you to choose an appropriate aluminum driveway gate for your house. It will not only portray your aesthetic sense but will also help you to secure your house.

There are two main types of aluminum driveway gates, single driveway gates and double driveway gates. To choose the right type of aluminum driveway gate you must consider the pros and cons of both the driveway gate types and select the one which fulfills your requirements the most. We have included the pros and cons of both the driveway gates for you below:

Single Driveway Gates

Pros

  • This aluminium driveway gate is more affordable as it costs less because it only needs one automatic opener.
  • It requires half amount of the hardware than a double driveway gate requires. Tat us hinges, bolts, no drop rods etc.
  • They give an elegant look and require less maintenance.

Cons

  • For this aluminium driveway gate, you need a 12ft swing distance for 12ft single driveway gate, which double the swing distance of a double driveway gate.
  • They have a greater shipping cost due to their length.
  • A 12ft single drive way gate requires the largest 6X6 post. It is more expensive and heavier duty post. This is required because all the weight of the gate is hanging on one post.
  • They are harder to install due to their heavy weight and leverage of a single piece for lifting and dropping on the mounts of the hinges.
  • They are available in limited sizes.

Double Driveway Gates

Pros
  • This aluminium driveway gate requires a shorter swing distance. A 12ft double gate only needs a 6ft swing distance and takes less space.
  • It requires a duty post which is less expensive and light in weight. A double driveway gate requires only 4X4 heavy duty posts.
  • A double driveway get can accommodate a wider driveway opening than a single gate.
  • Double driveway gates give a traditional look when opening from center.
  • Double gates are easier to install due to their light weight and have a smaller shipping cost due to their size.
Cons
  • Double aluminium driveway gates require more hardware as compared to the single driveway gates including hinges in both sides and drop rods for the center.
  • In case you are using an automatic gate opener, you will require two opener motors which will be more expensive for you.

Aluminium driveway gates will give you a more aesthetic appeal and traditional look in addition to their low maintenance and extreme durability.

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

 

Optimizing Your Blog Posts for SEO Purposes

Blogging is one of the most effective ways of interacting with one’s audience. Regardless of niche, your fan base, prospects, or existing customers and clients need a continuous flow of refresher information about you, your products and services. Research shows businesses and organizations that are constantly engaged with their base do a better job of not only keeping those customers but of staying competitive.

 

When it comes to interactivity, blogging serves as one of the most effective strategies. This shows in the sheer number of blogs that go are launched every day. But with so much content and competition, how does your blog actually stand out? The answer is SEO (search engine optimization). According to information database Wikipedia, SEO “is the process of affecting the online visibility of a website or a web page in a web search engine’s unpaid results is often referred to as organic results.

 

There are many wonderful blogs out there. An even greater number stay “undiscovered” and only get a trickle of visitors. This is because their blog posts are not optimized for SEO purposes. In other words, the blogger did a great job of writing but forgot to prep the post for their target audience and the search engines. In this article, we’ll discuss actual steps a blogger can take to optimize their blog post for SEO purposes:

 

  1. Content uniqueness

 

This cannot be over-emphasized. Search engines reward content that is unique. Copying content from other sites or engaging in plagiarism can not only have legal repercussions, it can result in the search engines ignoring that particular post.

 

  1. Keyword research

 

A lot of bloggers write around the topics they’re either passionate or knowledgeable about. While this is great, they forget that the search engines are scientific tools which rely on complex algorithms to locate relevant content based on targeted keywords. A great strategy would be to first conduct keyword research to determine the most trafficked keywords in that niche then preparing content around those keywords. One of the best free keyword research tools includes the Google keyword planner tool. Others such as Spyfu avail more data for a fee.

 

  1. Entering correct Metadata

 

Once the blog post has been posted, the next step would be to ensure the search engines can find it. This step involves inputting the proper metadata to the post. Blogging platforms such as WordPress come with add-ons or plugins that allow the blogger to attach keywords to the page title, description and post itself. Additionally, bloggers can tag their posts with the relevant keywords.

