Blog Page 67

How a Commercial Generator Can Help Your Business

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Home office with black wall and white table
Used with permission of Kira David Design

Has an unstable power supply ever affected your business? Do the current weather patterns and bulk power supply disrupt its smooth operations? Are you wondering how to scale up the productivity of your business? This article is just for you.

Whether it’s an office, a shopping mall, data center, restaurant, or even a fashion home, a commercial generator installation is the best fit for you. In this guide, we’ll show you how this helps your business. Let’s get to it.

Customer Comfort and Satisfaction

Home office with black wall and white table
Used with permission of Kira David Design

Imagine banks and ATMs shutting down because of power outages. You wouldn’t be able to purchase food, water, and other items you need.

Power outages will slow down productivity, leaving your business hanging on a thread. This might lead your clients to move quickly to another business that satisfies their needs.

When customers visit your business, they require some comfort. You don’t want them to complain of exhaustion during a heatwave because there’s no electricity in your establishment.

A constant power supply is required to power up the air conditioners in the summer and heaters in the winter. If you own a family store and experience blackouts, you’ll be unable to keep your drinks cold.

Therefore, you must install a commercial generator to keep your business and customers open until power is restored. 

Competitive Advantage

Do you know your business can be on the frontline if you’re able to provide constant electricity after a natural disaster like a hurricane?

Most people now work remotely. And when there’s a power outage, they’re unable to do that. There’s a tendency for them to move to an alternate source of constant power, like your hotel business, for example.

As a result, you can get more customers, unlike establishments without a standby power supply. That way, you have a competitive edge over other businesses. 

Ensures Safety and Security

Designed home office with desk, plant and chair
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Your business needs a constant power supply to run. Your security cameras, fire alarms, automatic doors, and electronic access systems all require energy to work.

Poor or intermittent power supply can leave your business with the risks of untraceable thefts, loss of properties, and in some extreme cases, loss of life. A commercial generator can help prevent such damages to your business.

For example, a medical center will require power to run its equipment to maintain quality healthcare. A patient’s life may be at risk when there’s a power cut without a standby generator.

Prevents Disruptions

Power outages can disrupt your business. Take a food service provider, for instance.

Machine or equipment failures can result in losses. In instances where standard temperature limits experience a drop, you’d have to scrap the entire batch of the food.

You may even perform costly cleaning, disrupting the workflow and to a greater extent, reduce yield.

Without a continuous supply of power, your chef can’t whip your signature dishes. But with standby generators, your food business will hum along even during the worst power outage scenario.

It would also double as a source of meals to others who may have blackouts. A commercial generator helps your employees carry out their activities with minimal interruption during an outage.

Prevents Revenue Losses

Home office with green walls
Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash

Think about what could happen to your business if you don’t install a commercial generator. You may experience delays in processing, less customer patronage, a decline in sales, and many more.

These experiences mostly result in incurred costs both in revenue and human capital. In worst cases, they may even cause the closure of the business.

If you want to keep your business functioning despite power outages and interruptions, then it’s time invest in a commercial generator.

Final Words

In this article, we’ve discussed how commercial generators can help your business: from ensuring customer comfort, to giving you a competitive advantage, to preventing revenue losses. Install a commercial generator today, and watch your profits skyrocket.

Thanks to all the companies linked above.

How Do Scent Water Fountains Work?

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An insence burner on a table with a vase
Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash

A cascading falls shrouded by light mist– you might have seen something similar to this at your neighborhood medical spa or some Asian dramatization. You may discover it hard to believe. However, this thrilling scenery can be duplicated in your home on an attractive display screen table by scent water fountain burner. By shedding a particular type of scent, it is feasible to experience the enchantment of appreciating a gentle, misty waterfall in your residence.

What is scent?

An insence burner on a table with a vase
Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash

Human beings have a lengthy history of using scents. The scent is an aromatic product constructed out of plant-based parts that frequently include numerous barks, seeds, flowers, and resins. Once burnt, it gives off a unique fragrant fragrance. Today, there are three main groups of scents on the marketplace. This consists of stick incenses. Coil incenses, and also cone incenses. If you seek to recreate a fountain or waterfall-like impact, backflow incense cones are your most likely alternative. We will certainly go over just how they attain the effect thoroughly below.

Incense must be burnt in incense holders

Burning incense is a fire threat as well as needs to be taken care of with care whatsoever times. Utilizing a suitable scent owner is necessary to lessen the danger of fires. A good-quality owner will keep all the ashes after the scent has stopped melting. The ashes usually gather on a bit of a metal tray that can be conveniently extracted from the owner. By very carefully eliminating the little metal tray, you can effectively deal with incense ashes in a secure as well as orderly way. Note that you must wait concerning 5 mins after the incense quits burning before dealing with any part of the incense holder to prevent unexpected burns as well as fires.

