Starting Diesel Engines In Saskatchewan Winters

 K & S Contracting specialize in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan, but they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and surrounding area including:

• Basement renovations
• Foundations for RTM, Residential and Light Commercial
• Decks, Fences & Landscaping 
• Custom Builds
• Roofing, Re-Roofs and Shingles
• Exteriors
• All Insurance work 

5 Common deck building mistakes

One of the worst mistakes to make when building a deck is to select the wrong building material. Often people buy the wrong wood or use nails where braces are needed, etc. Personally I have come across dozens of decks built with fencing material. What seems like a cost cutting method could add up to major costs in just a few years. Most fence material has square edges, which chip and break off under the slightest amount of foot pressure. This wood also tends to be knotty and often warps in any weather condition. 

Incorrect Riser Heights

One of the most confusing aspects of building a deck for an aspiring carpenter, is cutting the stringer. There is a little math involved that often causes first timers to make the mistake of cutting incorrect riser heights. All of the risers should be the same length except for the bottom riser. All of the other risers will lose the depth of the tread once it is put on so the bottom riser should be a tread depth smaller than the other risers. It’s an easy mistake to make when taking everything else into account.

Not Sealing Your Deck

When a deck is built with pressure treated wood, it is recommended to avoid sealing it for 6 months. For some homeowners, six months can turn into a couple of years before they know it. When a deck is not sealed, it will start rotting in a hurry. Make sure to properly clean and seal your deck and check it often to make sure it doesn’t need to be sealed again. To check your deck before you wreck your deck, pour a little water on it to see if it absorbs. If the water is absorbed, it is time to seal it again. A little maintenance goes a long way.

 Incorrect placement of Beam Splices

More often than not, beginning carpenters make the assumption that separating the distance of beam splices between the different plies is important. While it can help if done properly, It is more important to make sure your splices sit on top of posts. Some designs make it possible to stagger the splices and sit them atop separate posts but if this isn’t possible, make sure sit your splices on top of your posts, even if they are only inches apart between plies. If you avoid this warning, you could be rebuilding after inspection. 

Improper Drainage 

This mistake is actually a series of mistakes that many budding builders make. When building your deck, you want to make sure the water drains in an efficient manner. If the deck is attached directly to your house, it is important to use the proper flashing to make sure water doesn’t accumulate on the side of your house, rotting your structure. It is also important to leave a little space between your planks to allow for drainage. Last but not least, consider sloping your deck .25 inches for every 12 inches away from your house. Doing this will help keep water from accumulating on your deck. 

Building a deck can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you plan ahead and avoid these and other costly mistakes. Happy Building!

READ MORE CLIENT REVIEWS HERE ON THEIR WEBSITE K & S Contracting are Saskatoon’s Trusted Contractor for ICF Foundations..."They will get you back on solid ground!"

K & S Contracting are Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors and foundation specialists

From the first joyous experiences of a new puppy or kitten to the final loving moments with a beloved senior pet, they are with you every step of the way.

Nutritional Consultation

Pet health based on diet is a complex and evolving piece of your pet’s health. Veterinary-grade diets have been tested and proven through exhaustive clinical studies to ensure the best product for your pet’s particular requirements.

Proper pet nutrition is an important component of your pet’s health care. Regular wellness visits, vaccinations, and proper nutrition play a key role in keeping your canine or feline happy and healthy. That’s why Frontier Veterinary Services provides veterinary-grade diets from trusted companies.

We offer a variety of pet food options for both canines and felines. Proper nutrition benefits your pet in many ways including:

• Coat health
• Digestion and elimination
• Muscle tone
• Immunity and disease prevention
• Allergies
• Bones and joints
• Growth diets for puppies and kittens  

There are many pet food companies and options available, and we understand how difficult it can be to select the proper food for your pet. Based on your pet’s wellness exam, we can provide recommendations to assist you.

There are many factors to consider when selecting the best nutritional formula such as:

• Age
• Weight
• Bladder health
• Digestive health
• Skin and coat health
• Joint health
• Oral health
• Thyroid health
• Allergies

We are pleased to partner with you on your pet’s nutrition. Our veterinary team can provide additional information and assistance with any questions you may have such as:

• Food rotation
• Switching your pet to a new food
• Dietary supplement information
• Optimal feeding schedule and quantity
• Strategies for feeding multiple pets with different dietary needs

Reed Security believes when you become a client you will be entering into a relationship – one they want to grow and become long term...they work hard to meet all your Saskatoon Alarm & security needs from day one!

