ICE DAM REMOVAL FLAT ROOF

 

ICE DAM REMOVAL FLAT ROOF

When large commercial buildings have flat roofs, there is a significant concern when it comes to harsh winter weather. Especially melting snow, as it can turn into an ice dam. Ice dams have the potential to cause major destruction to not only the roof but also the building if the dam breaks and leaks inside, then disaster restoration is probably in order.

If water or flood damage has occurred in the building, a disaster restoration partner that can respond quickly and efficiently is crucial in preventing additional damage and mitigating the many health risks associated with mold and other organisms that can begin growing shortly thereafter.

The water that backs up behind an ice dam can leak into the building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Additionally, when the roof doesn’t drain properly, snow, ice, and water remain trapped on the roof, adding loads that put your roof at greater risk of collapse.

• Commercial roof maintenance during the winter months
• Regular snow and ice removal
• Beware of ice dams on commercial roof
• Monitor freezing and melting cycles
• Keep drainage systems clear
• Make sure all vents and chimney pipes are clear of snow or ice
• Leave winter commercial roof maintenance to the professionals

In light of recent cold fronts across Michigan and the Great Lakes region, experts warn property owners to prepare their roofs for the winter or face disastrous ice damns or, worse, a roof collapse unprotected, with no “plan B.” Experts advise property owners to start with the following actions: 

To find out what actions to take, go to

 

Do You Need More Sleep if You Exercise?

Research shows people who exercise may need more sleep than their inactive counterparts — especially when they exercise at a high intensity. That also includes those who work in labor-intensive professions. Some of those occupations might be:

1. Mover
2. Roofer
3. Concrete/brick paving
4. Construction worker
5. Crab Fisherman
6. Farmer
7. Warehouse worker
8. Steelworker
9. Demolition worker
10. Bridge workers

I mean, those folks really work hard! For example, when it comes to movers, their job involves physical exertion, often requiring lifting heavy objects, carrying them for extended periods, and navigating through tight spaces. It certainly can put a significant strain on their bodies, especially their backs and spines.

Additionally, sleep and exercise also impact cognitive function and brain health. A new study shows that they influence each other. Meaning that even if you work out and provide your brain the opportunity to have that cognitive help, a lack of sleep could cancel out that boost.

Pay attention laborers and aging citizens, sleep is just as important to your physical and mental health as exercising!

Harvard Medical School recently studied how the two impact one’s cognitive health. In the article, they suggest, “Getting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week (such as brisk walking) is crucial to keeping your memory and thinking skills sharp. Exercise promotes the birth of new brain cells and increases the production of enzymes that break down amyloid proteins associated with dementia. Sleep also plays a role in cognitive health, flushing those amyloid proteins out of the brain. The right amount of sleep is so important that a lack of Z’s may sabotage the cognitive perks of exercise. “

Basically, 9,000 dementia-free people (ages 50 and older) were studied (to read the full article, go to)

 

Home Help Care Services

As my friends and I approach the “mid-life point,” I can see our bodies beginning to break down, especially those of us who were athletes. One friend is battling cancer (not very well either unfortunately), one is about to have her fourth back surgery, and I have suffered from chronic pain for many years, now having to take medications like Gabapentin and Cyclobenzaprine just to be able to move.

However, my old sports and adventure-seeking injuries, as well as extreme nerve pain lately, have recently rendered me disabled on a few occasions, which made me think about how I may not be too far off in starting to plan and save for in-home healthcare services, especially within my home state of Michigan.

Thankfully, Michigan has a few programs in place to help our aging and disabled populations. For example, through the MI Choice Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver, Medicaid pays for home care services in an individual’s home. The program is available to both older adults (65 and older) and younger people with physical disabilities. Furthermore, additional services like adult day services or transportation will be provided if needed.

Services like these are paid for by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Some reputable in-home care professional services in Michigan offer a menu of care and services that are specifically designed to meet the needs of two types of clients: The elderly, including those suffering from memory-related illnesses, and the seriously injured — individuals of all ages requiring care and rehabilitation after suffering an incapacitating illness or injury, including those coping with the aftermath of a brain or spinal cord injury.

Here is a sample list of possible offerings depending on the in-home care company: 

(to view more, go to)

 

HOME REMODEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It’s the holidays, a time of presents, good cheer, and … renovations? Yes, you heard that right. While good old St. Nick is busy preparing presents for all the little children, homeowners throughout the country are also occupied with a home remodel for the holidays.

Driving around your block on the weeks or days coming up to the holidays, you might see your neighbors getting new lights or putting up a brand-new Christmas decor. It’s in with the new, out with the old. And, while you have got those covered, looking at your home, something still needs doing.

As there are a multitude of ways to wrap a special gift, you can see many possibilities to remodel your home for the winter Holidays. If you’re overwhelmed by the many ways you can remodel your home for the holidays, you can get inspiration from what other homeowners are doing.

For example, some people (to read more, go to)

What is Disaster Recovery?

 What is Disaster Recovery?

In a world where anything can happen, you have to ensure that your business remains standing even after unforeseen events. One way you can do this is through disaster recovery. It’s especially wise to have a disaster recovery plan in place to protect your bottom line.

Disaster recovery is the ability of your business or organization to basically weather a disaster event. These disaster events could be in the form of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods. Or, it could also be caused by (to read more, go to)

How Music Affects the Taste of Food?

 

How Music Affects the Taste of Food?

