Don't Put Up With Algae In The Swimming Pool

By John Baker

If you are the owner of a residential swimming pool you are almost certainly aware of the issue of algae, a green, slimy substance that clings to the floor and surfaces of your pool. Algae are tiny plants that exist in water, or close by it, and it shows up from a large range of places. They could be swept in by means of a gust of wind or rain, adhere to your feet, or flow out of the garden hose. In short, you cannot do away with them from your surroundings. But you can keep them from growing in your pool.

There are over 30,000 unique types of algae, contained in three central categories. Green algae tend to adhere to walls. They have a slick feel and are very noticeable. By contrast, mustard algae create a crumbly area in the pool, normally in a shaded location. Black or blue-green algae are darker and have a tendency to form tiny spots about the size of a dime. Fortunately, all three types can be dealt with, and with regular maintenance they can be stopped from forming with various easy-to-use products.

Maintaining the correct pH of your swimming pool water is the best place to start. There are quite a few balancing products available that can help you to maintain the level at about 7.2 to 7.6. The pH of the fluid in your eyes is something like 7.35 so this reading also serves to prevent any irritation of the eyes. A testing kit is a must so you recognize your starting point and can make sure you maintain the concentrations where they need to be.

A purifier that has bromine or chlorine is also of great benefit. They're often known as algaestats and they prevent the growth of all types of algae. Others are named algaecides and actually kill off any algae that are already present. The distinction is largely one of concentration.

But there are further very useful substances to restrain and do away with algae. Among the favorite is a group called quats, a contraction of quaternary ammonium salts. Commonly available in concentrates ranging from 5 to 10 percent, they can prevent the establishment of algae, and also get rid of existing algae. The varieties that are able to eradicate algae are known as polyquats and have concentrations of 30 to 60 percent. The intended outcome is reached inside of several hours. However if utilized in overly large amounts, the end result will be less pleasing because it will produce sudsy froth on the surface.

Copper salts are almost as popular. They likewise produce good end results when it comes to preventing or killing algae. But they necessitate more care in their use given that they are able to stain your swimming pool. Eventually, copper salts can set down hazy blue residue. If high concentrations of chlorine are present in the pool, copper salts can create a black stain.

Silver is another common substance used to tackle algae. It is inclined to stick to the surfaces, where it stays for extended periods. This provides good ongoing prevention of algae formation. It also helps to destroy bacteria. However it can create black stains over time if it isn't employed wisely. Be sure to peruse the labels thoroughly and stick to the directions.

About the Author:

Visit Backyard Living for the information you need to make the most of your time outside. Learn more about everything from patio furniture to pools.

How To Build A Lean To Shed From Plans - Tips To Get You Started

By Artemis Shartnelle

Are you interested in learning how to build a shed from lean to shed plans?

There are several things to take into consideration before you start.

Are you patient and determined enough to learn how to build a lean to shed from plans? Do you know how to run a power saw, and are you willing to learn how to mix and cast concrete footings?

In order to take on the task of learning how to build a shed, you will need to be adept with tools. You will need to be prepared for a little hard work. You will definitely be up to the task if you possess these characteristics. It's quite usual for projects like this to end up being a little harder than first thought, so make sure you also take this into consideration!

You probably already own most of the many tools you will need to build your own lean to shed. Don't be put off if you have to buy some others. You will save much more money by building your own lean to shed.

Remember that if you need a big, more expensive power tool for the job you can rent it for a day or even just a couple of hours.

After you decide on the most suitable lean to shed plans, you need to make a before heading off to your local lumber supplier. Now you have picked which lean to shed plans you are going to use, you can make a list of all the materials you will need from your hardware supply store. This will be a great time saver as you won't have to keep running to and fro from the store. So make sure you put everything you will need on the list.

Once you have your lean to shed plans, know what tools you are going to need, and have purchased your materials, you're ready to start! Just by learning how to read and build from lean to shed plans will save you lots of money and give you the satisfaction of building it yourself!

About the Author:

Visit these excellent resources if you would like more information on how to build a lean to shed this weekend and for how to find lean to shed plans.

Why Can't I Find Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

By Susan Reynolds

With the gas prices currently on the rise and the economy slowing down there are more motorcycles on the road than ever before. Bikers have certainly changed. You might even catch your grandpa riding one.

Insurance seems to be the largest issue for most new bikers. Finding motorcycle insurance is harder than you may realize. Some who have just purchased their motorcycle may have been informed by their automobile insurance company that they could not cover them. Anyone who is thinking of purchasing a motorcycle might be surprised to learn that not all insurance companies are willing to provide motorcycle insurance policies.

You could be frustrated that your insurance company has denied coverage. You feel jilted by them since you have never had an accident and always paid your premiums on time. You might be thinking it is a great way to save a few bucks by combining your insurance policies. The reality is you may have to use two different insurance companies due to the bike. If you are locked in to your present policy and they will not provide coverage you have no other choice.

Insurance companies are only trying to protect their assets, the reason for not providing you with coverage is not really about you. The largest reason for not providing motorcycle insurance is because of other drivers, not you. Most people tend to ignore bikers creating a risk for more motorcycle accidents that are not the riders fault. Not being noticed on the road by other motorist's puts bikers in a higher risk category for accidents.

