Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Electricians Share 5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

Choose Saskatoon electricians who have many years of experience in the field. 


5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

We know people out there in Saskatoon love to DIY, but when it comes to electrical work there are some projects better left to the professionals at Anytime Electric.


1. Replacing Wiring


The main factor when deciding whether an electrical project can be tackled by a DIYer or whether it should be handled professionally is the complexity of the project. Replacing wire is one of the jobs that are simply too complicated for even experienced DIYers. There’s just too much that can go wrong to make DIY wire replacement worth the risk. Faulty wiring leads to electrical shorts that can single-handedly cause a disastrous house fire. According to statistics Canada in 2014, in Saskatchewan, 50% of house fires were caused by electrical appliances or electrical distribution equipment.


2. Repairing or Replacing a Circuit Breaker


Another sure-fire (no pun intended) way to cause serious electrical problems in a home is to mess with the circuit breaker. Circuit breakers might seem simple from the outside, but they’re basically the brains of your house’s entire electrical system and is there to keep you safe. Making a mistake when you’re working on a breaker can cause power surges and damaged wiring throughout the home. Familiarize yourself with your circuit breaker so that you know when it’s not functioning properly and needs repair, but when it comes time to do the actual electrical work, hire a pro.


3. Replacing Burnt Outlets


Replacing outlets on their own is actually fairly simple and should not present too much of a challenge for experienced DIYers. But if an outlet is blackened, burnt, or even hot to the touch, don’t work on it. The issue here is probably related to overheated wires or overloaded circuits. If you just replace the outlet without looking deeper, you’re basically just applying a bandaid to an electrical problem. A professional electrician will be able to accurately diagnose whatever more advanced problem is causing the issue and then repair it correctly.


4. Installing Dedicated Circuits


Some appliances, especially those on the more heavy-duty side, require their own dedicated circuit for power so that they don’t cause the wiring to overheat. If you’re trying to set up a high-wattage appliance in a room without a dedicated circuit to spare, you might be tempted to try and install another one on your own - don’t. Installing a dedicated circuit requires more advanced knowledge of wiring and outlet installation, and if you get any of it wrong you’re just going to end up wasting time and money and creating a potential fire hazard.


5. Installing New Light Switches


Replacing switches that have gone bad or upgrading to a different kind of switch is not all that complicated. Installing an entirely new switch is. Avoid installing a new switch as a DIY project. A professional electrician will be able to do the job much safer and much more efficiently. 



Trusted Saskatoon Brags About Imagery Photography, A Trusted Saskatoon Photographer!

TrustedSaskatoon.com is so proud to partner with Imagery Photography and tell you why as we brag about this Trusted Saskatoon Photographer!

It seems like everyone who runs in “photographic circles” knows Imagery’s founder, Milton Taylor. Milton started Imagery Photography in 1977 out of a desire to be independently successful – and over the past 35 years has become a name that is synonymous with quality and artistry. As you can imagine, a lot has changed in the photographic industry over 35 years – the technology is very advanced as compared to the old equipment and processes. Milton comments,

“There is more to creating a portrait than a magic camera and photoshop skills… our strength is in our experience, our background in technical training, and our ability to understand the fundamentals – lighting, posing, and the mechanics of exposure.” 

Considering that Milton is a Master of the Photographic Arts, we truly believe that at Imagery Photography Saskatoon, you are dealing with the experts!

Your experience with Imagery begins with the initial consultation, where Milton gets to know a bit more about a person, and really listens to what you, the client, want from your session. This is crucial to the success of the shoot because this is where Imagery works with you to discover what style of portraiture will make you the happiest, whether it be journalistic, static, traditional, or environmental.

Listening to their clients is key to their success… Imagery Photography strives to give you the portraits that you will cherish. From this point, you then book your session (with a rain date chosen just in case!), and after that, a client comes back in to sit with Milton for the initial projection. This is where you can review all of the photos in the shoot with your photographic team to choose your favourites. After that, you are emailed your choices to make your final decisions, and then you are ready to order.

We all know that there are different reasons that people do what they do… some do it for the money, some do it for recognition, and some do what they do because they are passionate about it and genuinely love their craft. When we asked Milton what he loves the most about his work, he responded, 

“I love working in the environment, working with 3 or 4 generations of family, and working with young couples in love… you can see the passion people have for each other. Things in life will catch your eye if they catch your heart – these are the things you should pursue.” 

