Author: Sydney Cobbs

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation And Does Your Home Need It?

Sydney Cobbs

When your house rests over a crawl space, it becomes the home of many pests and insects. Crawl space encapsulation can create a clean, dry area free from pests and mold that affect the air in your house.

What Are The Benefits Of Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation controls the airflow and humidity. When the moisture is high, mold grows. Humidity that is too high can cause damage to the wood under and around your house.

When you seal the area under your house, it will reduce water seepage, which causes mold to grow on surfaces.

It helps to eliminate water condensation. In the summer, warm, moist air blows through traditional crawling spaces and encounters cold drains. Condensation occurs and drips onto the floor, forming a puddle. This moisture dramatically increases the humidity and fuels the growth of mold.

Up to half of the air in the house comes from the crawl space.  Encapsulation will improve the health of the air. 

Due to the low humidity and accessibility, insects, termites, and rodents are less of a problem. A monitor in the crawl space also helps homeowners know precisely how high the humidity is and what they can do in case it is too high. 

Why do you have a Crawl Space?

Crawl spaces were built to buffer the house and the damp, wet earth below. This seemed to make sense, especially since they were also a convenient place to put utility cables and ductwork used to circulate air throughout the house.

Instead of serving as a buffer, crawl spaces actually collect water and create humid air. This humid environment introduces a number of problems, including mold and mildew, musty odors, and moist sills and framing that can lead to structural damage and pest infestations.

In recent years, the ability to track a home’s heating and cooling efficiency and air quality have shed light on the need for crawl space encapsulation. 

Open crawl spaces will need to be inspected by a technician to see if encapsulation will help you.

How Encapsulation Works

First, you must clean the area very well. Cleaning involves sweeping the space out, removing debris and any pests. During cleaning, the technical can use pest deterrent methods to help with any issues.

Next, you must attach the moisture barrier evenly on the floor joists to the foundations using a seal tape. You may need to install a dehumidifier to help remove any moisture that is already there. A remote humidity monitor will help you keep track of conditions in the crawl space. 

Who Should Encapsulate?

Although anyone with a crawl space can encapsulate, people living in humid and wet areas will benefit the most. Due to high humidity and moisture levels, mildew and mold multiply in dark crawl spaces.

Whenever you notice any signs of mold in or around your home, call an expert to remove the mold and have your crawl space encapsulated. If you live with someone susceptible to allergies, protect their health and encapsulate the house. Health is more important than the price you will pay for encapsulating.

How to Find the Right Lawyer for You and Your Business

Sydney Cobbs

Business owners hire an attorney for different reasons, such as licenses or litigation. An excellent attorney works closely with companies, regardless of the situation. Finding the right business lawyer can be challenging, especially for new entrepreneurs. Capable attorneys bring valuable skills and experience needed to help you be successful in your business.

5 Ways to Find a Suitable Business Lawyer

Enterprises have different needs that require the help of an attorney. Some might be trying to merge or acquire new businesses, and others need a lawyer to guide them through business succession and offshore services.

Choosing an attorney requires deliberation and a plan before settling for one. Here are five ways to find a suitable business lawyer.

1.    Experience Matters

Business owners should consider experience when looking for a business attorney. During the initial consultation, it might be helpful to know how long the lawyer has been working. Entrepreneurs can also inquire if the legal expert has handled similar cases before.

Start-ups might want to work with an attorney who can negotiate contracts and choose the proper business structure. An experienced lawyer can speed up legal issues for the business to start operating within a short time.

2.    Mode of Communication

Lawyers have different communication preferences. Some would prefer to meet their clients in person, and other attorneys email or text clients based on their schedules. Businesses should know who within the law firm will be their primary contact.

An excellent legal counsel should discuss a convenient mode of communication with a client. Availability shows an attorney is responsible and reliable, and businesses deserve timely updates about their cases.

3.    Fees Structure

Enterprises should pick lawyers with a pocket-friendly fee structure that aligns with the business’ budget. Business attorneys need to talk about their hourly rates and mode of payment from the start. If it is a fixed amount, a client should have all the details before closing the deal.

