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Home Improvement (59)
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Plenty of people have trees cut down in their garden. Perhaps the tree has become too big, diseased or have been blown down in a storm. Whatever the reason, you will want to have the stump removed too. It's very easy to have the tree felled but having the stump removed is a whole lot more difficult. There are a number of techniques that can be employed when getting rid of a tree stump. The easiest method would simply involves paying for a tree stump removal service to do the work for you. However this isn't a cheap option so you might want to do the work yourself, in which case you should look at grinding, digging and chemicals.
The amount of work involved in getting rid of your tree stump can really vary depending on what type of tree you have, the age and the type of soil. For instance a pine tree has very wide and flat root systems whilst an oak tree has deep roots making it more difficult to kill off.
If you have a tree which is relatively small and has a shallow root system then digging the stump up by hand will not require too much hard work. You will need a shovel, axe, loppers and root saw. You then need to dig around the area to expose the roots and cut them away.
Normally nature will take care of removing the tree stumps by rotting it down but the problem is that it takes such a long time. If you don't want to wait decades for this process to be completed you can use chemicals to speed up the process. Don't expect the chemicals to work magically overnight however it is a good technique that doesn't require an awful lot of work.
If you have an old stump that has been around for more than a year just use a chainsaw to cut the stump as close to the ground as possible, ensuring the blades don't actually come into contact with the ground. You then use a drill to create holes in the stump that are a few inches deep and also good and wide. Having them as deep and wide as possible is going to be better. Then pour in some stump remover chemical along with some water. In about 6 weeks the stump should have rotted down.
Removing the rotten stump is then pretty easy if using an axe. However there are those who set fire to the stump rather than removing it from the axe. In order to burn the stump you need to pouring kerosene or fuel oil down the holes. You will need to wait for the wood to become saturated before putting a match down into one of the holes. This is a slow-burning technique so you don't have to worry about it going up in a ball of flames however you should keep kids and pets away from it.
Make sure you don't use gasoline and also keep an eye on the stump now and again to make sure everything is OK. Having a bucket of sand to hand might be a good idea too just in case you need it. In terms of safety it's probably better just to remove the stump with an axe. Also check to see whether you are allowed to burn tree stumps where you live.
A more mechanical method of removing a tree stump is to use a grinder. If you want to do this yourself you can hire a tree stump grinder but be careful to follow the safety advice otherwise you could easily hurt yourself. The grinder simply turns your stump into wood chips and the grinding will occur to about 10 inches underneath the ground. This will allow you to plant any other plant, shrub or tree there as you wish.
Whatever method you bring into force for getting rid of tree stumps, it's going to be hard work and you need to have the right equipment. Don't do anything stupid, make sure you read the instructions and if you don't know what you're doing - get a professional tree removal service in!
The amount of work involved in getting rid of your tree stump can really vary depending on what type of tree you have, the age and the type of soil. For instance a pine tree has very wide and flat root systems whilst an oak tree has deep roots making it more difficult to kill off.
If you have a tree which is relatively small and has a shallow root system then digging the stump up by hand will not require too much hard work. You will need a shovel, axe, loppers and root saw. You then need to dig around the area to expose the roots and cut them away.
Normally nature will take care of removing the tree stumps by rotting it down but the problem is that it takes such a long time. If you don't want to wait decades for this process to be completed you can use chemicals to speed up the process. Don't expect the chemicals to work magically overnight however it is a good technique that doesn't require an awful lot of work.
If you have an old stump that has been around for more than a year just use a chainsaw to cut the stump as close to the ground as possible, ensuring the blades don't actually come into contact with the ground. You then use a drill to create holes in the stump that are a few inches deep and also good and wide. Having them as deep and wide as possible is going to be better. Then pour in some stump remover chemical along with some water. In about 6 weeks the stump should have rotted down.
Removing the rotten stump is then pretty easy if using an axe. However there are those who set fire to the stump rather than removing it from the axe. In order to burn the stump you need to pouring kerosene or fuel oil down the holes. You will need to wait for the wood to become saturated before putting a match down into one of the holes. This is a slow-burning technique so you don't have to worry about it going up in a ball of flames however you should keep kids and pets away from it.
Make sure you don't use gasoline and also keep an eye on the stump now and again to make sure everything is OK. Having a bucket of sand to hand might be a good idea too just in case you need it. In terms of safety it's probably better just to remove the stump with an axe. Also check to see whether you are allowed to burn tree stumps where you live.
A more mechanical method of removing a tree stump is to use a grinder. If you want to do this yourself you can hire a tree stump grinder but be careful to follow the safety advice otherwise you could easily hurt yourself. The grinder simply turns your stump into wood chips and the grinding will occur to about 10 inches underneath the ground. This will allow you to plant any other plant, shrub or tree there as you wish.
Whatever method you bring into force for getting rid of tree stumps, it's going to be hard work and you need to have the right equipment. Don't do anything stupid, make sure you read the instructions and if you don't know what you're doing - get a professional tree removal service in!
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Gardening
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If you are the sort of person who likes to keep their driveway looking perfect and new then you will really hate it whenever you discover a horrible big oil stain on it. There are so many opportunities for oil to find itsway onto your driveway whether it's from your own car or perhaps someone has spilt it from an oil can. At the end of the day you just want to get rid of the oil stains as quickly as possible.
