specialist services

How to Market New Development and Construction?

When the market is hot, buyers are hungry, and properties move fast. When the market is less than ideal, some extra work may be necessary to attract potential buyers to available listings. New development and construction are no exception to this situation. Regardless, developing a system to reach potential buyers

Read More »

Top 5 of the Most Luxurious and Prestigious Casinos in the World

Despite the ambiguous attitude of society towards gambling establishments and gambling in general, modern casinos are more than just a place where a person can instantly become rich or lose their fortune just as quickly. Moreover, this applies to both land-based casinos and online casinos, among which PlayAmo Australia stands

Read More »

Everything You Need To Know About CIPP Lining

When it comes to repairing water and waste pipes in present times, Cured-In-Place Lining is by far the most technologically advanced technique. The installation process for the same works on the principle of creating a pipe within the pipe with the help of trenchless technology. When one works with the

Read More »

4 Garage Remodeling Mistakes You Must Avoid

A garage is one of the best multi-functional places on every property. It isn’t just a place to safely keep your car and bike. When correctly designed, it makes an excellent storage space for various things, including Christmas decorations, ski gear, fishing equipment, etc. You can even convert the garage

Read More »

Why Homebuilders Should Focus on Smart Technology

According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 2019 was a bumper year for housebuilding. Statistics show that almost a quarter of a million new homes were built between 2019 to 2020, the highest number since 1987. The thing is, some of those new properties weren’t particularly built

Read More »

6 Ways To Take Care of your Swimming Pool

We all love swimming in a clean swimming pool. Clean here means the water should be crystal clear and free of any bacteria that may be harmful to you. Keeping your swimming pool clean is never a walk in the park if you don’t have some tips for doing it.

Read More »

Why pop-up restaurants are here to stay

Head to any UK town or city and you’ll come across a pop-up restaurant. Unlike traditional restaurants that tend to serve tried and tested cuisines they know people love, like pub grub, Italian, and Chinese, pop-up restaurants often include more experimental dishes. If you’re a budding a chef, who has

Read More »

Protecting Your Home or Business with Sandbags

Some bags, some sand, and a whole bunch of manpower.  Even though we live in a digital era, sandbags will still be around for a long time to fight against storms and floods. But why is the simple design of a sandbag still a common flood-protection method? There are three

Read More »

Steps to Follow If You Were in Manhattan on 9/11

September 11 of 2001, now simply referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in American history. The incidents of that day, in which several commercial planes were hijacked and used for suicide attacks, left close to 3,000 people dead and thousands more injured, with the bulk of

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7 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Mining Job

Mining can be a difficult yet rewarding profession. You need to consider relocation, long working hours, skill set, and understand the different types of mining There are many job opportunities in the mining industry. Mining is digging out valuable materials from underground where it is usually located. The common items

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Latest Issue
Issue 334 : Nov 2025

specialist services

How to Market New Development and Construction?

