QUANTUMRAREEARTH

The Pros and Cons of Building Vs Contracting a Fence

Come rain, sleet, or snow, it still is standing strong. Add to that the heat, dryness, sun exposure, storm damage, animal damage, weed whackers, lawn mowers, summer sprinklers and winter snowball fights, and maybe even a termite infestation or two, and you see what the average suburban house fence is up against. And yet it still keeps standing strong. That is, if you take the right precautions. Knowing what precautions to take can be a challenge, especially if you are not a fence professional. But there is information available at your fingertips for self education, and there are professionals available who know how to do the job right.

If you want the Best Fence in the neighborhood, there are some things you will need to know. Building a fence can be hard, difficult, grueling work. Doing it yourself is possible, but without the expertise, a team of helpers and the right equipment, it will take a considerable amount of time, effort, and research. On top of all that, there’s the expense of the raw materials, which can be costly to your budget since you must pay full retail price for these supplies.

On the other side of the coin, there is the option of hiring an experienced contractor to install the best fence. The benefits include the efficiency of professionals who have experience in the field and the speed they work at, which will shorten the time your home is under construction. Even the price can be far more economical, given the wholesale prices that professional fence companies may receive on the materials needed. They are even more experienced at taking all the necessary measurements for building a fence. This allows them to construct a fence that is custom fit for your yard. Because of their knowledge of construction techniques, you are more likely to end up with a solid fence that is built to last and will truly be the Best Fence you can find.

So you may decide to tackle the fence construction yourself, or you may decide to hire a professional fence company. Whichever option you choose, the next thing you must decide on is the look of your fence. If you build it yourself, you may have more freedom in the design, though keep in mind you will be doing all the work yourself and will have limited knowledge as to what options are truly available on the market. You will have to do a lot of research and spend the necessary time to look around at all of your options. Professionals may not offer as wide as a selection as your imagination, but they will know what will work in your area due to local weather and environment details. Also, if they do not have in stock what you are envisioning, they probably know where to get it. There are many different styles to choose from, but many people prefer just the basic, Custom Fence that is measured to your yard. Some fences have Iron Inserts, or other intricate details that add to the visual effects of your yard. The gate will be the next item on your list, and you can generally choose from normal wooden gates, Iron Gates, Electric Gates, and even Emergency Fences. When you get into the electric and moving gates, be sure to include a wireless keypad for automated gates.

Look around and you’re sure to find the very Best Fence company in your local area. Ask them for a free estimate. Whether you choose their service or not, building it yourself or even choosing a different company, they will provide you with vital information that you’ll need in any case. Ask them about the climate, about the local weather and what methods they use to combat damage over time. Ask them about Fence repair, and about maintaining the quality of your fence over the years. Get their prices, and compare it with your own research to see what will be more economical, and what will result in a better fence for your house.

In the end, the choice is up to you. Your home, your time and your budget are your responsibility, and your fence is an important aspect of that home. Choose what works best for your particular situation, and choose wisely.…

Wireless Dog Fence – PIF 300

We’ll discuss here the advantages and disadvantages of using a device like the PIF 300. This is a wireless system in which is primary job is to keep your dog(s) inside a predefined circular area. It can keep dogs inside within a 90 feet circular area as long as they are over 8 pounds. The maximum range of the central transmitter is about 90 feet and the minimum range is about 5 feet. These were calculated in a no obstacle area.

The dog will always be confined in a circular area.

This wireless fence is different from many others because it doesn’t need you to bury any wires or use stakes to plant your markers. You’ll have the fence up and running in less than an hour. Once you install this device at your home, you’ll take a lot less time to install it again when you go on vacations for example.

One of the big advantages of this fence is that you can use it inside your house too due to the minimum range of 5 feet. This electronic fence will allow you to place your boundaries both indoors and outdoors.

