AU Blogspot

             Thanks to Nic McPhee for permission to use this Photo. 

I find maintaining and repairing plumbing systems the most interesting and challenging work in the plumbing industry.  If you enjoy figuring out and solving problems, then plumbing service work will likely be a good field for you.  Even as a seasoned professional, I openly admit that there are simply some problems will be difficult to figure out, diagnose, or repair.  Here are some key points I have learned through many years of doing plumbing service work:             

1. Keep your mind open and stay loose on your feet.  When you first get to a job, try not to get locked into one course of action.
2. Before you jump into a course of action, remind yourself that the customer has probably been living with the problem for days, months, or even years.  You have only been on the job for a few minutes.  Give yourself time to choose the best course of action.  
3. Listen to what the customer has to say.  Try to understand the facts.  It is appropriate to write down what the customer says. 
4. Now, try to put what the customer has said aside.  Look and test for the problems yourself.    
5. Compare your independent observations with the customer’s comments.  Do they match?  Look and test some more.
6. Be aware that there may be several causes for a plumbing problem, or several independent problems that need repairing.
7. Before beginning work, list the various repair options along with an estimate of the cost and discuss this with the customer.  Offer what you believe is the best course of action, but let the customer decide how to proceed.

Following these seven points is very important.  If you just jump right into a situation without analyzing the entire job site, you are likely to see only a part of the problem, and therefore won’t be able to fix the problem correctly.

Here is an actual problem that I was recently involved with.  The customer had smelled gas near the hot-water heater. (more…)

               Thanks to Todd Euhlers for permission to use this Photo. 

One of the most important components of a commercial or industrial project is the blueprints and specifications, usually called the “plans & specs.”  The plans for a large commercial project will be far more complex and detailed than a residential blueprint.  The electrical section alone can contain 40 or more drawings for a ten-story building.  These plans are the “instructions” for constructing the electrical distribution system in a building.  Your ability to read and understand detailed blueprints is paramount for a successful career in this industry!  I know many electricians in this industry who are very skilled at installing equipment, but who are not very good when it comes to reading blueprints.  They still earn a good living, but the lack of this one skill almost always prevents them from advancing into other areas of the industry, such as estimating, project management, project supervision, and even owning their own business.

Imagine how difficult it would be to develop a successful business if you have difficulty understanding the blueprints for all of your projects.  This skill is not hard to master; it requires only the desire and willingness to learn how to do it correctly and efficiently.  In the future it might be possible for you to obtain some old prints for completed jobs from your employer.  You could then study them in your spare time in an effort to become more familiar with different types of blueprints.  When I say different types, I mean that the blueprints were drawn by different engineers.  No two jobs are the same, nor do any two design engineers draw their plans in exactly the same manner.

Reviewing different sets of electrical plans will help you see various ways of portraying electrical installations.  One thing that you are sure to notice is that nearly identical electrical installations can be drawn differently on two different sets of plans. The drawings may look similar at first glance, but the way in which each one conveys information will not be exactly the same.  Most of the time it will be up to you to interpret the intent of the electrical plans.  Sometimes there will be details for you to install something in a specific way, while most other elements of the installation will be designed just enough for you to understand what to do without a great amount of detail. Otherwise, you would have 200 drawings for that ten-story building instead of just 40.

Specifications are another critically important part of any commercial or industrial project.  These are the written construction documents that accompany a set of blueprints.  The “specs” contain information about the contractual portion of the project, code compliance, quality assurance, documentation, and a host of other important pieces of information about the job.  Unless specifically stated otherwise in the contract, the specifications govern the installation of a project, not the plans.  The plans are to be followed, but if there is a discrepancy between the plans and the specs, the specs govern. 