First of all, driveways can be made from different materials however you will find that concrete and asphalt are the two most common. Concrete is pretty can be fairly porous depending on how well it's been sealed so the oil can quickly seep into it. Oil is also very bad for asphalt as it can eat away at it. The longer you leave an oil stain the more difficult it will be to remove it properly so acting fast is of the essence.
If there is so much oil spilt that it creates a puddle you should try and mop it up with old rags, newspaper and such like to get rid of as much excess as you can. Make sure you properly dispose of the materials because they are a potential fire hazard.
Once you have cleaned up the excess you can use a method which may surprise you and this is to use cat litter. Please note that kitty litter should be poured out of the bag rather than using the soiled variety from the litter tray. When you pour the kitty litter over the oily area you should allow it to stay there for plenty of time so that the oil can be absorbed as well as possible.
When it comes to getting rid of all of the oil then you will want to give it a really good scrub by using a liquid detergent for cutting through grease. Just apply the detergent to the affected area and scrub it in with a scrubbing brush. Then use hot water to scrub even more. Once you have done this you can rinse the area with hot water. Make sure you wear protective gloves and avoid using a wire brush because that could damage your driveway.
Hopefully you will now have a really clean driveway free of oil stains. In order to prevent oil stains being a problem in the future always clean them up as soon as you spot them. You can also apply a sealer to prevent the oil from soaking into the driveway. If you suspect that your car is leaking oil you need to take it to a garage to have it fixed otherwise the problem will keep happening.
First of all, driveways can be made from different materials however you will find that concrete and asphalt are the two most common. Concrete is pretty can be fairly porous depending on how well it's been sealed so the oil can quickly seep into it. Oil is also very bad for asphalt as it can eat away at it. The longer you leave an oil stain the more difficult it will be to remove it properly so acting fast is of the essence.
If there is so much oil spilt that it creates a puddle you should try and mop it up with old rags, newspaper and such like to get rid of as much excess as you can. Make sure you properly dispose of the materials because they are a potential fire hazard.
Once you have cleaned up the excess you can use a method which may surprise you and this is to use cat litter. Please note that kitty litter should be poured out of the bag rather than using the soiled variety from the litter tray. When you pour the kitty litter over the oily area you should allow it to stay there for plenty of time so that the oil can be absorbed as well as possible.
When it comes to getting rid of all of the oil then you will want to give it a really good scrub by using a liquid detergent for cutting through grease. Just apply the detergent to the affected area and scrub it in with a scrubbing brush. Then use hot water to scrub even more. Once you have done this you can rinse the area with hot water. Make sure you wear protective gloves and avoid using a wire brush because that could damage your driveway.
Hopefully you will now have a really clean driveway free of oil stains. In order to prevent oil stains being a problem in the future always clean them up as soon as you spot them. You can also apply a sealer to prevent the oil from soaking into the driveway. If you suspect that your car is leaking oil you need to take it to a garage to have it fixed otherwise the problem will keep happening.
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Home Repair
While the formal gardens that developed in Europe tended towards being highly manicured and carefully crafted to be symetrical (like for example the beautiful formal gardens at Versailles Palace), Japanese gardens evolved a little differently. In fact, they tend to be designed to mirror nature a little more than European designs, and of course, given Japan's rugged coastline and many mountains, they can often look far more haphazard than their European counterparts. However, these gardens are just as tightly controled and planned as those in the West, sometimes even more so as I hope to point out.
In a Japanese garden, the idea is to create a layout that in fact gives an impression of being far larger than it actually is - plants, trees and ornaments are used in harmonious asymmetry with a balance between natural and man made items in an ever evolving attempt to perfectly model Yin and Yang and the careful balance that we should be in with nature. This is also seen is the use of water and mountains - water being Yin and mountains being Yang. The structures and shapes in the gardens have symbolic meaning that goes over and above their visual appearance and to truly appreciate the layout and symbolism could take many years of study of not only Japanese garden design, but also Oriental culture. Though of course this isn't necessary if you simply want to wonder around and enjoy the tranquillity that often seems to pervade these gardens.
So what sorts of things might you find in a Japanese garden? Well, starting with the most simple, though possibly quintessential item, you will probably see a stone lantern at some point in the garden. Japanese stone lanterns are incredibly beautiful items with a rich history; having been born in the Shinto temples and shrines, these ornately carved structures made their way into general use into formal tea gardens and eventually into every day use in gardens in Japan because of their usefulness and also their beauty. Other Japanese garden ornaments often include a bridge of some sorts - often wooden as well as torrii gateways. The torri gateways are awesome - free-standing open gates, often a lovely bright red that usually mark the entrance into sacred space or Shinto shrines. Walking through a torrii gateway is said to cleanse a person and prepares them to pray.
The great thing about Japanese gardens is that the whole structure is not always visible. Instead, portions of the garden are revealed as you walk through, so you are often left with surprise and anticipation about what will come next. Though often very brightly coloured flowering plants are used sparsely in the Japanese style garden, evergreen shrubs and trees fill the landscape and are used to symbolize permanence, while pine trees symbolise longevity. Cherry trees that flower and bloom for only a few days a year are planted to remind us of the fleeting and transitory nature of life itself. Even with the natural elements though, the gardens are carefully controlled so some plants are trimmed and cut to look ancient and windswept, while others have been pruned to represent hills, clouds or other natural phenomena.
I hope that's given you a good introduction to Japanese garden design and layout. It's a facinating subject to explore and filled with a rich amount of cultural history.