When the market is hot, buyers are hungry, and properties move fast. When the market is less than ideal, some extra work may be necessary to attract potential buyers to available listings. New development and construction are no exception to this situation. Regardless, developing a system to reach potential buyers is crucial for your success. This article will review several strategies to help you market new development and construction properties to increase your reach and find your next buyer. What challenges do new developments and construction properties face? The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a report showing that over 1.5 million new homes completed construction in March of 2021. This represents huge potential, especially in markets with high home values. But new developments and construction may have additional barriers to selling compared to pre-owned housing. For example, while people constantly buy homes, there is a stigma attached to purchasing new construction developments because buyers can be afraid that new developments still need to have the kinks worked out. On top of that, while the market for homes is large, finding buyers interested in new development may take some extra digging. Different ways to market new development and construction If you want to reach potential buyers for new housing, having a strategic method will increase your odds of success. Below are several ideas of how to approach marketing to potential customers about new development and construction.  Professional Photography Every phone is capable of taking pictures good enough to send to your mom or best friend. But to attract real attention to your new development and construction, you should highly consider using a real estate photographer. A professional photographer has an eye for beautiful and aesthetically pleasing shots. And if their goal is to sell a property with a few photos, they will get you photos that are worth a thousand words or more.  But don’t just be happy with some simple photographs. To really wow prospective buyers, consider going the extra step with drone photography which provides an incredible new perspective of the property.   Virtual Tours and Staging Things are ramping up again in the U.S. after the height of COVID-19, but virtual tours and staging have become a valuable tool in the realtor toolbelt. Virtual tours allow potential buyers to view homes without needing to physically step foot in the property. The tour can be viewed on phones, tablets, computers, or even in virtual reality. Virtual staging is a service to enhance the appearance of vacant properties by adding photo-realistic, virtual furniture throughout the property in photos or in virtual tours, similar to how you might purchase furniture to put in a property while doing showings. Virtual experiences for potential buyers will only become more popular, so buying into this practice now will help attract new customers. Build your brand You may work for a large agency or be a self-employed realtor. Regardless, building your brand is essential for reaching potential buyers. This may start with building a website, sharing success stories, and even blogging about different home buying experiences. Beyond that, take a deep dive into understanding your online presence. How are people finding your service and what might increase clicks on your business website? Consider location-based targeted advertising through Google or other platforms. This service will allow you to advertise content to targeted locations. More specifically, this will allow you the ability to market new construction and developments to potential local buyers. Build your network  Beyond branding yourself online, make your local presence known. Visit local cafes, stores, mom-and-pop shops, and leave a few business cards with them for customers to take. Talk to local construction crews working on-site, go to trade shows, and attend local or virtually local meetups. The more people see you and get to know you, the more likely they will be to remember you and recommend you to those in the market. Social media can make a big impact on your brand. Do you only have a website? Why not utilize some free advertising by making a Facebook page of your business. Make a Twitter account and engage with other local accounts to increase your following. Post new construction and property notices on your Instagram account (with professional photographs, of course).  Build empathy The best way to help potential buyers is to connect with them on a personal level. Empathize with your client and it will make the buying and selling experience much better. Think about this from the buyer’s perspective. Maybe this is the first home they’ve ever purchased, or maybe their last home was destroyed in a fire. This is important information to know and consider when assisting someone with the buying process. It may also help you understand and relay important information and considerations of buying new developments and construction. Show that you have the buyer’s best interest at heart (and you should). Tell them, honestly, about the neighborhood they’ll be moving into. Be their advocate in the buying process. Final thoughts Now that you’ve considered several ways to market new developments and properties, hopefully, you can start developing a plan to improve your practice. Although housing markets may wax and wane, a successful strategy to connect to, network with, and empathize with potential buyers to help them purchase new construction and developments will make the process much easier.

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Top 5 of the Most Luxurious and Prestigious Casinos in the World

Despite the ambiguous attitude of society towards gambling establishments and gambling in general, modern casinos are more than just a place where a person can instantly become rich or lose their fortune just as quickly. Moreover, this applies to both land-based casinos and online casinos, among which PlayAmo Australia stands out especially. What are the modern casinos in the world? First of all, these are vivid examples of the successful fusion of such factors as the respectability of entertainment establishments, a clear and unchanging atmosphere of prestige, as well as age-old canons of gaming art and special standards of behavior. Each new casino that opens in the world is often bigger and better than its “brothers”. After all, every owner of gambling establishments, striving to surpass their numerous competitors in scope and luxury, often presents to the world real “masterpieces” of architecture and design. It is not surprising that the ranking of the best and most unique casinos in the world is updated quite often. And now, in continuation of the post, we present the TOP-5 of the most prestigious, luxurious, and incredible casinos in the world. Casino Рotel “Bellagio” Opened in 1998 in Las Vegas, the large-scale entertainment complex of the casino-hotel “Bellagio” is rightfully considered the most expensive gambling establishment in Sin City. Its estimated cost is about $ 2 billion. In the fabulously luxurious halls of this institution, the owners have installed 200 tables for games of the most popular gambling games, and there are also more than 2000 various slot machines. Bellagio is renowned for its fine dining and world-renowned Cirque du Soleil shows. Quite often, you can meet many world stars in the halls of the Bellagio casino. Casino “Baden-Baden” One of the oldest, but at the same time the most sophisticated and revered European casinos is the Baden-Baden casino located in Germany. The gambling tables, built back in 1809, of the institution, still remember the presence of monarchs, famous politicians, and cultural figures of those times when chips were used exclusively from gold and silver during the game. The aristocratic elegant halls of the casino have 24 tables and 113 slot machines. The exceptional professionalism of the local croupiers and the service of the staff always disposes guests to an exciting game. Casino “Casino de Monte Carlo” The exquisite casino “Casino de Monte Carlo”, which is located in Monaco, can rightfully deserve worldwide recognition. Just a royal marble facade and many classic graceful columns, luxurious room decoration, special VIP rooms for privileged guests, 316 state-of-the-art slot machines and 35 gaming tables, as well as a full range of services so that guests get the most out of the game, but and from the very presence in the institution. Entertainment complex-casino “Marina Bay Sands” Of course, the casino “Marina Bay Sands”, located in Singapore, is one of the few entertainment and gaming establishments in the world that are impressive in their scale and uniqueness. Marina Bay Sands is built on the shores of the very beautiful Marina Bay and is an incredible complex in terms of scope, beauty, and architecture. It consists of three 55-story towers, each 200 meters high. The crown of the towers is the truly unique panoramic pool connecting them. The casino halls have 600 gaming tables, as well as 2,300 state-of-the-art slot machines. According to the statistics of the institution, more than 25 thousand guests visit it daily. Hotel-casino “Venetian Macao” Built-in 2007, the Venetian Macao Hotel & Casino can be called Venice in Macau. The complex was built in the Venetian style: with water channels, along which gondoliers carry guests in their gondolas, with halls decorated with Venetian molding and paintings by Venetian masters. Everything here breathes Venice and, naturally, disposes to the game. The luxurious halls of the Venetian Macao have 800 gaming tables and about 3,500 slot machines.