Specs are easier to follow than the plans because they are in a written document, usually resembling a very thick notebook.  As you read them, you’ll see things like “this type shall be provided” or “testing will be performed in the following manner.”  The trick here is to review the specs on a periodic basis throughout the life of the project.  You cannot remember everything contained in the specs.  Realize that it gets quite costly whenever you provide and/or install equipment that doesn’t comply with the specifications, simply because you forgot to or didn’t read what the specs called for in the way of approved equipment or installation practices. 

David T. Ronan
Electrician Training Instructor
Ashworth University School Of Skilled Trades

                           Image courtesy of Johannes Gilger. 

I am sad to say that there are a tremendous number of beautifully designed and perfectly installed landscapes that look terrible!  On the other hand, I’ve seen landscapes that were not professionally designed or installed, but which have been well-cared for, that absolutely sparkle!  Quality maintenance is an essential ingredient for the long-term beauty of any landscape. 

Here’s the key point I want you to understand when your design is created.  If the client asks for low-maintenance, then a low-maintenance design should be implemented.  There is no way that a high-maintenance design can be “transformed” into a low-maintenance one after it is installed.  The designer needs to determine what level of maintenance can be expected and use this as a criterion for the design.  A design and installation that looks great five years after it is installed is a living marketing tool for your business! 

There is another reason why you should consider offering maintenance services to your clients.  It is the bread and butter of many successful landscape companies.  In fact, many new design and installation opportunities often come from the maintenance side of the business.  If a particular landscape looks great, folks ask the owner who is doing the landscaping, and if it is you, this is an instant referral!  Also, by maintaining the landscape, you have ultimate control over your designs.  If you offer a guarantee on the installed plants, it is very easy to keep an eye on the installation and make sure it is receiving adequate care.  If a plant happens to die, you are right there to replace it as you complete your regular maintenance activities. 

One more note about this part of landscaping is that the term really should not be landscape maintenance but landscape management.  The difference is that someone who maintains plants hopes to keep them looking about the same from one year to the next.  A landscape manager, on the other hand, works to improve and enhance the landscape from one year to the next.  This is a perfect role for the landscape design professional, as it allows for new design activity to continue virtually forever.

Richard Ludwig
Landscape Design Program Instructor
Ashworth University School Of Skilled Trades

                              Image courtesy of Okimi.

Feng shui (“wind and water”) is a well known ancient Chinese art of placement. According to this art, the way in which energy flows through a garden or a home has a negative or positive effect on the owner of the place. Nowadays, according to modern feng shui theory: marital bliss, business success and even fame can be a part of one’s life if the furniture is placed properly in the house and there is a balanced Feng Shui
Garden landscape design.

Deborah Gee, an expert in the art of using feng shui has made a video to aid people tie together and use chi, the “life force” properly. The concept of chi is central to the principles of Feng Shui. To correctly handle and apply chi in a garden requires handling of three basic elements:

Water – it is represented by ponds, streams or fountain in feng shui, (feng shui fountains) or also a river of stones; and symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

Mountains – it can be symbolically signified by planting beds that are raised, shrubbery and tall trees and symbolizes energy.

Greenery – this can be represented by the green grass and anything which is green around.

One of the key factors that need to be considered with feng shui is balance. The three basic elements of water, mountains and greenery should be placed close to each other. Sharp items should be placed near pathways. They direct sharp chi at people who pass by and disrupts the internal flow of energy, in turn causing a lot of stress and tension. Circular or meandering pathways in the garden are much better; straight ones and the latter create a wave of fast moving chi that may be the cause of feeling uncomfortable. Making the garden flat is a common mistake that most garden designers make. A flat garden does not encourage chi flow. Different levels and layers make chi flow smoothly in the garden. Additionally, curves in the garden help in improving the chi flow. (more…)

            Thanks to Paul Peracchia for permission to use this Photo.