Living room with hardwood floor
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

Another reason to burn scent in a holder is as a result of its lovely aesthetic effects. For instance, there are unique scent fountain owners especially designed to generate classy results when incense is scorched. This is why many individuals purchase incense burner as home designs. Streaming plumes emerging from an advanced holder can appear like a pot putting warm tea, a dragon breathing smoke, a castle shrouded in mystical fog, or a cascading waterfall bordered by light haze. It can be incredibly peaceful and pleasing to watch.

Exactly how does a scent water fountain produce a waterfall-like effect?

Backflow incense cones are different from various other types of incense. Usually, when the stick scent is scorched, the smoke has a tendency to take a trip upwards because hot air is lighter than the bordering air. Nevertheless, when a heartburn incense cone is charred, smoke travels down through a tiny, hollow tunnel with the center of the cone. Scent plume after that leaves from a hole at the bottom of the cone. As scent smoke gradually cools throughout its travel down the central tunnel, it becomes much heavier than the bordering air. This is because scent smoke consists of numerous tiny fragments that result from the burning of plant-based materials. Because of this, backflow scent cones produce smoke that moves downwards as opposed to upwards.

Designed bedroom with hair and double bed
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

The distinct homes of backflow scent cones can develop incense waterfalls like a landscape when they are placed in particular holders. This kind of incense holder is typically tall as well as layered. White, misty incense plume arises from the top and also gently moves down the coming down platforms to the bottom. Depending upon the style of the holder, the surroundings can appear like a hill waterfall or a modern water fountain. For this reason, this kind of incense owner is also called an “incense water fountain.”

As incense water fountains become a growing number of prominent, various variations have gotten in the market as well as have actually supplied imaginative twists to typical layouts. Buddhas, hands, lotuses, and dragons are popular elements that are typically incorporated right into modern-day incense fountains. Relying on the purpose of shedding incense and also the bordering design, various layouts may be preferred. Given the variety of choices, you can most definitely find the most effective holder that fits your personal taste.

Thanks to incenseburn.com for consulting.

Furnace Installation: FAQs

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House entrance with front yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Installing a furnace is a huge step. It can be taken to be an investment. When you are installing a furnace you know it needs to be done right the first time around. The best way to ensure that happens is by hiring the best in the field, AirMakers. They will be there with you from the beginning, which is picking out the right furnace to the end, which is after service. Their impeccable services have made them a leading name in the air conditioning and furnace industry. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about furnaces.

What is size furnace should you opt for?

House entrance with front yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

When you are picking out a furnace there are various determining factors. This includes the size of the house, number of windows and doors, insulation, age of the property, airflow and your preference. You need to know all these things before the contractor can help you. Once you have provided them with the needed information they will calculate heat loss and airflow. This will help them to conclude what size of furnace would be best suited for you.

How long is the life of a furnace?

An average furnace will last you about 15-20 years. After the furnace turns 15 its wear and tear might pick up the pace. However, some furnaces might need replacement before they turn 15. This could be due to poor installation or the wrong size.

How long does it take to install a furnace?

View of living room from hall
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

It takes approximately about 4 to 6 hours to install a furnace. However, the exact time taken is dependent upon the size of your property. The contractor would be able to give you a clear picture of the time once they have seen your property. In case you are planning to install a furnace and air conditioning together, then it might take about 10 hours for the installation to complete.

How to prepare for installation?

The furnace is usually installed in a place that is not very easy to reach. Most of the preparation for the installation would be done by the contractor. However, you would be required to clear a route. The route between the front door and the place of installation should be clear.

Do you need to be home during the installation?

Used with permission of Atelier Noel

You don’t need to be home for the installation to take place. All you have to ensure is that the contractor is let in so that they can carry out the task of installation. However, it is preferable if you are there when the installation is taking place. It will help to make communication a lot easier.

How to lower your energy bill?

To lower your energy bill you need to take small actions here and there. You can begin by installing a programmable thermostat that will give you better control over the temperature. You can switch to energy efficiency lighting. Make sure that your house is insulated and that all the doors and windows are properly closed. 

Thanks to airmakers.ca for consulting.

Give Your Home Character with A Stained-Glass Window

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Living room with big windows
Used with permission of Alice Lane

Glass Express offers creative, decorative, and functional solutions for all your residential and office glass needs. There are big differences between commercial and residential glass, and Glass Express chooses the best option for your needs. Residential glass often comes in unique shapes for decorating purposes, and commercial glass typically has a stronger structure and special window coatings to reduce glare, deflect excess heat and filter sunlight.