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Everything You Need To Know About CIPP Lining

When it comes to repairing water and waste pipes in present times, Cured-In-Place Lining is by far the most technologically advanced technique. The installation process for the same works on the principle of creating a pipe within the pipe with the help of trenchless technology. When one works with the CIPP lining process, he can expect the resulting pipeline to be loaded with several benefits instead of when he uses the traditional pipe repair process and the related replacement techniques. Working of CIPP The first step of the CIPP installation is cleaning out the pipe. If one tries to attempt the installation without cleaning the pipe, it will result in a failed pipe restoration. The resin will be able to coat it evenly and cure it only if the line is clean. If corrosion, grease, or rust is found, cleaners can remove it using abrasive cleaning methods. After ensuring that the pipe is clean, the technicians will proceed to insert a video camera inside the pipe to search for sources of damage. This information is crucial since it will tell them where they need to make the repairs. A fundamental advantage of CIPP liners is that you have both options: to repair not such big areas of damage or repair the whole pipe length in one go. After the technicians have determined the area which needs repairs, they start inserting a tube coated with layers of repair material into the pipe. Subsequently, they prepare a balloon or bladder and put it inside the line. This ensures that the tube is held in place against the pipe. The bladder has coated the damaged pipe with the required repair material and will keep it until it cures. With most materials, one can expect the pipe to cure in around two to three hours. The technician removes the balloon and deflates it once the material is completely dried. They might insert the video camera once again to check whether the process was successful and sealed the damage. There should be a solid and durable pipe instead of the old one, which was not in good condition. When we compare trenching and CIPP lining, we find that the latter provides several benefits compared to the former. There might be some situations where CIPP liners might not be the solution for specific problems; one can look towards trenchless solutions for such cases. Consult some of the experts in trenchless pipe solutions to perform a diagnosis of your water system before you decide which method of repair or replacement you would like to go for. Identification of sewage problems When we compare sewage issues with other ones, we discover that they are relatively easier to identify. You should not ignore the first signs of a leaking sewage system. The more you ignore them, the worse the damage can become. Naturally, you might not know when there are problems. However, you can learn what things to take care of and when to seek professional help. Funny sounds In the scenario that you hear the sound of water gushing but can’t seem to find the source, it might be that there is a leak in either your sewer pipes or building. Squishy floor When you step on your floor, and it makes a squishy sound or feels spongy, it might have happened due to a sewage leak. When an issue arises with the link to the sewer main, the water seeps close to the connection, which results in the floor getting filled with moisture. Bad odor Although it is known that sewage does not have a pleasant smell, but some foul odors in your house might arise from mold and mildew that flourish with the help of sewage leaks. These odors might be detectable outdoors too. Rodent woes Rodents are attracted to the odor of leaking sewer lines. It might be too late before you notice the issue, and they have arrived in large numbers drawn by the smell. If you cannot pinpoint any other reason for the rodent problem, it is definitely a sewer leakage. Cracks present in the foundation When sewer lines drip, they cause pooling in the soil present around your home. This leads to the shifting of the house and the development of cracks in the foundation. It might also result in damage in driveways, concrete patios, and sidewalks. Why choose CIPP trenchless pipeliners? Even though traditional trench methods might seem a cheaper option, this is not the case. When the actual costs are computed, CIPP lining appears to be a better option economically. CIPP pipelines can work for several types and sizes of pipes. You need not think about the size or placement of the original line. CIPP pipeliners are a much safer option for you and the workers. There is less risk of exposure to several dangerous natural elements. Plagiarism Report:

