Thursday, July 29, 2021

3 Reasons Your Walk-In Cooler Needs Servicing Regularly



As a store owner, you likely have a walk-in cooler system. It is good to have a recommended maintenance plan to ensure your system runs properly. These systems are very complex and have lots of parts that work together to keep them running.


Preventative Maintenance Tips

When it comes to a complex walk-in cooler system, prevention is better than expensive repairs. Here are a few tips you can use for preventative maintenance:


  • Once a month, shut the power off to the walk-in cooler condensing unit. You can now safely vacuum all of the dust and debris which may have accumulated. You can use the reverse airflow mode in a shop-vac or use an air compressor to blow dust away.

  • Once a month, clean the inside and outside surfaces of your walk-in cooler using a mild detergent and water solution. 

  • Once a year, you will want to clean and inspect the walk-in cooler door seals.


Common Maintenance Issues with Walk-In Coolers


Regardless of the industry, it is important to ensure that your walk-in cooler is always operating efficiently and safely. This can be challenging for someone who knows nothing about refrigeration systems. Here are a few problems to look out for:


  • Running loudly - A machine in good condition shouldn’t make extreme noise when it’s operating, and it certainly shouldn’t develop any unfamiliar sounds.

  • Inability to maintain temperature - You might discover that your refrigeration equipment is not keeping the contents chilled properly.

  • Ice or frost growth - The growth of ice or frost is the result of a leak or poor airflow.

  • Inability to run after transportation - When you transport the refrigerator laying down, the chances are that the lubricant will escape from the compressor and run into the cooling pipes. To prevent compressor damage, give the lubricant several hours to settle in the compressor before turning the appliance on. 


2 Most Common Parts That Have Issues


A walk-in cooler provides businesses with the extra cooling space needed for their operation to grow at a reasonably low cost. Like any other appliance, a walk-in cooler needs regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure proper operation. Here are the 2 most common parts that need servicing or replacement and advice for maintenance:


  • Condenser Coil - The area must be well-ventilated and temperature controlled to allow the heat to be removed. If the condenser area becomes obstructed, it can insulate the heat and reduce airflow. Confirm that the airflow area is clear of any debris, and clean off any dirt and debris that may be building up on the coil to help keep the compressor running strong.

  • Evaporator Freezing - Evaporators are equipped with a defrosting mechanism that is designed to help melt off any frost or ice that builds up on the coils, and then the water from the melted frost or ice is drained out of the unit. Clean off any dirt and debris that may be building up on the coils, and check for any evaporator coil leaks.




Tuesday, July 27, 2021

What Are the Benefits Of Jiu-Jitsu For Kids

 




Do your kids want to take jiu-jitsu classes but you are concerned? Don’t be; there are so many great benefits of taking this sport that you are probably unaware of. Yes, jiu-jitsu is an intense and challenging skill to learn, but also rewarding. While taking these classes, you kids can gain some pretty fantastic benefits.

  1. Socialization

Kids can sometimes struggle with socializing. They are shy and get uncomfortable around groups of people. At the beginning of taking jiu-jitsu classes, they may be nervous and unsure. When they come to a few classes and begin to take up interest, they will relax. 


By being involved in these classes, they are learning alongside other kids who are working towards the same goal. It makes it easier to communicate and connect with people when they have similar interests as you. This makes it a little bit easier for a shy child to talk to people. 

  1. Confidence

Everyone wants their children to have confidence and believe in themselves. It is not that easy for some people and can be hard to see in yourself. That is why getting them involved in a sport that can show you what you are capable of and give you the skills to protect yourself can help. 


Jiu-jitsu is an intense sport to perform. When you accomplish a belt change or a new skill, it is something to be proud of. You have every right to be excited and emit a sense of confidence. That is what helps you have the motivation to continue learning and accomplishing new skills. 

  1. Self-Defense and Body Awareness

Parents can be more confident in letting their preteens and teenagers have some independence if they know how to protect themselves. Even younger children benefit from this as well; a bad situation can happen in the blink of an eye. In Jiu-jitsu, you will learn valuable skills to help you escape someone trying to harm you. 


