Proactive Pool-Cleaning Tips (Guest Post)

How about another guest post? If you have a swimming pool in your yard, this one is for you. I am dreaming of this someday ... a house in the country with one of those big, round above-ground pools and a bunch of kids frolicking in it while I sit on the deck next to my cute husband supervising and reading my Kindle. Ahhh, fantasies!

PROACTIVE POOL-CLEANING TIPS

It's always pool season somewhere in the world right now. And it's always good to ensure that your backyard pool is functioning at its best. You will never know when a party and unexpected guests are coming. Better yet, prepare your pool all the time for your family, friends, and important guests to enjoy on any sudden occasion.

You probably know that prevention is always better than cure. And when it comes to pools, this quote says it all. It's always better to take simple and easy cleaning steps from time to time rather than clean a totally green and dirty pool that you left unattended for a long time. Addressing problems ahead of time before they get big will pretty much save you more money, time, and effort in cleaning your pool.

So here I listed some of the most effective yet very basic pool cleaning tips that any pool owner can easily do on their own.

·       Skim Regularly

Skim regularly depending on how much debris falls into your pool. Check your pool daily to see if it needs to be skimmed or not. Leaves and bugs normally fall into any pool at any time of the day. Always remember not to let these debris sink at the bottom of your pool. It will most likely stain your floor and will cause bacteria and worse, algae to build up. Also, get in the habit of checking your strainer basket. Empty it out and remove all debris to avoid it from clogging. This will give your pool better water circulation and will prevent algae formation.

·       Brush the Walls & Vacuum

It is necessary to brush the entire walls of your pool every week, especially when your pool is always used. This helps avoid dirt from accumulating. You will need a good and durable pool brush to do this work. It is recommended to know your pool surface before buying a brush to avoid the tiles from getting scratched and damaged. One tip, you can use baking soda to clean your pool tiles easily while brushing them. Very effective!

Right after brushing your wall, the next thing you need to do is vacuum. Vacuuming your pool keeps the water clean and clear. It takes away the dirt and any objects that have sunk at the bottom of your pool. It's best to invest in an automatic pool vacuum cleaner to save you time and effort. You simply have to turn it on and let it do the work for you. But if you choose the manual type, vacuum your pool just like how you vacuum your carpet.

·       Always Test the Water

This step is very important especially when your pool is highly used. You will need to test out the water at least three times a week. Highly used pools are mostly to get water imbalances than the less used ones. Sunscreens, lotions, and tanners disrupt the chemical balance of the water in your pool.  This explains why water becomes cloudy after a pool party.

Test the water level and especially its pH level to ensure that the water is safe for swimmers. The ideal pH range is between 7.2 - 7.8. Test it out using a testing kit that comes in different types. Check the manual provided for instructions on how to use it. A well-maintained water and pH level will maintain the chemical balance and avoid pumps from getting damaged.

·      Check your Pool Regularly

A short visit to your pool regularly is the most basic yet effective preventive step in keeping your pool clean. This will allow you to check for areas that need your cleaning attention. This way, you will foresee problems before it gets worse. This is also the right time to check leaks and damages that needs to be repaired. A simple stroll in your backyard surely helps a lot.

You do not want your pool to look like this!!!

So these are some of the easiest ways to keep your pool clean on your own. If you want more useful and easy-to-follow tips check out this great definitive guide. Swimming pools don't have to be high-maintenance work. Proactive maintenance goes a long way in keeping your pool clean, safe, and ready to use. It is the best way to prevent problems, but if big troubles occur it's best to call the experts and hand them the work. 

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Three Things To Think About When Choosing Glasses Frames

If you have recently found out that you need to start wearing glasses, whether it is all the time or just for things like driving or reading, it can be tricky to decide what kind of frames you should get. You want glasses that will look good on your face, and also feel comfortable so that you forget that you are wearing them. When browsing for new glasses, you will see that there are thousands of choices, but before you invest in some Prada eyeglasses or other beautiful high end frames, it is best to know you are choosing something that you'll continue to like long term.

Here are some things to consider:

How Many Pairs Will You Have?

If you only plan to get one pair of glasses to use all of the time, or at least, just one to begin with, it is best to prioritize finding a simple, classic style in a neutral color. This is because trends change fast, and while some statement glasses with big, bold frames might be a good choice now, fashion-wise, you probably don't want the only pair you own to fall into this category if that look becomes dated soon. Equally, you will need your glasses to look good with everything you wear, so if you only own one pair and they are bright red, that could limit what they will look good with. If you are getting more than one pair of glasses, then make sure at least one set is neutral and simple in design.

