Category: Technology

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Which Valve Lock Should You Choose?

When it’s time to perform maintenance or repairs on a pressurized valve, it’s necessary to shut off whatever material is in inside. Valve locks perform this critical role, one which can prevent potentially harmful accidents. But before you install one, it’s important to know that valve locks are not one-size-fits-all. There are several different types which are engineered for specific valves.

It’s more likely than not that your valve is one of the three most common: Ball valves, butterfly valves, or gate valves. Here’s how their corresponding valve lock systems work:

 

Ball Valve Locks

Ball valve lock systems combine an outside handle with an interior ball to control flow through the valve. You simply shift the handle to the off position to do so. They typically range from one half to eight inches in diameter and will work on a wide variety of pipes, including ones constructed of stainless steel, brass, bronze, chrome, titanium, PVC, CPVC and others.

 

Butterfly Valve Locks

Butterfly valves themselves are discs positioned in the center of a pipe. When given a quarter turn, they control flow. They are generally cheaper than ball valves because of their lighter weight. Butterfly valve locks, like ball valve locks, can be used on different sizes of pipes, but have a more limited range of 2.5 to 4 inches in diameter.

Gate Valve Locks

Gate valve locks work by blocking access to valve handles. They are thermoplastic covers in the shape of half circles. After they’re installed, a padlock or hasp can be used to secure them in place. Gate valve locks are mostly used with larger pipe diameters (from 2″ to the largest pipelines).

Valve lock systems have a wide range of applications: manufacturing, mining, utilities, municipal service, and oil and gas. But before choosing one, always make sure it is the right fit for the valve you need to shut off.… Read more

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How Technology is Changing Interior Design

Technology is one of the changes that has come knocking on the doors of homes and corporate spaces. It has not only transformed the way work is done but also the way our living and work spaces look. From flat screen technology to virtual and augmented reality modern invention is being used to capture the imagination and create comfortable and stylish interiors. Here’s a look at how this is happening.

Flat screens

Once upon a time, the tube display was the only technology used to make displays on the screen. Television and computers were like big boxes and changing the channel required proximity to the TV and using the hands to press a button. These Cathode Ray Tubes took a lot of spaces in our homes and offices. But now with the plasma and Liquid Crystal Displays our screens have gotten thinner as panel displays are possible.

Television now can be hung on the wall and blend perfectly with the interior. The viewer sits far away flipping between channels with the remote control. Flat screens have enabled us to free up to 20 % of our office and living room spaces.

Green homes

It’s not hard nowadays to find homes designed to be eco-friendly. With the growing concern over climate change, people are striving to go greener by telling designers to use eco-friendly materials that save water, energy and improve air quality. Here’s how technology is enabling eco-friendly homes.

  • Indoor gardens: folks in the city are now growing their veggies thanks to WIFI enabled plant pots and smart gardens that will allow automatic watering and remote monitoring. This technology also sends information about the soil moisture and temperature to the owner’s phone or computer
  • Blind technology for optimal lighting: technology has also influenced how blinds are made. They’re now being optimized for better house lighting and heat insulation. Remote controlled blinds whose slat spaces are adjusted depending on the house heating needs.
  • Products with Volatile Organic Compounds are being avoided.

Smart homes

Automation such as voice assistants, automatic temperature, heating and lighting regulation with the flip of a switch has been made possible with the internet of things. Designers, therefore, have to include the spaces for these smart switches, electricity meters, cameras, plugs, thermostats, and smart kitchen utensils.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

They were once big on the gaming world, now they’ve made their way into architectural and design. Virtual Reality, for example, is being used by designers to show the client how the project is going to be upon completion. The client can tour the room before it’s even built using VR head-mounted displays. Augmented Reality, on the other hand, is being used to show how a current environment is going to turn out if the arrangement or additional tools are added. A client can see how the room is going to look if for example a smart garden is added to it.

Video walls

Another trend is to use several tiled screens to display artwork and more. … Read more

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5 Steps to Take If Your Refrigerator Needs Immediate Service

Refrigerator service and repair is typically the last thing on anyone’s mind until the appliance quits working, or experiences a serious problem. Below are five steps to take to minimize the impact until a service technician can help.

Begin Seeking a Repair Technician Immediately

Finding a repair technician with an opening in their day to service your refrigerator can prove difficult. If your freezer or the refrigerated portion of the appliance quits working, begin seeking a technician right away. Getting placed on a waiting list as soon as possible is critical to saving your perishable food items.

Find Alternative Food Storage Solutions or Add Dry Ice

If the wait is only a few hours for service, keep the doors of the refrigerator shut tightly, and your food should be fine. Having to keep items overnight can present problems. The frozen items will begin to thaw. Ask any available family members, friends or neighbors if they have room to keep a few of your more expensive items until your appliance works. Find a store that sells dry ice. It can help keep a freezer cold enough to maintain the integrity of the food as you wait.

