Help! What Water Treatment System Do I Need?

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There is a lot of confusion surrounding the best water treatment solution for your homes water. There are major differences between water filters, water purifiers, and water softeners.  Many consumers use these terms interchangeably and believe they perform similar process however this is not the case. 

Each of these water treatment options has its own process and removes completely different impurities within your homes water.  If your goal is to have cleaner drinking water that is free of lead, chlorine, and other impurities should understand that a water softener does not meet this goal. Instead water softeners are meant to remove scale buildup from water. 

Before comparing filters, purifiers, and softeners it is important to know what we are using them for; what is it that we want to remove from the water?  Natural water picks up chemicals compounds, minerals, and impurities get picked up along the way.  Calcium, magnesium, chlorine, pesticides,herbicides, waste, bacteria, and even viruses can be picked up by your homes water as it travels into your home and out through your faucets. 

These impurities should be removed from your homes water supply before it is utilized for drinking and cooking as if ingested can present issues to one’s health.  Water filters and water purification systems can help remove the impurities mentioned above. Other items, unrelated to the health of your water can also build up in the water supply and if left untreated can present problems with buildup in your homes plumbing as well as reducing the lifespan of your appliances. The minerals that allow scale to build up are only removed with the usage of a whole house water softener. 

What is a water filter?

Water filters can be installed to treat water at the point of use or to filter water throughout the house. A filter can be used to remove and/or reduce impurities like chlorine,lead, chromium, copper, nickel, and more. Water filters also help to inhibit the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria in water although should not be considered the end all solution for these water impurities.

What are water purifiers?

Water purification systems help to fully remove the bacteria and viruses in the water.  Purifiers do not remove chemical contaminants like water filters do however when used in conjunction with one another they prevent chemical and natural chemicals from ending up in your homes drinking water or water supply in general if installed to purify and filter the water throughout the whole house.

What is a water softener?

There are two types of water softeners: one that uses salt and one that uses potassium chloride. Although two very different systems they do offer the same solution in that they remove the minerals and impurities in the water that create build up in your homes plumbing. Water softeners don’t target the contaminants in water or even make it safer to drink however they do filter out the ick in water that results in appliances running inefficiently and help to prolong the longevity of your homes plumbing, appliances, and such.

Before you purchase a water treatment option it is important to have your water tested by a professional water treatment expert.  They will help to pinpoint the type of water system that you need for your exact problem. Some water may use a combination of treatments while some water issues may be addressed with just one option. In the most problematic water systems it may be necessary to install all three systems to work in conjunction with one another. 

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria,chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron &odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Treating Cancer With Radiation Therapy

There are many parts and components that must be considered when servicing and repairing linear accelerators and other types of radiation therapy equipment.  Consider the inner workings of LINAC systems and the process they go through to deliver targeted radiation and you will see why professional servicing and maintenance is required.

External radiotherapy is done with the use of specialized radiation therapy equipment.  This equipment is designed to aim beams of radiation at the source of cancer.  The most common types of radiation being through the use of high energy x-ray beams. Other types can include particle beams, such as protons and electrons.  These beams are used to obliterate the cancerous cells within the are being treated while preventing radiation damage to healthy cells.

Radiotherapy works by harming the DNA within the cancerous cells.  The DNA is the genetic code which controls the behavior of the cells. Radiotherapy damages DNA directly on contact or creates charged up particles to damage the DNA.  This treatment should stop the growth or kill the cancer.  When cells die your body will break them down and get rid of waste substance.  Normal cells could be damaged but usually repair themselves. 

Before treatment can begin your doctor will want to go over the short- and long-term side effects. Most will be temporary and can be regulated with medication.  The team that treats you will use a combination of images including x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans.  They will be used to monitor the size of the tumor and measure the shrinkage that is occurring.

Radiotherapy machines, like linear accelerators, are very large and can look extremely intimidating. A LINAC uses electricity in creating radiotherapy beams.  The machine will never touch you and the radiation will not be felt.  Some discomfort can be expected from the side effects of treatment but can be controlled using medication. For radiotherapy to work the radiation must cover the entire cancerous area and the surrounding border.  Physicians will give the lowest dosage possible to prevent damage to the health tissue surrounding the cancer.  This will reduce the risks of side effects to the healthy tissue.

The dose of radiation you are prescribed will be divide up into small doses known as fractions. Instead of one large dose, these smaller doses allow the same amount of radiation overtime which helps to alleviate the side effects and allows the healthy tissues time between treatments to heal.  Radiation can be given as palliative care which is given to alleviate the pain associated with cancer or as a treatment to cure the cancer.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment.  Radparts provides high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. More information can be found at https://www.radparts.com/.