Differences Between Residential and Office Glass

Living room with big windows
Used with permission of Alice Lane

Residential and commercial glass aren’t interchangeable for important reasons. Big differences in thickness and structure serve different purposes. Office glass often filters UV rays while allowing more bright light to shine through. Office glass needs to withstand high winds, rain and hailstorms. The fact that office windows are usually larger requires a different, more shatter-resistant structure.

Houses, however, have markedly different glass needs. Windows are usually smaller, and houses rarely consist of more than three stories. That means high-pressure winds usually aren’t problems except during hurricanes or tornadoes. Decorative issues, however, become more important. One decorative example that’s often overlooked by homeowners is stained or dichroic art glass.

Beautiful stained and dichroic glass can make a signature design statement, serve as a focal point and favorably impress your friends, neighbors and household guests. The benefits of stained-glass windows in your home include:

  • Make a unique design statement.
  • Increase privacy, or create a custom private space in your home
  • Increase the value and curb appeal of your home.
  • Enjoy multiple options for self-expression.
  • Customize stained glass to suit your personality, design preferences or the needs of other family members.

The Tremendous Benefits of Stained-Glass Windows in Your Home

Living room with couch, table and chairs
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

At one-time, stained-glass windows were only used by churches with large budgets, public offices, and wealthy individuals. The techniques and technologies used to produce stained glass have evolved considerably in recent years, and stained-glass windows are now affordable for average people. The tremendous decorative and functional benefits of stained-glass windows in your home include the following:

Add a Unique Style to Any Room

The incredibly rich colors and style of stained glass complements any room or decorating style. These windows serve as a decorative focal point because of their strong visual appeal. They can brighten any space, cast stunning patterns, and create a formal atmosphere. However, you can lighten the style by telling a lighthearted visual story or interesting geometric patterns. Stained glass has the power to generate an emotional response and set a tone.

Foster a Sense of Privacy

Stained glass windows offer stronger privacy from outside viewers than regular windows. Nobody notices what people are doing when they first view a stained-glass window. The rich textures, vivid colors and ornate design of stained-glass windows make it almost impossible to see through them. You can keep your shades open or forego window treatments entirely. You never have to sacrifice natural light for privacy. If you’re particularly concerned about privacy, you can choose frosted glass-stained windows at Glass Express.

Stained Glass Increases Your Home’s Value and Appeal

Everyone views stained glass windows favorably, and the windows can serve as a major selling point when trying to sell your home. Stained glass increases the value of your home and your personal equity. The space between the panes provides an extra layer of window insulation that helps to reduce energy costs of heat and air conditioning. You can also choose double glazing as an option to further increase your energy savings. The curb appeal of stained-glass windows instantly distinguishes your home from others in a most favorable way.

Versatile Design Options of Stained-Glass Windows

You have expanded design options when choosing to install stained glass windows from Glass Express. You can choose from different designs, shapes, colors, textures and even types of glass. All these options allow you to create a design that’s totally unique and sets the mood you want.

Options for Customization

You have more customization options with stained glass than regular windows that are often pre-manufactured to exact specifications. You can customize the size and shape of the window, the level of transparency and the materials used to create a signature design statement that nobody else can easily match.

Stained glass windows last between 75 and 150 years as long as you use quality materials. At Glass Express, we use the highest quality materials and state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, so you won’t have to worry about how long your windows will last. Your heirs can restore the windows, which is a common technique to reclaim stained glass.

Stained Glass Windows for Homes, Offices, Art Studios and Commercial Businesses

Bedroom with bed and a table with a lamp and window
Used with permission of Colleen Duffley

At Glass Express, our experience with both commercial and residential glass makes it possible for us to design commercial stained-glass windows for commercial use. Possibilities include home-based businesses, commercial shops, religious institutions, art studios, offices, and cubicle partitions. You can create something subtle or bold to reflect your personality or business concept.

We design and install stained glass windows in any home or office and provide stained glass restoration services. Think of the appeal of repurposing stained glass from a church that’s been forced to close to keep the memory alive in your home, business, or new church.

We utilize all safety procedures of working with leaded stained glass, and it’s perfectly safe to have stained glass in your home with children. Just make sure they know not to lick the glass and educate them on safety procedures around the glass. Lead in glass poses far less risk than lead paint. The lead used in stained glass only poses a health risk if directly inhaled or ingested. Unless you have highly adventurous children who taste everything, the small amount of lead in the paint and solder poses no health risks.