  1. Linking structure

 

In order to determine how well to rank a post, search engines check for inbound and outbound links. Outbound links point to other similar authority sites. Search engines also check for the internal linking structure within the site itself. This means checking whether the post links to other relevant posts within the same site. Many bloggers overlook this. Inbound links are also important. They are used by the search engines to determine the page authority of that post and thus how well it will rank.

 

  1. Images and videos

 

According to the search engines, a good blog post will have relevant images and preferably a video. It is recommended that the blogger embed an image or video within the content. Blogging platforms such as WordPress make this relatively easy. The image should also be tagged with the relevant “alt” text. Embedding a popular video from YouTube can help give the post more authority and thus better rankings.

 

  1. Social media

 

Search engines have also been known to check for social signals. Because of the importance they attach to social media, they check whether there are any mentions or links to the post in the popular social media and social bookmarking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Mix.

 

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

 

Medical Equipment Disposal

Like any other industry after a period of time the equipment that is used will have to be replaced. Whether that is due to it being worn out, it went beyond its usable lifespan or more advanced model was acquired. Regardless of the reasoning, there will come a time that you will need to dispose of some of your medical equipment, this includes things like Linear Accelerators and even CT Scanners.

 

In order to preserve the responsibilities of the practice, you need to be sure that you are operating equipment that is running at optimum capability. This means that at some point even large medical equipment like a CT Scanner and Linear Accelerator will need to be repaired or replaced. In the event, a replacement is needed it is important that you plan ahead and take everything into consideration when working with an outside company.

 

6 Important things to consider when disposing of large medical equipment

 

Must be removed properly –

Depending on the area that your practice is located you will have to deal with what possibly different types of ordinances. This is especially true if the equipment has to do with any type of hazardous materials. You will need to ensure that you remove any associated

 

Limit damage to surrounding areas –

When it comes to removing and disposing of large pieces of medical equipment like Linear Accelerators and CT Scanner machines it is extremely important that the removal process you follow does not do any extensive amount of damage to the surrounding areas. This could lead to very expensive repair costs and possibly affect your practice adversely.

 

Plan for a very complex removal –

Due to the nature of the larger medical equipment you will need to partner with a disposal company that has the experience to deal with the complexity of such a removal process. Depending on the design of the building there could be substantial temporary changes may need to be done to facilitate removal.

 Removal of possible hazardous waste –

Due to the nature of the equipment you will need to concern yourself with adhering to any and all regulations that deal with disturbing of potentially hazardous material. This is another good reason to partner with a well-experienced medical equipment removal and disposal company.

 

Base frame for large equipment must be removed –

Most larger pieces of medical equipment like the Linear Accelerator or CT Scanner have specially designed bases that could easily be built into the foundation of the building and removing them would require special consideration. It is important to remove any existing framework in order to make room for the new piece of equipment.

Plan for after hours to minimize interruption to office operation –

When it comes to removing/replacing large medical equipment you should always make your plans to do the work after hours as not to impact your practice. Most companies that offer this type of service are fully aware of the need to schedule this after normal business hours and will make arrangements.

 

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

The Most Important Reasons for Estate Planning

No one wants to think about what is going to happen after they pass away while they are still living, however, there really is not any better time like the present. Most the important decision you need to make are designed to make things easier for your loved ones after you have passed away and you cannot make the necessary decisions. It is really imported to discuss estate planning.

 

The key to estate planning is that it has to be done while you still have the control of your faculties for an attorney to be able to prepare all of the proper paperwork. Your attorney should be able to go over everything that you need to be sure that you have gotten everything important.

 

10 Important reasons for doing estate planning

 

Peace of Mind – The biggest reason is to give everyone the peace of mind knowing things are all taken care of ahead of time.

 

Specify who is to receive which assets after your death – In order to prevent any fighting or hurt feelings it is very important that you assign assets to everyone that will be mentioned in the will. Once the document is enforced it can only be undone by the owner of the will.