Essentially, Milton sees himself as a historian – and this is where the artistry really comes into play. 

“This work will be seen 50, 60, 100 years from now.”

Imagery Photography works in collaboration with many photographers in the province, hoping to elevate the standards of the industry and the profession as a whole. Milton does quite a bit of mentoring, and the attitude is always that someone once took the time to share knowledge with him, and this is his way to give back to the profession. He states, 

“Having a cake and eating it by yourself is no fun. This is my cake and I’m sharing it!” 

Asked about retirement, Milton always says he’s retiring on the first... the first time he doesn’t enjoy it anymore, that is! Well. here’s to many more years!!!!!

Read the glowing client testimonials from the clients Trusted spoke to on the IMAGERY PHOTOGRAPHY listing in the SASKATOON PHOTOGRAPHY & FRAMING category on the Saskatoon Directory of Excellence for yourself!!

About The Team At Synergy Business Solutions, Trusted Saskatoon HR and Business Consultants

Synergy Business Solutions are Trusted Saskatoon Human Resources and Business Consultants. Their services allow busy Saskatoon small business owners to focus their energies on running their businesses. They have professional specialists on staff with decades of experience who can assist with everything from management to HR consulting. Meet the team at Synergy Business Solutions!

Meet The Synergy Business Solutions Team!

LINDA HENDERSON

"My journey as an entrepreneur started in 2011. Previous to that, I worked for 25 odd years for others. My thank you gift for years of services was to be FIRED! This was a devastating day for me and left me reeling from everything that I knew to be true. My career was at an all-time low. 
As it turned out, my devastating day turned out to be the beginning of great days. One of the shareholders of Petrotag approached me regarding purchasing the company. My background was primarily in bookkeeping, with some sales and management. I was definitely interested but had a huge learning curve ahead of me. This was a highly technical company that manufactured, installed and serviced tank monitoring in the oil and gas industry. But I really wanted to try it on my own, so we purchased Petrotag Technologies Inc. in the fall of 2011. The purchase price had a 5-year plan to pay it off. By adjusting some low-hanging fruit, we paid it off in 1.5 years!"

DANIELLE ROBSON

At age 18, Danielle Robson was living in Alberta and going to university, with plans to become a lawyer. Her best friend’s dad owned several Tim Hortons franchises in Edmonton and one of Danielle’s jobs was working for him. He recognized something special about Danielle and threw out the idea that she should apply for her own store. With support from her family, they did, and three weeks later, in June 2003, they had their first Tim Hortons store in Saskatoon, on Fairlight Drive.

Fast forward 15 years, and “Hurricane Dani” shows no signs of slowing down, having just opened its tenth Tim Hortons store. They also own two Mr. Mikes restaurants. With over 300 employees and a young family at home with three kids under age 10, what drives Danielle Robson? Talking with Danielle, she’ll admit she thrives in chaos and jokes that if she wasn’t having a baby or opening a store, she would be bored. Her definition of boredom is different from most people’s.

Synergy Business Solutions strive to create a supportive consulting environment for Saskatchewan-based business owners seeking to improve their personal and professional growth.

  Services Offered Include:

  • HR ( Human Resources) 
  • Business Operation Consulting
  • Synergy Business Support Groups

'For Business Owners From Business Owners'

Synergy Business Solutions are Trusted Saskatoon HR and Business Consultants.


Trusted Saskatoon Air Conditioning & Furnace Pros at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Explain How to Save on Your Gas Bill!

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Saskatoon is eager to provide the best possible customer experience. Their aim is to be a professional resource for our clients before, during, and after the sale! Their team takes pride in service knowledge of modern equipment and training. They are recognized by peers and offer sales, service, training & installations for residential, and commercial Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing systems in Saskatoon and areaJOB Heating & Air are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers. In their latest tip, they share how you can save on your gas bill! 



SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NATURAL GAS BILL


Natural gas is an important part of Canada’s energy resources. More than six million Canadians use natural gas to light, heat and cool homes and businesses, to heat water, and for cooking.  Many Canadians have higher natural gas bills than they would like.


Check for Aging Equipment

If you are running an old, inefficient boiler or heating system, it may be wasting much of the energy it produces. It may never have had top-notch efficiency, to begin with, or it may have lost some capability with time and wear.

