No one likes calling in an emergency plumber. The service they do is costly, and it usually seems to cost much more than quoted and take a more lengthy time than promised. Additionally, similar to car maintenance shops, most people do not really comprehend the work a plumber is doing. It is incredibly effortless for a plumber to swindle a homeowner and overcharge them for work that did not actually need to be done in the first place. There have been many documented instances of just such a thing occurring. But at times, you merely have to call in an emergency plumber to do some work. How can you make sure you are working with a person who is honest and knows what they are doing? Here are items you need to know before you pick a plumber for your job.

The very first thing you should do is check out how happy clients have been with a plumber's work in the past. Asking around in your neighborhood and amongst your friends is an excellent way to start. Many of them will be able to endorse plumbers that they like as well as letting you in on some plumbing horror stories. Do not go by who has the most commercials or who has been in business the longest. Unfortunately, many people go to a plumbing firm because they know they name from advertisements, and often these firms are the most terrible ones out there. The same thing happens with a business that has been in business for a number of years. Name recognition does not mean excellent service in every single case. A top-caliber plumber or plumbing company should be able to offer you with references upon request. If you are planning on employing a plumber for a remodeling job rather than a simple repair, you should never accept a company that declines to provide you with a set of references.

The World Wide Web can also be your friend in looking into emergency plumbers. Many homeowners who have been burned by poor service maintain websites where they call out service people who have done bad work or ripped them off. Check these websites in your town and avoid the plumbers on those listings.

Hourly fees are another thing you want to check out before you hire a plumber. Call around and get a few estimates for a job. Ascertain if the plumber is willing to sign a quote and give you a price warranty before he begins working. You should also find out if the plumber will require you travel time to and from your job and how they will compute that time and prove it to you. Giving you a precise price may be challenging, but any plumber who can't give you a comprehensive explanation of how you will be billed with an estimate of the cost should be avoided.
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Good plumbers are available. Do your homework, and you will find one.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509176

Every manufacturer has a specific recommendation or minimum requirement for the type of oil a given engine will use. You might wonder, what's the difference between different weights, grades, and viscosity? What is the difference between 5W-30 and 10W-30? What do all of these numbers mean? Can't you use any oil in your car or does it really matter?
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Deciphering the Oil Code
Terms weight, grade, or viscosity are commonly used interchangeably and basically mean the same thing. They refer to the thickness or how easily the oil flows. Using a multi-grade 5W-30 oil as an example, this type is very commonly used in millions of vehicles. The first number followed by the "W" indicates the viscosity (or thickness) for cold weather temperatures. The "W" stands for winter. The lower this first number is, the less viscous, or thinner your oil will be in lower temperatures. Though it may seem trivial, the number is of major importance.

When engines first roar to life after turning the ignition key, the oil pump tries to push the oil from the low-lying oil pan to the top of the engine, to lubricate all of the moving parts (such as pistons, camshaft, etc.) Cold starts are the time of the hardest wear-and-tear imposed on the engine. The heavier (or thicker) the oil is, the harder the oil pump works and the longer it will take for the engine to receive the crucial oil lubrication it needs to prevent metal-on-metal friction upon start-up. So, a 5W- oil will flow faster and more easily than a heavier weight oil which would have a higher number like 10W- or 15W- oil.

The second number found after the "W" specifies the viscosity in hot temperatures. The higher the number means the thicker the oil will be at the optimum temperature. In older cars it was common to switch to different weights of oils depending upon the season. It's a practice not as common today due to manufacturers building lighter-weight engines and using different engine materials than yesteryear. It is always recommended to follow the manufacturer's fluid specifications found in your vehicle's manual. Using a different weight of oil than what is recommended will likely result in decreased fuel economy or greater engine wear.

Are There Exceptions to the Rule?
The occasional exception to the "follow the manufacturer's recommendation" rule comes into play when an engine has aged, and when the moving parts may have larger clearances between components. Thicker oils can sometimes improve performance and protection in such conditions, but for most vehicle owners, stick with the vehicle manual's specifications.

What do the Manufacturers Say?
Some manufacturers will list a range of different types of engine oil dependent upon the climate where the vehicle will be used. A heavier-weight oil would likely be recommended for vehicles in southern arid areas such as Scottsdale, Arizona, while a lighter-weight oil may be better in cooler climates as can be found in Rapid City, South Dakota. Oil in South Dakota will obviously be subjected to colder engine start-up conditions during winter months than oil in Arizona during the same time frame.

What is Straight Oil versus Multi-Viscosity Oil?
You should never use straight oil (SAE30, SAE40, SAE50, etc.) in a system designed for a multi-viscosity oil. Straight oils are used for smaller engines or older car engines manufactured before multi-viscosity oils were created. Even though snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorcycles have smaller engines than most passenger cars and trucks, straight oils are not to be used in such vehicles. Even regular automotive oils may not be appropriate due to specific engine designs, such as two-cycle versus four-cycle motors.

