Home Improvement

Archive for April, 2010

Before running to buy the latest Dolphin pool cleaner, there are a few basic things you should know about pool maintenance.

After getting a swimming pool, the next thing you really need for your pool maintenance is a pool cover. The pool cover will help you cover the swimming pool when out of the house for long periods of time, or when the pool is not in use (like long winters or trips).

A plastic pool cover can be very effective in protecting the pool from different objects falling into the water, and from the elements. Some purchase a strong plastic cover to prevent children or pets from accidentally falling into the pool. Remember that setting up the pool cover is a lot of work, requires some time and effort. This is basic pool maintenance.

Every swimming pool has a skimmer that is used to collect dead leaves, branches, insects and other debris from the water surface. A skimmer is a rake that is used to pull out objects from the water, surely you remember the life guard in the summer walking around the pool and fishing out all the dead insects, leaves and such from the swimming pool. Pool maintenance and cleaning should be in direct correlation to how much it is used, and if you plan to use your pool frequently, you will need to use a good skimmer, so try and put some money into a quality one, you will get to use it a lot.

One of the most important things in swimming pool maintenance is the filtration, keeping the water clean and circulating them is important in any pool. There are several types of filters available for swimming pool water. Sand and gravel, diatomaceous earth, anthracite, and cartridge types are the filter mediums most commonly employed. Swimming pool filtration system use the same basic principle of passing water through tiny passageways, thus filtering it. Particles larger than these passages are trapped and thereby separated from the main body of the water. This process continues until all of these passageways are blocked. The filter must then be cleaned and the cycle repeated.

Sediment and suspended matter usually find their way to the bottom of the pool and will need to be removed by vacuuming, since swimming pool filtration varies in quality, and is subject to the frequency of maintenance and quality, you will need to consider vacuuming as a general pool maintenance tool for your swimming pool cleaning.

The swimming pool vacuum operates in a similar manner to the common household unit except it draws water through the vacuum head instead of air. There are two ways in which this may be accomplished. One method employs a jet of water supplied by a garden hose to power the suction which draws the dirt into the head to be trapped in a cloth bag. The other method uses the suction power supplied by the filter which draws the sediment and dirt from the pool floor for removal through the filter. When there is a considerable amount of sediment to be removed the filter valves should be adjusted so that the vacuumed water will bypass the filter and run to waste.

Chemicals are used in pool maintenance on regular basis to keep water safe and clean. The most common chemical used is chlorine. Again, asking you to try and remember you childhood and that a fresh swimming pool usually had an unpleasant side effect of irritated skin or eyes, this is the danger and the cons of using chlorine in your pool. If used in large quantities, or if not maintained properly, chlorine may irritate the eyes and skin of swimmers. A swimming pool owner should also be aware of the proper maintenance instructions for the chemicals and follow the manufacturers instructions when applying the chemical to the pool.

Use common sense when thinking of pool maintenance and pool cleaning, your swimming pool is there for you to enjoy it, but it does come with a few simple responsibilities. Cleaning your swimming pool regularly will allow you to enjoy a clean and healthy swimming pool for a long time.

Antiques may be of many different kinds and of all the antique collectibles and furniture happens to be the most popular and practical choice. Antique furniture is distinct from other categories of antiques in the sense that no one collects the same type of object repeatedly. It means that you would not want to buy and collect only tables or chests and fill up your home with everything the same. However, you may have a specific liking to certain wood or style.

Regardless of your preference, if you are planning to purchase antique furniture, you need to know the basics. In other words, you should have some idea about various styles, techniques of construction, finishes and variety of woods used. You will need this knowledge to determine if a particular piece is original (in its original state without any major changes) or altered (if some major alterations or additions have been made to it.)

Once you are acquainted with the basics, go to as many antique furniture dealers and auctions as you possibly can. When inspecting the merchandise, don’t hesitate in pulling out drawers, getting down on your knees to look at the underside of tabletops or lifting chairs to have a look at their legs. If you don’t get down and dirty, you will never learn.

In the beginning, furniture was crafted from solid wood but with improvement in cabinet making techniques, furniture decoration by applying veneers (thin sheets of wood) was developed. This provided an inexpensive method of creating decorative effects from different grains and patterns. It was also an economical technique that made inexpensive woods look like expensive hard woods. Such furniture had a solid body called a carcass that is made of a different, generally less expensive wood, like pine. Some of the woods used in antique furniture are beech, cherry, chestnut, ebony, elm, mahogany, pine, oak, satinwood, walnut etc.

The following features are significant when determining the age, authenticity, quality and worth or price of antique furniture:

I> Color and Patina: Patina is the glow of the wood after years of accumulation of wax polish and dirt. A rich subtle color is also an important characteristic of antique furniture.

II> Proportion: A disproportionate piece of furniture may well be a “marriage” of different parts from different furniture.

III> Construction: Before the late 17th century, furniture was made using mortise and tendon joints and pegs were handmade.

IV> Condition: Do not ignore pieces with marks or blemishes as the wood has not been damaged. A good restorer can undo surface spots. Antique Furniture in it original pristine condition is worth the highest price.

V> Alterations: Altered furniture is always less desirable than the original piece. Telltale alterations include large pieces reduced in size, freshly cut surfaces, plugged holes, repositioned handles etc.

Now that you know what to look for, the question is where to look for antique furniture?

Well, apart from auctions and dealers, you can always check the classifieds section in the paper to see if anybody’s selling furniture and go check it out. You might even find a good bargain this way. Also, you will find many sites that sell antique furniture on the internet or you could use the internet to find out where you could go to get good deals on antique furniture.