 

Helps to avoid probate headaches – If there was no will or trust everything would go in the court system and that is what is referred to as probate court.

 

State who is to be the guardian of any minor children – When you have minor children you have to consider who you will want to take care of them in the event that you were to die.

 

Name the executor – The executor is the most important decision besides who will be taking care of the kids. The executor will be responsible for making sure that all of the parts of the trust is carried out.

 

Establish a Power of Attorney for financial decisions – The power of attorney for making financial decisions needs to be settled in order to be able to pay any bills for care if you become incapacitated.

 

Establish a Power of attorney for healthcare – Like power of attorney for financial reasons, you also need to do something about your medical conditions before you become incapacitated.

 

Execute a revocable trust – Avoid any problems with a will but setting up a revocable trust is far better received in my opinion.

 

Restrict minor children’s access to inheritance – To help protect your kids and keep them from spending any of the money they have been for their inheritance. The usual time frame is 25-30 years old.

 

Be sure to shield the inheritance from tax concerns, divorce issues and creditors – Having a trust in place will help to protect the assets from taxes, divorce a decree.

 

Learn more about attorney Sean J. Nichols and the legal services he provides for clients including: estate planning, elder law issues, Medicaid planning, elder care, probate law, guardianships, and power of attorney (POA) at www.seanjnichols.com.  To contact the offices of Sean J Nichols, call 734.386.0224 today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes When Selecting a Water Treatment Option for Well Water

It is a known fact that water obtained from a well is not the best option when used for drinking or cooking purposes. It includes certain minerals and particles that can adversely affect your health, how your skin feels, staining on your fixtures, and more.  Many professionals recommend water treatment options that purify your homes well water.  The water analysis will help tell professionals which of the available water treatment options are best for your homes water.  Water treatment options include the use of a water softener, iron filters, reverse osmosis, water purifiers, and water conditioning systems.

There are many of the different well water treatment options. However, selecting the right one can should be left up to professionals after an analysis of your water. Many people make some common mistakes when selecting a water treatment options for well water especially when they do not listen to the advice of water treatment professionals. These mistakes affects your homes water quality.  Many common issues DIY homeowners forget to consider are:

Not Taking Impurities into Consideration

A very common mistake people make is that they do not take water impurities into consideration when selecting the water treatment option. There are different types of impurities in well water; hence, an appropriate treatment option must be selected considering those impurities. For example, if you are using an iron filter as a well water treatment, it won’t perform efficiently if the water is acidic in nature, which, generally, well water is.

Not Taking the Location of Well into Consideration

Many people opt for tried and tested water treatment options for well water without taking the location into consideration. This is an absolutely wrong approach as a well that is located in an area that has high pollution rate requires a different treatment method than that of an area with low pollution rate. Similarly, more chemicals, toxins, and impurities are found in the water that is obtained from wells located in an industrial area.

Not Having Ample Understanding of Pressure & Pump Flow Rate

It is another common mistake made by homeowners. They do not understand two important aspects of water system i.e. pressure and pump flow rate. As a result, they are unable to select the right treatment method for removing contaminations from the water. Therefore, it is recommended to have a deep understanding of these aspects along with others vital factors of the well water system so that you can select the most appropriate well water treatment option.

Wrongly Identifying or Not Identifying Well Water Problems

Some people go for a well water treatment simply because it is known to produce effective results. They make this mistake of not identifying the problems before selecting the solution. Similarly, some people wrongly identify the well water problem. The result, in such situations, is impure water that still contains harmful chemicals or toxins. Using this water for drinking or cooking purposes can lead to fatal health conditions.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

When Is It Time to Replace Your LINAC System Instead of Repairing It?

It is a known fact that linear accelerators, LINAC systems are expensive. Not only is the piece of equipment on a whole costly but also buying the replacement parts for linear accelerators can be quite costly, especially if it is a rush order. Hence, regular maintenance and care must be ensured to enhance its lifespan.

