Author: John Conde

5 Swimming Pool Maintenance Mistakes To Avoid

Posted on by John Conde

A commercial swimming pool often needs a lot more maintenance and care than your average backyard swimming pool. Sometimes, this is due to the massive size of the pool, while other times it may be because of how frequently it used by a large group of people. Whatever the reason may be, maintaining the swimming pools can help organizations and business owners save a lot of money in the long run. Here are 5 common maintenance mistakes that one should avoid when dealing with a commercial pool.

Adding chemicals during the day

Adding chemicals to the pool during the day is perhaps the most common swimming pool maintenance mistake. Chemicals, including liquid chlorine, work a lot better if you add them after sunset. Keep adding chemicals during the day and you will find that they are not as effective as you had hoped. Also, the chemicals you have added will not last for too long and will have to be replenished often, casing maintenance costs to go up. Add chemicals during the night and you will find yourself spending a lot less money on purchasing them.

Letting the pH levels soar

What is the point of adding chlorine to the pool if it isn’t allowed to do its job? In order for chlorine to be active, the pH level of the pool water has to be within a favourable range. As a rule of thumb, never let the pH level go above 8.0. This is the extremely common in commercial-sized swimming pools where pH levels tend to soar. If the pH level hits 8.5, the chlorine is only 10-15% active, which makes adding chlorine to the pool water an exercise in futility.

Backwashing filters too often

The filters in a swimming pool work best when they are clean. However, in the name of maintenance, the DE and sand filters are often over-cleaned. This is one scenario where it is actually possible to have too much of a good thing. As long as the needle in the pressure gauge is sitting on ‘clean’, there is no need to backwash the filters; the backwashing won’t do any good and you’ll just end up wasting a lot of water. When the pressure goes up by 8 psi, that’s when the filters should be backwashed.

Not running the pumps long enough

In an effort to save money on power bills, it is not uncommon to run the pumps for short durations. However, though you will be saving on electricity, the swimming pool will suffer. Circulation is crucial for ensuring a good swimming pool and not leaving the pumps running for long enough is a major oversight. Generally, leave the pump running for an hour for every 10 degrees.

Failing to maintain chlorine generators

Ignore cleaning the chlorine generators for too long and it will end up damaging the salt water system cells. If the cells get corroded or calcified, the will not generate chlorine and you will have to spend a small fortune to get them replaced. Clean the cells regularly to prevent calcification and check them at least once a month for signs of corrosion.

Avoid these 5 common gaffes and your commercial pool will be perfect for a long time to come.

Author of this post, Ashley Parker is an architect who specializes in landscape design. Her latest achievement is the award-winning design of a giant garden and pool area of a luxury hotel. She collaborated with commercial pool builders to incorporate an infinity swimming pool as a part of the design. Her hobbies are writing and cycling.

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Preparing Your Home For Water Damage Restoration

Posted on by John Conde

You could have gone through all the proper steps to take preventive measures against water damage in your home through regular maintenance, but unfortunately, things didn’t work out to your advantage and now you’re stuck with a mess. Even if you just bought a new home It doesn’t have to take a big rainstorm and consequent flooding to result in water damage. Your home may have the misfortune of encountering burst pipes or suffering from unknown leaks, and before you realize it, you must act quickly to avoid further destruction from rot and mold. The good news is that with proper cleanup and water damage restoration you can salvage your home and personal belongings.

Identify the Source

Identifying the source of infiltration is the first step to managing water damage. If you come across stains that lead you to discover water draining down walls or dripping from the ceiling, your problem probably lies in a faulty roof that needs immediate repair. Hopefully, you can detect a burst pipe or leak from the sound it makes and determine the need to shut off your home’s water supply right away.

Dry Out Items

Assessing the damage before you jump into cleanup mode is imperative for water damage restoration. As you go through the house noting exactly what needs to be tended to, you should be working to circulate air and dry out all areas exposed to moisture with open windows, fans, and dehumidifiers. All household items need to be dried out to conclude if there is irreversible harm.

Clean and Sanitize

Floors, walls, furniture, and personal items will all require different treatment solutions. Anything that can withstand bleach, including drywall, plaster, and tile, should be washed a couple of times and completely dried out again to get rid of any traces of mold. A steam cleaner should be used immediately on soaked carpets and upholstery. Clothing can be laundered or dry cleaned, and any books, papers, or important documents can be freeze-dried if there are no signs of mold growth. Any unimportant damaged items you find that you can really do without should be thrown away.

Recheck and Reseal

Once you’ve dealt with the urgent matters straight away, you should begin to take new action to minimize further damage. Check for any leaks that can occur around windows, doors, and through roofs and reseal openings or replace shingles. Seal cracks in walls and the foundation, inspect all plumbing, and look for termite destruction in wood structures.