The arrangement could also be a contingent fee, retainer agreement, or equity in a business. Charges will depend on the case at hand and the attorney’s experience. A trusted attorney explains to a client all the general expenses at the initial consult to prevent surprises.

4.    Resources are Crucial

A lawyer who can bring additional resources to the table is beneficial. Businesses with special needs can take advantage of a legal firm’s strategic partners and trade associations. Aspiring entrepreneurs can meet potential customers if the law firm hosts webinars.

Some lawyers might be willing to introduce current clients to their past clients. As a result, businesses in different niches can network and help each other grow.

5.    Recommendations

Business owners can seek the right lawyer among friends, family, or other entrepreneurs. Legal counsel in other fields might be able to help in the search. Trustworthy lawyers come from personal references. 

After finding three or four attorneys, it might be beneficial to research them. Reviews, practice areas, and testimonials can provide helpful information.

Companies can also choose a lawyer based on their locations for convenience. Small enterprises, start-ups, and multinational corporations in White Plains, NY, and throughout Westchester county that need a business lawyer can rely on Khader Law for legal help.

What You Will Need To Tell The Supplier When Ordering Film Cores

Sydney Cobbs

Are you a B2B business looking to order film cores from paper core manufacturers? Film cores help you manage the pressures of winding, unwinding, handling, and storing different film types. As you contact your supplier, think about your needs and how certain film cores can help you meet them.

As they say at Crescent Paper Tube, “Go with film cores that are durable and meet your exact specifications. This helps enhance your packaging process and makes your business more productive overall.” 

Today, we’ll discuss a few things you need to tell the supplier when ordering film cores. This ensures you’re getting exactly what you want when it comes to film core material.

Choose The Right Type Of Film Core

Film cores come in many shapes and materials. They can be made of cardboard, plastic, glazed cardboard, or customized. As for film core shapes, they can be circular like you would find when storing movie reels. Other film core types are tube-shaped, as seen with artworks that go through the mail. 

When choosing film cores, make sure that they’re the best fit for your industry. Whether you work in a medical lab or the ag sector, you’ll want to have cores that contain the right material. This will help you best meet the exact needs of your industry work. Also, keep the desires of your customers in mind. This gives you a better idea of which film cores you should use for your products.

Whatever your choice, tell your supplier what you want in terms of film core shape and material.

Make Sure The Film Core Diameter Is the Right Size

There are two things to keep in mind as you choose the right diameter for your film core.

  • The product roll
  • The size of the packaging you’ve chosen

The diameter of a film core can range from less than an inch to several feet across. The appropriate length of diameter depends on what you’re rolling and the type of product you’re producing.

You’ll want to choose a film core diameter that’s wide enough for your product’s roll. If your cores are to be rolled and packaged into boxes, they must fit into that packaging too. Always keep these details in mind when consulting with paper core manufacturers.

Make Sure The Film Core Has The Right Length

When it comes to film core lengths, you need to be as exact as you can. Film cores can be as short as three inches or as long as ten feet. As mentioned earlier, it all depends on the type of product you’re placing on the core. 

One important thing you should know is that you never want to order the wrong core length. This can result in two things that could negatively impact you.

  • Your product could end up being unsupported by the core.
  • Too much core could stick out at both ends of the rolled product.

That’s why you must follow this two-step process so that you’re able to meet your needs.

  1. Research the functional length of the product your company wants to package and sell.
  2. Select and order the right-sized length of film cores based on that research.

Following these steps will help ensure you’re getting the exact amount of film cores needed to meet your business goals.

Order The Right Number Of Film Cores

Are you someone who needs several hundred cores for your main products? Perhaps you have a limited edition product that will require only a dozen cores. Regardless, ask yourself these two questions to gain a better picture of your company’s needs.

  • How much product does your company produce daily?
  • Do you have enough room to store all the extra cores you need in a month?

Whatever your situation is, this will help determine the right amount of film cores you should order for your business.