As a music lover, full time writer, part time musician, and food connoisseur, I can relate very well with the idea of music affecting the taste of food as well as the ambiance of the whole experience itself. In addition, I also spent more than twenty years serving and bartending in Michigan food service establishments like:

• Five Star fine dining restaurants
• Night clubs (not so much food!)
• Personal Chefs for the rich and famous
• Culinary private jet concierge
• Culinary private yacht concierge
• Events and Catering
• Exclusive private dining services
• Hole in the wall bars
• Trendy pubs with live music

Whether it’s due to its volume or genre, there’s no denying that music can be an effective means of impacting your taste. Studies have even proved that lower-pitched background music can bring out the bitter notes of a bittersweet toffee while higher-pitched music is capable of making it taste sweeter.

A phenomenon known as ‘cross-modal correspondence suggests that (to read the complete article, go to)

Examples of Sensory Language

 

Suppose you can engage a visitor to your website through sensory language or create a warm space in your home through sensory tactics. In that case, you can create a memorable and enjoyable experience that will keep your visitors coming back.

By using sensory language that appeals to all the senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch – a vivid picture is painted in the visitor’s mind and sparks their imagination, thus possibly getting them to stay longer on your site.

Similarly, utilizing sensory tactics in the home will create a warm and inviting space by incorporating elements that engage the senses – such as cozy lighting, soft and comfortable textures, soothing scents from candles or essential oils, relaxing music, and delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Although my mama is no longer with us, I can make her sauce or meatloaf and am instantly comforted by the smells as it cooks and the taste as it nourishes my soul.

For example, if one can consider the shape of a room, (tto read the rest of the article)

Examples of Body Art

As my children grow into their teenage years, I no longer watch PBS for Sesame Street; I watch it for the programming my mother used to watch, which I thought was “so boring.” Now I love those programs! In fact, a program called “NATIVE AMERICA Women Rule” on PBS sparked my interest in Indigenous body art.

PBS does a great job of showcasing the diverse ways Native women carry forward deep traditions to better their communities, lands, and the world. An indigenous artist named Jamie Okuma was most interesting to me as she reminded me about how fashion is body art.

Okuma took a pair of shoes and went to work on her craft by hand. She beaded every single inch of those shoes, and wow, they are stunning. In fact, she has a whole line of footwear she was asked about. Okuma told Footwear News, “I was shopping on Yoox, and mom said, ‘Too bad there isn’t a way for you to combine your shopping issue with what you do,” said Okuma. “We wondered if I could actually bead on ultra-luxe shoes and boots. So I gambled on a pair of Christian Louboutins, not knowing if I could pull it off or if I was going to destroy a $900 pair of shoes.”

Okuma specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces that are hand-executed exclusively by the artist herself in all details of the process while also designing ready-to-wear fashion.

Some of the characteristics of Native American/indigenous art that transcend cultural and geographical differences are the artists all strive to create a sense of harmony, or order, in their works. Using geometric shapes and symbols, animals, and even abstraction was also a means of communication with their Creator.

By definition, body art is a unique form of artistic expression that involves modifying or enhancing one’s body to create visually stunning and meaningful designs.

To date, I have experimented with the following body art:

• Tattoos
• Face painting
• Henna
• Piercings
• Jewelry
• (for a complete list, go to)

 

Does the State of Michigan Pay for Caregivers?

...I am grateful that the State of Michigan offers such caregivers (Friends and family members except for parents and spouses) pay for the care they provide, as well as gas money for any mileage driven. The individual works with the county case manager to determine the appropriate amount of care and is then granted a budget for care instead of receiving services directly from the state.

Sadly, my mother passed away the day before our meeting with her social worker to begin receiving benefits. Although, in the long run…(to read more of the article go to)

Disaster Planning for Elderly and Disabled

When disaster encompasses a community, our elders and the disabled or mobility challenged, are most vulnerable to its wrath, and the decisions made ahead of time can mean the difference between life and death.

According to The Administration for Community Living (ACL), “Older adults and people with disabilities have unique and special needs to consider, especially during a disaster. Each year, more than ten million people receive services under the Older Americans Act,”. They go on to state that delivery of these services largely depends on the efforts of volunteers and others who can plan ahead and do the following:

• Assist at group meal sites and deliver meals to homebound older adults
• Escort and transport older adults to a safer location or to health care services
• Repair and weatherize the homes of low-income and frail older adults
• Counsel in a variety of areas, including health, nutrition, legal matters, and financial concerns
• Serve as long-term care watchdogs to help ensure the safety and well-being of residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities

ACL advocates across the federal government for older adults, people with disabilities, and families and caregivers. They fund services and support provided primarily by states and networks of community-based programs. And they invest in training, education, research, and innovation. Go to them for assistance in disaster planning, as obviously they have a breadth of support services to offer. In addition, they also manage various programs (authorized by several statutes), providing assistance in the following but not limited to:

• Health and wellness
• Protection of rights
• Abuse prevention
• Consumer control support
• Facilitate action to strengthen networks of community-based organizations
• Fund research, ad infimum.

The National Institute on Aging suggests that while everyone is at risk during a natural weather-related disaster or similar emergency like fire, aging adults are especially vulnerable during these challenging times, and being prepared in advance will literally mean the difference between life and death, particularly for those who may have special medical or mobility needs.

For instance, in my family, we have a forty-two-year-old cousin who is developmentally disabled and completely deaf, with an aging, visually impaired, diabetic mother caring for him. To add to that disadvantage, they live in an area prone to flooding, which unfortunately puts them in the “especially vulnerable” category. So how can they (or should I say “she”) stay prepared and ahead of any potential disasters that could come their way? Let’s look to answer that question next.

Necessary emergency supplies for older adults

Having an emergency preparedness kit at the ready is an essential step to complete for either older adults or the disabled. At a minimum, to plan ahead, a kit should include:

• At least a three-to-six-day supply of medications
• Medical documents
• Legal and other...(to see the complete list, go to)