Home & Garden

Xeriscaping is a form of gardening that was designed for dry areas where watering can be a challenge. By spending some extra planning time choosing the specific plants and garden design, you can conserve water and save time on maintenance.

The Basic Fundamentals

Water Conservation: Begin your planning around this one main feature of xeriscaping. Research the drought-resistant and native plants common to your area. Know what the annual precipitation is for your area and how it is spread throughout the season.

Plan your garden on paper by noting the north, south, east and west and any features that may affect your planting choices. For instance are there any large shade trees, or areas that receive more sun than others. On hot, dry areas facing the south and west, use plants that require less moisture. For north and east-facing slopes, choose plants that need more water.

Take note of the shape of the land and the drainage patterns. Plan areas of run off to flow toward plants that require more watering.

Allow areas for seating, and walkways. Plan larger trees, ornamental grasses, and shrubs for extra shade, privacy or sound proofing. They also reduce evaporation by blocking the wind and keeping the soil cool.

Soil Improvement: Ideally, your soil in this type of landscape will do two things – provide quick drainage and store water at the same time. You can do this by improving your soil quality with mulch and compost. If you have soil with a high alkaline (pH) and low phosphorous content, the addition of bonemeal and rock phosphate can help.

Mulch should also be spread to retain moisture, keep the soil cool and block out weeds.

Limit Grass Areas: While you want some grass these areas should be limited due to their high maintenance and high moisture requirements. Wherever possible plant water-saving varieties of lawn seed. Consider converting existing lawn areas to rock gardens, or patio.

Use Proper Plants: Native plants are the best choices for drought resistance and low maintenance. Consider the size of the plant upon maturity and whether it will require pruning or pest treatment. Keep plants with similar needs together. Don’t plant drought resistant varieties side by side with those that require regular watering.

Irrigation: Use drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses for regular watering. They prevent over watering and are less prone to evaporation than sprinkler methods. Don’t waste your rainwater. Set up some rain barrels and use them with your irrigation system, or direct your drain spouts towards plants that require more watering.

Water plants just to the point of seeing runoff, allow the lawn to absorb the water and then resume when needed.

Put your irrigation system on a timer and set for early morning waterings, before it starts to get hot.

Maintenance: Although there is much less maintenance required in tending a xeriscape garden, it is important to stay on top of any weeds that do pop up and ensure your garden is fertilized regularly. Pick off faded flowers to extend blooming times.

Staining is a popular way to bring your garage floor to life.  You can hire professionals to come in and stamp the concrete to give the floor a unique pattern, like marble, stepping stone or even hardwood design, or you can do it yourself.  Choose a stain color that you like and a strong, heavy sealant.  You can turn your old dirty garage floor into a beautiful, shiny, professional looking work area. First, test the floor for sealant.  When you pour water on it, it will soak in if there is no sealant.  If there is a sealant, your water will bead up and it will not soak in.  If there is sealant present, you will have to get an industrial sealant remover and remove the sealant before you can stain it. Day 1:  If there is no sealant or if the sealant is removed, you are ready to clean.  After sweeping and vacuuming the floor, you will need to degrease it.  Use a strong degreaser and follow the directions on the container.  Rinse the floor really well before moving on to the next step and then let the floor dry. The next thing is to use an etching cleaner to open the concrete pores so that it will evenly accept the stain.  Etching cleaner will also help to remove stubborn stains that the degreaser didn’t get.  Keep the floor wet as you scrub.  Wear gloves, long sleeves and goggles to protect yourself from the etching solution.  Mix etching solution with water.  Use one part etching solution to three parts water.  Pour onto damp concrete and coat the floor.  Use a stiff bristle brush or broom to scrub the floor evenly for about 10 minutes, making sure that no areas dry while you work.  Rinse with a lot of water.  Let the floor dry completely before applying the stain.  This generally takes about 24 hours. Day 2:  You are ready to apply the first coat.  You will need to dilute one gallon of stain with one pint of water.  Go around the edges and corners of the room with a nylon/polyester bristled paintbrush, applying stain. Work the stain in evenly as you go so that you get a fairly uniform effect.  Apply the rest of the first coat with a roller, working it in as you go. Use full strength, non-diluted stain for the second coat if you want one.  Wait a minimum of two and a half hours after you finish the first coat before you decide.  You may have to wait a little longer if you live in a humid area, up to four hours.  Do not apply the second coat if it is raining outside.  After you are done staining, let the floor dry for 24 hours and do not step on the floor while it is drying. Your garage will be stunningly clean and ready to organize.  To complete the look, get rid of old junk.  Use new containers for storage and invest a little in some garage organization products.  Yard work organizers, tool organizers, ceiling loft hangers, bike hooks, <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.roboreel.com”title=”Cord Reel”>cord reel</a> and storage bins can help your garage look nice, neat and organized.  You can do it yourself, without hiring a professional.