Have the Appliance Inspected If It Acts or Sounds Strange

Loud noises are often an indication there is a problem developing with your refrigerator/freezer. It is better to pay a little money to find out if the appliance is in need of repair than waiting for an emergency moment of equipment failure. Clunking noises, a rattling fan, or compressor noises should never be present in a correctly operating refrigerator.

Shut Water Off to Ice Maker If There Is a Leak

Water leaks on the floor that stem from an ice maker problem will need servicing by a technician. Turn the water source off that supplies the refrigerator to stop the leak temporarily. It may be a simple replacement of the water line required, but internal valve problems can cause leaks as well.

Delegate Oversite of Repair

Designate a trusted individual over 18-years of age to stick around for the repair if you are unable to hang around and wait for the technician. It will ensure you get the fastest service possible and a working appliance once again.

Contact refrigeration specialists like Sub Zero Service Center for emergency Sub Zero freezer repair Miami Beach today!… Read more

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How to Fix Up an Old, Neglected Pond

Water features are wonderful to have on a property, especially when they are included in the sale. Ponds will fall into a state of neglect over the course of a single year when they are without human intervention, and nature will continue to take over with each passing growing season. In order to recover a neglected pond, the homeowner will have to put in a bit of elbow grease.

Removing Brush and Debris

When a pond becomes overgrown, it doesn’t look very attractive. It can also be somewhat dangerous if venomous snakes have turned the brush into a home. All brush should be removed from the banks of the pond, along with any debris or trash that may have blown in during a strong storm. This will keep snake and rodent populations under control, while making the pond much more aesthetically pleasing.

Keeping Mosquitoes Under Control

Mosquitoes can breed out of control very quickly. Ponds are a great place for them to congregate and produce offspring, especially if there are no natural predators. Mosquito pond treatment is a good way to control them quickly; introducing native frog species to the pond can help to control mosquito larvae thereafter, too.

Repairing or Building Docks

Docks are perfect for fishing, swimming, and tying a boat. Even if the pond may not be large enough for a boat, a dock is still wonderful to have. Any existing docks should be carefully inspected and repaired as needed to prevent injuries. Once the dock is built or repaired, a small, rustic bench is all that’s needed for a tranquil evening and a good conversation.

Establishing an Ecosystem

For those who want the pond to become a functioning part of nature, a few animals could be introduced. It will take a few years for the populations to stabilize, but it will eventually flourish. Local species of fresh water fish, native frogs, a few ducks, and even some fresh water turtles could be introduced. They will help to keep bug populations under control, while maintaining the health of the pond. In addition, the fish will be a wonderful food source for the family within a few short years.

With some tender love and care on a regular basis, ponds are a beautiful water feature that will provide years of joy for any family.… Read more

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3 Services Tips from Someone With Experience

How a Paving Company Can Be Advantageous To You

You should always considering creating safe parking lots, be it in the office or at home. Now, in case your parking area is within a sorry condition and it is potholed, crumbled or cracked, it’ll certainly produce an awfully bad impression before other people and site visitors.The troubles of potholes and cracks can lead to crawled knees and hurt ankles and this is often the case of your existing front yard. Modern paving company has been solving different issues of clients related to commercial and residential paving services.

Moreover, the article will help you to know some benefits of hiring these professionals to solve paving problems in your locality.

Quality Is Concerned

The paving companies are construction experts that can help, renew your paving and driveway.They are well versed with the know-how of the raw materials. Before employing a contractor who is an expert in paving, you need to make certain the professional under consideration has enough experience of this area along with a valid license to get a guaranteed quality.

Better solutions to your work or task

Better solutions is another benefit of hiring professional experts.If you choose to take the DIY route, it is likely that you will have to encounter a number of hassles to get the work done. Experienced paving contractors know how to tackle even all kind of unforeseen situations effectively.

Excellent plan

On hiring professional experts, you need not to worry about execution or just anything else.Planning saves time and also finishes the work properly.The plan of paving services explain that you should remain fine by making use of your dive or garden, the postman or any salesman would be able to reach your entrance easily, is there comfortable access for the dustman and much more. The first measure or consideration of paving company is to ensure deep digging to secure ideal footing for the driveway.

Cost efficient

Usually, the DIY paving projects are cheaper comparatively, but you may end up bearing high cost for the project if you don’t have enough knowledge of the job. Making significant errors – such as wrong selection of stone, purchase of wrong materials, etc.will leave you with increased cost of the project.

When the front yard of your company is facing the problem, that is certainly going to postpone your clients and they’d not really consider having to pay your shop a trip, that’s why it’s essential to get them fixed as quickly as possible.

By using their expertise of professional paving companies, they can result in a change for that better within the looks of the front yard and pavers. Indeed, a paving company can help you will all your needs.

Questions About Experts You Must Know the Answers To

Why No One Talks About Contractors Anymore… Read more