The importance of a LINAC system for a healthcare facility provider that offers cancer treatment is known to one and all. This intelligent system is designed to treat cancerous cells and kill them as part of cancer treatment. Therefore, it is considered to be a vital aspect in the treatment of different type of cancers.

Health experts know that the radiation that emits out of LINAC and other such devices also pose certain health hazards. However, linear accelerators boast of advanced safety measures; hence, these machines are programmed to provide only the required dosage that is required keeping in consideration the condition of the patient.

The problem with LINACS, like other systems, they can start to falter over time. Regular use can lead to damages in different parts of the machine, as a result, it may start showing deteriorate signs or stop working completely. A tough decision to make here is whether to get it repaired or if the equipment needs to be replaced.

The key is to know when to fix or when to replace. When equipment starts to falter on a regular basis, it may be time to look into finding a refurbished LINAC system.  However, a system that is just experiencing normal wear and tear should be repaired using linear accelerator replacement parts.

You should consider the replacement option in case a part of the system has faltered or stopped working when it starts to occur on a regular basis. However, in a situation where a single part of the system stops, or something occurs that is normal it is a better option to repair the equipment.  These large pieces of medical equipment are meant to withstand time so in many cases repair is the best options.

It really comes down to a number of factors such as downtime from the present equipment. If you are continually experiencing equipment failure that leads to cancelled treatments then you may have to analyze the cost between patient care, cancelled appointments, repair expenses, replacement parts, vs the cost of new equipment.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

 

Is Your Pool ‘s Plaster Ready for Summer Fun?

Owning a home with an inground pool presents a unique challenge in itself in that you are responsible for all of its upkeep. It is far different from any other type of backyard pool that you might have had in the past. Unlike an above ground pool which has a plastic liner that actually holds the water inside, an in-ground pool is made of plaster, concrete or one-piece fiberglass.

 

The plaster surface is prepared is for the water to be added and the chemicals are added to be sure that it is ready to be opened up for the summers use. Even if the installation job was done perfectly there is always going to be a chance that damage will occur and there are several ways to determine if there is, in fact, a leak or superficial damage to the plaster on your pool.

 

What to look for when inspecting your pool?

 

There is actually a debate going on among pool owners regarding whether or not you should even have to regularly inspect the plaster or concrete surfaces of the inside of their pool. However, if you are one of those pool owners who regularly check your pool, do you know what you are looking for? Here are some things that you should consider paying close attention to:

 

Signs of delamination: Delamination is when layers of a composite material begin to separate which can cause a number of issues including water leaking out of your pool and looks terrible. Depending on where on the walls of the pool that you find them will depend on how much water you will have to drain.

 

Plaster Blisters: Finding bubbles or blisters in the plaster surface usually means that water got underneath the plaster layer that is applied over the concrete shell. These more than likely superficial and not a huge problem.

 

Deep cracks in the walls: Superficial cracks that only appear to be in the plaster can easily be covered over and water can be added back into the pool after letting it dry. However, if the cracks are deep enough and end up into the concrete shell underneath you will need to call in local professional.

 

Water seeping around the pool area: If you constantly are finding water in the area around the pool you might want to consult a pool professional.

 

How often should you inspect the pool?

 

There really is not any set in the stone schedule for how and when you should inspect all of the surfaces of your pool and all of the pool equipment. However, you should consider that your pool is a huge investment and major repairs and be extremely costly. So, if you were to set aside a few hours every year to give your pool an extensive look over in hopes to catch anything that is potentially problematic.

 

Learn more about Pound Pool Plastering and their numerous pool plastering options including: pool resurfacing, plaster surfacing, commercial pool plaster, residential pool plaster, plastering swimming pools, tiling swimming pools, coping swimming pools, and more at www.pound-pool-plastering.com.  To contact our pool plastering specialists call 248.476.4544 today.

