Not-so sweet sounds

Hearing loss is a major problem in the industry, but goes unnoticed at first.

When people outside the industry ask about the biggest safety risk for landscape contractors, my answer is always the same: “If by ‘biggest safety risk,’ you mean what could kill them, it’s a piece of equipment rolling over on them. But the hazard that landscapers face every day is noise exposure and hearing loss.”

It’s hard to find statistics specifically on the landscape industry, but the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says occupational hearing loss is the most common work-related illness in the United States, estimating 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss since 2004. If you work in the field and don’t practice good hearing safety, you will experience hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a tricky problem: It usually causes no pain, has no visible trauma, leaves no scars and is completely unnoticeable in the early stages. It accumulates with each exposure and can take years to notice any changes. It can’t be cured, but it can be prevented with good hearing safety practices.

Hearing loss is a function of noise level (measured in decibels) and exposure time, but a small increase in noise, only 3 dB, cuts the safe exposure time in half. Hazardous noise levels are defined as exposure above 85 dB for an 8-hour work day. That is roughly equivalent to being on, or around, a fairway or rough mower all day. If you are operating a chainsaw at more than 100dB, you could experience hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes.

The source of this article was found on lawnandlandscape.com, for the full article please click here.

About the author

MICKEY MCCORD | March 10, 2014

Understanding Water Damage

Running water can be considered a basic necessity of life. You would not be able to clean your clothes, or wash the dishes without it. Although water can be used for many purposes, it can also cause major damage to your property, valuables and equipment unless you take steps to help maintain your home. By using these safety tips, you can minimize or help prevent water damage inside your home.

Water damage can come from different non-weather related sources, such as leaky baseboard heating, plugged air conditioning unit condensation drains, furnaces/boilers, water heaters, washing machines, and leaky plumbing.


















How can you help prevent water from leaking inside your home or business? No matter the source of damage-causing water, you can minimize or help prevent water damage from sources from within the home through home maintenance steps, including:

• Inspect washing machine hoses annually and replace every three–five years–or immediately, if there are any signs of cracking or bulging.
• Inspect plumbing around water heaters, showers, tubs, toilets, sinks, and dishwashers annually and repair if there are any signs of leaks or corrosion. When possible, install water heaters in an area with floor drains to help minimize damage if leaks should occur.
• Inspect refrigerator icemaker connections, usually located behind the refrigerator, annually and replace hoses if they appear cracked or corroded.
• Check air conditioning drain lines yearly and clean if clogged.

Also consider taking regular routine maintenance steps to help prevent water from entering your home or business, including:

• Keep drains, gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and other debris.
• Maintain your roof to help prevent water from seeping into your home.
• Move downspouts minimally three feet away from the base of your home.
• Inspect and repair foundation wall cracks.
• Grade your landscape away from your building so water is directed away from the basement.

In addition to taking steps to help maintain your property, homeowners should also consider purchasing insurance coverage. If you have any questions, contact your agent or company representative.

Dobra Property Maintenance LLC

Colonia, NJ 07067

732-501-4006 / info@dobra.co

www.dobra.co

NJ Home Improvement Contractor #13VH05912800

Fully Licensed and Insured.

Summer Maintenance Tips and Reminders

Summer is here and in full swing.  In your spare time you could be enjoying the sun and spending time with your family and friends.  Hopefully you've been keeping your home and lawn in good shape.  If not... below is a list of Summer tips and reminders to help you maintain your home, lawn and landscaping.

If you happen to be busy at work and have no time to attend to these chores, hire a professional.  Dobra Property Maintenance provides quality handyman services, lawn care, lawn mowing, landscaping, leaf and yard cleanup, gutter cleaning, vinyl fence installation, brick pavers, retaining walls, snow plowing and related services to residential and commercial property owners with quality and professional workmanship, strict attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

We can even sharpen your dull mower blades for you!!!

Call 732-501-4006 for a free estimate or visit our website at www.dobra.co.

