Author: Carmen Newman

5 Surefire Tips on Choosing the Right Water Damage Restoration Company Overview

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

Finding a water damage restoration company is something you should be very cautious about. The market is flooded with these service providers, but keep in mind that not all are created equal. Thus, you need to do a thorough research before landing any water damage repair contractor out there.

Outlined in this piece are some tips to help you choose the right specialist for water damage Salt Lake City.

 

1. Choose Only a Specialist

It is obvious you want a team that is going to rush to your home or business and fix the problem right away. But this does not mean you pick anyone you come across during your search. It is advisable to go for a water damage restoration specialist that knows what they are doing. Avoid at all costs dealing with jacks of all trades.

2. Look at the Reputation

Check how your prospect company has been relating with previous clients. In fact, companies with good reputation have positive feedback from past customers. Explore their websites to see comments from previous clients before hiring. You can also call your local Better Business Bureau to know how the company has been ranked in the industry.

3. Licensing

The water damage repair firm you are considering must be licensed to operate in your city or state. If possible, request to see their licenses before making up your mind. Avoid dealing with unlicensed companies since they are said to be operating illegally.

4. Ask for References

It is true you want to speak to some of the homeowners or business people who enlisted similar services before. So, ask your potential contractor to give you a list of people they worked for in the recent past. With a list of referees, you can call them up and inquire about their experiences with the company in question.

5. Obtain Estimates

It is good to get estimates from at least 3 contractors. Compare prices offered by various companies and settle for the most affordable deal. Be wary of water damage repair contractors who charge the lowest prices since their services may not be up to the required standards.

Conclusion

Before landing any water damage restoration company in Salt Lake City, make sure you interrogate several of them. Seek referrals from trustworthy people, such as your close friends, relatives or neighbors. If you are inquisitive enough, you are no doubt going to land the most reputable company out there.

Factors to Look for When Searching for a House Cleaning Service Vancouver

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

Searching for a good cleaning service can be a tough job because there are many things to consider in order to pick the best service. There are also several factors that you need to look for a good cleaning service.

Below is the List of Factors that You Need to Take Into Account if You are Seeking a House Cleaning Service Vancouver.

1. Punctuality

The house cleaning service that you will pick must pride itself on punctuality. The cleaning service should be done according to the time you specified and it is just right that the staff of the cleaning service will arrive on your house several minutes before the assigned time of cleaning.

2. Professionalism

The professionalism of the cleaning service should also be considered. A company that offers cleaning services can reflect its professionalism by doing a good quality of work in your house. You must be satisfied with the work that the service has done in your house and the cleaning service company must do all the things included in the house cleaning contract.

3. Presence of Own Cleaning Equipment

Most professional house cleaning services have their own cleaning cleaners and equipment. That is why the house cleaning service that you should hire must be equipped with their own cleaning materials when they go to your house. This will also avoid you from the hassle of purchasing cleaning materials.

4. Insurance

An insured house cleaning service can assure you that an insurance company will pay you if ever one of the staff of the cleaning service company breaks something in your house and if you lost something in your house after having the cleaning service. So you should get an insured company because it will be trustworthy and reliable.

Indeed, you should take into account the factors mentioned above for you to get the best house cleaning service Salt Lake City.

Studying for the ASVAB Exam

Carmen NewmanFeatured

In order to achieve the best score possible on the ASVAB exam any serious candidate must take an ASVAB practice test. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or “ASVAB” exam is an exam that must be taken before joining any branch of the United States military (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines). The ASVAB examination is a timed test developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. It is administered in more than 14,000 Military Entrance Processing Stations or “MEPS” as well as other educational institutions all across the nation.

The ASVAB test is primarily designed to test a candidate’s knowledge in four specific areas. These areas are Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge. A candidate’s scores in these areas are what make up the Armed Forces Qualifying Test score or “AFQT”. It is the AFQT score that will be used to determine whether a candidate possesses the proper qualifications to enlist in one of the branches of the Untied States military.

In addition to the four specific areas described above, there are other areas tested on the ASVAB as well. A candidate’s scores in these other areas will then be used to determine the degree of qualification in a number of specific military specialties. In essence, the higher a candidate scores on the ASVAB the better his or her chances are to attain the specialty or job of his or her choosing.