In a Japanese garden, the idea is to create a layout that in fact gives an impression of being far larger than it actually is - plants, trees and ornaments are used in harmonious asymmetry with a balance between natural and man made items in an ever evolving attempt to perfectly model Yin and Yang and the careful balance that we should be in with nature. This is also seen is the use of water and mountains - water being Yin and mountains being Yang. The structures and shapes in the gardens have symbolic meaning that goes over and above their visual appearance and to truly appreciate the layout and symbolism could take many years of study of not only Japanese garden design, but also Oriental culture. Though of course this isn't necessary if you simply want to wonder around and enjoy the tranquillity that often seems to pervade these gardens.
So what sorts of things might you find in a Japanese garden? Well, starting with the most simple, though possibly quintessential item, you will probably see a stone lantern at some point in the garden. Japanese stone lanterns are incredibly beautiful items with a rich history; having been born in the Shinto temples and shrines, these ornately carved structures made their way into general use into formal tea gardens and eventually into every day use in gardens in Japan because of their usefulness and also their beauty. Other Japanese garden ornaments often include a bridge of some sorts - often wooden as well as torrii gateways. The torri gateways are awesome - free-standing open gates, often a lovely bright red that usually mark the entrance into sacred space or Shinto shrines. Walking through a torrii gateway is said to cleanse a person and prepares them to pray.
The great thing about Japanese gardens is that the whole structure is not always visible. Instead, portions of the garden are revealed as you walk through, so you are often left with surprise and anticipation about what will come next. Though often very brightly coloured flowering plants are used sparsely in the Japanese style garden, evergreen shrubs and trees fill the landscape and are used to symbolize permanence, while pine trees symbolise longevity. Cherry trees that flower and bloom for only a few days a year are planted to remind us of the fleeting and transitory nature of life itself. Even with the natural elements though, the gardens are carefully controlled so some plants are trimmed and cut to look ancient and windswept, while others have been pruned to represent hills, clouds or other natural phenomena.
I hope that's given you a good introduction to Japanese garden design and layout. It's a facinating subject to explore and filled with a rich amount of cultural history.
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Gardening
Finding new sources of storage space in the house is always a challenge and when there is a continual stream of new items being bought, the need to move older unused things out is a constant necessity. A good way to hide your towels, sheets, blankets and other linen items during the months when they are not required is to store them in a trunk such as a steamer trunk.
Steamer trunks give you a place to tuck your belongings away while also being used as functional pieces of furniture. While they don’t necessarily have to be the centre of attention when they are being used they are often showy antique pieces that complement an older style or traditional room.
The reason linen items are suitable for storage in these types of trunks is because when they were first manufactured back in the late 1800s their intended purpose was for storing clothes during long voyages. Steamer trunks were originally used as luggage by travellers and so it wasn’t uncommon for them to hold clothes and personal belongings for months at a time.
Although many of these steamer trunks have hardwood exteriors so that they are able to take the occasional knock, the interior is usually made from cedar. This is to give the trunk protective properties against insects that could potentially damage the contents.
Finding a suitable trunk to use in your home should be a simple case of visiting a local antique store. Failing that, there are many steamer trunks on offer online in various conditions. It might be most satisfying to pick up a trunk that looks a little on the shabby side and then bringing it to life with your own restoration work.
Regardless of whether you want to find a restored steamer trunk or a cheaper old trunk you will be sure to find something that appeals online. There is a full range of trunks available if you are prepared to do a little bit of searching.
They look great on the outside, particularly if they have been recently restored by a professional trunk restoration expert, and they protect on the inside. The reasons for adding a steamer trunk to the house are many and varied.
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Home Accessories
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If you’ve been finding tell-tale signs that there are mice in your home such as droppings, teeth marks and urine you will want to get rid of the mice as soon as possible. Not only does it give you a creepy feeling knowing that they are scurrying about but they are also very unhygienic. Of course, you can set up all the mouse traps you like but if they are able to find a way into your home new mice will keep on coming in.
You see, mice urinate as they walk about and other mice can smell this and follow it. So no matter how many mice you kill you will still end up with more and more mice in your home. Some people feel that it’s impossible to stop mice from entering the house. Mice are so small and supple they can get into the tiniest of gaps. As long as their head can fit through a hole, so can the rest of their body.
A lot of people find that preventing mice from entering the home doesn’t work because they don’t know how to do it properly. Mice are actually very clever and will find all sorts of different routes into your home. They can just as easily get in via your roof as they can your basement. So don’t overlook any part of your home due to assumptions you might have about mice.
Because mice defecate whilst they walk you will be able to see fairly easily where they are going. Try and follow their trail to see where it leads and hopefully you’ll be able to discover how they are getting into your home. If your mice problem occurred after you had certain home improvement work done you should investigate this. For instance, if you got a vent installed you should look in this area. Perhaps you had a hole made in the side of your home to allow an electrical cable through so check that out as well.
When you find gaps you need to fill it in. For many differently sized gaps you can use expanding foam, look out for minimal expanding foam if you want the job to be neat and tidy. If you have pretty large gaps then you can use copper scrubbing pads to fill the gap followed by the expanding foam. For small gaps less than 1/4 inch wide you can opt for acrylic latex caulk. If then gap is less than 1/2 inch then you can use a polyurethane caulk.
