Mitigating Storm Damage on Your Business Premises

Storm damage can be catastrophic when you are maintaining a business, especially if you have commercial properties. Just like most natural disasters, even with the best planning, will not stop the storm from happening. You cannot dictate Mother Nature on where it will hit. However, there are several things you can do to mitigate, limit, and protect your business against the effects of storm damage.
Taking preventive steps to protect your business from storm damage is an action that you should not leave to the last minute. Instead, you should consistently assess your risk and take the necessary moves to do your business in the best position at all times. Remind yourself: ‘I need to hire a repairman, maintenance guy or electrician near me’.

Here are some of the ways to mitigate the storm manage that you can do for your business:

Protecting the Roof
The roof is especially vulnerable when strong winds hit, and loose tiles can fly off at any time. It will leave your property exposed to the wet weather. You need to do regular inspections because it is necessary to make sure that it is in good condition at all times. During inspection look for any debris from broken tiles or slates in the ground all over your property, check for any leaning chimneys or any loose bricks from the chimney and check for loose gutter or any blockages.
As a preventive measure, you can fit heating tape around the underside of the gutter to prevent the ice from accumulating. If there is anything that needs repairs, you need to call a professional as soon as possible.

Preventing High Replacement Costs

Since you cannot prevent the storm from coming, you need to have the right insurance policies for your business. Insurance is essential for your business; without any financial protection against all the potential damages caused by the storm. Without insurance, you will be taking out massive amounts for your repairs, and in the worst case, you can even go out of business.
One of the essential insurance policies that you need for your business is called Business Interruption Insurance. It will protect the business from disturbances the will stop its operations. It covers disruptions to your business like a storm or hurricane.

Managing Energy Bills
You have to keep your business energy efficient during the storm. To do this, check if the property has proper insulation. If the cold air is coming into your property, the hot air will escape. This can create pressure on your heating system to keep your business warm.
Again, you need to do a thorough inspection of your property and check for things like rattling doors and windows and gaps in the outside walls. When you have a rattling window or door, it means cold air is seeping through the unsealed cracks. It can be remedied by using caulk to seal the cracks. The gaps in the walls are usually found in the exterior corners. You can seal these cracks with foam or caulk to prevent water and cold air from getting into your business premises.

Electrical Safety
The storm season can wreak havoc on your electricity. To make sure that your is electrically safe during a storm, you need to prepare your business. You need to install a safety switch and test it regularly, particularly before the storm. You should also know where to turn off your gas, power, and water supply during an emergency. If you have electrical equipment that you are not using, keep them in a safe place. During the actual storm, switch off and unplug all your electrical equipment. For business who have solar OV systems, shut them down following the safe isolation procedures.

McIntosh Electrical offers the best ‘electrical services near me’ for businesses in the Sydney area. They have certified Master Electricians who can provide creative and intelligent solutions for the electrical works needed in your commercial property. Call them today for a free consultation.

 

5 Skills One Must Possess to Complete Electrician Jobs

We know that electricians are the professionals to call when we have electrical issues. But do we know them well? A person may have a natural inclination to fix things, but whether these skills are sufficient to qualify them as an electrician? If these are not enough to complete electrician jobs Sydney, then what are these necessary skills?

If you want to know more about electrician jobs and electricians, read this article as we tackle the main tasks that electricians can do and what are the skills needed to complete these tasks.

Different Electrician Jobs

Most electricians perform a variety of hands-on tasks like electrical system repairs and wiring. Their Construction of electrical systems involves the use of various instruments, calibration equipment, and wires, collaborating with engineers and architects to design electrical systems in new properties, and testing the existing wiring for safety.

An electrician is also responsible for updating the older electrical systems so that it can meet the current regulations required by the state. When you are adding a new appliance, they are responsible for assessing and improving the electrical devices to make sure they meet them. With the latest technologies in generating electricity from renewable resources, it is an electrician’s job to modify the systems or replace them if need be to change for a more environmentally friendly technology.