Outdoor Summer Tips

Trees and shrubs:

• Prune shrubs as necessary
• Deadhead and lightly prune roses regularly throughout the summer. Prune a small amount off the stem after each flower has finished to encourage more blooms. When pruning, always remember to cut above a stem with five leaves. 
• Make sure they are getting adequate water, over-watering is just as bad as drought.  When watering, slow and deep is the way to go. It promotes deeper root growth, and helps the    overall health of the tree
• Inspect for insects and diseases, check for signs of damage, treat promptly and as necessary
• Fertilize trees and shrubs

Lawns:

• Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
• Inspect for insects and diseases, check for signs of damage, treat promptly and as necessary
• Apply slow-release turf fertilizer
• Routine Maintenance
  -Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed
  -Water when needed. Both drought and over-watering can create serious problems

  Softscapes (Planted beds):

• Complete spring flower installation by June 15th
• Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
• Inspect for insects and disease, look for abnormalities in plants, treat promptly as necessary
• Maintain planted areas by deadheading flowers, weeding, and fertilizing as necessary

Hardscapes (Water features, irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, driveways, patios, walks, etc.):

• Clean out debris, sustain proper water levels, sustain proper chemical levels
• Irrigation Systems:  Periodically inspect moisture content of separate zones for proper irrigation
• Check and reset automatic timers on outdoor lighting
• Check outdoor lighting fixtures for damage, replacing bulbs if necessary
• Inspect driveways, walks and patios for any uneven surfaces, repairing as necessary
• Clean and treat hardscapes if necessary (paint, wood-treatment, etc.)
• Begin thinking about and planning for next year's landscape projects

Exterior Summer Tips

• Repair cracks in gutters and downspouts.
• Mend fissures in the exterior house siding or replace loose or broken shingles
• Repair or replace rotten or peeling patio and deck floorboards
• Inspect outdoor furniture for mildew
• Inspect children’s outdoor play equipment
• Clean the barbecue and grill

Indoor Summer Tips

• Inspect ceiling fans making sure the blades are well balanced and rotating in the right direction.
• Repair stuck or sticking windows and doors.
• Spray lubricant or silicone to sliding window tracks.
• Change the air conditioning system filter monthly.
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Have chimneys cleaned
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check your electrical system
• Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
• Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Check for damage to your roof
• Run through a severe-weather drill with your family
• Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Check your water heater
• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm

Dobra Property Maintenance LLC

Colonia, NJ 07067

732-501-4006 / info@dobra.co

www.dobra.co

NJ Home Improvement Contractor #13VH05912800

Fully Licensed and Insured.

Spring Maintenance Tips and Reminders

Spring is only a few weeks away.  Soon you'll be pulling out your grill and inviting family and friends to your home for some memorable times.  But before you fire up your grill and show off your skills you'll need to spruce up your home, indoors and out.  Below is a list of Spring tips and reminders to help you maintain and increase the beauty of your home, lawn and landscaping.

If you happen to be busy at work and have no time to attend to these chores, hire a professional.  Dobra Property Maintenance provides quality handyman services, lawn care, lawn mowing, landscaping, leaf and yard cleanup, gutter cleaning, vinyl fence installation, brick pavers, retaining walls, snow plowing and related services to residential and commercial property owners with quality and professional workmanship, strict attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

Call 732-501-4006 for a free estimate or visit our website at www.dobra.co.

Outdoor Spring Tips

Trees and shrubs:

• Prune trees, shape, thin, raise the undercarriage, and clear out dead, damaged and infected branches
• Trim crape myrtles, ornamental grasses and liriope
• Prune rose bushes
• Fertilize trees and shrubs
• Inspect for insects and diseases (this is the time of year they begin to be active) check early for signs of damage

Lawns:

• Spring clean up
• Have your soil tested
• Aerate the lawn
• Split seed any bare or dead areas of the lawn
• Fertilize lightly
• Apply pre-emergent weed control over entire lawn
• Apply post-emergent weed-control as needed
• Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary
• Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed

  Softscapes (Planted beds):

• Apply a fresh layer of mulch to beds
• Remove weeds, sticks, debris, etc., from planted areas
• Apply pre-emergent weed control in planted areas
• Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
• Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary
• Begin spring flower installation after the last frost, usually May 15th or later (annuals, perennials, herbs)
• Maintain planted areas by deadheading flowers, weeding, and fertilizing as necessary

Hardscapes (Water features, irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, driveways, patios,and walks):

• Clean out debris, fill, treat and test all water features. Open as necessary after May 1st
• Turn on and inspect irrigation systems after May 1st
• Reset automatic timers on outdoor lighting when Daylight Savings Time begins
• Check outdoor lighting fixtures for damage, replacing bulbs if necessary
• Inspect driveways, walks and patios for any damage caused by winter weather, repairing as necessary

Indoor Spring Tips

• Replace your furnace filter
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check your electrical system
• Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
• Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Check for damage to your roof
• Run through a severe-weather drill with your family
• Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
• Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Check your water heater
• Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm

The above indoor checklist was supplied by State Farm Insurance, further details can be found here.

Dobra Property Maintenance LLC

Colonia, NJ 07067

732-501-4006 / info@dobra.co

www.dobra.co

NJ Home Improvement Contractor #13VH05912800

Fully Licensed and Insured.