What Feels Good?

Some people love the look of chunky frames, but hate the feel of them on their faces, especially when the weather is hot. Heavy plastic frames can look cool, but if you hate actually wearing them, then it's no good. Again, you could consider having a pair like this that you like the style of to wear out, but have a lightweight pair of glasses that you wear at home or while working. Alternatively, you could just have the frame style you like best for your sunglasses, and keep the glasses you need to wear in everyday life to the kind you find most practical and comfortable.

How Much Will You Wear Them?

If you only need to wear glasses for certain things, or prefer to wear contacts a lot of the time, then you can choose glasses that can almost be like an optional change to your look, giving you the option to wear them as an accessory when you want to. If this is how you plan to use your glasses, then you may want to choose some that have a bolder look, so that you really feel like you look different when you have them on. This can also be something to think about if you have to wear glasses all the time now, but like the idea of reinventing your style to include a strong glasses look.

Finding the right glasses for your needs, look and lifestyle can take some shopping around, but make sure that the pairs you choose are ones you'll love to wear time and again!

Keeping Your House Clean With Pets and Children

Now, everyone who has pets and children in their life knows that they make the home. They bring so much energy to the place, especially when they’re together, and you wouldn’t trade the atmosphere for the world. But there’s a bit of a problem: they can be pretty messy, individually and collectively, from time to time. That means that while your home might be a lot of fun, it’s also pretty prone to looking a little worse for wear! But is it possible to have everything, a tidy home and those lovable little creatures? We think so. 

Below, we take a look at a few tried and tested methods of keeping your home clean even when you have small children and a dot.

Source: Pexels.com

Dedicated Mess Spaces

You’re not going to keep all areas of the home clean at all times, so it’s not even worth trying. Nope! Instead, it’s best to instead focus on concentrating the mess in certain areas. For example, let’s think about your children’s playing. That can get pretty chaotic and messy from time to time! You’ll find it much easier to keep everything under control if you limit the mess to a specific room or area. They can play to their heart’s content; there’ll only be so much damage that they can do. Win-win!

Easy to Clean

Of course, just through the course of living with small children and a canine, you’re going to run into your fair share of spills and the like. It’s just par for the course. But if you can’t prevent those little accidents from happening, then you can at least ensure that they’re easy to clean up. One option is to look at laminate flooring, which you can get from Carpet One. Laminate flooring has many benefits, the biggest of which is that it couldn’t be easier to keep in pristine condition. 

Using Your Time Wisely

If you’ve got a child and pet to look after, then you’re going to be pretty busy, and that’s before we even mention your work. As such, it’s important that you use your time wisely when it comes to cleaning. The best method is to simply clean up any spills as soon as they happen. It’s much easier to spend two minutes cleaning up some jam, rather than waiting for multiple small jobs to build up into one big job. 

Share the Responsibilities

You can’t ask your dog to clean up after themselves, but your child? OK, it’s a bit difficult when they’re super young, but once they’re beginning to understand how life works, they can get involved a little bit. You’re not their servant; they can pick up after themselves. Plus, you’ll be teaching them lifelong skills.

A Little Bit of Mess...

Finally, remember that you’re not going to keep your home in perfect condition all the time. Being OK with a little bit of mess is recommended, if only because you’ll only drive yourself crazy if you’re getting annoyed by every speck of dirt or spill. 

Common Plumbing Mistakes That You Need to Avoid

Planning on tackling your own plumbing? Here are several common mistakes that you need to avoid. Don’t be afraid to call a plumber if needed.

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Owning your own home is something that people no longer take for granted. The share of Canadians that own a home is shrinking due to economic issues and the rise of home prices in major cities.

As a result, folks are older when they become first-time homeowners, and may not know a lot about how to care for a home. Even people who have had a house for many years can make simple mistakes when it comes to plumbing.

Here are some important but common mistakes that you need to avoid.

Forgetting to Turn Off the Water

If you’re working on a repair, the number one step is to turn off the water to the fixture. You’d be surprised how many homeowners forget to do this! Just having the faucet turned off doesn’t change the fact that water is in the fixture.

If you remove a faucet or start working on a toilet without shutting off the water, you can expect a serious spray all over the room and a lot of water damage. Don’t do it!