When it comes to how to lay wood flooring, it does not depend on the version one intends to install. Wood flooring is a type of flooring that is made from timber obtained from hardwoods, spruce, or hard pine. It is valued for its beauty, durability, and is a good substitute for carpeting. The unfinished version of wood flooring is first installed and then sanded, i.e. it is finished on site. The other newer version is the pre-finished flooring, that which is finished in a factory and then installed at the required place. Before carrying out wood flooring installation, it is important to allow the wood strips to get acclimatized to the moisture in the house as wood may expand or contract with change in humidity level. This needs a time period of about 3 to 5 days. 

There are four techniques that can be employed for wood flooring installation :       

• Free float is meant for the individuals who have little or no experience with wood flooring installation.
• Glue down makes use of a wood flooring adhesive or a wood flooring glue, and is recommended for those who have some experience. If the subfloor is flat and calls for minimum preparation, then this method is suggested. 
• Staple down method makes use of powerful wood flooring tools and thus needs good amount of experience.
• A special kind of stapler called the flooring nail gun or flooring nailer is needed.  The nail down method also needs specific wood flooring tools.  

One may also give some thought to laminate floorings. Laminate vs. wood flooring comes under consideration when one wants the beauty of wood flooring but is also asking for a low maintenance material. Laminate flooring is made out of synthetic material but looks like wood flooring. These are usually less expensive and more durable than the regular wood flooring. They also prove out to be a reasonable solution when the question of easy installation pops up. (more…)

Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies is the perfect holiday gift for those of us who are interested in green building, but need a little expert help. Admittedly, the For Dummies® books are a smart start for anyone wanting to pick up a new trade or just learn the overall basics on any particular subject. With more than 150 million books in print and over 1000 topics, this new release by Eric Corey Freed of Organic Architect may be the best evidence out there that green is mainstream.

“Green building” involves designing and constructing buildings and homes to reduce energy use, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, and reduce reliance on nonrenewable natural resources. Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies provides an introduction to every facet of green building, from start to finish, including the materials, architecture, and construction methods of green building and remodeling for both homeowners and professionals such as architects, interior designers, and contractors. (more…)

Planning and deciding on a theme for holiday light decorating can take up an entire holiday… but the holidays would not be dazzling and bright without holiday decoration lights.

Special thanks to Benjamin Graves for permission to use this photo.

Holiday lights are available in different shapes and sizes and can be placed in different locations with different patterns. People living in apartments can decorate their windows with the holiday lights and those having balconies can drape lights all over their balcony door and railings.

Holiday decorations are incomplete without holiday decorating lights. Lighting has more or less taken over holiday candles as they burn for longer periods of time and are safer for decoration when compared with candles. With the passage of time the style of lighted holiday decorations has evolved to the level where it has become an art itself. One can put their imagination in use for holiday decorations and light placements in and around their house. (more…)

                          Thanks to Dave Bonta for permission to use this Photo. 

Wallpaper is something which makes your walls look beautiful and attractive, but you must know how to remove wallpaper before putting it on the wall so that you know all the pros and cons before going for it. 

After a certain period of time, the wallpaper starts looking worn out and old and the question of how to remove it arises. On the face of it, the answer to this question sounds too easy i.e. to remove the wallpaper - simply peel it off from the wall. But when you really try removing wallpaper, you come to know that it is much more difficult than it sounds.

Wallpaper removal becomes easier if the paper is strippable, i.e. it peels off easily leaving behind only the glue and no messy, sticky paper patches. A simple test on a small area will decide whether the paper is easily peeling off or not. This easily removable wallpaper can be removed with the help of sponge, some hot water, and a knife. After moistening the wallpaper with the help of a sponge soaked in warm water, one should wait for a while, allowing the glue beneath to loosen before removing it with the help of a knife. Once the paper is removed, the walls can be rinsed with a neutralizing solution to make them ready for fresh painting.

In a case where the wallpaper is too old and cannot be easily removed, the task of removing this old wallpaper can prove to be quite difficult. This scenario dictates that you employ some wallpaper removing tool to remove the actual wallpaper its’ associated glue. (more…)