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4 Garage Remodeling Mistakes You Must Avoid

A garage is one of the best multi-functional places on every property. It isn’t just a place to safely keep your car and bike. When correctly designed, it makes an excellent storage space for various things, including Christmas decorations, ski gear, fishing equipment, etc. You can even convert the garage into a workshop to hone your woodworking skills. Or you could use it as a place to carry out handiwork, such as repairing or redesigning household appliances and electrical equipment. Irrespective of how you use your garage, there will come a point when you’d want to remodel it. Perhaps you’d like to add more storage cabinets and upgrade your workbench. Or you might want to improve its aesthetics and better utilize the available space. As with any home improvement project, remodeling your garage isn’t a cakewalk. It requires thorough planning and tremendous hard work. Also, you’ll have to select high-quality and durable materials, including storage shelves, cabinets, and paint. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes you need to watch out for when remodeling your garage. Let’s take a look. 1. Treating It As A DIY Renovation Project Here’s the thing – remodeling a garage isn’t as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint on the walls. From installing new doors and windows to changing the electrical wiring – it involves various complex tasks. Also, depending on the extent of the project, you might have to re-construct certain sections of the garage. Unless you’ve got the combined skills of a handyman, electrician, carpenter, mason, and painter, it’s wiser to avoid the DIY route. Instead, you should recruit a professional garage remodeling company that has the necessary tools, resources, and manpower to complete the project. Make sure you recruit a reputed and trustworthy remodeling company. Check their website and ask for a few references before hiring them. Evaluate their online reviews and find out whether they’ve worked on similar projects. Also, ask them about the duration and type of warranty they provide on their services. 2. Starting Without a Plan You can’t just dive into a remodeling project without a plan. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up with mediocre results and a garage that’s far from what you’d expected to build. Worse still, you might even consider abandoning the project mid-way. That’s why it is always a good idea to devise a concrete plan before you start rebuilding the garage. If you’ve sought professional help, chances are your vendor will provide you with a timeline of the project. Make sure you coordinate with them to handle various tasks, such as making alternate storage arrangements for the equipment, tools, and other knick-knacks you’ve been keeping in the garage. Also, you need to figure out where you’re going to keep your car and other vehicles while the garage is being worked upon. The key is to ensure that not having access to your garage for a few weeks won’t disrupt routine life in your household. This is also a good time to check with your vendor and find out whether they’ve designed a floorplan for the garage. A robust floor plan will come in handy for optimizing storage space, as well as ensuring that the garage serves all purposes it’s intended for. 3. Ignoring the Floors If you’re remodeling your garage for the first time, it’s natural to focus all your attention on the walls, shelves, cabinets, and other superficial elements. However, in this process, you might be ignoring one of the most crucial aspects of your garage, i.e. the flooring. The quality of flooring in your garage plays a key role in determining its longevity and usability. That’s why you should make it a point to use high-quality garage floor paint. While you’ll find various types of garage floor paint options, epoxy floor paint is the ideal choice because of its strength and durability. It’s resistant to stains and doesn’t chip as easily. In addition to the type of floor paint, it’s also crucial to select a reliable and trusted supplier. If you’re looking for top-notch garage floor paint, you can check out the options available at Promain Paints (https://www.promain.co.uk/floor-paints-and-coatings/garage-floor-paint.html). 4. Not Optimizing Storage Space One of the main reasons you’re remodeling your garage is to create more storage space. However, if you restrict yourself to simple cabinets, you’re likely not going to utilize the entire available space. Instead, you should look for ways to install shelves in obscure corners that can’t be used for any other purpose. Also, you should explore options to utilize overhead storage. What strategy would you use to remodel your garage? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

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Why Homebuilders Should Focus on Smart Technology