Keep The Workflow Organized To Ensure A Proper Industrial Shipment Process

When reaching out to your paper core manufacturers, make sure that your workflow organization is a top priority. Make sure you’re taking the right steps in managing your logistics process. This will help you keep better track of your film cores.

A great way to achieve this is to put together a barcode and tracking system. This gives you the ability to know exactly where your cores are being stored and transported at all times. You’ll also be able to manage your storage space better and be on top of your shipments.

That’s why you’ll need to ensure you and your supplier are on the same page in terms of the workflow process.   

Choose Paper Core Manufacturers That Will Best Enhance Your Business Processes 

When ordering film cores, you always want to communicate with your supplier what your exact needs are. Make sure that your paper cores are of the right size, quantity, and quality. You also need to take steps to ensure your shipping process is efficient throughout. These tips will go a long way in helping you meet your most urgent business needs.

As you consider paper core manufacturers like Crescent Paper Tube, make sure they offer your business customized film core options. This will help make your workflow process more efficient and make your business more productive overall.

Why You Need a Commercial Backup Generator For Your Business

Sydney Cobbs

No matter what line of work you’re in, power outages can put a damper on your operations. Whether you’re concerned about a possible emergency situation or just want peace of mind, a backup generator can allow you to rest easy. Be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way by hiring a commercial generator installation service.

Power Through Power Outages

Perhaps most importantly, backup generators allow you to get back to work without missing a beat. You’ll be able to stay in contact with customers over the phone, email, or through other virtual means of communication. Some businesses, like hospitals, restaurants, and banks, rely heavily on generators to assist them in the event of a power outage. Backup generators allow essential businesses and those that operate around the clock to serve the clients who need them.

Avoid Lapses in Security

When your power goes out, your company becomes more vulnerable to thieves. This is especially true during a natural disaster when employees may be at home. With security cameras down and lights out, storms and other power outages present the perfect environment for criminal activity. However, a backup generator keeps the hallways bright, security tapes running, and fire alarm in good working order. 

A Note on Electronic Data

In addition to physical security concerns, these days electronic data is just as important. You don’t want to risk hard drives getting wiped or losing important information from your business’s servers. By installing a commercial generator, you ensure no power interruption is going to erase hours of hard work, according to the experts at Virginia Power Solutions.

Peace of Mind

Along with the obvious benefits during emergency circumstances, a commercial backup generator can also provide you with peace of mind in your daily life. Backup generators are clean, safe appliances. You have the ability to customize your generator to fit your needs and power specifications. The backup generator will also automatically switch on and off according to changes in the power grid, meaning you can rest easy – your machine will do all the work!

Say Goodbye to Power Interruptions

Because your backup generator can transition between power sources seamlessly, your systems won’t experience any interruption in operation. All electronic systems and air conditioning will be kept running at all times. Plus, if you have a sump pump or sewage pump, it will remain fully operational. This feature is important during natural disasters like hurricanes when you’re trying to avoid water damage to your business.

A Semi-Long-Term Solution

If you do find yourself needing to run your generator for days on end, never fear. While backup generators are not designed to be operational all year round (they are, after all, backup), they have no difficulty handling extended power outages. As long as you have enough liquid propane or natural gas to keep the device powered, it can last until power is eventually restored.

Interested in Commercial Generator Installation Service?

Power outages cost the American economy millions of dollars each year. Don’t let your business fall victim to the power grid! Contact a commercial generator installation service to ensure your business is fully prepared to weather the next storm.

6 Questions to Ask a Court Reporter

Sydney Cobbs

Finding a deposition reporter with experience in their field can be a challenge. And that’s especially true if you’ve never had to hire a court reporter before. Different court reporting firms provide various types of services at varying fee rates. They’re not all the same. To ensure you’re getting the services you need, consider asking the following six questions before signing a service contract. 

1. Are Your Court Reporters Certified?

Certification is regulated by each state. Therefore, it’s important to understand your state’s requirements and make certain your potential hire complies with whatever licensing and certification is appropriate for your area. If no state certification is required, certification from the National Court Reporters Association is an alternative that shows you can trust the court reporter is a trained professional.