The worst thing that someone can do is walk around in public without a sense of body awareness. There are so many distractions that people have, such as cell phones and other electronics. In taking these martial arts classes, you can have a better sense of what to look for around you. They will teach you to spot out potential hazardous situations.

  1. Goal Setting

Individuals can set goals for themselves day in and day out, one after another. You won’t have the motivation to accomplish any of them if you don’t follow through. There is a lot of hard work that is put into accomplishing your goals. In taking jiu-jitsu, you can learn the value of setting goals and achieving them. 

Great Opportunities For Kids

By allowing your children to get involved with jiu-jitsu, you can open many doors for them. Not only are they learning valuable self-defense skills, but all the additional skills they learn can extend further than class. Confidence in yourself is needed to succeed, and goal setting is essential for accomplishing your dreams. 




Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Why Having Your Roof Cleaned Is Important

 



Having your roof cleaned is a very important step of routine home maintenance, as a dirty roof can not only look bad but lead to damage as well. Dirt, fungus, algae, rot, and moss can all leave stains on the roof but can be removed with proper roof cleaning. If you’ve noticed black stains, growing moss, or algae staining, it’s probably time to have your roof cleaned. Why should you have your roof cleaned?

Avoid Damage by Having Your Roof Cleaned

Staining on a roof is actually from some type of algae, fungus, or moss. All of these decompose matter, so removing them from the roof is very important. The stains on the roof can actually damage the roof in a few different ways. 

Shingle Damage

Algae is a bacteria that feeds off of limestone and asphalt. Most shingles are made up of asphalt, which provides a food source for the algae. As the algae feeds off the asphalt shingles, it is essentially deteriorating them over time, making your roof less protective of your home. In addition, roofs that have algae staining can absorb heat more, which can cause the attic to become even more heated, baking the shingles from the inside of the house out. 

Wood Rot

If you have moss growing on your roof, it’s generally easier to spot, but wood rot is not quite as blatantly obvious. Moss likes to grow between shingles, which is the last spot of the shingles to dry. Sometimes it’s hard to see wood rot until it’s too late, and rot can lead to mold problems, which can be extremely dangerous to the inhabitants of the home. Prevention is key when it comes to these types of problems.  


Curb Appeal

Your roof may only be a few years old, but when it needs to be cleaned, it can appear that it’s at the end of its life. If you’re trying to spruce up the exterior of your house, or are thinking about selling, having your roof cleaned can dramatically impact the curb appeal. When people see that the exterior of the house is taken care of, they assume that the homeowner has taken good care of the house from the inside out. 

Extend the Life of Your Roof

By routinely cleaning the roof, you can extend the life of your roof because removing the contaminants will stop the degradation process of the roof. Having a professional clean the roof can ensure that the proper cleaning products and processes are followed. In some cases, the growth of algae, fungus, and moss are so severe that the roof has taken on significant damage and roof cleaning may not be enough. Don’t let it get to that point by making sure your roof is cleaned regularly. 

Be Sure to Clean Your Roof Regularly

As you can see, getting your roof cleaned regularly can save you headaches, time, and money. Don’t let the moss, fungus, and algae deteriorate your roof. Having the roof cleaned and inspected can be so helpful in extending the life of your roof. 












Reasons Why Children Should Take Jiu-Jitsu



Life is finally starting to return to normal after the pandemic turned it upside down. Your child is ready to get out, burn some energy, and make new friends. But with all the options for activities to enroll your child in, how do you choose what's best?


Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that builds confidence, teaches discipline, and improves coordination. It focuses on the skills needed to control an opponent and take them to the ground. This “gentle art” allows a smaller, weaker person to use leverage to subdue a bigger opponent.

Gives Them Confidence

Those experienced in Jiu-Jitsu have confidence that they can defend themselves when necessary. An untrained person will hit or kick in self-defense. This sport teaches how to defend by bringing the opponent to the ground, not injuring them. Karate chopping a board may seem like fun, but it doesn’t translate into the real world like Jiu-Jitsu.


It gives kids the confidence to protect and defend themselves against bullies. Bullies pick on the meek and defenseless kids, not the confident ones. A child trained in this sport will hold their head high and not become a victim of bullying. Your child will be the one standing up to bullies and making other kids feel safe. 