Contact Glass Express for Residential or Office Glass Needs

Contact Glass Express for any residential or office glass needs. You can also ask any questions you have about stained-glass windows for your home, office, or business. We’re always happy to provide an estimate of costs and a projected timeline for installation of your custom stained-glass windows.

Thanks to glassexpress.com.au for consulting.

How to Upgrade Your Kitchen Without Doing Anything Too Drastic

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Used with permission of Alice Lane

One day, you might walk into your kitchen and suddenly realize that it’s not as exciting to cook and eat in there anymore. There may not be any specific thing that you can place your finger on, but you’ll likely feel that it’s time to give your kitchen a little bit of makeover. You definitely need not plunk down a huge budget to spruce up this very important area of your home. There are many ways to upgrade your kitchen without resorting to anything too drastic or costly.

Used with permission of Alice Lane

Here are just some ideas to give the look and feel of your kitchen a much-needed lift:

Buy Some New Appliances

It’s a good idea to upgrade your kitchen appliances to make cooking and preparing meals a bit more exciting and enjoyable, not to mention quick and convenient. There are a lot of new units that make use of the latest technologies these days. Why not consider an air fryer or a desugared rice cooker? These innovative kitchen appliances are not only nifty, but they will also enable you to prepare healthier meals as well. There are a lot of brands, models, and price points to choose from, especially when you’re buying from a reputable online store in the Philippines. Do some window shopping and you’ll surely find the one that’s right for your budget and household needs.

Give Surfaces a Fresh Coat of Paint

As with any other part of your house, sometimes, all your kitchen might need is a fresh coat of paint on walls, ceiling, and other surfaces such as cabinets and shelves. You may not notice it immediately, but over time, these surfaces become dull and dirty, and this will make your kitchen space a bit dark and dreary. With a new coat of paint on surfaces, the area will definitely become brighter and more inviting. You can stick to the original color scheme of your kitchen and simply freshen it up, or you can be bold and try out a completely new hue.

Clean Out Clutter

Kitchen shelf with pictures, plant and jars
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

You may not notice it as well, but through the years, a lot of stuff accumulates in our kitchens. It may become filled with items that are broken or no longer used, or it may just be simply overcrowded with items like coffee mugs or plastic bags and containers that you have been holding on to. It’s best to go over your shelves and cabinets to get rid of these things that you don’t actually have use for. Don’t forget to check inside your pantry and refrigerator as well to throw away expired food.

Add Art and Accessories

In decorating our home, we often overlook the kitchen in terms of bringing in furnishings and accessories. Decorative items such as vases, lamps, figurines, and other bric-a-brac should definitely not just be relegated to the living room. You can also hang art on your kitchen walls—a Last Supper painting is always a classic touch to any Filipino household, or that iconic pair of giant wooden spoon and fork décor. For today’s plantitos and plantitas, some potted plants in the corners of your kitchen would be perfect to add a pop of color to the space. The best thing about all of this is that you don’t need to burn a hole in your pocket decorating your kitchen—you could simply move and rearrange some of the stuff already existing elsewhere in your house.

Create Mood Lighting

White designed kitchen with table, chairs and kitchen elements
Used with permission of Jenny Keenan

Another home decorating element that not many people think is applicable in the kitchen is lighting. We often just go for plain or functional lighting in this everyday space. However, you might be pleasantly surprised how proper lighting can improve the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen. For starters, swap out bright, white light bulbs with a warmer yellow version. This creates a more inviting look apart from making your complexion look better. You can also try installing LED light strips under your kitchen counter and cabinets to make the space look more sophisticated, especially at night. This can also help with visibility. Additional lighting can also come in the form of candles that can grace your in-kitchen dining table during meals.       

Change the Fixtures and Hardware

You don’t need to wait until your faucet is busted before replacing it. There are a lot of inexpensive options for fixtures these days that you can try out to upgrade your kitchen. You can switch from chrome fixtures to a brushed, matte gold type, for instance. These details, though seemingly small, will make a big difference to the look and feel of your kitchen. You can also swap out old kitchen cabinet handles and knobs to match your new fixtures.

The kitchen is the heart of the home indeed, so you ought to give it care and attention. After all, we spend a lot of hours in our day in it together with family and friends. It is a place that holds a lot of good memories, so it’s fitting to always keep it looking and functioning well.

Thanks to saversappliances.com.ph for consulting on this post.