Staining is a popular way to bring your garage floor to life.  You can hire professionals to come in and stamp the concrete to give the floor a unique pattern, like marble, stepping stone or even hardwood design, or you can do it yourself.  Choose a stain color that you like and a strong, heavy sealant.  You can turn your old dirty garage floor into a beautiful, shiny, professional looking work area.

First, test the floor for sealant.  When you pour water on it, it will soak in if there is no sealant.  If there is a sealant, your water will bead up and it will not soak in.  If there is sealant present, you will have to get an industrial sealant remover and remove the sealant before you can stain it.

Day 1:  If there is no sealant or if the sealant is removed, you are ready to clean.  After sweeping and vacuuming the floor, you will need to degrease it.  Use a strong degreaser and follow the directions on the container.  Rinse the floor really well before moving on to the next step and then let the floor dry.

The next thing is to use an etching cleaner to open the concrete pores so that it will evenly accept the stain.  Etching cleaner will also help to remove stubborn stains that the degreaser didn’t get.  Keep the floor wet as you scrub.  Wear gloves, long sleeves and goggles to protect yourself from the etching solution.  Mix etching solution with water.  Use one part etching solution to three parts water.  Pour onto damp concrete and coat the floor.  Use a stiff bristle brush or broom to scrub the floor evenly for about 10 minutes, making sure that no areas dry while you work.  Rinse with a lot of water.  Let the floor dry completely before applying the stain.  This generally takes about 24 hours.

Day 2:  You are ready to apply the first coat.  You will need to dilute one gallon of stain with one pint of water.  Go around the edges and corners of the room with a nylon/polyester bristled paintbrush, applying stain. Work the stain in evenly as you go so that you get a fairly uniform effect.  Apply the rest of the first coat with a roller, working it in as you go.

Use full strength, non-diluted stain for the second coat if you want one.  Wait a minimum of two and a half hours after you finish the first coat before you decide.  You may have to wait a little longer if you live in a humid area, up to four hours.  Do not apply the second coat if it is raining outside.  After you are done staining, let the floor dry for 24 hours and do not step on the floor while it is drying.

Your garage will be stunningly clean and ready to organize.  To complete the look, get rid of old junk.  Use new containers for storage and invest a little in some garage organization products.  Yard work organizers, tool organizers, ceiling loft hangers, bike hooks, cord reel and storage bins can help your garage look nice, neat and organized.  You can do it yourself, without hiring a professional.

Pets add so much to our lives. Taking good care of them is important, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are six quick ways you can reduce the amount you spend on pet care.

1. Don’t go overboard buying your pet treats and toys. While treats and toys are important for you and your pet’s enjoyment, they aren’t extremely important to their health. What’s more important is the time and attention you give them and the quality of food you provide. If you do decide to buy treats and toys, purchase them while they’re on sale.

2. Buy in bulk. Buying larger bags of dog food will generally save you quite a bit of money. Not only will the cost per ounce be less, you will also save money by not having to run out to get more dog food quite so often. Don’t sacrifice value for convenience. If you buy the smaller bags because you can easily handle them, you are throwing money down the drain. Do a price check for food online at the pet superstores, such as PetsMart and PetCo, as well as niche providers, such as PetFoodDirect.com.

3. If you know your pet needs an upcoming surgery, check to see if there is a teaching hospital nearby. Colleges and universities with veterinarian programs would be a good place to check. Since these teaching hospitals do not always get live patients to train their students with, they often give good price breaks for those who bring in an ailing pet.

4. Watch how your veterinarian gives shots or treats scrapes and cuts. You can probably handle these small wounds and save yourself a good deal of money in the process. You may also want to check the farmer’s co-op in your area to see if you can purchase many of the vaccinations required for your pet. These will be much cheaper than the vet will charge.

5. Buying regularly administered medicines or flea treatments online can also help you save money on pet care. If you do not know of a company that provides this service, ask friends that have pets who they use. Look for coupons from websites that specializes in pet medcation and purchase during the site’s free shipping promotions. Or stock up during a time when they offer a

coupon for a percentage off your purchase.