Of course, until you seal up every single gap you will more than likely continue to get mice finding their way into your home. Which means you will need to continue setting mouse traps. There are many different mouse traps on the market so you’ll want to investigate these to decide which one appeals to you. Please note, that if you decide to buy one of those humane traps where you release the mouse outside, you need to take the mouse a few miles away from your home. A lot of people simply release them into their garden or across the road. The mice will just find their way back in.
Although many people claim it’s impossible to stop mice from coming in the house, this isn’t necessarily the case. If you are really thorough about it and seal up ever single gap then you can prevent them from entering. However it’s not an easy job and if you aren’t experienced in this sort of thing you might not get the results you are looking for. For this reason, it’s perhaps a good idea to try and locate someone in your local area who can not only kill mice but stop them from getting in in the first place.
You see, mice urinate as they walk about and other mice can smell this and follow it. So no matter how many mice you kill you will still end up with more and more mice in your home. Some people feel that it’s impossible to stop mice from entering the house. Mice are so small and supple they can get into the tiniest of gaps. As long as their head can fit through a hole, so can the rest of their body.
A lot of people find that preventing mice from entering the home doesn’t work because they don’t know how to do it properly. Mice are actually very clever and will find all sorts of different routes into your home. They can just as easily get in via your roof as they can your basement. So don’t overlook any part of your home due to assumptions you might have about mice.
Because mice defecate whilst they walk you will be able to see fairly easily where they are going. Try and follow their trail to see where it leads and hopefully you’ll be able to discover how they are getting into your home. If your mice problem occurred after you had certain home improvement work done you should investigate this. For instance, if you got a vent installed you should look in this area. Perhaps you had a hole made in the side of your home to allow an electrical cable through so check that out as well.
When you find gaps you need to fill it in. For many differently sized gaps you can use expanding foam, look out for minimal expanding foam if you want the job to be neat and tidy. If you have pretty large gaps then you can use copper scrubbing pads to fill the gap followed by the expanding foam. For small gaps less than 1/4 inch wide you can opt for acrylic latex caulk. If then gap is less than 1/2 inch then you can use a polyurethane caulk.
Of course, until you seal up every single gap you will more than likely continue to get mice finding their way into your home. Which means you will need to continue setting mouse traps. There are many different mouse traps on the market so you’ll want to investigate these to decide which one appeals to you. Please note, that if you decide to buy one of those humane traps where you release the mouse outside, you need to take the mouse a few miles away from your home. A lot of people simply release them into their garden or across the road. The mice will just find their way back in.
Although many people claim it’s impossible to stop mice from coming in the house, this isn’t necessarily the case. If you are really thorough about it and seal up ever single gap then you can prevent them from entering. However it’s not an easy job and if you aren’t experienced in this sort of thing you might not get the results you are looking for. For this reason, it’s perhaps a good idea to try and locate someone in your local area who can not only kill mice but stop them from getting in in the first place.
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How To Detect A Gas Leak In Your Home
Written by April
If you use gas for cooking and heating then you probably be using natural gas. You have to be very careful with natural gas in your home because it’s flammable. Natural gas doesn’t have any odour however the gas companies actually add in an odour to help you detect it in the event of a gas leak in your home. To do this they add in a sulphur-based compound which smells similar to rotten eggs and most people don’t have a problem smelling it. The problem lies when people have a poor sense of smell and therefore won’t be able to know that they have a gas leak. This is why it’s still very important to have a natural gas detector installed in your home.
The confusion begins when it comes to trying to decide what kind of natural gas leak detector you want to buy. If you have been looking then you’ll have noticed the wide range available on the market and they will vary by price, installation and features. Some are pretty cheap to buy and can be fitted in a similar way you would with a smoke alarm. Whilst there are others on the market that require professional installation.
You want your gas detector to alert you to when there is a gas leak. What you don’t want is for it to be going off every 2 minutes because of cigarette smoke or humidity. However you might want your detector to alert you to more than just natural methane gas, such as carbon monoxide or propane gas.
When you have a detector fitted in your home you really need to be careful about where you have it located. It needs to be somewhere that you are likely to hear it’s alarm yet also close to where there is the most risk of having a natural gas leak. When you buy a detector it will come with instructions on the best places to site it. So make sure you have a read over these instructions and don’t simple fit just anywhere. If you have different sources of natural gas in your home then you might find that a single detector isn’t sufficient.
When your detector detects gas you will either hear a sound or see a warning light. Some models might do both. Which type you buy really depends on you. For instance if you are deaf then finding a detector with a flashing light is a better option.
Most of the natural gas leak detectors on the market are battery operated which means you need to be very careful about ensuring that the battery is in good working order. Some systems work off the electrical mains but have a battery as a back-up which means you also need to ensure the battery is working well. Every now and again it’s a good idea to press the “test” button to make sure the detector is working correctly. Some units can even warn you if there is a problem with the power supply.
In the event that your alarm does go off to alert you to a gas leak you need to make sure you get out of the house straight away. Then you need to phone the emergency services. Please, don’t be tempted to phone from within the house because that can actually cause a spark which in turn can cause an explosion or a fire. Also don’t turn any lights on or off or generally touch anything electrical. Don’t ever try to get back into the house until the gas company has dealt with the leak correctly.
The confusion begins when it comes to trying to decide what kind of natural gas leak detector you want to buy. If you have been looking then you’ll have noticed the wide range available on the market and they will vary by price, installation and features. Some are pretty cheap to buy and can be fitted in a similar way you would with a smoke alarm. Whilst there are others on the market that require professional installation.