Five Essential Skills that Electricians Need

Electrician jobs may be attractive to many, and they may think that it is easy to do, but there is some requirement that cannot be taught in the classroom or while they are on training. These skills are necessary for them to perform electrician jobs well or otherwise, the safety of the property, and your safety is at stake. Here are the skills that electricians must possess.

Mechanical Skills

Obviously, an electrician should have an innate sense of mechanics to handle electrician jobs. It involves taking things apart and successfully putting them back together. Electrical work involves a lot of these work, and when an electrician has this skill, they are comfortable around the job and confident in their abilities.

Problem Solving Skills

Part of an electrician’s job is diagnosing and repairing electrical problems. After their apprenticeship, they are on their own to respond to issues and find solutions. They need to understand an electrical problem and find ways to solve the problem.

Communication Skills

Many of the work orders assigned to an electrician should be discussed with the client to understand them better. An electrician must have excellent communication skills to ensure that the job is done correctly.

Business Skills

Since some electricians are independent contractors, they also need business skills to run the business. They should have a general knowledge of business practices to run their business confidently.

Customer Service Skills

Electricians need to interact with customers to perform their job. They should develop a rapport with their customers. By making their customers feel at ease, it will be reassuring and will help them get comfortable while dealing with their crisis.

If you need a qualified electrician with all the skills to do the electrician job well, call McIntosh Electrical. They have qualified and licensed electricians always ready to serve you.

An Electrician for Each Electrician Job: What You Need to Know

If you are a home or business owner, you are going to need an electrician at some point. Whether it is installing a new light or troubleshooting an electrical issue, it is good to know the kind you need for electrician jobs in Sydney.

Electricians vary based on skills and qualifications. An electrician is a licensed and skilled professional who can perform various electrician jobs from installation to maintenance and repair of electrical devices and systems. Although all of them knows how to work with electrical systems, there are several types of electrician according to their specialization and degrees of expertise.

Are you confused about what type of electrician to call? Don’t worry; this article will help you identify the kind of electrician you need for the electrician job you have.

Residential Electricians

Residential electricians are professionals who handle the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of various electrical systems and equipment in homes and residential buildings. They are also licensed to install outdoor and landscape lighting.

This type of electrician undergoes training and apprenticeship under the supervision of an experienced electrician. They also need to pass the tests at the end of this apprenticeship program to have the license to service the residents.

Commercial Electricians

By the name itself, you know what type of service this type of electricians provides. You can usually find them in commercial buildings, on construction sites, and in mechanical systems. Their electrician jobs involved installation and maintenance work on water heaters, for example, business security systems and on electronic key systems.

They are also responsible for systems upgrades and troubleshooting. To be a commercial electrician, they need to undergo training under a Master Electrician. The standards in commercial electrical work are more stringent than residential electricians because public safety is at stake.

Journeymen Electricians

The journeymen electricians have an enormous scope of responsibility than the two previously mentioned electricians. They work lighting installations, security systems, power supplies, and communication lines in both residential and commercial properties. Some electrician jobs they handle involve installation and repair of overhead lines.

You can find them working in construction while others are in utility companies and manufacturing plants. They passed the apprenticeship program and the Journeyman’s Electrical exam. Upon receipt of their certification, they can work in the field unsupervised.

Master Electricians

This is the highest level of expertise and certification an electrician can have. A master electrician works mostly in supervisory roles, or some of them have their own electrical contracting business. It takes them years of experience and certification to be a Master Electrician.

Aside from installation, repair, and maintenance, they also possess managerial skills. They supervise entry-level electricians, apprentices, and journeymen when they are in the field.

No matter what type of electrician you need, you have to be sure that you are hiring the one that will suit the electrician job you have. Contact McIntosh Electrical to schedule an appointment.

When Do Electricians Come in Handy in Sydney

Don’t believe everything you see on Pinterest or any DIY site. Seeing how people can manage to do every home repair or improvement project without sweat is unbelievable. If everybody can do the job on their own, then we don’t need plumbers, handyman, and electricians. That is in an ideal world. In reality, we cannot do it on our own. Hence, we have the reliable electrician Castle Hill to install, repair, and maintain electrical systems.