6. Many people spend a lot of money grooming their pets. Save money by learning to do this yourself. You can take a class or learn by instructional video. You may find that you enjoy grooming your pet and may decide to try your hand at this as a home business.

Cleaning and Maintaining Contract Carpet Tiles

To be suitable for offices, shops or other commercial premises, carpet tiles need to be significantly more resistant to wear and soiling than products bought for the home.  Part of the reason for this is the fact that domestic users tend to be more conscientious about spills, staining and dirt tracked in from outside.  Tiles near the office’s kitchen areas are often repeatedly stained and this will become permanent if not removed, whatever the quality of the floor covering.

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Your new carpet tiles represent an investment in the presentation of your business.  It makes sense to maximise the visual appeal of that investment, and to make sure it lasts for years.  This article gives some recommendations on keeping them at their best.

Soiling from Outside

Office users rarely wipe their feet on entry as they would at home.  This makes reasonably broad barrier mats an important defence against dirt and grit tracked in from outside.  These mats should be cleaned and/or changed regularly.

Vacuum Cleaning

Bürofloor carpet tiles respond well to cleaning via powerful, industrial vacuum cleaners; the pile is strongly anchored, and the strong suction removes dirt and grit from deep down.  Cut pile carpet tiles are best cleaned using cleaners with driven brushes, while loop pile should be cleaned with suction only.  Where cleaning height is adjustable, the head should be set so that slight resistance can be felt.  Cleaning is most efficient when the head is passed over the surface in two directions at right-angles to each other.

Heavy soiling areas, such as entry corridors, lift waiting areas or reception areas, should be vacuumed daily.

Shampooing

Periodic shampooing will significantly extend the life of carpet tiles.  Done properly it removes the abrasive grit that accumulates at the base of the pile and contributes to wear.  It also freshens the area and may reduce allergies such as some types of hay fever.  The most effective method is by shampoo and hot water flushing.  This not only removes ingrained soiling, but is also effective in flushing out detergent residue.

The covering should not be walked on until completely dry; this can take as much as 24 hours.

Dry Cleaning

This process involves brushing a detergent powder into the carpet and leaving it for around half an hour.  It’s then removed by vacuuming.  In some products this powder is slightly moist, but the vacuuming process is generally sufficient to dry it ready for use.  Instructions for use and storage should be closely followed to avoid hazards.

Staining

Staining can be a frustrating problem in office areas.  Staff education and persuasion may be required to ensure that spillages are reported and resolved as quickly as possible.  Bürofloor commercial carpet tiles are extremely stain-resistant, but neglected staining will inevitably cause permanent damage.

Wet Staining

Many people react to spills of this kind by scrubbing with cloths or tissues.  This does little more than spread the stain.  The correct procedure is to begin by blotting the area with clean dry cloths or absorbent paper towels.  Once as much as possible of the liquid has been removed, the remaining staining should be diluted with water applied with a clean cloth or sponge, working from the edge to the centre of the stain.  Stubborn stains may be easiest to remove if the tile is taken up and washed under a tap.

Copier Toner

One of the most common dry stains in office premises is a copier or printer toner spill.  If you drop most of the contents of the cartridge, don’t immediately reach for the vacuum cleaner!  The powder is so fine that it can go straight through the filter and the localised problem is liberally distributed.  In the case of a large spill it may be necessary to call the copier service company.  Smaller spills shouldn’t be too troublesome for a standard vacuum cleaner.  As long as it’s kept dry and no solvents are used there should be no staining.

Replacement

No carpet tile is invulnerable.  In the case of an indelible stain the only solution is replacement.  Most installations will leave a few tiles over.  Don’t throw them away – they’ll be a better colour match than any new replacements you buy.  An alternative may be to swap the damaged tile with one from a less conspicuous area.

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Have you ever thought about things you did when you were growing up? Yes we all have reminisced over the years in one way or another. These returning thoughts and reminiscing usually reminds us of a lesson we learned or perhaps a discovery we made. We still look back from time to time.

I remember my experience about taking a bath. It was quite the every day thing for mom to say before bed time “Go take your bath, Sonny” “Ok mom”. So I filled the tub with water [ no showers in those days] and climbed in like always. On this particular occasion after being in the tub for 20 minutes mom came in. “Well arent you finished with the bath yet”? “Almost mom, I just need to wash my hair and my face”. Mom looked amazed “Do you mean you havent got that far yet”? “Oh yes mom, I always start with the feet, then I work my way up and finally finish with my face”.