You want your gas detector to alert you to when there is a gas leak. What you don’t want is for it to be going off every 2 minutes because of cigarette smoke or humidity. However you might want your detector to alert you to more than just natural methane gas, such as carbon monoxide or propane gas.
When you have a detector fitted in your home you really need to be careful about where you have it located. It needs to be somewhere that you are likely to hear it’s alarm yet also close to where there is the most risk of having a natural gas leak. When you buy a detector it will come with instructions on the best places to site it. So make sure you have a read over these instructions and don’t simple fit just anywhere. If you have different sources of natural gas in your home then you might find that a single detector isn’t sufficient.
When your detector detects gas you will either hear a sound or see a warning light. Some models might do both. Which type you buy really depends on you. For instance if you are deaf then finding a detector with a flashing light is a better option.
Most of the natural gas leak detectors on the market are battery operated which means you need to be very careful about ensuring that the battery is in good working order. Some systems work off the electrical mains but have a battery as a back-up which means you also need to ensure the battery is working well. Every now and again it’s a good idea to press the “test” button to make sure the detector is working correctly. Some units can even warn you if there is a problem with the power supply.
In the event that your alarm does go off to alert you to a gas leak you need to make sure you get out of the house straight away. Then you need to phone the emergency services. Please, don’t be tempted to phone from within the house because that can actually cause a spark which in turn can cause an explosion or a fire. Also don’t turn any lights on or off or generally touch anything electrical. Don’t ever try to get back into the house until the gas company has dealt with the leak correctly.
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If you at all suspect that you have mold in your home then you ought to tackle the problem fast. You might already understand that mold can cause serious problems if it is allowed to get out of control. Of course, it’s also a lot easier to remedy any household mold problems when they have only just begun rather than holding off for ages.
The first thing to do is to find out if the substance you believe to be mold actually is mold. From time to time, people assume that a substance is mold when it isn’t. What’s the point in trying to rectify a problem that isn’t a problem? The way you identify mold is to use a mold testing kit. These are available from a number of different outlets including Lowes, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. How much they cost really depends on what kind you buy however they are available for about $30.
If you don’t want to do the testing yourself then you will want to get a mold inspector out. They will be knowledgeable in detecting mold and also what’s required in order to get rid of it. There are so many different types of mold and means of getting rid of it, a professional should know what to do.
Anyway, if you have received a positive identification of the mold then you need to know what steps are involved in killing it. The most important thing is that you should find out why the mold is growing in the first place before you even consider cleaning it away.
Mold spores can be floating about in many homes, however unless the conditions are right the spores will never grow into mold. In order for the spores to grow into mold they need warmth and dampness. It’s a good idea to buy one of those pretty cheap humidity meters. If your meter is reading above 50% you need to find a way of bringing the humidity down.
The rooms in the home most affected by moisture problems tend to be the bathroom, shower room, kitchen, basement and crawl space. If you don’t have good ventilation the vapor cannot escape and therefore builds up. So if you don’t have a ventilation system you should look into having one installed in the affected area.
Another measure that can be employed to reduce humidity is to buy a dehumidifier. This is particularly good if you have suffered some sort of flooding and you need to get the dampness away as quick as possible.
You should also be looking for other ways that moisture can be getting into your home. Leaking pipes, blocked guttering and rising damp are the most common offenders. If you don’t attend to these matters the mold will simply come back.
An air filter is another step you can take when it comes to tackling mold problems. There are many different air filters on the market and they are not all the same. It is a HEPA air filter that you will want to buy as this can filter mold spores. This can be costly option, however, because you need to buy replacement filters so you will need to do further research to decide whether you want to invest in such a unit.
When it comes to cleaning the mold you need to ensure you wear protective clothing in the form of goggles, mask and gloves. This will prevent you from breathing in any mold and also protect your skin from coming into contact with whatever cleaning agent you choose to use.
There are many different products on the market designed to clean mold however many folks opt to use a mixture of bleach and water. Please note that if you decide to use bleach, make sure you don’t mix it with any other detergents that contain ammonia because it will produce toxic fumes. The area that you are working in ought to be well ventilated too which means you need to open the windows, doors or use a ventilation system.
Some surfaces infected with mold simply cannot be cleaned. Porous and absorbent materials that you find in drywall, carpeting, ceiling tiles etc might simply need to be thrown away. Because there are tiny crevices in these materials, it’s near impossible to completely remove the mold which is why throwing them out can be the only option.
Once you have remedied the affected area you might want to look into mold-restant products that are on the market. These include drywall, insulation, paint, carpeting, flooring, caulk, shower curtains, plaster and ceiling tiles. Of course, you really only need to consider buying these products in rooms that suffer from mold problems otherwise it would be a waste of money.
As you can see, getting rid of household mold is not an especially straightforward task and there’s a lot to think about. Remember cleaning the mold off without finding the reason for it being there in the first place is not a good idea because it will just grow back. Also, don’t simply paint or paper over mold hoping that the mold will be “out of sight, out of mind” because it will just come back to haunt you.
The first thing to do is to find out if the substance you believe to be mold actually is mold. From time to time, people assume that a substance is mold when it isn’t. What’s the point in trying to rectify a problem that isn’t a problem? The way you identify mold is to use a mold testing kit. These are available from a number of different outlets including Lowes, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. How much they cost really depends on what kind you buy however they are available for about $30.