In the beginning, and this is also recommended by the manufacturer, use some visual aids for your dog, so he will start learning what the boundaries are. Remove those objects or obstacles you used as soon as you see your dog understands how to behave.

This device is not perfect and neither is your dog, so don’t use this next to very busy roads because it might be dangerous. The PIF 300 is a good electronic fence, but it can fail for some reason, and you should always be aware that all electronic devices some day will eventually fail. So use your own common sense and ask yourself if your dog will be safe in that particular area or not before letting him go. Always keep in mind that this is not perfect. This fence won’t do anything to your dog if the batteries are dead.

You can use almost anything for your dog’s visual aids. Little flags on the ground, wooden stakes or anything that can signal your dog that it’s time to stop.

For your dog’s safety use a long rope (about 30 feet) and let him drag it around. That way if he gets confused and crosses the boundaries, you’ll still have full control over him just by stepping on the rope. Using this technique is very important in the first days your dog starts using the device. You’ll probably never need this, but just in case it’s there for using. Always have safety in mind until you’re absolutely sure your dog won’t cross the boundaries.

How does the PIF 300 “stops” my dog from running away?

Your dog will have to use a shock collar that is directly connected with your central transmitter using wireless transmission. The shock collar will have 2 contact points with your dog’s neck that will be activated whenever your dog gets to the boundary zone.

Don’t worry, your dog won’t get immediate corrections, he will have an audible warning signal before he gets into the no crossing area. Only if he insists he will get a correction.

Are these shocks painful for my dog?

No, if you configure your transmitter and collar correctly there won’t be a problem.

You can configure the central transmitter:A�

Switch for high or low intensity

Transmitter on or off switch

Adjustable range control

Light indicating device state (on/off)

Only the collar is waterproof, be careful when leaving the transmitter outside

Dog collar characteristics:

Is completely waterproof

Small battery for remote operation

Includes interchangeable long and short contact points so it can be useful for different dog sizes

25 second safety shut off in case pet gets trapped in Correction Zone

A screw-off cap covering the correction-level button

Led indicator of low battery

Every dog will be different, and every dog will have different levels of “shock” tolerance. Don’t set the collar to its maximum level if you have a small dog, and don’t set the minimum level to a big dog.

Advantages and disadvantages of the PIF 300

This wireless fence as showned that it can be very useful but also that it has some disadvantages that should be considered.

Analyze the following advantages and disadvantages and decide for yourself if this device will be helpful or not:

Good points:

Configurable transmitter range

Adjustable levels of correction including a beeping sound of warning

You can use it in an outdoor and indoor environment

Very easy to use

Easily portable

Support documentation for configuration and training

Two types of contact points for dogs of different sizes

Visual aids can be removed after the dog learns what to do.

Not …

Essential Tools for a Successful Fence Installation

Completing your own fence installation can be a great source of pride, and also save you money. With careful planning, the right tools and some quality fence materials, homeowners can turn a pile of cedar fence materials into a great addition to their home.

A Plan

A design plan is your most valuable tool when you undertake a fence installation. A good design plan will keep you on the right track and save you money. Your design plan should also give you a good idea of how much you’ll need to spend on cedar fence materials, lumber and other hardware..

Your design plan should include a detailed diagram of your property and proposed fence installation instructions, accounting for relevant zoning laws, or obstacles such as trees. Make sure you know where your property line is, so that you don’t end up having to tear down what your cedar fence materials.

A Tape Measure

Take care when measuring for the sections of your fence installation, so that they will be evenly spaced and fit together properly. Depending on the landscape and dimensions of your cedar fence materials, the posts should usually be spaced six to eight feet from one another. Mark the spot where each post should go with a stake, so that you can easily make adjustments before you start building.

An Auger or Posthole Digger

The more stable your fence installation, the longer your cedar fence materials will last. This is why it’s important to make sure your posts are set at the right depth. A posthole digger is a necessity for this.