This is why it is vitally important to properly prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. One of the best ways to prepare for the ASVAB exam is to take an ASVAB practice test. Not only will the ASVAB practice exam inform a candidate about the format and content of the actual exam, but by taking the ASVAB practice test the candidate will also discover the areas in which he or she requires improvement. Armed with this knowledge the candidate will then be able to better prepare for the exam.

“Cleaning Service Salt Lake City”

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

Vera needed a job but possessed a limited skill set. The only work experience she had was that of a housekeeper at a hotel in another state. She went to the library in downtown Salt Lake City and used the computer to log on to the job search website indeed.com. When the website came up she entered the search terms “cleaning service salt lake city.” Several links appeared and she clicked on the top one. The link brought her to the website of a local cleaning service and she then clicked on the “careers” button located in the upper right corner of the screen.

Once there she was prompted to answer a few questions. The first question asked if she was authorized to work in the United States. Vera was a full citizen so there was no problem there. The next question asked if she was at least eighteen years old. Vera sighed because she was well over that age. The next question asked if she had a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Luckily Vera had always prided herself on being a very safe driver. The next question asked if she had reliable transportation. She smiled. Her car was not pretty but it still got her where she needed to go. Finally the website asked her if she had verifiable work references. Fortunately, she had left her previous job on good terms and she knew her supervisor would vouch for her character.

There were a few other questions regarding her address and contact information which she answered before submitting the form. She then went back to indeed.com and retyped the search terms “cleaning service salt lake city.” There were a few other links to other services and they all wanted basically the same information. Vera left the library with hope as it seemed there were several positions available.

Keeping Your Car Clean On A Budget

Carmen NewmanAuto Magic

Sometimes, it’s incredibly difficult to keep a car clean. Wether your stresses are kids, pets, or simply not enough time, we hope to provide you with some useful ideas on how to keep your car clean.

The best way to keep your car clean is to utilize deals from online coupons Weber County.

Kids can wreak havoc on a vehicle. Sticky hands, spilled snacks and drinks as well as dirty feet are the enemies of cars. Hopefully, you have a light colored leather upholstery that is easy to wipe down and doesn’t show dirt. If not, then consider investing in some seat covers. You may find a good deal for these when you shop for online coupons Davis County.

Pets can be another challenge if you want a clean car. Dog hair, muddy paw prints and slobbery windows can leave a car looking grimy and smelling, well, questionable. Get good deals on air fresheners when you buy them in bulk, and make sure you cover your seats. A weekly or monthly vacuum will take care of the dog hair and allergens too.

Even if you don’t have children or pets, many of us prefer to spend our leisure time doing something besides washing a car. Here are some helpful tips that can keep your car clean daily, without having to spend a ton of time.

  • Take everything with you when you get out of your car. This prevents buildup of garbage, coffee cups and other essentials.
  • Keep a plastic shopping bag attached to your shifter so you can easily keep trash in one place and dispose of it in less than a second.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask personnel at drive through windows to please throw things away for you. They are happy to do it.
  • Keep extra air fresheners in your glove box.

 

Wedding Venue Vistas

Carmen NewmanFeatured

The best wedding venues in Salt Lake City I have seen have beautiful areas in which to take pictures of the wedding party. Often times the best areas for photographs have compelling scenery in the background, like a waterfront or a golf course. Another excellent area for pictures of the wedding party might be a grand staircase. This type of scenery works well because it is beautiful but so compelling that it will distract a potential viewer of the photograph from the subject of the picture.

I have attended many weddings and wedding receptions. I have found that the best venues were the ones that were pleasing to the eye. One venue in particular that I recall was held in the lobby of an office building in Washington, D.C. This may sound like an odd place to hold a wedding reception and it was a little odd because I had recently worked a temp job in that same building a few months prior to the wedding. Anyway, this particular lobby had a wide open space large enough to accommodate many tables and a dance floor. I remember there was a large, white, marble fountain in the center of the lobby where the photographer chose to take the pictures of the wedding party. Finally, this building’s lobby was a convenient location because it was within walking distance of the church where the ceremony was held.