Procrastinating On Closing Your Pool For The Winter

By now, most of us Northerners have shut down our pools in preparation for the winter season.  Let’s face it, unless you are a polar bear and enjoy frigid cold-water temps you aren’t going to be swimming after November. However, there may still be a few of you out there that have delayed the inevitable and need some quick tips to get your pool safely closed now that autumn has faded, and winter mayhem is knocking at the door.

In order to prepare your pool for winter, it is crucial to complete some very basic maintenance. The first and most important step in shutting down your pool involves balancing the water that will be left in the pool.  Not only is balancing the pH of the pool critical for the pools water clarity it is also crucial in increasing the longevity of the pool equipment.  A pH level of between 7.2 and 7.6 is suggested in order to keep the water sanitized throughout the winter months.

Another vital step is to finish the season with a clean pool.  Cleaning the surface of your pool will help to prevent permanent damage and surface stains on the pools plaster while the pool sits stagnant in the coming winter months.  All leaves and debris should be removed before the pool is closed to prevent difficulties removing them in the spring.Along with cleaning the pools water the pools filter should also be removed and fully cleaned.  This will help the filter in the spring to operate properly and avoid complications opening the pool.

When closing your pool for the winter it is also important to protect the pools plaster from the growth of algae.  Algae can quickly turn the cleanest of pools into a murky mess. There are a number of chemicals that can be added to the water to maintain an algae proof environment. 

If you haven’t figured it out by now, it is important to leave the water in the pool.  DO NOT EMPTY THE POOL! The water should be left above the skimmer box.  Keeping the water in the pool prevents putting a strain on the structure which could cause extensive, not to mention expensive, damage.

Once these steps have been completed it is important to further protect the pool from falling debris by placing a cover over the top of the pool.  This also will help to keep the water balanced.

Now if you haven’t, go close that pool!  Winterizing your pool makes opening the pool in the spring 100 times easier.  If this all sounds like too much to you it give us a call and we can help!

Pound Pool Plastering offers several options when it comes to servicing your pool including plaster, caulk, tiling, cement decks,plumbing, and coping in both commercial and residential settings.  More information can be found at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Changes To Medigap At The End Of 2019

When you are purchasing a Medicare supplemental policy it is crucial that you use care when making your selection, especially over the next few months.  At the end of 2019 certain Medigap plans will no longer be available.

 Medigap Plan F, which is known as the premier supplemental insurance plan, will no longer be available for new enrollees.  Medigap Plan F is currently the most comprehensive supplemental insurance plan available for purchase.  If you are a Medicare beneficiary that doesn’t want any healthcare cost surprises, then this is the ideal plan for you, but it all ends at the end of 2019.

Even though Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan F will no longer be available after the end of 2019 for new enrollees eight different options in Medigap will be.  Participants that are enrolled in Medicare Plan F before the cut off at the end of 2019 will still be allowed to continue coverage.  Industry experts are predicting that the premium of Plan F may make it so that it is not cost effective and participants would be better off enrolling in Plan G. 

Currently Plan F is the most expensive Medigap plan available.  Medicare enrollees are willing to pay top dollar to be enrolled in this plan because they can see any doctor and go to any hospital that accepts Medicare patients without having to worry about a surprise bill after. With Medigap Plan F there is no deductible, no co-pay, or coinsurance. The next closest Medigap policy to Plan F as far as coverage goes is Plan G.  The only difference as of right now is that there is a deductible that enrollees must cover at the beginning of every year.

Rates for Medicare Supplemental Insurance differ state to state and between insurance companies as well. In the last few years the lower costs associated with Medigap Plan G have been drawing beneficiaries of Medicare away from Plan F.  Although a number of predictions have been made as to the effects that eliminating Plan F will have on Medigap, we won’t know for sure until the change goes into effect at the end of next year.

Some thoughts are that in 2020 Medigap Plan G rates will jump as all new enrollees will be accepted regardless of their health.  Another thought is that the participants still enrolled in Medigap Plan F after they stop accepting new patience’s at the end of 2019 will have to pay more for the same coverage.  Without enrolling healthy young people to help offset the costs, sicker people will make up the majority of enrollees.  In order to cover Plan F the premium that it paid will increase.

The experts at eMedigap Plans, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medigap Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at https://emedigap-plans.com.

Original Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage Plans

Enrollees of Medicare often find themselves without the coverage they need.  There are a lot of holes left in coverage when only enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, also known as Original Medicare. There are two ways that these gaps can be filled: Medicare Advantage or Medigap. 