2. How Much Will it Cost?

Of course, you should ask how much the court reporting services will cost! It’s understandable that costs depend on the exact services provided, so be sure you represent your needs clearly. A reputable reporting firm should be able to provide you with rates for transcript, travel, and appearance fees. It’s fair to expect a transparent estimate before signing a service contract. If a company seems hesitant to provide that information, consider it a red flag and take your business somewhere else.

3. How Much Advance Time do you Need?

Some circumstances require you to hire a court reporter without much notice. While it may not always be possible to fulfill last-minute requests, a busy reporting firm that works with several reporters will usually be able to accommodate you. But for everyone’s benefit, it’s best to be upfront with your timeline.

4. Do You Provide Realtime Services?

Not every deposition reporter is equipped with the technology or the training to provide Real-time reporting. With this advanced service, the reporter converts their stenographic notes into text, providing involved parties with immediate “in real-time” access to the testimonies being given. Even if you don’t need real-time services for this hearing, it’s helpful to know where you can find them in the future. 

5. When Will I Receive the Transcript?

Transcripts are typically available within a few days after a deposition. If a firm seems hesitant to provide a clear timeline, consider it a red flag. A reputable court reporting firm will clarify when transcripts will be finished and may also be able to provide expedited or same-day transcripts. 

How To Combat Hard Water On Your Glass Shower Enclosure

Sydney Cobbs

Glass shower enclosures are more resistant to mold than curtains are, making them an excellent choice for your shower. However, if hard water comes out of your showerhead, it can make the surface of your glass shower enclosure appear unsightly. Luckily, with the help of a glass glazing company, there are some ways to combat the effects of hard water on your shower enclosure.

Clean the Glass Doors

Because hard water contains a higher mineral count than soft water, you may notice a buildup on the doors. This buildup of soap scum and water spots is a direct result of mineral residue. When soap mixes with the minerals in the water, it forms an insoluble substance that leaves streaks on the glass. Over time, this scum can accumulate in the crevices of your shower tiles. It also has the potential to negatively affect the framework of the doors. The impacts of soap scum are one reason to consider custom frameless shower enclosures.

Otherwise, you’ll want to stay on top of cleaning. Using an environmentally friendly glass cleaner after each shower can make a world of difference toward eliminating water spots and soap scum. Of course, you’ll still want to perform deeper cleanings on a routine basis as well. Vinegar-water solutions can help clear soap scum from your shower doors. Simply combine the mixture with a bit of dish soap, spray it on the door, then use rags to thoroughly scrub off the scum. There are several other DIY cleaning solutions you can find online as well.

Install Frosted Glass

It may not be realistic for every homeowner to clean the shower doors after each use. If you find yourself in this position, don’t fret; there are other solutions out there. By installing frosted glass panes, for example, you can hide the signs of hard water in between cleanings. Frosted glass panes allow for decent lighting in the shower area, but the textured panes make it more difficult to notice water spots and soap scum. You can work with a professional to customize your glass to mask hard water spots. If you feel so inclined, you can even have your doors designed with intricate patterns, including flowers, motifs, or other designs.

Consider Custom Frameless Shower Enclosures by a Glass Glazing Company

Another option to help combat the effects of hard water is to install a custom frameless shower enclosure. Cleaning is simplified with frameless shower enclosures. The doors are easy to wipe down, and it’s usually faster to get in and out to clean the rest of the shower. Because the doors are designed without seals, there is no place for water, soap and minerals to build up.

This translates to a reduced risk of mold and a more hygienic shower enclosure overall. Plus, with a custom design, your enclosure will be tailor-fit to your bathroom and personal style. A professional glass glazing company can help answer your questions and, when it’s time, begin the installation process. Remember, despite the effects of hard water, it’s still possible to maintain a beautiful shower enclosure!

What To Look For When Hiring A Digital Marketing Agency

Sydney Cobbs

Are you a doctor, dentist, or hospital looking to grow your online presence and drive patients to your clinic? In order to achieve that, you’re going to need the best strategies that help bring value to your audience. That’s why a healthcare marketing agency is a important for those working in the healthcare industry.