I think it would be a mistake to choose a wedding venue in Salt Lake City that did not have a beautiful area in which to take pictures of the wedding party. Of course the wedding party is the important part of the picture, but often the background in a photograph can provide a certain extra je ne sais quoi. Remember, years later these pictures will be all that remains of the important day and therefore are no small part of the event.

May Your Slumber be Infused with Peppermint Dreams

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

Last night, my olfactory senses had the pleasure to process the heavenly scent of a Scentsy “Peppermint Dreams” scented candle. Because I have had the privilege to join Scentsy and peddle their wares throughout these United States I have been offered the rare opportunity to take into my body the most heavenly scents someone who has not joined Scentsy might only dream about. But by far the most heavenly of all the scents my olfactory senses have had the pleasure to process is the scent of Peppermint Dreams.

Taking in this scent through my nostrils charges my spirit with the crisp infusion that only the sent of peppermint can provide. At first there is a sting that bites the interior walls of my proboscis. This sting is quickly followed by an inviting sensation that reminds me of warm cabins with roaring fires in their hearth creating a snug oasis in the middle of a dark, frozen forest. Then I am made aware of a sweetness to this scent that wells within me giving rise to a supple glow of contentment radiating unto the extremities of my body.

I then am faced with a choice. Do I now sit back and relax with this sensation. Do I sink into the depths of the plush cushions of my couch and bask in the splendor of my Peppermint Dream? Or do I take this grand experience out into the world and interact with all the possibilities it has to offer? Frankly, either choice is both equally inviting and rewarding. Such is the splendor that I have experienced ever since I made the fateful choice to join Scentsy. Such is the splendor that I have experienced ever since I lit my Peppermint Dreams candle and allowed its essence to infuse my being.

May my experience be yours and may your nights be ever populated with Peppermint Dreams.

Wedding Train of Thought

Carmen NewmanFeatured

There are many options for wedding venues in Salt Lake City. When I think of wedding venues I am reminded of the wedding of my cousin and his now wife I attended last summer in St. Augustine, Florida. The venue was a banquet hall next to a marina. The couple was married by another cousin of mine who received a license to perform the marriage. The legal grant of authority was limited to that particular ceremony on that particular date. The ceremony took place outside on a patio by the water in the early evening just before sunset. Halfway through the ceremony a weather front swept through and my cousin performing the wedding suggested moving the festivities inside. Once everyone reassembled inside the storm arrived and a heavy, driving rain fell from the sky. We could see all this through the floor to ceiling glass windows behind the couple.

After the ceremony, dinner was served buffet style in the adjoining room. The wedding was a family reunion of sorts. My cousin’s father (my uncle) seemed cold and distant to me. I am not sure what I had done to offend him but it seems as if I had done something. I found the situation kind of annoying. I was never particularly close to this uncle so I did not care if he was angry with me on that level. But I have this character trait where it triggers me if I know another person is angry with me. I suppose that was passed down to me from my parents. I avoided him for the rest of the night. At one point we were sitting at the same table and he was recounting his recent trip to Turkey. Under normal circumstances I would have been interested as I have always wanted to visit Istanbul being a Roman History buff. But I got up and walked away.

Anyway, this is what I think about when trying to come up with an article on wedding venues in Salt Lake City.

Charming Fall Country Wedding Reception Ideas

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

This fall is the perfect time to get hitched and to take advantage of some great new trending wedding ideas. We have a few fun suggestions for both indoor and outdoor wedding reception venues in Utah and how to make them look flawless for your big day! These five items will add that touch of fall you want at your wedding….pumpkins, burlap, baskets, berries, and barn wood.

Pumpkins and Gourds

Pumpkins and gourds have some great characteristics that make them a perfect decoration for your wedding reception. Pumpkins come in all sizes too…tall, short, fat, skinny, small… we’re positive you’ll be able to find something that will work for you. You can also find pumpkins and gourds in a variety of colors, most common are orange, white, green, and spotted. Pumpkins make great center pieces and fall accents to your reception.PumpkinTable wedding-inspiration white pumpkin

Burlap

Burlap is the perfect material for any country wedding and it has so many fantastic and fun uses. For example, burlap is the perfect material for classy and even elegant table runners, banners, streamers, and other table accents. Burlap is becoming many wedding and reception venues’ decorating staples.