If you don’t want to do the testing yourself then you will want to get a mold inspector out. They will be knowledgeable in detecting mold and also what’s required in order to get rid of it. There are so many different types of mold and means of getting rid of it, a professional should know what to do.
Anyway, if you have received a positive identification of the mold then you need to know what steps are involved in killing it. The most important thing is that you should find out why the mold is growing in the first place before you even consider cleaning it away.
Mold spores can be floating about in many homes, however unless the conditions are right the spores will never grow into mold. In order for the spores to grow into mold they need warmth and dampness. It’s a good idea to buy one of those pretty cheap humidity meters. If your meter is reading above 50% you need to find a way of bringing the humidity down.
The rooms in the home most affected by moisture problems tend to be the bathroom, shower room, kitchen, basement and crawl space. If you don’t have good ventilation the vapor cannot escape and therefore builds up. So if you don’t have a ventilation system you should look into having one installed in the affected area.
Another measure that can be employed to reduce humidity is to buy a dehumidifier. This is particularly good if you have suffered some sort of flooding and you need to get the dampness away as quick as possible.
You should also be looking for other ways that moisture can be getting into your home. Leaking pipes, blocked guttering and rising damp are the most common offenders. If you don’t attend to these matters the mold will simply come back.
An air filter is another step you can take when it comes to tackling mold problems. There are many different air filters on the market and they are not all the same. It is a HEPA air filter that you will want to buy as this can filter mold spores. This can be costly option, however, because you need to buy replacement filters so you will need to do further research to decide whether you want to invest in such a unit.
When it comes to cleaning the mold you need to ensure you wear protective clothing in the form of goggles, mask and gloves. This will prevent you from breathing in any mold and also protect your skin from coming into contact with whatever cleaning agent you choose to use.
There are many different products on the market designed to clean mold however many folks opt to use a mixture of bleach and water. Please note that if you decide to use bleach, make sure you don’t mix it with any other detergents that contain ammonia because it will produce toxic fumes. The area that you are working in ought to be well ventilated too which means you need to open the windows, doors or use a ventilation system.
Some surfaces infected with mold simply cannot be cleaned. Porous and absorbent materials that you find in drywall, carpeting, ceiling tiles etc might simply need to be thrown away. Because there are tiny crevices in these materials, it’s near impossible to completely remove the mold which is why throwing them out can be the only option.
Once you have remedied the affected area you might want to look into mold-restant products that are on the market. These include drywall, insulation, paint, carpeting, flooring, caulk, shower curtains, plaster and ceiling tiles. Of course, you really only need to consider buying these products in rooms that suffer from mold problems otherwise it would be a waste of money.
As you can see, getting rid of household mold is not an especially straightforward task and there’s a lot to think about. Remember cleaning the mold off without finding the reason for it being there in the first place is not a good idea because it will just grow back. Also, don’t simply paint or paper over mold hoping that the mold will be “out of sight, out of mind” because it will just come back to haunt you.
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Home Repair
Most homeowners at some time will have had a wasp nest in their property. The thought of having wasps buzz about where you live is pretty scary, especially for those people who maybe have an allergy to wasp stings. Basically, there are two main types of wasp - social and solitary. It's the social variety of wasp that builds nests and these are the type that most people want rid of. Solitary wasps on the other hand are not normally a problem because they don't build nests and they have no territory to defend therefore aren't generally aggressive towards humans.
If you think you have a nest somewhere in your home then you will need to find out the location of it. You can do so by looking out for wasps entering and leaving your home. They tend to do this at dusk and at dawn. Popular locations for wasp nests is in your attic, garage, shed and chimney. Once you have located the nest you can then set about killing these pests.
If you are looking to do this yourself then you need to wait until nightfall when the wasps aren't active. You can then use a spay killer to spray where the wasps are going in and out of your property. Make sure you use plenty of spray so that the wasps are killed and ensure the spray you buy actually does kill wasps. However if you use too much you run the risk of inhaling some of it. Wearing a mask and goggles is a good idea so that you don't breathe in any of this spray as it's pretty nasty stuff. Popular brands include Raid, Spectracide, EcoSMART and Bonide.
If the wasps are underground then you can pour some kerosene or diesel into the entrance of the nest and then cover it up with a wet towel. Please don't set light to the fuel. There is no need for that because the fumes on their own will kill the wasps. Alternatively you can use a quart of insecticide into the hole or you could use half a cup of insecticide dust.
Please note that you shouldn't expect all of the wasps to be killed off in one go. You might need to repeat the process a few times to be sure that the colony is totally dead. You should also note that wasps don't use the same nest twice. So if you come across and old nest you needn't worry about it. Just remove it and leave it at that.
There's also a product on the market called a WHY trap which is a wasp trap. The wasps are lured into the trap where they die naturally. The traps use 3 different attractants to lure 20 different wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. It would be useful to have these traps outside when you are eating and getting plagued by wasps.
If you really don't like the idea of doing any of these measures to get rid of wasps then you ought to locate a local wasp exterminator who is experienced in the task of killing wasps. They have the know-how to deal with a variety of different wasps located in a variety of different places. If you get one of these companies in you will have peace of mind that the work has been carried out correctly.