One of the easiest types to use is a motorized auger. An auger uses a large screw-type blade to drill into the earth. In most soil an auger will quickly dig a very deep, straight hole in which to set your fence materials. Hardware stores often have them available for rent if you don’t own one.

Large rocks can damage the auger, however, so you should have manual tools with you as a backup. Manual posthole diggers aren’t as easy to use, but will still allow you to dig a deep, narrow hole for your fence materials. There can be very rocky soil, so it’s a good idea to have a long, narrow spade and a long pry bar to break and remove large rocks.

A Level

Your final result depends a great deal on the level of care you’ve taken, and the quality of your materials. Home values can be affected by a new fence installation either positively or negatively. The value of quality cedar fence materials is lost if the job is done poorly. For a professional looking fence installation, you’ll need to use a post level.

Check your posts with the level as you set them in the ground. For every few inches of soil that you fill the hole with, pack the soil down with a sledgehammer and check the level again.

A Cordless Drill

Putting your cedar fence together with decking screws rather than nails will yield a much stronger result. Screws are also easier to remove than nails. You’ll want a cordless drill for this with plenty of torque. Keep a couple spare battery packs on the charger while you’re using the other.…

Electric Pet Fencing Can Keep Your Pet Happy, Healthy, and Safe on Your Property

As much as you love your pets, you can’t keep an eye on them 24 hours a day. For indoor/outdoor and outdoor pets, consider installing an electric pet fence to keep your dog or cat from wandering off your property and into harm’s way.

Is your dog constantly turning up in the neighbor’s garage, eating their cat food? Does your cat disappear from your property for days at a time, leaving you a nervous wreck until she comes home? Are you worried that your beloved pet will accidentally wander into the street and get hit by a car? It’s natural to want to give outdoor pets a degree of freedom, but at the same time you want to keep them safe and out of trouble. Wooden or chain-link fences may not do the trick; your dog could dig under them, whereas a cat can often climb over or squeeze between the slats. Instead, you can install an underground electric pet fence, which will establish a safe boundary around your property that your pet will be reluctant to cross.

How It Works

When you hire a company to install electronic pet fencing around your property, what you’re getting is a wire buried underground, creating an invisible perimeter. This wire gives off a radio signal. Meanwhile, your pet wears a specially designed collar that picks up the signal. If he gets too close to the wire boundary, the collar will emit a warning sound. If your pet continues toward the fence, he’ll receive what’s known in the industry as “static correction”-a small, persistent vibration that is uncomfortable, but not painful. The general idea of electronic fencing is that the pet will learn over time to correlate the warning sound with the uncomfortable sensation, and eventually will stay within the boundaries of your property by choice.

Training Your Pet

No dog or cat will understand the new rules immediately, especially if they are used to roaming freely. That’s why it’s vital to hire a fence installation company that will also participate in a fence training period with you and your pet. Even though modern static correction collars are designed not to harm your pet, your dog or cat may still find the collar upsetting or stressful. A dog or cat fence training professional will guide you through the transition to full-time electric fence use. Training tactics might include using the lowest correction setting to start, gradually adding on more stimuli, and using verbal commands to reinforce the property boundaries. Remember that you’re installing this pet fence for your animal’s safety and security-not as punishment. Give your dog or cat affection and positive reinforcement as he adjusts to his new boundaries.

Considerations

There are a variety of electronic pet fencing brands on the market. When you’re considering fence installation for your property, do your research. Some brands require you to change out collar batteries, while others feature rechargeable batteries. Some companies may not offer pet fence training as part of the package, or will charge you extra for the service. In general, the costs will vary depending upon the size of your property, the number of pets you have, and how much training your pets require.