According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 2019 was a bumper year for housebuilding. Statistics show that almost a quarter of a million new homes were built between 2019 to 2020, the highest number since 1987. The thing is, some of those new properties weren’t particularly built with a focus on smart technology – and that’s a trend that seems to be continuing. Here’s why that’s going to be a problem in the not-so-distant future and why homebuilders should apply more focus on that: Consumers Want More Automation There was once a time where smart technology incorporated into new properties got considered a luxury. However, as with many things that evolve over time, smart technology has become commonplace in today’s modern world. Today’s homebuyers want to purchase properties that offer a plethora of home automation technology. They want their homes to make their daily lives easier and more efficient. For example, they might want living room control panels with tactile switches that are also controllable and customisable via a smartphone app. They might also want garage doors that open automatically whenever they arrive home from a long day at work. IoT Technology Is Becoming More Commonplace The use of IoT (Internet of Things) devices in people’s homes have become more widespread in recent years as consumers move towards home automation. For instance, smart doorbells like the Ring Doorbell offer a rich blend of extra security and convenience. There are also products like the Nest Thermostat that make it simpler to manage home heating controls. Everything in such products is manageable by a simple smartphone app and is a far cry from the “old school” wall thermostats installed by heating engineers. Tomorrow’s homebuilders must take on board that IoT technology is here to stay and will only become more commonplace across the UK. With that in mind, it makes sense to incorporate such technology in new builds. New Builds Need  EV Charging Points There’s no getting away from the fact that car manufacturers can only sell new hybrid petrol and diesel cars from 2030. In 2035, the government will even ban those, so consumers can only purchase electric vehicles (EVs) from that year. Future new builds should incorporate EV charging points for homebuyers to use, especially smart chargers that remotely indicate to those homebuyers when a charging cycle is complete. EV charging points outside new builds is a significant selling point to potential homebuyers, especially those investing in EV technology for their transport needs. Consumers Want to Save Money Lastly, people have always wanted to save money; that’s not a new fact. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that homebuyers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and they want to save money while being greener. Perhaps the best example is installing solar energy solutions, such as photovoltaic cells on roofs to create ‘free’ electricity from the sun. Tomorrow’s new builds should incorporate such solar energy solutions if homebuilders want to market their properties to the widest audiences.

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6 Ways To Take Care of your Swimming Pool

We all love swimming in a clean swimming pool. Clean here means the water should be crystal clear and free of any bacteria that may be harmful to you. Keeping your swimming pool clean is never a walk in the park if you don’t have some tips for doing it. If you need chemical free pool & hot tub cleaning services, you can reach out to Waters Choice for the best water pool care services. In his article, we will share some proven ways to take care of your swimming pool like a pro. 1. Check water level If your swimming pool water runs low, you should use a garden horse to add more water. In case there is a massive storm and your swimming pool overflow, you can use a pump to drain some water. Ensure you keep the water level at the recommended level and check if you need a permit to fill in a pool. 2. Soak unwanted oils    If there are unwanted oils in your swimming pool, you can use a tennis ball to soak them all. Grease gets into your pool from sunscreen, hair products, and suntan lotion. Just throw a tennis ball inside your pool and allow it to soak for some time to remove the oil. 3. Power-wash the pool As days go, your pool deck will become dirty. To keep all the germs and bacteria away, you should always clean the deck and keep it dry when you can. 4. Regular check-up Your swimming pool will still need regular maintenance even when you clean it regularly. You can call a swimming pool expert to check your pool at least once a year and ensure everything runs smoothly. To increase the overall performance of your swimming pool, you should schedule regular maintenance. 5. Clean the skimmers every day Sometimes, larger debris from the swimming pool gets trapped in the systems, and you need to ensure they remain open and clear. Empty some water from the pool in case of rainfall. Also, you can backwash the filters to remove any debris and built-up grit that may damage them.  Use the swimming pool pump to remove the debris in the filters. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the swimming pool pump. 6. Maintain pool chemistry If you want your swimming pool to serve you for long and ensure it is clean round the clock, you must maintain the right chemical range. When taking care of your swimming pool, you have to look into factors like the pH level and total alkalinity.  Check the chlorine level, metal sequestrant, and algaecide of the pool regularly. Always ensure you test your swimming pool every day to test ensure optimum chemistry. Final Thoughts  There are many ways to keep your swimming pool clean and free of bacteria and germs. You have to maintain proper pool chemistry by using the right chemicals in your pool. You can reach out to a professional to help maintain and repair your swimming pool in case of any issue.