Mom said “O Yuk Sonny, you need to think about how to take a bath”. I said “Why?” “What do you mean” “I am taking the bath and I am getting cleaned up”. Mom said “Well Sonny you are taking your BATH BACKWARDS”. “The right way to take a bath is to start with your face ears neck and hair first while the bath water is clean”. “Then you move down cleaning your self”. “Then you get to the middle part [ smelly part ] and then further down the legs and finally the feet another [ smelly part ] and your done.” “So you need to stop taking your BATH BACKWARDS as it is much more desirable to take your bath forward for better results”. I learned a lot that night from mom. I never took my BATH BACKWARDS again after that night.

That’s the way people do things sometimes. BATH BACKWARDS!

What do we mean?

Usually when a person decides to start some weight loss program or diet program they start BATH BACKWARDS so to speak.

How so?

They usually think they will procure some diet pills or exercise program and their off and running toward their weight loss success. They think it will be a snap. Then they do not get the results expected. They become discouraged and readily fall back into their original condition or worse. They attempt again and again. They fall back again and again.

What keeps going wrong?

It could be compared to a painter. The painter will prepare the surface by sanding and scraping. Then he will apply the paint coating. The same is true of a successful weight loss candidate. You need to prepare your mind and your heart first. How? By asking yourself these pertinent questions.

Ask Yourself Now – Do I Really Want to Lose Weight?

Ask Yourself Now – Do I Believe That it is Possible for Me?

Ask Yourself Now – Am I Really Ready to Make the Needed Changes for My HEALTH?s Sake?

Ask Yourself Now – Am I Going to Stick With it?

If the above questions cannot be answered with an affirmative resounding YES, you will fail your weight loss plan. So to be successful with your weight loss decision you will need to cooperate and do your part. Another way to think of it is – the plan will not work by itself. It takes two to Tango for weight loss success. In all weight loss coaching efforts the key lies with the participant not the plan.

In one weight loss coaching meeting the weight loss coach was brutally frank. He said “Most of you in this program will not succeed!” “Yes you will fail!” How is that for starters? However he was totally right and only wanted to work with those who were committed to succeed.

There is a bumper crop of weight loss remedies available today. Why? Because most people fail at their weight loss attempts. Their approach is wrong! So as a result the manufacturers come up with more and more weight loss methods and plans and products. Easy weight off! Effortless weight off! Burn Weight off! Etc. Etc.

If you believe you can lose weight without changing any thing in your life then you are taking you weight loss efforts – BATH BACKWARDS. You will be doomed to failure before you start.

So let’s get up! Take the bull by the horns! Commit yourself to success! You can do it! You can BLITZKRIEG your excess weight! [excess fat] You can win the war on excess fat! Decide to do it! Then do it! You will be doing your body a great favor and you will live longer!

To your health and happiness,

John Schmidt – Weight Loss Nutritionist

Homeowners have this added advantage in taking a loan that they are in a lot better position in making a beneficial deal in terms of interest rate and other conditions. Secured home improvement loans are especially crafted for homeowners so that even if they are having bad credit, the loan is approved without a hitch. A homeowner can make all types of home improvement works through the loan including enlarging rooms or modernization of kitchen. Certainly secured home improvement loans go a long way in enhancement of your home value and equity in it.

Secured home improvement loan is offered against home of the borrower. With security in place, lenders approve secured home improvement loan at lower interest rate which reduces the payment towards the loan installments and lowers the borrower’s burden. Another advantage of secured home improvement loan is larger repayment duration which again can make its installment payment easier as you can spread the loan into greater number of installments. You can repay secured home improvement loan in 5 to 30 years. Also secured home improvement loan providers offer £5000 to £75000 and even greater amount can be approved on the basis of good credit history and annual income of the borrower.

Adverse credit problem usually are not an impediment in taking secured home improvement loan since property of bad credit borrower is with the lender as collateral. It implies that lender has remote risks as he can sell the property for recovering the loan. So make sure you pay off the loan installments regularly. Take a copy of your credit report and check it for errors before applying to a lender. Also ensure comparing different lenders for interest rate. Especially bad credit people should compare secured home improvement loan providers so that a lower interest rate is ensured. Bad credit people can improve their credit score also on paying off the loan installments regularly.