If you think you have a nest somewhere in your home then you will need to find out the location of it. You can do so by looking out for wasps entering and leaving your home. They tend to do this at dusk and at dawn. Popular locations for wasp nests is in your attic, garage, shed and chimney. Once you have located the nest you can then set about killing these pests.
If you are looking to do this yourself then you need to wait until nightfall when the wasps aren't active. You can then use a spay killer to spray where the wasps are going in and out of your property. Make sure you use plenty of spray so that the wasps are killed and ensure the spray you buy actually does kill wasps. However if you use too much you run the risk of inhaling some of it. Wearing a mask and goggles is a good idea so that you don't breathe in any of this spray as it's pretty nasty stuff. Popular brands include Raid, Spectracide, EcoSMART and Bonide.
If the wasps are underground then you can pour some kerosene or diesel into the entrance of the nest and then cover it up with a wet towel. Please don't set light to the fuel. There is no need for that because the fumes on their own will kill the wasps. Alternatively you can use a quart of insecticide into the hole or you could use half a cup of insecticide dust.
Please note that you shouldn't expect all of the wasps to be killed off in one go. You might need to repeat the process a few times to be sure that the colony is totally dead. You should also note that wasps don't use the same nest twice. So if you come across and old nest you needn't worry about it. Just remove it and leave it at that.
There's also a product on the market called a WHY trap which is a wasp trap. The wasps are lured into the trap where they die naturally. The traps use 3 different attractants to lure 20 different wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. It would be useful to have these traps outside when you are eating and getting plagued by wasps.
If you really don't like the idea of doing any of these measures to get rid of wasps then you ought to locate a local wasp exterminator who is experienced in the task of killing wasps. They have the know-how to deal with a variety of different wasps located in a variety of different places. If you get one of these companies in you will have peace of mind that the work has been carried out correctly.
Published in
Home Repair
Many people think that once they install a pool that it will just take care of itself and run on auto pilot. This is about as far from the truth as you can possibly get. Part of owning a pool is performing proper pool service. This involves a lot of different things that has to be maintained on a regular balance. This article will point out the importance of pool service, and give you basic pool service advise to help you avoid expensive repair bills down the road.
It would be nice if, when we had our pool installed, it just ran the care and maintenance all by itself. The truth is that you are going to have to keep an eye on things to prevent expensive problems from developing.
The first thing that you will need to do for pool service is to maintain proper chemical balance. This is one of the most important aspects of pool service and you can control it on your own. Many systems now available though, will auto add the proper chemical when it detects an imbalance in the chemicals.
While PH levels are important in pool service, it is as equally important to make sure your chlorine levels are correct. It is usually visually evident if there is a problem. If you take a look at the color of the water and see a green tinge to it, this is usually a sign that your chlorine level is way too low. This can be fixed with a couple of tablets dropped into the water to bring your levels up to where they need to be.
The next area of pool service to cover is to make sure that the pump and filters are in correct working order. A pump that is not working properly can cause a cascade effect on the functionality of your pool. Routine pool service should detect any problems that may be developing in your pump. Another thing to ensure that your pool continues to function properly is to be sure and change the filter on a routine basis.
Outsourcing pool service is something that a lot of people take advantage of. If you can afford this, do it. It will set your mind at ease and allow you to fully enjoy your pool without any worry or stress. After all, that's what pools are all about!
This has been a brief overview of proper pool service. If you follow the simple steps to basic pool service, you will have a pool that you can enjoy for years to come.
It would be nice if, when we had our pool installed, it just ran the care and maintenance all by itself. The truth is that you are going to have to keep an eye on things to prevent expensive problems from developing.
The first thing that you will need to do for pool service is to maintain proper chemical balance. This is one of the most important aspects of pool service and you can control it on your own. Many systems now available though, will auto add the proper chemical when it detects an imbalance in the chemicals.
While PH levels are important in pool service, it is as equally important to make sure your chlorine levels are correct. It is usually visually evident if there is a problem. If you take a look at the color of the water and see a green tinge to it, this is usually a sign that your chlorine level is way too low. This can be fixed with a couple of tablets dropped into the water to bring your levels up to where they need to be.
The next area of pool service to cover is to make sure that the pump and filters are in correct working order. A pump that is not working properly can cause a cascade effect on the functionality of your pool. Routine pool service should detect any problems that may be developing in your pump. Another thing to ensure that your pool continues to function properly is to be sure and change the filter on a routine basis.
Outsourcing pool service is something that a lot of people take advantage of. If you can afford this, do it. It will set your mind at ease and allow you to fully enjoy your pool without any worry or stress. After all, that's what pools are all about!
This has been a brief overview of proper pool service. If you follow the simple steps to basic pool service, you will have a pool that you can enjoy for years to come.
How To Detect Carbon Monoxide In Your Home
Written by April
You’ll probably already know about carbon monoxide being a silent killer. If not then you really need to understand what this is all about because so many people lose their lives needlessly. Basically this gas can creep into your home without you even realizing is and can make you and your family very ill. And if you don’t identify the problem quickly enough it can even kill.
Don't Underestimate Carbon Monoxide
When you go to work your employer by law has to make sure that you and your other colleagues are looked after and that you are working in a safe environment. The problem when it comes to looking after the environment in our own homes we can become very lazy. We simply think that carbon monoxide poisoning is something that happens to other people and so keep putting it to the back of your mind.