Some pet owners are concerned that the so-called “shock collar” will hurt their pet. However, today’s correction collars are specifically designed to be humane. Many veterinarians and pet behavior experts highly recommend electric fencing to protect your animals from cars, toxins, and other hazards they might encounter by venturing away from home. Coupled with proper training and positive reinforcement on your end, a quality electric pet fence can be just what your dog or cat needs to feel like master of his domain.…

Spend a Little Time Maintaining Your Fence

There are several ways to keep your existing wood fence in good condition and here are a few tips for you. After all, the wood fence around your home is often the second biggest investment you have in your house. Since new fence construction can run anywhere from $17 – $20 a linear foot, it’s a good idea to spend a little time maintaining your fence.

Take an afternoon and do an inspection of your wood fence. How about your fence posts? Are the 4X4 fence posts in good shape or are some leaning or somewhat out of the ground. Making sure your fence is level is always a good place to start. In warmer climates, some of your fence posts may have rotted a bit and not have the strength they once had. In colder climates, sometimes extreme freezes actually heave the post out of the ground after a few freezing cycles.

If you do have to replace a post, it is not always necessary to concrete in a fence post. Some fence builders use concrete every time and some never use it. Also, sometimes crushed rock will do the job of securing a fence post. By the way, most fence posts are buried two feet into the ground and most fence posts are treated lumber. Treated lumber will last longer than untreated.

A tip on keeping your post in the ground is to make the bottom of the hole bigger than the top. If your fence holes look like an ice cream cone, a freeze will push the post right out of the ground. On the other hand, keeping the hole larger at the bottom will prevent that from happening. Just keep that if you have to set a new fence post.

Next in your inspection, move on to making sure the fence boards are all nailed in. I sometimes use screws to repair a fence board just because the board needs to fit extra tight. You can use 3″ drywall screws or some type of decking screw that will not rust. Some of your boards will need to be replaced. Get the folks at the hardware store or fence supply company to recommend the type of wood to go back with as far as a fence board is concerned. Cedar is usually a good choice in all climates. Pine is usually less expensive.

Your fence will begin to lose it’s natural wood appearance after a year out in the weather. To restore a fence is much easier than rebuilding, but applying stain can be a messy job if not done properly. Also, using a pump up garden sprayer can lead to the stain having runs down the boards just like in painting. It can be done over a period of time for a do-it-yourself job, but sometimes it’s better to call a professional fence stainer for that job.

One more important point is to make sure you are building your fence on your property. Don’t encroach on your neighbor. They might appreciate you building them a fence for free and you may end up building another fence right next to it.…

Residential Remodeling

As the prices continue to increase, residential remodeling is getting more expensive than ever. However, there are some ways to lower costs. One of the ways is availing local discounts from residential remodeling companies. These companies tend to have materials and other merchandise in their stock that you can order rather than going for new one. This helps you save on time and shipping charges making your residential remodeling a little more affordable.

It is also very useful to decide which items are necessary and which can be done without. Sometimes, we tend to order two things that basically do the same function and thereby, increasing our residential remodeling cost.

You can also save a lot of time and money by choosing fixtures very carefully. Before deciding to buy something expensive, you should ask yourself if the more cost effective option would look equally nice or whether there is a stark contrast in their features. If former is the case, then why not go for the one which is priced less. However, if it is not durable, then better spend well one time rather than again and again.

If you work with a residential remodeling contractor and you find them pushing for more expensive fixtures etc always ask them if you can purchase your fixtures. There are many contractors out there who actually make money on materials. If you run across a contractor that makes money on materials then they most likely are not someone you want working on your home. Contractors like this are interested in one thing… profit and not quality of work or your happiness with the project.

These are a few things that can help you reduce your residential remodeling cost. Just remember to spend more on quality and necessity than luxury and brand names and you will always come out ahead.…

Facts to Know About Underground Dog Fences

An invisible dog fence is also known as an underground fence or in-ground electric fence. After your underground fence is installed, remember good training of the dog is a must. This type of pet fence is also much more affordable compared to a normal physical fence, even if you hire a professional to install your underground dog fence.