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Why pop-up restaurants are here to stay

Head to any UK town or city and you’ll come across a pop-up restaurant. Unlike traditional restaurants that tend to serve tried and tested cuisines they know people love, like pub grub, Italian, and Chinese, pop-up restaurants often include more experimental dishes. If you’re a budding a chef, who has the skills, tastebuds, and even the cookware to get started, but are still unsure if a pop-up restaurant is for you, we’ve got some interesting facts and figures that might just persuade you to take the plunge. What is a pop-up restaurant? A pop-up restaurant is a place where customers can get food for a limited time at a temporary location. They can be open to the public or in an event setting. Pop-up restaurants can be in situ for a few hours or a few months. Why pop-up restaurants are so popular? Pop-ups are a relatively inexpensive way for a chef to get their name out to the public or help establish the restaurant brand in a new area. Established restaurants can benefit from pop-ups by trialling a new concept or new menu. One of the great things about pop-up restaurants is that they give chefs the chance to test their new dishes on the actual public. This is especially helpful for younger chefs with low amounts of capital who aren’t able to use kitchen facilities without risking bankruptcy. Pop-up restaurants also allow owners to test the brand model at a much lower cost. Another benefit of pop-ups is that they allow you to be flexible with pricing to a certain extent. You can experiment with flat tickets, prix fixe menus (which is the favoured pricing for most pop-ups). Unlike a la carte menu pricing, prix fix allows you to charge a set amount per head. How 2020 impacted the industry When millions of restaurants around the world closed their doors last year, you may be forgiven in thinking the food and beverage sector was obliterated. But in fact, it highlighted how many of our social interactions are centred around good food. According to Companies House, takeaway food shops and mobile food stands accounted for 9,062 new businesses. Pop-up restaurants are opening up everywhere, from parks to warehouses, private gardens and pedestrianised streets – and it’s a trend that looks set to stay. Covid-19 forced nearly every sector of enterprise to rethink their role and business model, and the restaurant industry is no different. With more than 172,217 empty commercial buildings in the UK, there’s a real opportunity for landlords to embrace the pop-up trend. The constant change in inhabitants will also have a knock-on effect for the wider community in bringing people back into town and city centres.

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Protecting Your Home or Business with Sandbags

Some bags, some sand, and a whole bunch of manpower.  Even though we live in a digital era, sandbags will still be around for a long time to fight against storms and floods. But why is the simple design of a sandbag still a common flood-protection method? There are three reasons for this: they are cheap, easy to use, and efficient at diverting floodwater when used properly. A simple sandbag flood barrier can be built by almost anyone with a shovel and the right materials due to their low cost and simplicity of use. While a sandbag barrier does not ensure a watertight seal, when filled and built correctly, it may serve as a barrier to redirect flowing water away from houses. However, they work best when combined with polyethylene (plastic) sheeting. Burlap or plastic bags may be used. Burlap bags degrade after use, while plastic bags can be reused. A sandbagging machine can be very helpful when you have very little time to prepare against a sudden flood. Where Should Filled Sandbags be Placed? Sandbags should be placed over drains in the shower, bath, and laundry areas, as well as over floor dumps, to reduce the backflow of water into your home or company. They should be put in front of brickwork vents, doorways, and roller doors, among other things. Smaller vents may be sealed with waterproof plastic or tape. Each toilet should be filled with one small plastic bag of sand-weighted down by one larger sandbag to block water backflow. A sandbag wall might not be necessary if your business or home is constructed on an elevated concrete slab. It is an exception if the building is built on fibrous cement sheets or wooden materials. Consider how trapped floodwater could be separated from between the building and the sandbag wall before installing a sandbag wall. Pumps, siphons, and bailing buckets are some of the tools you might need to drain the water. A small sandbag wall should be constructed around all of your doorways. The number of layers is usually two sandbag rows high, but this can differ depending on how high the floodwaters are expected to rise. One open doorway should be available for entering and exiting your home or company. This can be accomplished by erecting a barrier that allows you to open the door. The images below illustrate this.  The ‘Science’ of Constructing a Sandbag Wall Here are a few tips and tricks when constructing a sandbag wall. Remove any debris from the area where the wall will be constructed. Sandbags need to be level, so don’t build on uneven terrain. Place the sandbags lengthwise/parallel to the water flow direction. Ensure that the bag’s open end is folded under the filled part. To remove holes, establish a tight seal, and support the wall’s framework, flatten each row of bags with your foot. Arrange the bags in a brickwork pattern, with each bag overlapping the one below by half an inch. When the wall is four or more rows high, construct the wall in a pyramid shape; it must be three times wider than it is tall. Seal the wall on the ‘wet’ side with plastic sheeting sealed with a row of sandbags around the top and around the bottom edge for added safety. The ‘Science’ of Sandbag Filling Here are a few tips and tricks when filling sandbags for your wall. Sandbags must be filled by two persons wearing gloves, steel toe cap shoes, and protective glasses if the sand is dry. With knees slightly flexed, one person should position the empty bag between or slightly next to widely spread feet. To allow the other person to empty a circular shovel of sand, fold the bag’s neck to form a collar. Make sure the bag isn’t too full. Carrying, compacting, and forming a sealed frame is difficult. So, one-half to two-thirds of the capacity of the bags should be filled. Sandbags that aren’t tied are easier to stack. Fold the top edge of the bag over the top of the wall, leaving space for the sand to flow around and seal the wall. If you intend to move the bags, bind them near the top of the bag to accommodate for sifting the sand. Calculating the Number of Sandbags Needed To account for water level variability, create the wall at least 1 foot higher than the expected crest level. The amount of freeboard to provide will be determined by local experience. The US Army Corps of Engineers suggests constructing a wall with a base diameter three times the height of the dike. A 4-foot-high wall, for example, will have a base width of 12 feet. According to the corps, one bag is required for each foot of completed wall length, three bags are required for each foot of height, and three bags are required for each 2.5 foot of width. As a result, each bag is approximately 4 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 14 inches long. You can calculate the number of bags needed per linear foot of wall with a base width three times the height using the equation below.  N = (3 x H) + (9 x H x H) / 2 Where, N = necessary number of bags per linear foot of wall H = Height of the dike (feet) Filled Sandbag Disposal and Storage All sandbags which have been exposed to flood waters should be thrown away. Handle the sandbags with caution, as they may contain hazardous contaminants, chemicals, or waste.  Some sandbags that have not been exposed to chemicals or flood water may be used as topsoil on lawns or gardens instead of being flushed down drainage gutters. Your local government might be able to give you additional guidance about how to dispose of your polluted sandbags. Contact them from your local phonebook or their official website. If you are stocking sandbags for some occasion, bear in mind that they can rot if they’re wet or damp. Sandbags

