Posted in General | February 27, 2021 

Flat tires are one of the most common problems that cars can have. Fortunately, they’re also one of the easiest to fix. Everyone should know how to change their car’s tires.

Why it Matters

Many car problems have simple solutions and can be resolved on your own. Everyone should have some basic car repair Brigham City UT knowledge, including knowing how to change a tire. That way, if you’re ever stranded on the side of the road with no assistance, you’ll know what to do.

1. Be Safe

When you notice you have a problem with your tire, you should try to find a safe place to stop, such as a parking lot. Turn on your hazards and put up any reflective devices you have to make sure you are visible to other drivers.

2. Turn Lug Nuts

First, remove your car’s hubcap if it has one. Then use a wrench to loosen each lug nut until you can easily turn them by hand.

3. Use the Jack

You’ll want to place the jack under the car where it is only in contact with metal framing, as it could bend plastic. Next, raise the jack until the tire is off of the ground.

4. Remove the Tire

You will now remove the lug nuts that you loosened. Then, you will pull the tire towards yourself to remove it.

5. Replace the Tire

Place your spare tire on the car by lining it up with the lug nut posts and pushing towards the car.

6. Tighten Lug Nuts

Put the lug nuts back on the posts and tighten them to secure the tire. Tighten them in small increments in a rotation. Tighten them as much as you can.

7. Lower the Car and Check Lug Nuts

You will then lower the car and remove the jack. Check to see if any of the lug nuts can be tightened more.

Once these steps are completed, your car will be drivable again. You should then take your car to a tire shop to replace the tires.

Posted in General | February 27, 2021 

If you have family members who hoard, you know that it is not always easy to break them of this lifestyle. Although it won’t be an overnight process, it can be done. Learn more about how you can combat this disorder with a little help from outside sources.

Understand It Is Psychological

There is a psychology behind hoarding. Individuals may hoard because of the trauma they encountered in life, and they feel hoarding possessions is one way they can maintain control of a situation. Depending on how bad the hoarding is, it might be helpful to have a professional involved, so you are not trying to assist or otherwise intervene on your own. They can also provide your family member with tools to use to help their hoarding tendencies from getting out of hand again.

It Takes Time

Go in with the understanding that you might have to tackle the hoarding bit by bit. This can depend on the size of the house, how much has accumulated over time, and if the hoarder lives and acts alone, or if there are other family members who are caught up in it as well. During this time, it can be useful to rent a dumpster and clear items out bit by bit.

Know What The End Game Is

While you might want the hoarder to have a perfectly clean house, that won’t necessarily happen overnight. If they have other places on their property, such as a garage or sheds, you’ll need to go through those, too. Make a plan for bigger items, such as taking old cars to junk yards in MD.

If you are trying to help a family member with hoarding, it’s crucial to understand this is psychological. The whole process takes time, and you should develop a plan for how you want to get everything cleaned up.

Posted in General | February 27, 2021 

Having a swimming pool in your backyard provides endless entertainment on hot summer days. Routine maintenance helps to keep your pool in pristine condition and ready to use at all times.

Inspect the Pump

The swimming pool pump handles cycling water through the filter system. Ideally, the pump runs for at least ten hours a day. Check the air vents on the pump’s housing system daily. Make sure that there isn’t any debris or dust blocking incoming air and preventing proper cooling. Since this is a vital component of your pool, have your pump serviced by a professional once a year. If there are any issues or concerns, they can order the necessary pump products Ontario for repair.

Clean the Litter

Leaves, bugs and even trash find their way into your pool. The easiest way to get this out is by using a skimmer net. Drag the net along the surface of the water to capture the debris. Pools also have skimmer baskets that collect unwanted material to keep it from getting into the pump system. Empty the basket so it doesn’t get so full of debris that it blocks water circulation completely. If the litter sinks to the bottom, you can vacuum it up. The best option is to get a robotic vacuum that runs in your pool continuously, saving you the time and effort of doing it yourself. Not only does keeping your pool clear of debris make it look more inviting, but it also prevents the buildup of algae.

Monitor Water Chemistry

Chlorine is a chemical added to a pool to keep it free from bacteria and viruses. Levels fluctuate based on how much water evaporates or splashes out of the pool. Test the levels of chlorine daily when the days are hot or in times of frequent use.

Keeping your pool in good condition isn’t hard work if you do it each day. Focus on these three things to ensure it is always available for summertime fun.

Posted in General | February 20, 2021 

Your car’s suspension system is responsible for keeping the vehicle in control and smoothing out your ride. With every bump or pothole in the road, the suspension system takes the impact and absorbs it, so you hardly feel a thing.

If your suspension system goes bad, you will have a hard time controlling your car. Here are six signs that your suspension system might be failing, so it’s time to take your vehicle in for local auto repair West Palm Beach FL.

1. A Rough Ride

When you start to feel every bump and curve in the road, it could be a sign that your suspension needs repair. The struts and shocks are part of the system that should absorb the bumps in the road. If they don’t, it’s probably time to replace them.

2. Drifting or Pulling

Do you feel like your car wants to drift over the left or right? Trying to keep the steering wheel on a steady course can be challenging. The suspension system is supposed to keep the vehicle body stable at all times. If it’s pulling or drifting, then it needs repair.

3. Lurching Forward

If your car lurches forward and downward when you apply the brakes, it’s a sign that your shocks are worn out. This could affect your ability to stop, so you should have the car looked at as soon as possible.

4. Uneven Tires

Are your tires unevenly worn down? This could be caused by the suspension system breaking down to a point where it can no longer hold the vehicle even. A suspension system that is working correctly will put even amounts of pressure on all tires.

5. Oily Shocks

When inspecting the shocks and struts under your car, if they are oily, it could mean they are damaged and leaking.

6. The Bounce Test

There’s a simple test you can do to see if your suspension is going bad. While the car is in park, press down on the front with all your weight and “bounce” it. Do the same on the rear end of the car. If it continues to bounce after you release it, the suspension needs to be repaired.