Small Kitchen Design Trends

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Around 47.88% of kitchens are medium-sized, 39.63% are large, and 8.08% are small, which is pretty much logical considering the fact that for many families, kitchens are sometimes the only place in which families manage to spend a few minutes together daily. Of course, although you may not be able to have double islands, a wide array of large equipment and sizable décor features in a small space, you can still design a stylish spot in which to prepare scrumptious dishes for your friends and family. The following kitchen trends may provide the inspiration you need to make the most of a compact space.

used with permission from Blackband Design

Marble touches

Even a kitchen with room for just one island or countertop/dining space can benefit from the elegant beauty of deeply veined marble. This material is one of the hottest trending features of kitchens small and large, as it contrasts beautifully with traditional materials like wood and stone. If you don’t have room for an island, consider marble touches on shelves, backsplashes, or even art in the area that connects an open kitchen to your living room.

used with permission from Blackband Design

Sustainable Equipment

If your fridge isn’t cooling your food as well as you need it to, you have a traditional gas cooktop, or your washer and dryer are over a decade old, you may consider it is time to replace some or all of these items. Sustainable kitchen equipment in suitable sizes can help you make the most of your space while also saving on energy. An old refrigerator, for instance, can use around 33% more energy than one with Energy Star certification. If you can only change one or two major appliances, bring your energy expenditure down by opting for small appliances like air fryers, microwaves, or toaster ovens. Generally speaking, a small microwave (which will fit perfectly in your small kitchen) is more efficient than a larger one. An air-frying toaster oven, meanwhile, while crisp food up to perfection in less time than an oven. 

used with permission from Blackband Design

Pops of Color

Biophilic design and natural materials are all the rage in kitchens of all sizes, with homeowners seeking to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living by prioritizing natural light, bringing plants into living spaces, choosing natural materials like stone and reclaimed wood for kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, and more. You can also embrace this trend by simply bringing in a few pops of color reminiscent of the most beautiful elements of nature. Think green (leaves), yellow and pink (flowers), and natural wood (trees) in features such as chairs, island stools, and small decorative pieces for shelves.

Handless Design

Protruding handles can be a big bugbear for various family members having to share the same kitchen space. If possible, replace this type of furniture with pieces bearing handless systems that open and close furniture with a tap. Not only do these look great but they are also easier to clean and lend your kitchen a seamless, clean, modern look that enables you to focus on decorative touches elsewhere.

Small kitchens may be the minority in the U.S. but those who do value the ease and practicality of small spaces know that they can benefit as much from beautiful design as large ones. To make the most of your space, remove bulky features such as handles, include attractive materials like marble in at least one statement piece, and consider replacing big appliances with small ones with optimal energy ratings. Thanks to AHS for consulting.

How to Increase Your Property’s Value Before an Appraisal

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If you want to sell your home or receive a better mortgage rate, an appraisal by a real estate specialist is sensible to consider to acquire a property value. For example, an appraiser from a legitimate company, such as Dallaire Realty, handles the procedure from beginning to end. Some homeowners have questions about the process and what is likely to be analyzed during an evaluation. However, a professional can help you sell your home faster if you invest in necessary modifications to increase the price.

used with permission from Andrea West Design

What Is Home Appraisal and How Does It Work?

A real estate appraiser uses their professional expertise to establish the fair market value of a home. The process reassures a seller and their lender that a specific purchase price is reasonable. They usually assess costs after applying for a mortgage, agreeing on a rate, and putting the home under contract. Many counties require assessments because they’re frequently used to determine property taxes.

Enhance Your Home to Get Your Money’s Worth

Not only does an appraiser observe the exterior of your home, but also every aspect of the interior. They pay attention to detail and can detect imperfections or issues that can reduce property value. In addition, they also know when a seller is profit-driven rather than focusing on developing a selling strategy.

used with permission from Andrea West Design

Invest in Small Cosmetic Improvements

Lack of maintenance can leave a negative impression on an appraiser. Also, ignoring mandatory care is indicative that a seller is fixated on money instead of their home’s appearance. A failure to perform improvements could result in profit loss and jeopardize the process. Repairing broken cabinets, touching up paint, and fixing malfunctioning a toilet shows that you’ve invested your time and effort.

Perform a Cleaning Job

Filth can compromise living space. Although some homeowners don’t consider how untidiness can reduce the value of their property, presentation is relevant because it includes planning and organization. Minor tasks such as cleaning a room or organizing a bookcase are significant despite how trivial they seem. A well-kept home could appeal to more buyers, and it could also sell quicker at a greater price.

used with permission from Andrea West Design

Declutter Crowded Areas

Clearing out flat surfaces, such as countertops, tabletops, nightstands, is the quickest approach to make your home look less congested. Place all of your items on the floor and keep what you need. Any remaining possessions can be sorted into drawers, boxes, or hung from hooks.