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Steps to Follow If You Were in Manhattan on 9/11

September 11 of 2001, now simply referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in American history. The incidents of that day, in which several commercial planes were hijacked and used for suicide attacks, left close to 3,000 people dead and thousands more injured, with the bulk of those figures centered around the destruction and collapse of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. The incident itself caused a lot of death and destruction, and the recovery process for the city of New York and the nation itself was a long one. Even now, many years after the incident, the effects of 9/11 can still be felt in more ways than one, and in recent times, studies have shown that those who were present in Manhattan around that time are at a higher risk of many types of cancer. In the wake of these developments, many people who were present in the Manhattan area on or after September 11, perhaps working in the area or living nearby at the time, have begun to worry about their own health and want to know what to do next. This guide will cover all of the key information you need to know regarding the right steps to take. The Basics Before we get into the steps you should follow to potentially make claims, get medical care, and even potentially receive compensation for cancer connected to 9/11, it’s important to go over the basics of the situation in order to understand your rights and what you may or may not be entitled to. You can find various resources regarding this matter online. As a brief overview, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is the main fund to be aware of. This was actually set up shortly after the attacks of 9/11 but is still paying out and accepting claims today as research reveals more about the long-lasting risks and threats posed by the attacks. By learning more about this, you’ll be better prepared to make your claims and proceed. Remain Calm and Speak with Your Doctor Even though you may be at a higher risk of cancer because of your presence in the Lower Manhattan area during September of 2001, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are or will become ill. There are many people who were present at the time and who have gone on to enjoy perfectly healthy lives, so it’s important to try to remain calm and speak with your doctor to learn more about the situation, rather than panicking or jumping to conclusions. Many people are naturally worried about their health after learning about these findings, but speaking with a doctor can provide you with some much-needed clarity on the situation. A doctor may also be able to run tests and checks to identify any signs of illness too, as well as suggesting lifestyle alterations or treatment options to improve your health if needed. Speak to a Lawyer When it comes to making claims and seeking compensation, it’s usually best to contact professionals. So as well as speaking with a doctor, it’s also recommended that you contact a legal professional too. There are various legal firms out there that specialize in helping people who may be suffering from health issues connected to the incidents of 9/11. These attorneys will be able to answer questions you might have on the matter, clarifying any confusion and helping you make the right decisions, and contact the right people. They can also help with your claim applications and any appeals you might need to make if your claim gets rejected, as well as aiding with the process of gathering the evidence you need to support your claim, as you’ll need to provide documents and other evidence to show you were actually in the area at the time. Final Word Those who were present in Lower Manhattan on or after the events of September 11 2001 may have been exposed to the large dust cloud that formed in the area when the attacks occurred. This cloud was filled with a range of potentially harmful elements and particles, including asbestos, jet fuel, and more. Unfortunately, as studies have shown, the long-term risks of such exposure can be very damaging, but by contacting a lawyer, speaking with a doctor, and making a claim, you can get some degree of justice and compensation. So don’t suffer in silence; contact the right people today and get the help you need.