You Can't Smell Carbon Monoxide
Unlike other problems in the home such as a gas leak, you will have no idea that there is a problem with carbon monoxide in your home because you can’t smell it. You also can’t see or hear it. However there are so many different ways that it can get into your home such as appliances that use gas. Also stoves that burn wood, charcoal or coal can be a source of this dangerous gas. When it builds up in your home (or even a garage) and isn’t allowed to escape then this is where the problems begin.
Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Mild symptoms of CO poisoning can actually be confused with flu and food poisoning and you could experience nausea, shortness of breath and also headaches. If you or someone else is suffering from CO poisoning you need to get outside as quickly as possible to get some fresh air. If this isn’t possible then all the windows and doors should be opened to get rid of the gas. A hospital visit is also a good idea to be on the safe side.
Another scary thing is that when the CO gas gets into your bloodstream it actually is picked up much quicker than oxygen. So the longer you are exposed to the gas, the more chance you have of becoming ill or even dead. This is because the body replaces the oxygen in your blood with the CO gas.
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is terrible to think about is the fact that this is all entirely preventable. There a number of things that you can do to protect you and your family from this dreadful fate. First of all you should have the gas appliances in your home checked by a professional. This means you need to get stoves, water heaters and such like checked.
Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Another very simple measure is to buy a carbon monoxide detector (also known as a carbon monoxide monitor). They don’t cost a lot of money and can be purchased from many different home improvement stores. Simply buy one for each level of your home, particularly in areas where there are gas appliances. When any CO gas is detected you will be alerted to it in a similar way that smoke detectors do. Have a look at the ones available from Kidde Nighthawk and First Alert.
Smoke Alarms And Carbon Monoxide Detetors
It’s important to make clear that if you have a smoke detector that this doesn’t mean you are protected from CO too. They are two totally different devices and you shouldn’t get them confused. However there are detectors on the market that and alert you to both smoke and CO. So if you don’t have either of these detectors now is the time to buy one or more.
Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Bear in mind that they usually need batteries to operate so make sure you don’t allow the batteries to go dead. When they go dead you need to replace them straight away. If you wish, you can also have systems installed that are wired so you don’t have to worry about changing the battery all the time. However they often have a battery as a back-up just in case.
Carbon Monoxide In The Garage
Another important point to make is that if you are running an engine in your garage you should have some sort of ventilation installed along with a CO detector.
Hopefully this article will have provided you with a lot of knowledge on the subject of getting rid of carbon monoxide from your home. It’s so simple really. Get your appliances checked and install some detectors. Why would anyone want to risk illness and even death over something so simple?
Don't Underestimate Carbon Monoxide
When you go to work your employer by law has to make sure that you and your other colleagues are looked after and that you are working in a safe environment. The problem when it comes to looking after the environment in our own homes we can become very lazy. We simply think that carbon monoxide poisoning is something that happens to other people and so keep putting it to the back of your mind.
You Can't Smell Carbon Monoxide
Unlike other problems in the home such as a gas leak, you will have no idea that there is a problem with carbon monoxide in your home because you can’t smell it. You also can’t see or hear it. However there are so many different ways that it can get into your home such as appliances that use gas. Also stoves that burn wood, charcoal or coal can be a source of this dangerous gas. When it builds up in your home (or even a garage) and isn’t allowed to escape then this is where the problems begin.
Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Mild symptoms of CO poisoning can actually be confused with flu and food poisoning and you could experience nausea, shortness of breath and also headaches. If you or someone else is suffering from CO poisoning you need to get outside as quickly as possible to get some fresh air. If this isn’t possible then all the windows and doors should be opened to get rid of the gas. A hospital visit is also a good idea to be on the safe side.
Another scary thing is that when the CO gas gets into your bloodstream it actually is picked up much quicker than oxygen. So the longer you are exposed to the gas, the more chance you have of becoming ill or even dead. This is because the body replaces the oxygen in your blood with the CO gas.
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is terrible to think about is the fact that this is all entirely preventable. There a number of things that you can do to protect you and your family from this dreadful fate. First of all you should have the gas appliances in your home checked by a professional. This means you need to get stoves, water heaters and such like checked.
Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Another very simple measure is to buy a carbon monoxide detector (also known as a carbon monoxide monitor). They don’t cost a lot of money and can be purchased from many different home improvement stores. Simply buy one for each level of your home, particularly in areas where there are gas appliances. When any CO gas is detected you will be alerted to it in a similar way that smoke detectors do. Have a look at the ones available from Kidde Nighthawk and First Alert.
Smoke Alarms And Carbon Monoxide Detetors
It’s important to make clear that if you have a smoke detector that this doesn’t mean you are protected from CO too. They are two totally different devices and you shouldn’t get them confused. However there are detectors on the market that and alert you to both smoke and CO. So if you don’t have either of these detectors now is the time to buy one or more.
Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Bear in mind that they usually need batteries to operate so make sure you don’t allow the batteries to go dead. When they go dead you need to replace them straight away. If you wish, you can also have systems installed that are wired so you don’t have to worry about changing the battery all the time. However they often have a battery as a back-up just in case.
Carbon Monoxide In The Garage
Another important point to make is that if you are running an engine in your garage you should have some sort of ventilation installed along with a CO detector.
Hopefully this article will have provided you with a lot of knowledge on the subject of getting rid of carbon monoxide from your home. It’s so simple really. Get your appliances checked and install some detectors. Why would anyone want to risk illness and even death over something so simple?
Published in
Home Accessories
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