Although the two options are similar in that they offer health coverage beyond the generic hospital and physician benefits of Original Medicare, they are vastly different Medicare options.

Medigap

Medigap plans are supplemental insurance plans that are enrolled in to fill in the voids left by Original Medicare alone.   There are ten different Medigap plans that beneficiaries can enroll in, plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.  Each lettered plan offers the same coverage know matter what insurance company it is purchased from.  All the plans with the same letter however offer the same exact coverage.  Premium scan vary depending on where the plan is purchased through.  No matter which state in the United States you live in, other than Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, the coverage you will receive in each of the lettered plans will be the exact same.

Medicare Advantage Plans can be chosen over Original Medicare.  Medicare Advantage Plans offer more comprehensive coverage but under stricter guidelines.  With MA, enrollees receive the same set of benefits, often more than, they would with Original Medicare however under different rules, costs and restrictions. Most often Medicare Advantage Plans require that you see certain in network providers, receive referrals for specialists, and might offer extras not found with Medigap such as vision and dental care.

If you decide to enroll in one of the plans over the other and later decide this is not the coverage that best suits your need you can switch during periods of open enrollment.  There are a number of rules to familiarize yourself with when choosing coverage for your health care needs as you age. 

The experts at eMedicare Supplemental Insurance, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medicare Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at https://emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com/.

Overcoming The Challenge of Shipping Freight During The Holiday Season


Shipping freight during the holiday season can be quite challenging for any company.  Customers want guaranteed delivery and with the increase in shipping needs to be met,this often proves to be a complex task. To take the stress of shipping freight during the busy holiday season it is important that logistic managers use a combination of historical data, present knowledge, and updated technology to ensure that holiday shipments are delivered on time, every time.   When planning for your critically timed shipments consider the following:

Gather Critical Shipment Information Required by Carriers

A lot of information is needed when shipping freight to receive an accurate quote.  This is especially true in LTL shipments.  In order to receive timely and accurate quotes be sure to update carriers on the following:

  • Shipments Origin: City, State, and Zip
  • Shipments Destination: City, State, and Zip
  • Required Pick up and Delivery Dates and Times
  • The Number of Pieces, Pallets, or Crates in The Shipment
  • The National Motor Freight Classification, NMFC
  • Total Gross Weight of the Entire Shipment
  • Detailed Description of Your Commodity –(Hazardous shipments must have a UN# and packing group)
  • Special Instructions for Pickup and Delivery

Properly Packaged Freight

To avoid possible delays, it is important to take any confusion and eliminate it from your shipment.  In LTL shipping it is important that your freight is properly packaged.  Your shipments should be stacked heaviest to lightest vertically and shrink wrapped.  Shipments should be palletized, strapped or banded to prevent the freight from coming apart during shipping.  Freight that remains intact while handled throughout its expedition has a better chance of bring delivered without delay. 

Make sure all packages within the shipment are properly marked and labeled on all sides.  Don’t only include the destination details be sure to also include the details of origin.  If there are special requirements when handling your shipment make sure they are stated on readable labels on all sides of your shipment.

Utilize a TMS for Prominence in Consideration of the Best Rates and Service

A transportation management system can save companies not only time but money as well.  A TMS simplified will help to bridge any gaps between shippers and carriers, allowing companies to get rates, transit time, and such when deciding on shipping,streamlining the process.

The best way to guarantee customer satisfaction is to plan ahead.  Put limits on what you can and cannot guarantee.  Obviously, orders placed days before the holiday is set to be celebrated can’t possibly be guaranteed.  State up front your cut off date for guaranteed holiday season and after that any shipment sent is a bonus if it is received in time for the holiday.

Matrix Transportation is the fastest growing freight transport company in the Midwest, founded in 2009.  As an up and coming industry leader in freight management including shipping, warehousing, and cross docking services with the highest quality transportation solutions for the manufacturing and automotive industries. More information can be found at https://www.matrixtransportation.com/.



Updating your Curb Appeal When Selling your Home

When it comes to home improvements nothing is more important than your homes curb appeal.  This is particularly true when you have decided that you want to sell your home.  No matter how the house looks on the inside if the outside is a total mess from the curb, buyers aren’t going to add it to their must see list of houses. 

The good news for us is that exterior home improvements are those that get the biggest return on your investment.  Bigger returns on investment often lead to greater home values.  Unfortunately, not all home renovations are treated equally.   Below you will find the top exterior home renovations to give you the biggest bang for your buck!

The Installation of a New Front Door

Having your front door replaced sounds simple and it is however, replacing an old, low-quality door with an ornamental steel door really has an impact on your homes overall value. This single exterior home improvement can net you over 80% on your ROI while really changing the overall curb appeal.