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7 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Mining Job

Mining can be a difficult yet rewarding profession. You need to consider relocation, long working hours, skill set, and understand the different types of mining There are many job opportunities in the mining industry. Mining is digging out valuable materials from underground where it is usually located. The common items that we get from mining are metals, coals, limestone, chalk, potash, gravel, and clay, etc. There are almost always openings for jobs as miners and the opportunities are promising too. For these lucrative opportunities, many people are now eager to get degrees in mining and take up mining as their profession. Before you want to start your career as a miner, you need to know a few things. But first, let us look at the different types of mining and how they work. Different Types Of Mining There are Four Main Types of Mining and all fall under these four categories. 1. Underground Mining As the name suggests, underground mining is to excavate expensive and valuable materials from under the surface of the earth. It is the process of digging deeper into the ground and extracting large amounts of ores and mines where they are deposited. The valuable part of these ores is then dug up while the waste and lesser valuable rocks and materials are left below. 2. Surface Mining This is the opposite of underground mining. Instead of digging deeper into the earth’s layer, surface mining gathers valuable materials that are present right at the surface of the earth. To get the materials, trees and bedrocks are removed so that the valuables present in shallow depths can be found. 3. Placer Mining Placer mining is usually done on riverbeds, sands, or areas that have high sediment. Whenever there are precious materials found in riverbeds or areas with high sediments or sands they are rinsed with water or wind and then collected, this method of extraction is known as Placer Mining. 4. In-situ Mining This is also referred to as Solution mining. Unlike other methods, this does not work by digging or bringing up materials from the surface, riverbed or underground. Instead, in this method, chemicals are poured into the ores to make a dissolved solution of the ores. Then the dissolved solution, known as “Pregnant Solution” is pumped up into the surface. The solution is processed, and the raw material is recovered. Things To Know Before Starting A Mining Job 1. You Might Need To Relocate Mining is a very location-specific job. It can only be done where mines and ores are found. So if you are living in an area that does not have any mines and ores nearby, then it will be hard to get a mining job. If you however wish to get a job in the mining sector, then move to a place near mines and ores. So relocation can be an issue that you need to consider. 2. Mining Has Long Working Hours Unlike other jobs, mining does not follow the daily 6-7 hour working schedule. Sometimes you will find yourself working very late at night or start your day very early in the morning. Since the mining industries are always open, it requires miners to be active at all times and for a long period as well.  Not only working long shifts, but miners are also expected to work for long consecutive days, even 10-14 days without any off or vacation days. 3. The Skill Sets Required Mining is a job that is only suitable for highly skilled people. So only a qualified person can get a miner job. Since mining is a complex process and technology is also advancing, miners also need to have higher levels of skills and qualifications. So, recruiters look to hire people who have graduated from a mining school or have a degree in mining. 4. The Health Risks Are Higher Than Other Jobs Mining requires you to work in difficult situations. Sometimes, circumstances might get risky, and you will have certain health hazards. For example, during underground mining, you might come across toxic gasses and increased heat, while the tools you work with are also dangerous. So you need to be aware of these health hazards. But luckily, advanced technology and protective gear have reduced such risks by a great margin. 5. Salary Of The Job You need to consider the salary of the job as a miner. We have so far seen the negative sides of mining as a profession like long work shifts and health hazards, but the salaries make up for it. Even as a starting job, the salary of a miner can be as much as $35,000, increasing up to $85,000 after two or three years of experience. 6. A Great Workplace For Women As Well In the past, women were considered to bring bad luck if they were seen working in mining. So the whole mining industry was dominated by men. But as things have changed, women are also getting involved in mining. There are many great opportunities for women in this field. So, being a woman, should not hold you back from mining. 7. The Recent Setbacks In Mining Although there is always an opportunity in mining, things have seen some setbacks in recent years. This is because most recruiters are now looking for temporary miners who work only on one project. So long-term miners are having difficulty. But that does not mean there are fewer opportunities. The only downside is that the working contract is mostly based on individual projects and not long-term contracts. Final Thoughts Many people might think that mining as a profession is very difficult, and few people are suitable for it. Though some part of it is true, since miners need to have higher stamina than others, mining is still a great opportunity for job seekers. Hopefully, this article has helped if you are eager to start your first mining job.

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