Take Care of the Engine You Depend Upon
All things considered, using the proper oil grade and changing your vehicle's oil at regular, prescribed intervals are two of the most important preventive maintenance tasks you can do for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in oil depletion, ultimately causing a seized engine. Most repairs related to improper or negligent oil management are both preventable and expensive. It is better to invest in good automotive service practices now than pay a painful repair bill later. Knowing the correct oil to put in your vehicle (and why) makes a good first step towards taking care of the engine you depend upon.

For more information about quality oil products, including oil filters, AMSOIL products are top-of-the-line synthetics which can be used to prolong the life of your vehicle's engine. See exactly what type of oil your vehicle needs by using the Vehicle Oil Guide at https://www.amsoil.com/guides/?zo=5422247.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Thomas_M_Elliott/15483
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When you are looking for a roofing contractor, you may be wondering how you can pick the right one. It will never hurt to ask your roofing contractor questions and get more background information. If these questions make the contractor uncomfortable, then you should probably use a different contractor. You should always get bids from at least 2-3 roofing contractors to compare price and quality. What questions should you ask these contractors, and what are the red flags to watch out for? To ensure that you have the best experience possible with your roofing contractor, we have some guidelines on how to choose the right company for you.
The first and possibly most important thing you can look for is each company's past experience. When you pay for a new roof, you are really paying for the roofing company's reputation and experience. Ask for references you can contact and addresses where you can view their past projects preferably spanning over a few years. Check out each company on the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, or a similar company that will show any listed complaints or success stories. You also want to ask your company if their employees are trained and certified to install your roofing product. You would be surprised how many contractors teach their employees through "trial and error" on their clients roofs.
Secondly, you will want to check if they are licensed and insured. You can check for a business license at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. It only takes a moment to look your contractor up online. You can learn a lot about a company by simply checking to see if they are meeting general guidelines such as a business license. There are two types of insurance you want to check for: liability and workers compensation. Liability insurance protects you from any damage that may occur to your home or roof. If an uninsured contractor doesn't seal up your roof during the roofing process and it rains overnight, you may need to pay to fix the damage yourself or take the contractor to a small-claims court. Workers Compensation protects you from an employee suing you for being hurt on your property.
Third, ask if you will receive a contract and a lien waiver. Few people are aware that a roofing manufacturer can charge you for the roofing materials on your roof if your contractor does not pay for them. Even if you pay your contractor in full, you may end up paying for those materials again. Ask for a lien waiver to avoid this issue before you pay the final bill. Also, before your roofing contractor performs any work on your roof, ask for a signed contract stating what is going to be done. This will protect you from any miscommunication or fraud.
If you take these steps when choosing a roofing contractor, or any contractor to work on your home, you may be saving yourself a lot of time and money in the long run. If a contractor can meet all of these requirements, chances are, your roof will be installed correctly and look beautiful.
Brady Roofing is a professional roofing company located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They meet strenuous expectations and guidelines listed in this article, How to Choose a Roofing Contractor. Brady Roofing has an excellent reputation for meeting customer needs and delivering a professional quality to your home. Contact our roofing company today for a free estimate on your home or building at http://www.bradyroofing.net.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amie_Olsen/51251
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Business networking groups, like BNI, consist of business owners/marketers who meet once a week to pass leads to one another. Leads are considered potential business offerings. Each business represents a category and only one business is allowed in the group per category. For instance, the group will only allow one general contractor, bookkeeper or hair stylist. 

I have found a few steps handy while choosing which group to belong to. Depending on where you live, you may have several groups to choose from. It is a good idea to check out each group's website to see that your business category is available. In addition, look for members in each group in which you could be strategic partners. It is very important that you figure out if you will get business from the group before you join. Your goal is to find a group that will give you the most business. It is also likely that you might attract referrals through these steps, even if you don’t join the group. 

1. Contact the administrator/director of each group that you find interest in. Discuss your interest with them and any ways that they could help your business. Also, ask if you can contact several members to discuss their experiences. Review the information that is listed on the group website before calling group members.
2. Contact all the members that could be good strategic partners for your business. This gives you an opportunity to get their opinion of the group and also feel out if they would in fact give you business if you joined. You have to be very strategic about this since you will be cold calling them. You don’t want to sound like a telemarketer. (Good telemarketers are the bomb by the way.) 
3. Get as many free visits as you can with all the groups in your area. Since everyone will know you are researching groups, you won’t sound like you are only there for referrals. You will need to join one group. Your reputation and reviews are a very important factor and they can deter business from your success. 

Sometimes there are reasons you shouldn’t join a group, such as if you aren’t planning on attending regularly. Most groups will terminate your membership and the other group members may view you as unprofessional. Put in one year of being a member. After that year you may be too busy to attend the meetings. One year will give you a chance to make good contacts. You will probably continue to get referrals until someone else takes your category. Sometimes, people may not like the new member in your category and may continue to refer to you. Remember to make the process smooth for all referrals generated by the group as it can get back to the businesses that referred you. This is extremely important as it could jeopardize their business as well.

Choosing the best business networking group is essential to get your business off the ground and can add to a growing business marketing strategy. It is a lot of work and time commitment but can be much cheaper than other forms of marketing. ​