Maybe some people can really do it on their own and blog about it. But most of us are too busy to spend time on electrical works because we have other things to do. And when it comes to potentially dangerous repairs, we know better. We need an electrician to repair our electrical needs.

Why Do We Need an Electrician?

Anything that works with and around electricity is complicated and potentially dangerous. Going for an amateur electrical work can cause poor wiring, faulty grounding, and or overloaded circuits. These scenarios can all lead to hazardous situations for you and your family, not to mention your property.

While it is tempting to save money by doing the electrical works yourself or trusting and amateur to help, it is better to spend money on a job done correctly.

Instances that Calls for an Electrician

Fuse and Circuit Breaker Problems

It is a common scenario, fuses that keep on blowing and circuit breakers that keep tripping. Even if you replace your fuses, but they are not the right type, you will experience them again. Replacing a 15amp fuse with 30amp will create a fire hazard from overloading the wire. What you need to do is to call for an emergency electrician Castle Hill to wire a new circuit.

The same is true of circuit breakers. These are important to prevent circuit overload and the risk of fire. However, if you have an old circuit breaker that could be a problem because you have added more appliances and gadgets. When you need to upgrade the circuit, you need an electrician to do this because it is incredibly complicated and dangerous.

Overloaded Extension Cords

There is a reason why electric wiring are buried deep within the walls. That is to protect the wiring systems from getting disturbed. If you need extension cords more often than necessary, you need additional outlets. Call an electrician to do this.

Hot Switches and Outlets

Even if electricity produces heat, the switches and the outlets should never be heated. It can be slightly warm but not hot. In case you notice this, don’t hesitate to call for an electrician.

Sparking

If you notice a flickering light, there could be an underlying problem more than the fixture itself. An electrician can find out the root cause of the problem and provide the necessary solution. Don’t hesitate to call an electrician when you are experiencing this.

Weird Odors

If you detect an odd smell from your outlet, unplug everything and don’t use it. Let an electrician inspect the outlet where the smell is coming from and fix it.

In Castle Hill, McIntosh Electrical provides certified and licensed electricians who can provide you with solutions to your electrical issues. Call them now.

Essential Tips from Your Electrician in Sydney: How to Install Ceiling Fan

There are a handful of repairs and fixes that a homeowner or a budding DIYer can do for their home. When it comes to small tasks that you can do yourself,  there is nothing simpler than installing a ceiling fan. Yes, you can install your ceiling fan without the call for your emergency electrician Sydney. Investing in a ceiling fan may help you ventilate your living area or bedroom, adding savings on energy bills because it uses a small amount of electricity.

Installing small appliances in your home is an easy job, and it can be done using common hand tools you have at home. If you are new to this task, we have talked to a local electrician Sydney for some tips.

Here are tips on how to install a ceiling fan from the expert.

1.  Locate Where You Want The Ceiling Fan Mounted. Ceiling fans should be ideally located in the center of the room. You can swap whatever light fixture you might have there. This will allow the fan to supply more air in the room.

2.  Check if you have a Pre-Existing Circuit to your Selected Spot or If You Need a new one. The most common cause of the electrical fire is an overloaded circuit, so you have to take precautions. Ceiling fans do not employ as much electricity as the lighting fixture. If you are going to install the ceiling fan on the spot vacated by a lighting fixture, then you can proceed. But if this is a new location, you need to run a new line from the breaker for your ceiling fan. In this case, you have to call an electrician Sydney.

3.  Ensure that there is Blade Clearance. The Ceiling should have at least 7 to 10 inches clearance below the highest point of the roof. It should be 8-10 inches below the ceiling to have good airflow. If you don’t have this clearance, you need to install a shallow mount for your ceiling fan.

4.  Read the Instruction Manual. This is the most crucial point, always read the instruction manual as it is loaded with information and troubleshooting guide.