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One of the best ways to create more space in your house is to utilize outdoor space more effectively. Many modern houses can make their rooms look larger by using glass walls and other means to visually extend the room into the garden or lawn. Glass walls that use the same wall and ceiling materials as the interior room on a terrace and its eaves help to extend the visual line of the room. Any room can visually flow outdoors on wooden decks, brick terraces, or loggias with lattice roofs.

A terrace can be an inviting outdoor room if you make use of vines, fences, shade trees, flowers and shrubs as well. If you add a barbeque, you add another dimension, since you can then use your terrace, lawn, or garden as a place to dine in the great outdoors.

When planning a terrace, you should consider the installation of electric outlets for radios, an electric spit of the barbeque, and lighting. Vines can be used on a lattice roof to give a restful appearance. Additionally, vines like grape vines tend to leaf out in hot weather when you want shade and drop their leaves at the start of cooler weather when you do not need it anymore. They provide their fruit as a bonus as well! Any vine you select should be a fast-growing variety. Grape, hyacinth, and gourd vines are suitable for lattice roofs.

A terrace must relate to the rest of the lawn and grounds. This can be done by placing flowers and plants growing in pots, baskets and tubs around the edges of the terrace. The lines of the terrace, walls, or paving can be softened by using rows of potted plants. Including dwarf trees on the terrace and blooming shrubs in the retaining walls can help with the transition between terrace and lawn as well. You can also create visual interest by changing levels. Flowerbeds can be constructed around steps, walls, and trees, for example. A hard floor is essential for an outdoor room as well.

You will want your outdoor room to be enjoyed by all family members, so provide a play space for young children, perhaps by having a sand box that can be filled with plants later, or a small pool for sailing boats. And you do not need to depend on trees along for shade. A self-bracing roof for the terrace in an egg-crate design can be constructed using the side of your house and pillars made of metal, masonry, or wood. Two of the most popular materials for this purpose is corrugated plastics and reinforced glass, which are watertight, but let sunlight come through.

Another type of roof that has become popular, especially in hot climates, is a parasol roof, which extends from the walls of a house about four feet or more. This provides shade to the surrounding area. Because glare that bounces back from the bare ground is a source of heat, having a carpet-like area of shaded grass under the parasol roof can keep a house much cooler.

Outdoor rooms are most successful if they are easily accessed, sheltered from traffic noise or neighbors, and protected from the wind.

Eventually, it’s bound to happen: your pet will have an “accident” on the carpet or another fabric surface, even if they are housebroken.  Pet urine, especially cat urine, can be very difficult to clean.  Here are some tips that will hopefully be of help to you when cleaning.

It’s best to clean up the stains as soon as possible to prevent odor and stains from setting.  By keeping cleaning supplies on hand, you’ll be able to tackle the accident as soon as you discover it!

If you have pets and carpeting, it’s a good idea to purchase a carpet cleaner.  These are great to have and really help to clean up the pet messes.  In a pinch, you can also use a wet/dry shop vac to clean up urine stains too.  You should also keep the following on hand to help you deal with pet messes: paper towels, old towels, pet stain remover, and pet odor neutralizer.

First clean up the excess urine by blotting with paper towels.  Use the old towel and press down into the accident and try to soak up more urine.  If the accident has been there for a while, or you believe that the carpet padding has been soaked, use the carpet cleaner. 

After you’ve cleaned the accident, you must make sure to remove the accident odor from the carpeting.  Any odors that remain can encourage your pet to return to the area to mark their territory.  Not only will this destroy your carpet, but it’s obviously unsanitary.  There are numerous pet odor neutralizers on the market.  Some neutralizers also act as stain removers, which is great!

Finding the right odor neutralizer is a process of trial and error.  Some removers have scents that you may or may not find unattractive; others have a process that needs to be followed when using the product. If you have a cat, be sure to use a product made especially for cat urine stains. Before you purchase a product, find out if it is just a stain or an odor remover, or if it will remove both odors and stains.  Read the label to see if the product will be easy or difficult to use.  Also check to see if it has a money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the product.

If you are unable to remove the stain, you can always call a professional carpet cleaner.  They have strong carpet cleaning machines and use commercial products that are great at removing odors and stains. For this reason, you may consider having your carpets professionally cleaned every 6 months to help with pet stain and odor issues.

Hopefully, you won’t have too many accidents to clean from your carpeting!  If you do, these tips should be of help to you.