Over-Tightening Plumbing Fixtures

You might feel like installing a new toilet or faucet is a simple weekend DIY project. Unfortunately, many homeowners make a simple mistake that can result in serious problems.

You don’t want leaks, right? So you tighten the plumbing fixtures as much as you possibly can. Unfortunately, doing that causes leaks or even more problems. You can crack the fitting or break the nuts you’re using.

It only takes a little pressure to seal the fixture – don’t overdo it.

Misusing Thread Tape

To install a faucet or even just a new showerhead, you need to use thread tape to create a tight seal. Thread tape has to be wrapped clockwise around the threads, but many homeowners wrap it the opposite way.

The result is that the tape comes off as you screw on the fixture. It’s now useless because it’s not creating a seal.

To use tape correctly, wrap tape three times around the threads. Be sure it’s going in the same direction as you plan to screw on the tape.

Trying to DIY Over Your Ability

We understand that you don’t necessarily want to call a plumber for what seems like a “minor” job, but if you aren’t the handy type, you really should. A lot of homeowners dive into a project with a lot of enthusiasm and no real idea what they’re doing.

You end up not having the spare parts you need, such as gaskets, o-rings, and stems. You can’t simply reuse everything when you disassemble a fixture.

Instead, contact a company who provides high-quality plumbing in Toronto.

Overusing Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can be a huge benefit to homeowners struggling with clogged drains. However, if you use them all the time or more than directed on the back of the bottle, you can be doing significant damage to your plumbing.

Chemicals that dissolve clogs also damage your pipes, which can lead to leaks, cracks, or breakage. You’ll also destroy the rubber gaskets in a coupling, which can lead to leaks. Instead of using chemicals every time, consider using a snake or removing the P-trap and pouring out the material causing the blockage.

Handle Your Plumbing Professionally

Doing DIY might make you feel good about saving money, but it definitely doesn’t save money when you end up with a leak and significant water damage. Make sure you fully understand what you’re doing before you attempt repairs, and don’t shy away from calling in a professional if needed.

Great Ways to Get Your Home in Shape - And Enjoy a Stress Free Summer

Summer’s here and we’re all feeling much happier, aren’t we?

The better weather means more time to do the things that matter most to us - which is great news.  Fun days at home with the people we love - family barbecues, getting together with friends...what could be better?

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But there are also some things we have to address too, aren’t there?  And that includes giving our homes an overhaul.  

So here are just a few things to put on your list - to make sure your house is in great shape for the season…

Check your home’s exterior and make necessary repairs

Did you have issues with your home over the winter?  Maybe the roof leaked or there were problems with the guttering.  Why not get these things sorted now the weather’s better - to protect your home and maximise its potential?

It helps increase your property’s value, in the long term, if you keep on top of issues as they arise, after all.  Things only get worse if you don’t try to address them head on - and no-one wants that, do they?

Even if you plan to fix some problems later - at the very least you should get exterior wood repaired and repainted.  Then it will be ready to withstand any potential heat related damage this summer, ahead of the hottest days of the year.

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Get your air conditioning system repaired..or replaced

When we move to the inside of our homes, there are some really key considerations to think about too, we know.  And one of the most important issues is to make sure your air conditioning is running effectively and efficiently.

Are you concerned about costs rising?  

If you noticed any unexplained increases this winter, it could be due to damage in your A/C ductwork. This is a crucial component of your home’s air con and heating system - and you need to make sure it’s properly sealed and insulated.  Otherwise, you can end up wasting precious energy and money on cooling spaces that don’t need it. 

Remembering to have regular checks and maintenance of your air conditioning not only helps you stay cool - it saves on your bills.  And who doesn’t want that...? 

When it’s time to replace it...

Sometimes your system is beyond the benefits of any good service - and you need to invest in a new one.  Then it’s time to call in your local Air Conditioning Replacement Services, which might not prove as expensive as you think.

It could sound like a costly procedure, but it will save you a huge amount of money over time compared to continual repairs.

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You’ll enjoy a range of benefits: improved air quality, reduced energy bills and decreased chances of sudden, expensive breakdowns.

So it’s well worth investigating the pros and cons of replacement over repair - particularly if your system is really flagging.  New technology also makes modern A/C units significantly more efficient, which will save you money each month on energy.

We hope you agree these tips could help you get your home back in shape - and enjoy the summer...stress free.  They could mean you save money, stay cool and feel relaxed - all ready to have fun - with your favourite people.