5.  Shut down the Power before Installation. You don’t have to shut down all the electricity inside your home, only the electric power within the circuit where you will place your ceiling fan. Make sure that the junction box is strong enough to carry the additional weight and can support the vibration during the installation.

6.  Make sure that you have one everything right before turning on the Electric Power. If you notice smoke when you turn it on, call an emergency electrician Sydney. If all goes well, then start showing it off to your family and friends.

Doing simple tasks in your home can be an achievement. But if you are not sure that you can install the ceiling fan properly, admit it and call for an electrician to help. It is better safe than sorry. In Sydney, you can call McIntosh Electrical. They can do appliances installations at an affordable rate.

4 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Commercial Electrician

Ever since its invention, electricity has become a vital part of our lives. In the modern workplace, electricity is the source of power for lighting, computers, and other appliances. Businesses also depend on electricity for security. The installation, management, and maintenance of all the electrical components in commercial establishments require a skilled hand. And this is where the importance of a commercial electrician Sydney is realized.

Aside from managing and maintaining the electrical systems, there are plenty of reasons why you need commercial electrician services. If you have no idea as to what these are, read on.

For Electrical Safety
Dealing with electricity is complicated and dangerous and so much so when it is in a commercial establishment. Like in your home, safety is a primary concern when it comes to electricity. Also, every business in Sydney has to comply with electrical codes and safety standards to protect its employees and customers from potential electrical hazards. Therefore, to do these, you need to hire a qualified electrician who can ensure that all the electrical components in the building do not pose any threat.

For Lighting Installations
Lighting is essential because you need to have a well-illuminated workplace and signage. Even if you have natural lighting, it will not be sufficient or consistent to light your interiors. You will need a commercial electrician Sydney who knows the correct type of light and its load to light your workplace--both its interior and exterior--properly.

For Keeping Machines and Appliances Running

Majority of the equipment and appliances inside your building need electricity to keep them running. This electrical system will wear out over time and will require upgrades and regular maintenance. With a well-maintained system, you will have a reliable powerline for your machines and appliances.   Everything will run smoothly and safely.

Availing of commercial electrician services is the best decision you will make for your business because you don’t have to worry about electrical breakouts and failures. A qualified electrician will maintain the system for faults and replace or repair these electrical components.

For Installation of Security Systems
Workplace security is critical and, nowadays, conventional security systems are replaced by electronic ones. Some of these security equipment include security or surveillance cameras, access control systems, security lights (some are motion-activated) and many others.

If you’re a business owner, you have a responsibility to protect your establishment and employees from theft, unwelcome intruders, and vandals. Only a commercial electrician will have the necessary skills and knowledge to install these technology-driven security tools that will keep your business safe.

Reliable Commercial Electrician
You cannot deny the fact that any business is reliant on electricity. And because electrical systems are complicated, a commercial electrician will make sure that it is running correctly at all times. Setting up reliable electrical components that will work safely is a task that needs impeccable skills and experience.

As a business owner or a building contractor, you need an expert commercial electrician to work on your commercial property. McIntosh Electrical has a strong reputation with clients in Sydney. Call them today.

Essential Electrical Upgrades to Consider for Your New Kitchen

Remodelling and renovating your kitchen can be rewarding, and increase the value of your home, but you will also need to consider upgrading the electrical components such as new power points, switches and new circuits, along with your new cabinetry. Adding new appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers and fridges, is adding load to the existing wiring, which can often be old, damaged or simply non-compliant.

New Australian Electrical Standards AS/NZ3000(2018) Standards also require ovens and cooktops to have their own circuits and safety switches on each individual circuit. Older homes often have outdated wiring systems that may no longer able to support modern appliances. This all needs to be taken into consideration prior to renovating, and pre-planning with a qualified and licensed electrician is key to getting it right and staying on budget.

The rule of thumb is if the appliance operates with a motor, it has to have its own circuit.
If you have renovation plans, you might be asking yourself, “where can I find an electrician near me?” to incorporate electrical upgrades to your project. Here are some of the enhancements that you may need to include.