Teaches Them Coordination

Jiu-Jitsu focuses on taking opponents to the ground, controlling them, and gaining dominance. In this sport, a child will learn to force an opponent into submission by using chokeholds and joint locks. The specific movements necessary to do this need body awareness and coordination.


The movements required in Jiu-Jitsu develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and balance. Children will develop strong neuromuscular connections and increase their coordination. These skills not only aid in self-defense, but they increase a child’s athletic abilities as well. 

Helps With Discipline and Focus

Practicing Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect way to strengthen discipline and focus. When learning new techniques, children must pay attention to detail and repeat movements. This sport is fun for kids while still being challenging and interesting, so they don’t lose focus. The ability to focus and show discipline will reflect in schoolwork, chores, and other sports.

Builds Friendships

The friendships made in Jiu-Jitsu class are a positive influence on children. In class, children will work together on drilling techniques, games, and live rolling. They will encourage each other and help one another reach their goals. Children will learn to communicate with kids of different ages and their teachers. 

Gives Them A Sense Of Completion

Your child will start as a white belt and learn the basics before moving on to the next phase in their training. Children learn to set a goal for themselves and practice hard to achieve it. They gain a sense of completion when they reach the next level and earn a new belt.


Our children spent too much time in front of a screen during quarantine. They didn’t know when life would return to normal so they struggled to have their goals met. Getting involved in Jiu-Jitsu will give children the sense of accomplishment they deserve. 



Thursday, April 29, 2021

4 Reasons To Have Your Yard Landscaped

 


There is a lot of work that goes into your yard’s landscaping and growing a healthy lawn. If you work a full-time job or have kids with a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the needed time to do the work. But it’s really important to landscape your lawn so you can create a getaway with your spouse. 

When you hire a professional, you can take some of that stress off your shoulders. The yard work can be set up on a revolving schedule, so you always come home to a great-looking landscape. 

1. You Will Have Professional Advice

There are many do’s and don’ts that go into landscaping. When planting your flowers, shrubs, and trees, you need to know the correct way to do it. That way, they will survive and thrive through the seasons. 


If you are unsure of how to take care of them properly, they won’t last. A professional will know how to advise what will look best in your landscaping. Simultaneously, knowing how to take care of it correctly for optimum growth. 

2. Professionals Offer Multiple Services

Everyone’s yard is designed differently. Some are grand and over the top, and some are average. Either way, there is a lot that goes into maintaining your landscaping. If you are going to take the time to do the process (or hire someone to), you want it to look nice. 


When you hire a professional company to provide landscaping services to you, they will have multiple offers for you. Not only can they mow your lawn and design your flower beds, but they can also:

  • Install Lighting and Water Features

  • Tend To Pool Needs

  • Lay Mulch

  • Lay Pathways

  • Hardscapes

  • And So Much More

3. You Don’t Need To Stress About It

Everyone’s lives are busy and have long lists of to-do’s. That leaves very little time for the extras you need to accomplish. Many people love to work in their gardens and yards but have trouble finding the time to get it all done. 


If you are always running from one meeting to another or from one kid drop-off line to a sports practice, a professional could be what you need. Someone will show up routinely at your home and do the landscaping for you. By doing this, you can take one house chore off your list of to-dos.

4. It Can Save Money

This one is a hard concept for people to wrap their minds around. Yard work is not cheap. If you are in the process of buying everything you need to do the landscaping that you want around your yard, you know the price can add up fast. This is due to the tools and extras you may need to maintain everything. 


A professional landscaping company may sound expensive at first sight, but consider what you would spend to do it yourself. Add in the amount of time it would take you to do the job. Once you look at the big picture, it might not be as expensive as you thought to hire a professional landscaping company. 


Thursday, April 7, 2016

Fun Date Night Idea For Couples

Need a fun date night idea for you and another couple? Check out this great post that I wrote about the date night we had with our friends a few weeks ago. Don't forget to visit the links and get your free printables to play the game.

Fun Date Night Idea For Couples

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Free Printable Conversation Starters For Your Next Date Night!

Are you need of conversation starters for you next date night? I have put together free printables for you and your date to talk about.



Check it out here:



Free Printable Conversation Starters For Your Next Date Night!