A professional exterior home improvement expert can take your renovation a step further by adding a pediment and changing up the moldings around the doors frame.  These updates not only help to enhance the door itself, they add an overall intensity to the appeal of the front door.

Upgrading Your Homes Front Porch

The front porch of your home is where you welcome your guests and where future buyers will see themselves inviting family and friends inside their new home.  Front porches bring images of sunshine, sweet tea, and overall relaxation.  A front porch addition also works to increase the usable outdoor space of the home. People always consider the addition of a deck however, a new porch can offer up to a 70% return on investment.  Additional seating on a porch is always a great idea but to chance up the overall look consider adding faux stone to enhance the siding and other architectural front porch features.

New Fiber Cement Siding

No matter how many upgrades you do to the exterior of your home if your siding is peeling, cracked, warped, or rotting it can really decrease the appeal of the exterior.  New fiber cement siding is a popular option for the exterior of your home as it doesn’t warp, peel, chip, or rot.  Its increased longevity is a real value to buyers.  Another selling point of fiber cement siding is its resistance to fire and insects.  Homeowners that have fiber cement siding installed can be confident that this is a purchase that will stand the test of time.

Add Lighting Around the House and Landscaping

Lighting is an important aspect both inside and outside of your home.  For optimal curb appeal add lighting elements beside doors, especially the front door, and accent lighting around the exterior of the home. Additionally, landscape lighting should be added to accentuate key features around the yard.  Play off of your usable space with additional lighting to emphasize the size of your lawn.  Even the smallest of yards will seem bigger and more usable when lighting is added to the space.

Replacing Your Homes Roof

Without a doubt your roof is one of the most important exterior elements of your home.  Not only does it protect the structure from the daily climate changes, it also plays a large role in the efficiency of energy throughout your home.  Older roofs often have a number of issues from small leaks to missing shingles.  It is important to have your homes roof inspected yearly.  A roofing contractor is an expert is finding damage we may miss before it becomes something more major than just replacing your homes roof. 

The great news if you do need to replace your roof is that there are an abundance of new materials available in roofing.  Long past are the days when your only option were flat, three-tab shingles. Now-a-days homeowners have endless options in roofing materials including architectural shingles that reflect solar rays!  Long gone are the days where our air conditioners have run all day fighting the heat that is being transferred throughout our homes from the attic that has retained the heat of the sun.  We all know what efficiency adds up to in the long run, additional money in our pockets!

As a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan, Kearns Brothers, Inc. offers clients a wide range of services to meet their construction needs including:roofing, siding, window, masonry, chimneys, gutters, and insulation services.  More information can be found at www.kearnsbrothers.com.

Avoid These Mistakes in Remodeling

There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when you are having your home renovated.  From a freshly designed kitchen with upgraded cabinets to completing wasted attic space for an office, renovations can quickly go from smooth sailing to looking like the Titanic.  Below are common problems that are often ran into when remodeling especially if choosing the DYI approach.  Hiring a professional home improvement contractor is always your best bet but when you do decide you want to tackle a project on your own avoid the following:

  • Using Cut-Rate Materials:  The old adage is true for a reason, you do get what you pay for.  This is especially true when it comes to remodeling projects. If you don’t have the funds to do the renovation properly then wait and save money until you have money to do it correctly.  Materials of lower quality can reduce property value instead of adding to it as you wanted.
  • Failing to Consider the Budget: In any renovation a budget is important.  Not sticking to your budget can quickly derail your plan.  Many people fail to create a budget or just stop referencing it which leads to running out of money before the renovation is complete.  New construction project soften are spoiled because funds ran low. 
  • Inaccurate Measurements: Incorrect measuring is one of the biggest mistakes in renovating. It is true when measuring, “Measure Twice, Cut Once”.  This will prevent costly, time-consuming errors from occurring.
  • Forgetting About Layered Lighting: Natural lighting is a perfect addition to any room but once the sun sets and the lighting disappears it needs to be replaced. Lighting should be done in layers: ambient, accent, and task.  All three aspects should be included in each and every renovation. 
  • Too Many Trends and Overly Bold Colors: Trends fade fast and bold colors grow old quickly. The last thing that you want to do is to plan a major renovation on details that will fade fast and be outdated before too long.  It is okay to include trends and color but be sure it can easily be switched out.  Add trends and bold colors into your design with throw pillows, window treatments,and more.
  • Forgetting About the Environment: There is no reason to forget about the environment in your renovations.  Being eco-friendly is not that much more expensive and can lead to less expensive monthly utility bills.  It is also simple to do with the installation of energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and using recycled materials.