REED SECURITY are Trusted and they are recipients of 2 x 2012 SABEX AWARDS - these Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce awards recognize excellence in business.

Trusted Saskatoon Security expert from Reed Sucurity tip on Theft

from their Trusted Saskatoon Security Blog  

Can you outsmart a Thief?

All About Theft

• 66% of break-in's are forced entry and forced entry attempts
• 34% of break-in's are unlawful entry (without force)
• In 2014, Saskatchewan had 8506 break-in's (164/week)
• Break-in's occur in all areas of the City - not just the "bad areas"
• Most Home break-in's occur when you are at work or travelling (daytime)
• Most Business break-in's occur when you are at home (evening and weekends)
• Cabin's and Lake properties are especially attractive
• 98% of break-in's occur though main floor doors and windows (often unlocked)
• Thieves target the Master Bedroom
• Thieves steal:
• Cash and Credit Cards
• Jewelry Designer clothes and sunglasses
• Electronics such as TV's, Stereos, Computers, Video Game systems, Smartphones and Tablets
• Tools
• Sporting Goods
• Cars and Trucks or the contents in them
• Building Materials Alcohol and Prescription drugs
• Your Identity

How to Prevent Theft

• Use Common Sense
• If you lose a key, get the locks changed.
• Ask all strangers for identification.
• Never hide an extra key outdoor - especially underneath a mat or on top of a light fixture. This is the first place the bad guys look. Leave an extra house key with a friend or a neighbor.
• DO NOT advertise on Facebook or other social media that you are on vacation. If you want to post photos, then do it when you get home.
• For insurance purposes take photos of the contents of your home.
• Keep all receipts in a safe and easy to find location.
• Write down the model and serial number of all electronics. 
• Make it Difficult
• Door chains are easy to bypass.
• Install deadbolts. Install a stopper or stick on all sliding doors and windows.
• Install window bars on all basement windows.
• Make sure all doors and windows are properly locked.
• Keep your premises well lit at night.
• Install timers that turn lights on at different times. This gives the appearance that someone is home.
• Install a monitored Home Security system
• 400% less likely to have a break-in.
• up to 25% insurance discount.
• optional ALARM.COM with automatic lights.  
• In case you do have a break-in:
• If it looks like a door or window was forced open, DO NOT go inside. The Burglar may still be on site.
• Call the Police from your cellular phone or from a neighbor's house and wait.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?: 

Vitamin D has a long and very fascinating history. Rickets, a disease consisting of bone deformities, pain and fractures was first defined in the 17th century but it took until 1920 before the cure for Rickets was discovered. That cure is known as Vitamin D.

Today in Canada, we rarely see cases of Rickets, but low Vitamin D levels can cause osteomalacia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis (fragile bones) in adults.

Vitamin D’s best known role is to keep bones healthy by helping to increase the absorption of Calcium. Without enough Vitamin D, the body can only absorb 10-15% of dietary calcium. If Vitamin D only protected bones, it would still be very essential to our health. But researchers have discovered that it may do much more. Vitamin D may also play a role in reducing your risk of Multiple Sclerosis, decreasing your chance of developing heart disease and helping to reduce your likelihood of developing the flu. Researchers have also noticed that people who don’t have enough Vitamin D tend to fall more often than other people. They found that taking a Vitamin D supplement reduces the risk of falling by up to 22%.

As important as Vitamin D is, very few foods contain Vitamin D so some foods such as milk, cereal and orange juice have Vitamin D added to them. However, it is impossible to get your daily dose of Vitamin D through diet alone.

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” since our body produces vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight. Just 10 minutes a day of mid-day sun is plenty. However, as we enter the winter months and our days become shorter with less hours of sunlight it can be very difficult to get the sufficient amount of Vitamin D through the sun alone.

Taking Vitamin D supplements can help you get the proper amount of this Vitamin. Health Canada recommends at least 400 IU per day in infants and up to 800 IU per day in adults over 70. New research suggests that higher daily amounts are needed and that people over the age of 50 generally need higher amounts of Vitamin D than younger people do.

Although the exact amount may be in question, the importance of Vitamin D is not. Talk to your Pharmacist or Doctor to ensure you get the right amount for your needs.