Spend at least 30 minutes decluttering and organizing each room. Recycle or donate goods you no longer need, place dirty clothes and linens in your hamper, and inspect drawers and closets for items you wish to give away or intend to discard.

used with permission from Andrea West Design

Inspect Your Home’s Interior and Exterior

One of the most typical issues that arise is home safety concerns. Evaluating a fair market estimate is another of an appraiser’s key responsibilities while searching for hazards. In contrast, although they may occasionally overlook dangers, you should inspect your home before the assessment.

If you’re unsure about potential safety threats, consult your real estate agent. An experienced inspector can walk through your home and document issues that need to be resolved. Knowing what needs repair is better than attempting to sell blindly. Consider the problems a buyer could inherit if you’re dismissive of your responsibility as the owner.

You should perform patch jobs if your home poses risks that could trigger red flags. Peeling paint, missing handrails, and cracked windowpanes are the most common issues mentioned in appraisal reports. Furthermore, your front and back yard are two exterior areas that also need your attention.

As you can see, minimal adjustments can raise the value of your property significantly. Following basic, inexpensive, and time-saving tips can help you avoid a long wait to get a buyer. Thanks to Dallarie Realty for consulting.

Dolphin Pools Provides a Pool Owner’s Checklist for Pool Maintenance

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House pool and yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

Your pool requires regular maintenance, and the best strategy is hiring a company with a turnkey approach, which means the company handles all the details. Regardless of whether you hire pool maintenance professionals or take a DIY approach, Dolphin Pools is happy to offer this guide and checklist for doing the work yourself. The guide can prove invaluable for letting you know what’s involved, so you can work seamlessly around your pool maintenance technician.

Knowing What’s Involved in Pool Maintenance

Pool maintenance works best with daily maintenance by pool users. There are also weekly and monthly tasks better suited for professionals. Myriad items must be considered and scheduled if you don’t want your pool’s condition and safety to degenerate. Your pool maintenance routine also depends on environmental factors such as where you live, the ambient climate, the number of people who regularly use the pool and whether you have a pool cover.

Involving Family Members

House pool and yard
Used with permission of Blackband Design

You can certainly involve your whole family in routine maintenance. They can skim your pool regularly to remove trash and debris. Everyone appreciates a pool, and family members should be willing to involve themselves with routine maintenance and pool care. Even the youngest can police areas around the pool to remove unsightly trash and pool accessories not being used.

Checking with Local Regulatory Agencies

Before you begin pool maintenance, check with local government agencies to find out what regulations apply. Most cities have guidelines, policies and mandated regulations for pool safety and maintenance. Even if you’ve been maintaining your own pool for some time, you should check on whether new regulations have been passed or there have been changes. It’s also good to check with your local utility companies to find the best time to pump water. Usually, night hours work best when demand for water drops precipitously.

Daily Pool Maintenance

You should write down all pool maintenance tasks and consider making copies of the list to use for easy checkoffs. Daily tasks aren’t usually essential on days when the pool won’t be used but beware that someone in the family is likely to swim without providing advance notice. The daily tasks include:

  • Adjusting water levels, which can be automated
  • Inspecting skimmers and pump baskets for trash and debris
  • Checking the pressure gauge
  • Running the pool pump to circulate water and prevent algae growth
  • Checking the pool’s pH status to ensure it falls between 7.2 and 7.6 and checking that chlorine levels register between 1 and 2 ppm
  • Skim the pool of large debris and leaves to keep the pump and filtration system functioning properly
  • Inspecting the pool’s perimeter for safety hazards
  • Checking pool cleaners and emptying pump baskets

Weekly Pool Maintenance

A pool view from a living room
Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash

Weekly pool maintenance can be performed by a professional technician, but you can do the job. It’s a bit involved, so expect a learning curve. Typical weekly pool maintenance asks include the following:

Shock the Pool Water

Once a week, you should shock your pool environment with super chlorination to retard microbial and organic growth.

Clean the Pool’s Sides and Bottom

Brush and vacuum the pool’s sides and bottom. This is a necessary step for you or your pool contractor to perform every week. That helps prevent buildup and damage to the pool’s surfaces.

Check Water Alkalinity

Regular pH testing makes it easier to keep your pool balanced and safe.

Backwash Pool Filters

Pools that use sand or DE filters need weekly backwashing to limit contaminants and debris.

Treat Algae

Treating and destroying algae on a weekly basis is necessary to control unchecked algae growth. Algae growth can damage your pool and destroy its appeal.

Monthly Pool Maintenance

A house with a pool
Used with permission of Blackband Design

The recommended monthly maintenance tasks include the following:

Deep Cleaning Filters

If your pool uses a cartridge filtering system, you should give the cartridge a chemical soaking once a month to remove debris. After soaking, rinse the cartridge with a hose and strong pressure to remove all contaminants and debris particles.