The best way to avoid mistakes is to pre-plan.  Whether you DIY or hire a professional when making home improvements, planning thoroughly can help you avoid making one of the many mistakes listed above.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

Generator Tap Boxes: Instant Power During Power Outages

No matter what business you are in, be it manufacturing, banking, health care, or education a sudden change in the power situation can be a debacle.  A loss of power means a loss of time, resources, and more so it is imperative to prepare for just such an occasion. 

 To plan ahead to avoid an electrical interruption companies could choose to install a permanent generator. An installed permanent generator can be a large maintenance expense.  To avoid this extra expense the installation of a tap generator is a viable, cost effective option.  When a natural disaster like storms,blackout, and what not a tap generator allows businesses to get your electricity back up and running quickly. 

A tap box is a simplistic generator that is installed outside of the business.  It plays the role of connecting the business’s portable generator to the electrical system.  This allows you to get a temporary supply of electricity running to avoid downtime.  This connection can be made either manually or using an automatic transfer switch.  The power is generated so efficiently that it can be up and running without any delay using programable logic circuits and auto start generators.  Your power system will be emergency ready and the cost savings of no down time and not having to hire a professional electrical contractor to temporarily connect power will be pay off the first time the power goes out.  Being prepared ahead of time pays off.

When having a generator tap box installed you will want to assess your electrical needs.  The needs and requirements that your specific business have will vary from even your competition.  Here are some things to consider when choosing a generator tab box. 

  • How often do you lose power?
  • What are your electrical needs?
  • What systems are crucial to keep running?
  • What is your budget?

No matter what the answers are to these questions, J & P Electrical will have a solution that fits your exact needs. 

J & P Electrical Company is a full-service electrical company that supplies contractors, end users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bud ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. More information can be found at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com

Choosing a Unique Fence For Your Landscape

Installing fencing in locations that blessed with slopes, hills, or any tricky landscape feature can be a challenge.  Whether you are searching for ways to keep your home and family secure or you just want to add a little privacy to your space don’t let a few complicated yard elements stand in the way of you and your new fence.

Erecting a fence can be difficult when there are unique characteristics in the landscape of the space you wish to utilize.  You may have large rocks in the way of a fence post.  Perhaps you desire to install a fence in a commercial setting, but you also need to make sure you leave space for parking and driveways. Sometimes a fence needs to be installed on an incline.  Aluminum fencing can meet the challenge that any landscape throws at you. 

Hills, Slopes, and Valleys

A landscape with lots of different land elevations is the trickiest of all to install fencing on. Not every type of fencing can handle various grades however, aluminum fence panels are manufactured in a way that installation can be done with great ease.  One of the biggest benefits that come with aluminum fencing is that the pickets are vertical and can easily be manufactured to consider the changes in grade throughout the landscape. 

Raked fencing is the phrase that fence manufacturers in describing pickets that can be adjusted for the slope of the landscape, while keeping bottom railing parallel to the ground. 

A mistake that is commonly made by homeowners is installing the posts and fence panels on a slope instead of adjusting the fence panel to the slope.  Aluminum fence panels should be parallel with each being installed right next to one another. When planning for and ordering your aluminum fence, gate, and accessories it is important to choose the correct heights and adjust for various slopes, hills, and valleys in the yard.  The height of the fence panels that are ordered will differ depending on where in the landscape they will be installed and the landscape imperfection that is found.

Stepped fencing is another way in which unique landscapes can be addressed.  Stepped fencing is when aluminum fence panels are installed right next to one another, with the tops making a step design instead of being parallel with one another.  When stepped aluminum fencing is chosen over rackable fencing the bottom panels may create a triangular gap where the fence doesn’t completely reach the ground.  The stacked aluminum fencing option doesn’t work if you are trying to enclose a space to keep small pets from escaping. Consider the goal for fence installation when determining if stepped or rackable aluminum fence panels are is the right option for your landscape needs.

Tight Spaces and Corners

Tight spaces and corners are not an issue when fencing with aluminum.  Even narrow corners can be fenced with ease when installing aluminum fence panels.  This is accomplished in two different manners, one through bypassing the corner all together, the other by stopping the fence a little short.  It is important to make sure that there is not too much space between posts on these tricky corners as it can be off putting aesthetically.  The vertical pickets have a way of pulling together the look of fencing even with the trickiest of tight spaces and corners.

No matter the situation or layout of your yard or landscape setting we have a solution for your needs!

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resort, commercial, and industrial installation.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://ifenceusa.com/.