 

 

What Happens to Your Medigap Coverage When You Move to a New State

Medigap plans have become immensely popular in recent years because of numerous added advantages they offer over Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. Many people, across the US, are opting for this coverage so that they more of their healthcare costs that are generally not included in the coverage of their original Medicare insurance.

A general question that many people have related to their Medigap supplement insurance is that what will happen to it if they are moving to another state. If you are looking for an accurate answer to this question, you have landed at the right place.

In case you have purchased a Medigap plan and are planning to move to another state, there is no requirement to buy a new plan. This is due to the fact that Medigap supplement insurance plans are the same across the US, apart from three unusual states. However, people who have enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, they may face certain issues as it comes with some limitations. They can only use health care providers that are located within the network of this plan.

If you have relocated to an area that doesn’t fall within in the network of your Medicare select plan, the sole option you have is to buy a new Medigap supplement insurance plan that offers similar, if not the same, benefits you were obtaining from the Medicare select plan. The added advantage here for you will be that you won’t be required to undergo medical underwriting. This will save you from paying extra charges due to your health condition. In worst case scenarios, the insurance company may refuse to offer you a Medigap plan. However, this advantage can only be obtained if you had purchased Medicare Select plan 6 months prior to relocating to a new state.

In the case where you have a Medigap plan and have moved to a new state, you may have to pay a higher or lower premium after relocation. This depends on the Medigap rates in the states you have moved to. If the rates are more expensive, the premium value you pay monthly will increase and vice versa.

There is also a possibility of finding a Medigap policy in the new state you have moved in that is less expensive as compared to the one that you already one. In such a situation, all you have to do is to submit a new application for getting a new Medigap policy.

As stated above, Medigap plans are standardized in most of the states of the US. However, if you are moving to one of these states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, you may have to buy a different Medigap policy as these states have individual standardized plans.

To sum it up, if you want to continue obtaining the added advantages of your Medigap plan, do complete research on the state you are moving to regarding the rates and plans offered there and take the decision accordingly.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medicare Mistakes That Can Cost You

Medicare supplement insurance plans are devised to aid people to pay for their health care expenses. It isn’t wrong to state these policies are blessings to those who are suffering from certain medical ailments. However, for some people, a Medicare supplement plan can actually prove to be costly because of the common mistakes made when selecting a Medigap plan.

Not Choosing the Right Policy

One of the biggest mistake people make when buying Medicare supplement plans is that they choose the wrong policy. Thus, not all of their medical visits are covered. As a result, they still have to pay for them and the plan isn’t as effective for them as they had thought of. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly go through different Medicare supplement insurance plans, know their details, and take the decision accordingly.

Not Signing Up at the Right Time

This is another common mistake made by people that cost them in the long run. Those people who have already received their social security, they are automatically signed up for Medicare. However, for those who haven’t, it is important to sign up at the right time to avoid facing premium penalties.

Not Signing Up for Part D

Some people believe that buying part D Medicare supplement insurance plans is a mere waste of money if they don’t use prescribed drugs. However, this is a mistake that can cost them a fortune. This is because no one can predict the injuries or diseases they may suffer from in the future for which they require the use of prescribed drugs that can burn a hole in their pockets. Therefore, it is advised to sign up for part D so in order to avoid late penalties and get expensive drugs easily in case of emergency.

Not Paying Attention to Annual Notice of Change

All those people who have signed up for Medicare advantage plan or Part D, they receive notice of change in September every year. This notice contains vital information about changes in premiums and coverages. It is important to carefully read this notice of change and compare the premium price and coverage details of the current year with the next year. This will help you to decide whether you need to change your plan or stick to the current one. However, many people tend to ignore this notice of change and end up paying more for their Medicare policy.

There you go! These are some of the common mistakes that the owners of Medicare supplement insurance plans make and end up paying a lot more than they should. It is firmly recommended to avoid making any of these mistakes with regards to your Medicare policies so that you can avail the maximum benefits out of them without disturbing your budget a great deal.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!