Arrange Professional Water Testing

You should take a sample of your pool water each month for professional testing. Professionals test water more thoroughly to detect contaminants like calcium and cyanuric acid.

Checking Your Pool’s Time Clock

Your pool needs at least monthly testing and adjusting of its time clock. Power outages are common through the summer because of increased AC use. Your automated systems get thrown off when a power outage affects the timing. Make sure you reset the clocks after a major outage and adjust the clocks once a month to cover minor discrepancies.

Annual Pool Maintenance

House with a glass wall and a pool
Photo by Florian Schmidinger on Unsplash

Some maintenance tasks are only required once a year, but that makes performing them properly especially critical. You might want to rely on professional assistance with the following annual maintenance tasks:

Inspect Pool Plumbing

It’s important to inspect each piece of pool equipment and the pipes that carry water to and from pool features. Look for leaks, excessive wear and potential problems that will arise within a year’s time or less. Replace any equipment showing signs of wear. Lubricate the chlorinator, pump lid, filter and valves.

Accessory Maintenance

Once each year, it’s important to check on your pool accessories. Check the pool lights, diving board slide and ladder for functionality and stability. Make sure that all accessories are firmly bolted in place.

Concluding Thoughts

It’s not possible to remove a pool cover after a week or month and swim safely. If you own a pool, you have a duty of care to provide a clean and safe environment for your family and guests. You must keep up with maintenance tasks, or you need to hire a pool contractor specializing in performing those tasks in a contractual arrangement.

At Dolphin Pools we provide professional maintenance services with a carefully vetted team of technicians. We also provide pool supplies, repair services and installations of pools and advanced water features. We also install automated systems using the latest pool technologies. We can handle all, or part of your pool maintenance needs.

Thanks to dolphinpools.com.au for consulting.

Things You Must Consider and The Types Of Roof You Must Get For Your Homes

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Front yard and houses
Used with permission of Patterson Custom Homes, Architect: Brandon Architects

Use this blog post to decide the most suitable type of roof you want for your home. When you encounter immediate residential roof replacement or roof repair, it can be hard to determine the best action in the situation. Your home might urgently require a roof repair or roof replacement, and you will have to make some huge decisions. Who will you call for some advice? What materials or products do you want to purchase and use? Ultimately, when do you even begin?

Front yard and houses
Used with permission of Blackband Design

We recommend that before starting looking for expert roofers or getting estimates, you decide first the type of roofing material you want to use for your home. Professional roofers explain everything from process to materials and different options and products. To slim down your various options to one or two roofing materials, think about these factors:

  • How much money are you willing to spend? A roof with no cracks or has a few breaks like in the pipes, dormers, or a chimney will be an easier roofing job. Costs for labor should go down, indicating that you could conveniently afford the cost and be able to spend more on materials. Yet, if your roof has many cracks or breaks, you will have a costlier price tag. Moreover, some materials cost more in advance while spending less to maintain and the other way around. When estimating the cost, you may want to consider the urgent expenses and long-term economy to have a budget that makes you adequate.
  • The structure of the roof: Not every roof can endure some types of materials. Some roofing materials are more substantial than other materials, which implies the roof shape can sustain the weight. Other roofing materials are essentially suitable for flat roofs, while still, more are fit only for sloped roofs. You will need a professional roofer to evaluate your roof for appropriate roof installation.
Designed living room
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio
  • The durability of the roofing material: Many homeowners want to prevent roof repairs as much as possible, so selecting the most sturdy and durable roofing materials you can afford is always the best idea. You may also want to keep in mind the significant threats your roof will eventually encounter. A roof must endure snowstorms, storms, and extreme weather conditions. In addition, every roof has different needs. Some roofs need to be against hurricanes, high winds, and hail.
  • Aesthetics: Some homeowners want a distinct roof and can make their home pleasantly beautiful. In these situations, many homeowners can look to wooden shingles or roofs as their option. Other homeowners want a roof that improves the architectural form of their house. Homeowners who possess Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish-style houses will want to have Spanish tiles for a reason, while homes that are modern in style might have a metal roof or flat roof.

As you put consideration on the various materials before you, it is all about equilibrium. If durability is your main concern, you may want to choose a slate roof or a metal one. Few materials hold up better to the elements than other roofing materials. Yet, if your ultimate concern is the cost, asphalt shingles might be your option. Remember, it still depends on the structural stability of your home and the roof type you have (it could be flat or slope); some flooring materials may not even be sensible options.

Rugged Roofing and Restoration, Your Roof Partner!