Blocked Vents and Impeded Airflow

The arrangement of the furniture and appliances in your home may block vents and restrict airflow. In this case, your natural gas heating system is likely working overtime because it’s much more difficult to heat your home to a comfortable temperature.

Lower the Thermostat

Especially in the winter, when gas bills soar, lowering the thermostat by even a couple of degrees can make a difference in your bill, helping you save as much as 5 to 10%. If lowering the heat would make your home uncomfortable in the evenings, try reducing the temperature only at night, or during the day if family members are at work. 

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

JOB Heating & air Conditioning recommend a smart thermostat for your home. A smart thermostat can adjust the heat to your particular schedule, so you won’t have to heat or cool your house even when no one’s home or everyone’s snuggled in bed. 

Turn Down the Water Heater

Some homes’ water heaters are set as high as 140 degrees, but most people don’t need their water that hot. To help save money on your gas bill, check your water heater and see if you can turn the temperature down while still allowing for comfortable showers and warm water for dishes.

Keep Doors and Windows Closed During the Winter and Open During the Cool Summer Nights

Along the same lines, keep doors and windows closed when your natural gas heating system runs. Opening windows and doors is great for cooling off a hot house on summer evenings, but it will let valuable heat escape in the colder seasons.

Bundle Up

Especially in the winter, wearing extra layers helps keep your thermostat settings low and your gas bills reasonable. If you’re wearing a sweater or some cozy flannel pants, you may not even notice that you’ve turned the thermostat down a few degrees. And using extra blankets or down comforters can help keep you warm at night when your thermostat is in its energy-saving mode.

Natural Gas Check-Up

Do a check-up on your plumbing, air conditioning and furnace. The check-up may show you how to save money on your Natural Gas Bill.



JOB Heating & Air Conditioning offers 24/7 emergency service. Known for prompt and courteous service, they are ready to assist if your Saskatoon plumbing heating or cooling system needs repair or if you want to upgrade or update it. Their professional local team is happy to provide free estimates for any home comfort or plumbing improvements you have in mind.

JOB Heating and Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon Plumber 



How Permanent Concrete Foundation Repairs Are From Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, discuss if concrete foundation repairs are permanent. 


Are Concrete Foundation Repairs Permanent?

Remember that not every crack, chip, or spalling is the same, and there is never such a thing as a “permanent” solution to any foundation damage! Changing soil conditions, extreme weather conditions, and a new construction project near your home can result in future foundation damage. Adding to your home’s weight, such as an attached sunroom without underpinning or otherwise strengthening a foundation can also mean eventual damage.


However, some foundation repair methods are more durable than others and should last for several decades. To better understand your foundation repair choices and their overall longevity, review below: 


CONCRETE PIERS

Concrete piers are often installed during the pre-construction phase of homebuilding, and these help support a foundation as it’s being poured and then setting and curing. These piers are also used for sinking foundations, lifting them up and providing added support. Concrete piers are durable and last for decades.

STEEL PIERS

Steel piers are similar to concrete piers but are easier to work with and can be installed more readily; concrete requires pouring while fresh, which can require disturbing far more landscaping and lawn than simple steel piers. Steel is also more impervious to moisture and added weight than concrete piers.

HELICAL PIERS

Helical piers look somewhat like giant screws and are screwed deeply into the earth, section by section if necessary. They are screwed into the ground until it’s proven that the area can properly hold the required bearing capacity of the structure. Helical piles are a relatively quick, economical foundational solution that provides stability and strength to foundations. They especially come in handy when there is structural damage to a foundation. 

POLY LIFT

A poly lift is also a popular way of repairing a sinking foundation; this includes injecting special polyurethane foam into the ground, under the broken foundation section. As the foam dries and hardens, it lifts the foundation into place and restores it to a level and even position. This poly foam doesn’t deteriorate or weaken over time, so it’s typically considered a permanent foundation repair solution.

CONCRETE SEALANTS AND EPOXY

Foundation crack sealants and epoxies help fill in cracks and holes that may appear in the foundation of a home. These cracks can result from many factors, including shifting soil, settling foundations, or even water erosion. Foundation crack sealant lasts for approximately 5-7 years.

While Steve has discussed are concrete foundation repairs permanent, it really depends on what is going on around your home and its foundation. We recommend if you have any concerns, call Steve.

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