It is always best to bring in a water damage restoration professional to fully evaluate the situation and advise you on things that just aren’t salvageable. Mold is especially difficult to eliminate in carpet and furniture. If not treated properly or if kept when they should be tossed, these items can cause significant long-term health problems. Although you won’t look forward to the money it will cost you, due to weakened materials and rotting, water damage restoration may involve necessary renovations to ensure your home stays strong and standing.

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10 interior design trends that will mark 2013

Posted on by John Conde

Each year brings its trends and this year is no different. We have singled out a few of them that will excite every good interior design lover and which we will surely talk about in 2013.

What are the trends that will mark 2013 when it comes to interior decorating?

1. A new relationship between man and interior design

Society has changed fundamentally over the last few decades, which has greatly influenced all aspects of life, including interior design. Today, men spend more time at home; help with housework and children, which is reflected in the arrangement of the interior space in which they reside. Simple details, less garish colors, the prevalence of white, black and gray, functionality above all – are just a few examples of the growing male dominance in interior design.

2. Teamwork

A more recent phenomenon is that some spaces are decorated in team. This brings better ideas, designers are more efficient and faster – while one deals with the skeleton space, the other is responsible for the lighting effects, and the third for the final touch.

3. Do it yourself

The desire to express yourself is increasingly present in homes around the world. Most people want furniture and decorations that mean something, and that will, ultimately, make their space more personal. Whether the old chairs that you re-fixed, or that you just pulled out of the basement the candlesticks and turned it into a great little detail on the table, creativity is welcome and is increasingly spreading among people.

4. Textures and types of materials

In the past, people didn’t pay much attention to the material the furniture is made from or what the surface feels like when they touch it. But today the situation is completely different. People are looking for material that is comfortable to touch and encourage warmness, which in turn revives the ‘home’ feeling that they want.

5. Stripes everywhere

They encourage dynamism and enter energy into the space. Just as in the previous example, everything is welcome – from carpets, upholstery, wall decorations… it is important to have stripes.

Source: Blogs.babble.com

6. Embroidery and knitting

Too bad we didn’t learn a few things from our grandmothers, because our home would now look more ‘bright’ and playful. Knitting and embroidery is the latest trend in 2013, whether it’s a colorful rug, basket or blanket.

7. African Influence

More modern households began to show a tendency toward African influences, considering them as exotic and dynamic details. Carvings and handmade ornaments certainly are trends that have already impressed the most sceptical fans of beautiful interiors. African influenced decorations will fit beautifully with wooden or timber blinds.

8. Floral patterns on a white background

Flowers are IN again, only this time with the addition of a white background. Such details bring a touch of romance and raise the whole area. Try with wallpapers, photographs – an effect that you will get will be great.

9. Writing on the wall and ceiling

Simple, original, creative … What more needs to be said?

10. Green walls

Life in the countryside is one of the most popular trends this year. Not only it is healthy and provides a feeling of freshness to space, but acts elegant and original. Whatever you choose, whether green panels or framed green screens with lighting effects or plants is something that will certainly raise and refresh your home.

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7 Tips on Furnishing Your Orlando Apartment on a Budget

Posted on by John Conde

Do you want to change the way your apartment looks, but you don’t have so much money to make the changes? Well, in a city like Orlando where rent can get high, you might want to redecorate on a budget. Luckily, there are some easy ways to do this:

1. Combine Your Coffee Table & Storage

Swap out the coffee table for a small table with storage drawers. There, you can put a few books or some personal items, and easily hide them away when company visits. This way, you will have a coffee table and storage space rolled into one.

2. Accent Walls with Plates

If your walls are drab, hang colored plates on the walls. This can give your apartment a punch of color without spending hundreds of dollars on painters. Arrange the plates in an asymmetric pattern to compliment an accent wall.

3. Create a Comfortable Seating Area

Lighten the feel of the room with some light chairs or fluffy pillows. This way, when your friends come over for drinks, they have a comfortable seating area for gathering.

4. Add Wood Décor Pieces

Look for neutral colors and earthy decorations if you want to create a welcoming atmosphere. Wood is beautiful, and if you have some furniture pieces made of it you don’t have to paint it.

5. Bring in Warm Colors to the Bedroom

The bedroom is your retreat from a stressful day. Here you can create a comforting atmosphere by selecting warm and comforting colors for the walls. It’s best to stay away from dark colors when it comes to the bedroom.

6. Hang Up Family Photos

Create a photo gallery by framing some of your favorite prints and hang them on an accent wall. This spot can become a great place for you to curl up and reflect on some good memories.

7. Light Some Candles

For romance, add some candles into the equation. Candles are great for relaxation, and allow you to forget about the stressful work-day.

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