Roof with solar panel and sky in the background
Photo by Ulrich Derboven on Unsplash

Fortunately, choosing the roofing materials for your roof can be easy with the help of the right roofing contractor. Any roofing contractor can advise you with what you must do, but do they have a wide range of options? At Rugged Roofing and Restoration, we ensure to offer different roofing options for our clients, like a shingle, slate, metal, flat roofs, and Spanish tiles. When a roofing contractor limits your choices to one or two, it can be very disappointing and make you think again about working with that roofing company. But roofers in Rugged Roofing and Restoration know what you can exactly do for your home and offer you various options.

We make sure to start on the date and finish on the target deadline as we work with dedication and follow the safety protocols. We are proud to bring you our roofing services here in Richland, TX, and surrounding areas. Plus, we offer free roofing estimates. We believe that customer satisfaction must come first, so it is our top priority. To get started, call us NOW!

Thanks to rugged-roofing.com for consulting.

Rustic Log Cabin Transformation: Total Renovation Ideas

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House and Cottage
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

Are you a committed fan of the rural off-the-grid lifestyle? In this post, you’ll find some great tips to help you create a cozy atmosphere in a few easy steps. Firstly, let’s explore all the aspects of rustic style.

House and Cottage
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

The term rustic is quite broad, often including styles like Tuscan, coastal, and cottage. It first originated in the mid-18th century and since then, has been gaining popularity. Rustic style represents “the simple life’’, having a strong connection to nature, and even rejecting modernity to some extent. It might even resemble the houses that the first pioneers built when they first came to America, using everything that nature could give them.

It’s a warm and welcoming style, often described as natural and organic. This style is heavily associated with suburban living. Some might consider it to be shabby or outdated, but in reality rustic interiors are appreciated for their warmth and authenticity. It can really make a house feel like a home and turn a log cabin in the woods into a beautiful haven.

To achieve this style in your interior, you must follow a few key principals.

Materials

The rustic style is known for incorporating different natural materials. Hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, maybe even a fur rug – this is a far step away from the modern concrete-jungle style that is often seen in big cities. All the best materials can be found in nature and incorporated in their raw, primitive form to showcase their true beauty. This fills your interior with all kinds of tones and textures. A good example of this is exposed support beams, usually in the form of logs. This not only adds to the atmosphere, but really ties the interior and exterior together.

Dining room with table and wine rack
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

Organic fabrics are also an important element of rustic style. Materials like burlap, linen and wool all have a gorgeous texture and can be used anywhere from pillow cases to rugs and curtains.

When it comes to the choice of hardware, it’s better to stay away from any shiny metals, as they are more commonly associated with a modern style. Aging metals is actually easy and something that you can do yourself using household products like vinegar or bleach.

Color Sheme

The color scheme is one of the most important elements in interior design. The right color choice can really help set the mood and make a good psychological impact. Neutral earthy tones are a must for this style. To create a color palette for your rustic interior, try going on a walk through the forest and looking at all the tones that can be found in nature. Sandy beige tones, pine green, tree bark brown and some green for some accents – all of these colors can be used to create a color palette for painting the walls, ceiling, and color-coordinating furniture and accessories. 

Furniture

Once you’ve finished your paint job, it’s time to move on to furnishing the house. When choosing the right furniture to fit your rustic style, wooden furniture is the first thing that you should be looking for. Although this is an obvious choice and a great start, you will also need to pay close attention to details, as not all furniture that is made of wood can be considered inherently rustic. Sometimes the hardware can make a huge difference and indicate the furniture’s style. Unlike silver or steel, pewter is a metal alloy that has an aged antique look and almost no shine, which makes it perfect for hardware.

Cozy living room with green couch, rug, chairs, bookshelf and chandelier
Used with permission of Melanie Gowen

Remember that all the same general principles apply to furniture as well. For instance, if you are looking for a coffee table to put next to your sofa, try going for one with a rough-cut log table-top. It’s rugged and unrefined appearance will be a great bonus to your interior you enjoy taking on DIY projects, then this particular style is perfect for you. When making furniture or any type of decor, draw inspiration from nature and give it a more organic form, rather than focusing on achieving perfect sides and angles.

Decor

If you enjoy hunting for antiques at flea markets or thrift shops, now is your time to shine. Instead of spending huge amounts of money on the right decorations, you can surely find some pieces at the market. And, best of all, they will be authentic and one-of-a-kind. Look for woven baskets, metal candleholders, crocheted napkins. You can also repurpose old fabrics, so an old burlap sack can turn into a great decorative tablecloth. Any textiles with floral or basic geometric folk-inspired patterns will brighten up your interior and give it some extra texture.

Thanks to summerhouse24.co.uk for consulting.