Your Electrical Circuits 

The kitchen should have at least seven circuits or more if there are more appliances to be added. There is the 15-amp primary lighting circuit, five circuits dedicated to your specific appliances and two 20-amp circuits for small appliances.

The primary lighting circuit is what powers the task lighting, ceiling fixtures, and recessed lighting. The lighting circuit depends on the total wattage of the combined light that will be connected to the circuit. However, it should be sufficient enough to control the lighting inside the kitchen.

The refrigerator has gotten more extensive and more sophisticated; at least 20-amp and the are0-volt circuit is required to power this appliance plus you must make sure there is no other electrical load.
Electric range circuit should be dedicated to the cooking area of the new kitchen. It also needs an exclusive outlet to avoid overloading.

Microwave is also another kitchen appliance that demands more power, and an outlet solely dedicated to it should be included in your upgrade plans.
The food disposer keeps the kitchen clean and is a relatively new device. It also needs its own circuit and outlet.

Your Lighting System

A newly renovated kitchen will not have much impact if space has poor lighting. If you have increased the size of your kitchen, you need to add more lights. Accent lighting can highlight and illuminate the frequently used areas in the kitchen. Placing them over the stove, island benches, and over the kitchen table can bring openness and warmth to your kitchen.

Most accent lights these days are energy efficient LED’s, such as LED strip-lighting and LED Down Lights. These LED’s use one-fifth of the power of halogen lights are long-lasting, come in a fantastic range of colours and styles, but are still affordable.

Your Light Dimmers

In any room, lighting sets the tone and mood. While it is required for your kitchen to be adequately lit, you also have the option to change them into something out of the ordinary. The change will be a rewarding one. If you want to set a romantic mood in the kitchen, you can dim the lights. If space is adjacent to the living area, you can make a distinction between the areas by installing light dimmers. These dimmers can be paired with many bulb types like LED or CFL. You just need to install a dimmable bulb with a dimmable light switch.

Your Additional Data Ports

Did you know that USB and data ports can be incorporated into power points or individually around the kitchen area? Chances are, the device you are using to read this article now uses a USB connection to charge. The USB cable is now as standard as conventional electrical plugs, and the future for kitchen appliances are geared towards USB charging. Although your home value will not increase by adding USB outlets in the kitchen, you still need them to plug your phone, iPad, and other devices and will thereby become useful in the future.

Why Hire a Licensed Electrician to do the Job?

If you are a homeowner who needs electrical upgrades for your kitchen, don’t just think ‘I’ll hire anybody who offers electrician services near me’. Go for the one who has experience in the electrical field. First, electricity is complicated and dangerous. Only licensed electricians have undergone extensive training and are updated with the latest in electrical codes.

For upgrades of service panels that provide electricity to your kitchen, you need to have a licensed electrician who understands the requirements. Upgrading the electrical service panels are required to supply your kitchen with adequate electricity.

Only a licensed electrician can install additional outlets in your home or convert your existing outlets to GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters. They know that electrical code requires that at least one of the outlets in the kitchen is a GFCI outlet. These outlets are designed to shut off the power when water comes in contact with electricity, or there is an imbalance in the electricity load.

Another reason why you should hire a licensed electrician to do the job is when it comes to replacing light fixtures; they understand the amperage of the circuit and the wattage of the lighting fixture. There are specific measures that only licensed electricians to know when it comes to replacing the light fixture.

Above all, licensed electricians are up to date in complying to the electricity code. Both national and local authorities have set forth these guidelines that detail the standards in electrical safety. If your home is not compliant, it is not only dangerous but as a homeowner, you will be fined.

To answer the question of ‘who is an electrician near me who can help in implementing the electrical upgrades in my kitchen?’, ask the licensed electricians at McIntosh Electrical. They can help you with light and dimmer installation, additional circuit and outlets, USB outlets, and many other electrical services.

Mcintosh Electrical

Their Master Electricians are always ready and at your service. They offer commercial, residential, and industrial electrical services. They also provide 24-hour, seven days a week, and 365 days a year service for all your electrical needs. Contact them today, and one of the friendly members of the team will help you.