An underground fence has an electric wire which is buried 2 to 3 inches in the ground then covered up with the dirt. The wire sends a radio signal to a training collar which the dog wears. When the dog approaches the boundary of the fence, the collar will sound a beep, followed by a mild safe electric shock.

Choosing the right underground dog fence for your dog can be confusing because of the wide variety of pet fences available. A quality in-ground fence is sold by PetSafe, Innotek, and DogTek and comes in different styles for different types of dogs.

Buying a sturdy wire for your dog fence is important for carrying the signal properly. Most wire is included when you buy the entire kit in a box. These box systems come with everything you need to install a pet fence.

After your invisible dog fence is installed, remember good training of the dog is a must. You can read the training guide that comes with boxed fence systems. Training your dog correctly will result in quick everlasting results.

This type of dog fence is also much more affordable compared to a normal physical fence, even if you hire a professional to install your underground pet fence. An underground fence leaves your yard more attractive, and doesn’t take away the view. A traditional fence isn’t reliable, dogs dig under them, jump over them, and run away through open gates. An underground pet fence can still be used when you have a physical fence also for double the protection.

All in all these dog fence systems are very effective and trustworthy to contain your dog safely.…

Should You Hire a Professional to Remodel Your Kitchen?

When you choose to have your kitchen remodeled, the question crops up whether you get a professional to do the renovating for you or whether you do the job yourself. This should be an easy question to answer. If you do not have the expertise to do the work, let a professional contractor do the job. Professional contractors make such remodeling look simple, but that is because they do it every week of their lives.

If you want a proper job done on your kitchen, you should not use your own kitchen to practice on. Contractors have studied under their senior colleagues before they started doing anything alone. There may not be any apprenticeships any more, but the younger workers still learn from their more skilled co-workers.

Builders are expensive, it is true, but why should they be cheap? You will pay for your kitchen once and enjoy it for ten years or more. Professional contractors will do a near perfect job and if the result is unacceptable to you, you will have the right to protest and in all probability have it put right. This is because real contractors have to provide an adequate standard of work or they can be taken to court.

The time constituent is an important factor when considering hiring builders. Having done this work for several or even many years, they will know exactly what they are doing. They will not have to waste much time figuring things out. They will have come across most situations or complications before. This means that the work will get done much more quickly.

This may not sound important to you right now, but there are thousands of people around the country who shrink from going home every day because the kitchen is like a bomb site and has been for months because someone in the house has under estimated the issues involved in remodelling or over estimated how much skill at building they had.

This always leads to arguments and nagging and normally a builder is called in eventually to pick up the pieces and just get the job finished as soon as possible. By the time they get to this stage, often the money has run out and they end up with a less than ideal kitchen. Occasionally worse than when they started out.

The safety side is very important too. A professional will leave your kitchen in a safe condition when he or she goes home at the end of the day. There will be no naked live wires or broken plugs to contend with and the floor will not be like an obstacle course for you to cope with every time you want a cup of tea. Apart from this, you or your DIY spouse will not have to climb ladders, use power tools or hack off old materials with a five pound lump hammer and a bolster. This is a very real advantage.

The cost can be worrying, but a venture such as remodeling your kitchen will increase the value of your property and raise your quality of life. If need be, perhaps your mortgage provider would advance you a small loan, once they have seen your kitchen renovation plans and the builder’s estimate.…

Dog Barrier – Various Effective Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe

Dogs are man’s best friend. They help you; entertain you and keep you company. It is very important that you make them safe all the time. A dog barrier prevents them from jumping off the fence, digging in the garden and running through open gates among so many other things that they can do. These things will certainly cause unnecessary problems to you.

There are so many varieties of dog barriers available in the market today. That is why it is very important that you get the buy which is a perfect match for your dog. You have to remember that just as the barriers vary from one another, so are dogs and the environment they stay in. Below are some examples for barriers.

A pet barrier transmitter uses a small radio transmitter and from this point area a wire runs off to the area where you want your dog to stay. This wire will emit a signal to ensure that the dog will not escape from the area. Be sure to isolate the garden and pool from the circle.