As they say at Clinician Box, LLC, “Digital Marketing helps you compete online and boost your site’s search rankings.” This is key to helping grow your business.

Today, we’ll go over key aspects to look for when hiring a digital marketing agency.

Look To Gain Respect From Search Engines

Patients won’t be able to choose your business if they can’t find you online. They’ll go elsewhere if you’re not on the first page of the search results. Going with a consumer-first Search Engine Optimization (SEO) approach is how you best grow your online presence.

For local search results, doctors and medical firms can compete online when they rank high for these types of searches. To achieve this, you’ll need to promote your business in the right places. On top of that, you’ll also need to provide accurate business information such as location. This enables your patients to find you much quicker.

When choosing a healthcare marketing agency, look to a People-First SEO strategy to help you rank highly in the search results.

Seek To Build Up Your Online Reputation

You also need to take steps to build trust and credibility with patients. This is even more vital when it comes to the healthcare industry. Doctors and medical firms are being evaluated by patients that share reviews about them online. In fact, the vast majority of people now trust online reviews as much as advice from friends. This makes investing in reputation management a top priority for your business.

That’s why you need to look for a healthcare marketing agency that will build up your online reputation. To achieve the best results, follow these tips below to help you build trust with patients online.

  • Monitor and manage reviews.
  • Keep your business listings up to date.
  • Observe what other medical firms are doing.
  • Use social listening to keep track of what patients are saying about you.
  • Use social media management tools to keep track of your social media potency.

Taking these steps will help build your credibility online and set you apart from your competitors.

Strive To Provide Your Audience With A Top Tier User Experience

As you put together your online marketing strategy, always keep your patients in mind. Whether designing your website or launching a Pay Per Click (PPC) campaign, seek to provide your patients with a top-tier user experience (UX). 

To make this happen, keep the AIDA approach in mind. AIDA stands for these four steps of the consumer buying process below.

  1. Awareness
  2. Interest
  3. Desire
  4. Action

Web designers and PPC specialists should always consider user flow. This ensures that your patients find what they need at each stage of the customer journey. That’s why you should look for a healthcare marketing firm that will help enhance your UX.

Choose A Healthcare Marketing Agency That Will Help Set You Up For Long Term Success

The key to success with any marketing campaign is to always put your patients first before anything else. This approach will help set you up for success both now and in the long term.

Expert Brand Building Tactics For 2021

Sydney Cobbs

Are you an aspiring brand that is looking to grow its potential? There are a couple of things to consider when looking to build your brand and attract your ideal consumer. GreyBox Creative, a New York-based brand design agency once stated, “To grow your brand, you need to start by asking yourself the questions of ‘Why?’ and ‘How?'”

In other words, define what your brand’s purpose is and develop a plan to achieve it. Today, we’ll talk about a few tactics on how you can build your brand in 2021. Let’s explore them, shall we?

Define What Your Brand Is All About

As with any business, it’s vital that you define the purpose of your brand. Before doing anything else, this is what you need to focus on first. As Richard Branson once said, “The brands that’ll thrive in the coming years are those that have a purpose beyond profit.” In today’s online world, this could not be more true today.

Having a cool product is great, but you also need a bigger vision that you want your brand to achieve. For instance, Apple seeks to make the best products on earth and leave the world better than they found it. This vision statement by Apple is a great example of the kind of purpose you want for your brand.

Ensure That Your Brand’s Message Is Consistent Throughout

One thing you need to do to ensure success for your brand is work to make its message consistent throughout. The key here is to avoid talking about things that don’t relate to your brand or go against its message. When taking any type of action for your brand, ask yourself these three questions to help ensure consistency. 

  • What does this action mean for your brand?
  • Does this action align with your brand’s message?
  • Are your social media platforms in line with what your brand seeks to accomplish?

Apple does a great job with this. They worked to ensure that their vision statement aligned with their corporate social responsibility strategy. This helped them put an emphasis on being sustainable and eco-friendly while staying on message.