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Baskets

We love baskets! Baskets come in many different textures, colors and sizes too! They are ideal for storing and displaying wedding gifts in a cute way and they are perfect for holding accent items that work well for weddings such as fruit, flowers, cards, and party favors. You can’t go wrong this fall, if you choose to use baskets as part of your wedding décor.bk1 bk 2

Berries

There are lot’s of different colored berries that suit wedding receptions. We think the colors of berries that work best in a wedding reception setting are brown, white, burgundy, and plum. Berries will add that bit of elegance that will make your country wedding pop. Synthetic or fresh, berries are one of the easiest ways to help your reception look beautiful. Berries are fairly inexpensive, which is another perk to using berries as part of your wedding décor.br2br 1 

Barn Wood

Barn wood can be a surprisingly elegant accent to a wedding. Barn wood can add that bit of shabby chic class that works great for weddings. Genuine barn wood chairs, picture frames, doors, and signs are fun new trending décor ideas this fall season.bw 2

bw 3If you’re planning a country wedding for this fall or even the next, these are some great items that will help you get going. You can find them at most material and crafting stores and at a good price…especially if you shop with coupons. We know that many wedding venues in Salt Lake City will be taking advantage of these tips and you should too! What five things do you need at your fall wedding? Pumpkins, burlap, baskets, and berries…alright now go start planning!

Maid Services Utah – How to Clean Six Common Types of Hard Floors

Carmen NewmanHome Magic

Have you ever wondered if the cleaner you use to clean your floors is actually recommended for that floor type?  If you haven’t hired a house cleaning Utah service, here are 6 common types of hard floors, and how to clean them!

Most people hire house cleaning Salt Lake City services, so that they don’t have to deal with cleaning their floors.  If you haven’t made the plunge to outsource your floor cleaning duties to a cleaning service Salt Lake City, here’s a quick list of six common types of hard floors, and how to clean them!

  1. Laminate:laminate-flooring-1

The good news is that laminate floors are very resilient.  You do, however, want to make sure that water is not able to get underneath the planks.  To clean laminate floors you will want to vacuum or dry mop, and then spot clean with a damp microfiber mop.

  1. Hardwood Floor:01-hardwood-floors

Sealed wood floors are typically protected from stains and water damage, but you want to steer clear of acidic solutions which can dull the floor over time.  You can use a simple pH neutral soap with some water to clean, but you will want to use a dry microfiber mop to wipe up any excess moisture.

If you do have a waxed wood floor, you will want to avoid any moisture including damp mops.  Just make sure these floors are vacuumed or dry mopped regularly to keep dust and dirt from damaging the surface.

  1. Bamboo Floor:bamboo

Bamboo flooring is a beautiful and sustainable option, but it does come at a slightly higher cost.  For this reason, you want to make sure that you keep dirt swept up regularly to prevent damage.  You can use the same technique to clean bamboo floors that you use to clean sealed hardwood floors.

3. Linoleum Floorforbo-marmoleum-neutral

Linoleum and vinyl are often used interchangeably, but true linoleum is made from linseed oil, limestone, resin, wood fiber, and cork dust.  It is then colored with mineral pigments.  Mix up a spray bottle of a small amount of dish soap and hot water.  Spray small sections of the floor and wipe down with a microfiber mop.

  1. Vinyl FloorVinyl-Flooring-Roll

Vinyl is extremely resilient, and nearly indestructible.  You can clean vinyl floors in sections using a spray bottle with ¼ cup vinegar, one drop of dish soap, and the rest water.  Spray and wipe with a dry microfiber as you go.  You can also use a steam cleaner to remove tough stains and sanitize vinyl floors.

  1. Natural Stone FloorTile-Orlando1

Be very careful what chemicals or products you allow to touch your natural stone floors.  Even a small amount of vinegar, bleach, or ammonia could cause irreversible damage.  Mop sealed floors with a pH-neutral, non-chelating cleaner, which won’t react negatively to natural minerals.

If your stone tiles are unsealed, only mop them with a microfiber mop and hot water or a steam cleaner to prevent chemicals from penetrating the stone.

If floor care isn’t your forte, why not leave it to professional cleaning services Salt Lake City?  Give Green Envy Maids a call today to get a free quote for service!  (801) 783-3314.