From the name itself, a dog fence uses fences to prevent the dog from running around in areas where it is not allowed. However, there are also wireless dog fence. All these types of fence utilize Coded Digital FM radio frequency which gives protection to the areas you don’t want to be disturbed by your dogs.

A skedaddle, on the other hand, is a barrier that does not use a boundary wire. What it does is it emits a radio signal directly from the transmitter. All you need to do is to plug it in a power point and it will start protecting the area you want protected. This device is very excellent to be placed inside the house.

Another barrier is a hidden dog fence which sends signal down a wire which surrounds your property. It is the wire that emits a radio signal. Your dog will wear a dog collar so that when it reaches the restricted, it will receive a mild static pulse. There is no need for you to worry because it is harmless. The dog collar is available in varying sizes so you can certainly find one for your own dog. This is one of the best ways to keep your dog from getting into restricted areas.

Choosing the right barrier for your dog means that you will not be disturbed with all the meaningless nuisance owning a pet entails.…

Housing And Fencing In Alpaca Farming

The housing and fencing of animals in alpaca farming follows certain rules and conventions. Alpaca farming does not demand luxurious holdings as alpaca are very simple animals. Providing shelter for your alpaca can be easy and affordable.

Housing

Barns, outbuildings and run-ins are common.

Though they evolved in the mountainous regions of South America and are adapted to unpredictable environments, to get maximum profitability from alpaca it is advisable to adequately house them. Rain, sleet, slush, the blazing sun and the onslaught of wind are uncomfortable atmospheric conditions for even these adaptable creatures. A run-in can be built of three sides with a roof and the rear side facing prevailing winds. This will keep your alpacas comfortable during unfavorable weather conditions. Wood, bamboo and straw are traditionally used for these shelters. More modern run-ins have actually been built from masonry, zinc sheets and canvas tarpaulins with great utility and success. Ensure the floor level is at least 6 inches (15 cm) above the terrain and sloped to minimize dampness.

If you have the funding, go for a traditional barn. Your comfy creatures will thank you. A modest barn on 5 acres (.02 km2), constructed to house 25 alpacas, could cost just $14,000 if resources are used efficiently

Housing and fencing alpaca is a prudent practice in alpaca farming.

Fencing

Wood or metal pipe corrals, chain link fencing and electric fencing are common.

Fences keep alpaca safe. Being gentle, grazing creatures, they could easily wander into highways or even factory compounds when unattended. Domestic dogs like a nearby neighbor’s pet could actually do a lot of damage to your alpaca stock. Some dogs can go berserk and kill for fun. You could lose ten alpaca in a single such scenario. Chain link fencing is most often recommended due to its strength, flexibility and openness. A 5 foot (1.5 m) high fence with metal posts 5 or 6 feet (1.5 or 1.8 m) apart will be strong. Ensure that fence posts are dug at least 18 inches (.5 m) deep and that properly mixed concrete is poured in and allowed to cure. Some farmers use hollow concrete blocks in a continuous line around the perimeter and fill cavities with concrete. Up to 4 tiers of blocks can be utilized depending on soil type. It is wise to employ the use of steel rebar, preferably 0.5 inches (12 mm) in diameter, in every other block cavity for enhanced structural rigidity of wall base. The chain link mesh is then placed atop this block work.

Mobile metal fences have become popular. They can be moved and gate positions can be changed at will. Hollow metal pipe welded and fabricated into a secure open partition is also frequently used. Traditional wood rail fencing is often too easy to breach. Ensure gates have secure latches. The alpaca should not be able to push their head through the fence as they may strangle themselves. Males and females are usually kept separately. This is mainly to control breeding. Planned reproduction goes a far way in determining fleece quality and the physical well-being of the alpaca. Alpaca farming is more profitable when the security and well-being of the stock is assured.…