To go a step further, you should also create a style guide for your brand. This helps guide you in each action you’ll take, from choosing a color scheme to positioning your goods. By taking these steps, your brand will benefit as a whole.

Keep An Eye Out On Your Competitors

To succeed at building your own brand, you must also keep an eye on your competitors. After all, you are in the same industry going after the same customers. The key here is to research which of their tactics are working and which aren’t. That way, you’ll know how to position your brand better and improve your own strategy.

A great way to track your competition is with social media monitoring tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Hubspot. This helps you track the competitors’ social mentions and find ways to help your brand attract the right audience.

Identify The Persona Of Your Target Audience And Work To Address Their Pain Points

A crucial tactic to help build and grow your brand is identifying the persona of your target audience. One thing that this involves is compiling data on your social audience such as age, interests, location, and income. This also involves finding out what their pain points are and coming up with plans to address them. 

When working to address the pain points of your audience, ask yourself these questions.

  • What motivates them?
  • Where are they act in their buying journey?
  • What is keeping them from buying and how can we help them overcome those hurdles?
  • What is their end goal and how can we help fulfill them?

Asking these questions will help your brand develop the best strategy that helps address their pain points. In the end, it will help set the stage towards gaining new customers and grow your brand.

Use The Right Brand Design Agency To Help Grow Your Brand

There’s no doubt that coming up with strategies to help build your brand is key to success. You must also keep an eye on competitors and work to address consumer pain points. That way, you’ll be on a path towards achieving great success for your brand.

All this is something to think about when going with a top brand design agency like GreyBox Creative. This will help go a long way in helping build and transform your brand into that next big thing.

What to Look for When Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency

Sydney Cobbs

Outsourcing to a digital marketing agency is a big step. You want to be sure you’re making the right decision, as your business’s success hangs in the balance. Check out our list of top things to look for when hiring in the field of digital advertising:

Seek Industry Experience

As the field of digital marketing expands, many agencies choose to specialize in a certain niche. This means they hire and train their employees on the preferred advertising styles and strategies in one particular area. In the long run, specialization is advantageous to you as the client.

If you’re a dentist, try working with a dental marketing agency. If you’re a travel agent, there are marketing agencies available to assist with that as well. You want to stand out in your field and working with someone who understands your mission is the surest way to do so.

Size Matters

In today’s modern world, there are many advertising agencies to choose from. They range in size, from just a few employees to over 200. Which agency you ultimately choose depends on your business needs. If you run a multinational conglomerate, chances are you need a large company to manage your numerous campaigns. As a local business owner, however, a smaller agency can provide you with a more personalized experience, while still covering your advertising bases.

Where do you need help?

Your business needs should be at the center of your search for a digital marketing agency. With that being said, it’s important to examine what exactly those business needs are and how they can be addressed with the help of a digital marketing agency. Some questions you may want to ask yourself include:

  • What kind of services do you expect?
  • What kind of price can you afford to pay?
  • Which areas do they focus on? (SEO, PPC, content creation, etc.)
  • How do you expect to handle communication?

By prioritizing your personal communication styles and your business goals, you’ll set yourself up for a solid professional relationship. This way, you can avoid any hitches or miscommunications down the line.

Look at the Data

You want consistent results time and time again. And who better to deliver them than an agency with a brilliant track record? Reporting and analytics are crucial in today’s world of technology. Ask about an agency’s campaign reporting methods and listen to hear if they pivot directions when a campaign proves ineffective. Adaptability is necessary to achieve success in the world of marketing. Just be cautious – if the numbers sound too good to be true, chances are they probably are!

Examine Their Digital Advertising Roster

If you’re a small company looking to grow with digital advertising, you’ll want to work with an agency that can help you achieve this growth. Looking at an agency’s client roster can help you determine if you’re a good fit with the agency. It will also help you visualize how the company goes about building a brand. Check out testimonials as well, to get an idea of what it’s like to work with the agency.

By following this list of tips, you can help yourself and your business find the advertising agency of your dreams!