Smaller accidents can create more serious injury on a motorcycle than in a car or truck. In a fender bender with a car or truck the insurance company might have to pay for paint and maybe a fender. In a fender bender with a motorcycle even a small mishap could bring a claim for replacement of the bike as well as serious injury to the rider.

If the rider is thrown off the bike during an accident they are poorly protected against the hard pavement. This is why claims for serious injuries for motorcyclists are more likely. Insurance companies have to consider helmet laws as they vary from state to state. Many states will require newer bikers to wear a helmet and there are still some states that have no helmet laws in effect at all. The rider could be riding the bike and have an accident while not wearing a helmet this is reason enough for most insurance companies to refuse coverage.

While you are shopping for motorcycle insurance coverage keep all this in mind. You will find companies that provide coverage for bikers at an affordable rate but you may have to call several places first. Insurance companies want to protect us but they have to protect their business as well. Motorcycles just present a bad risk for many companies. With more bikers on the road these days you might find that some will begin to change their minds, but do not expect it.

About the Author:

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Motorcycle Insurance Policies.

A Room For Sports Fans

By Bethany Owen

Could anything be worse than trying to watch the big game with kids running in front of the television screen? Sure it could. You could also have a spouse who is on the telephone while you are trying to hear about the latest injuries and a 120 pound dog who still thinks he is a lap dog. If trying to watch the big game under these circumstances seems a bit too familiar you may want to consider creating a viewing room just for you.

You probably never spend money on yourself and you feel guilty if you do. You can create a gamming room without costing alot of money. You can have it and you deserve it. First you will need to find a room in your home that doesn't have alot of traffic running through it. When you find this room you can transform it quickly. When you are ready to decorate it try using dark colors. Using dark colors make it easy to clean.

By picking an area away from the common living areas, you seclude yourself. This will prevent sound disruptions. Additionally, others will be less tempted to interrupt you because they still have access to the areas they commonly use. This is the best way to ensure privacy, but you will still need to take other steps to ensure relaxation.

Decorating with dark colors will help you to relax. This will make the room seem smaller, but will also give it a cozy feeling. Dark colors are warm and inviting and can put your mind at ease. Using dark curtains can help to block out the sun preventing annoying glare. Dark colors show fewer stains and reduces strenuous cleaning. So if you spill a soda all you need to do is dry the spot instead of spending hours scrubbing out the stain. Many accessories can add to your color scheme while reducing the cleaning you must do as well.

Over the years you have probably collected alot of sports memorabilia. If this is the case you will have a room to display it in but don't put too much in the room at one time. This will cause your room to look cluttered and be more time that you have to spend cleaning and dusting around everything. Rotate your memorailia so you can display everything you have but not at once.

You will need to finalize your room with a nice area rug. These rugs are so easy to clean and maintain. If your room is located upstairs you will find that an area rug can muffle the sound coming from downstairs. You can purchase an area rug that displays a sports theme which will go great with your chosen decor. Find your favorite sport, team, or player. This will help you show off who you really are.

About the Author:

Home Designers all agree that it is vital to decorate with area rugs. One of the most sort after is Dynamic Rugs Opulence Collection.

Have You Really Got The Hair You Always Wanted?

By Peter Dawson

You see all those supermodels in the magazines and you want your hair to look just as good as theirs does. But it just doesn't, and you don't know how to make it look that good. What you need is some simple tips on how to make your hair look good naturally. You can do it all at home, yourself.

You see getting great hair isn't an accident. Of course you could always head to the salon, again, and spend up big, again, to see if your hair is going to look great. Maybe change your hair color, again, and pay up big, again....

You've tried all that haven't you? You've been to the salon and you've spent so much money you really need to head to the bank for a loan to pay for it all.

Have you got the hair you always wanted yet? No.

But there's even more to worry about. As well as spending up big at the salon you're also putting your health at risk. Because many big brand salon (and personal) hair care products have ingredients that may be unhealthy. This applies to cosmetics and skin care products and personal and beauty products in general too, as well as hair care products.

Because the FDA doesn't satisfy itself that the ingredients in these products are safe to use. They aren't required to. So there can be some very suspect ingredients in these products and this includes some hair care products you may be using now.

Are you beginning to see why it wouldn't be such a bad idea getting some simple natural hair care tips so that you can get your hair to look as good as you wanted, at home, using natural products that don't contain nasty ingredients and don't cost the earth?

You really can make your hair look great, at home, yourself. It's not that hard if you know some simple natural hair care tips, the "secrets" that the pros don't want you to know because if you do you won't come back. They aren't "secrets" of course, they're just simple home hair treatments that work well, and safely.

But you won't learn these tips from the pros because they make their living from you.

But it really isn't all that hard to do it yourself, at home. And get hot looking hair at the same time. You make your own shampoos and conditioners at home, learn how to do great scalp massages and lots more.

There's so many natural hair care tips that you can apply at home, yourself. It's not that hard, you can get better looking hair, safely, at home. Both your hair and your bank balance will thank you.

Find out more on my website.

About the Author:

To get a copy of Peter's book of Natural Hair Care Tips visit his website Natural Hair Care Advice.