Archive for November, 2009

Nov 12 2009

Doorknob – An Essential Part of Tot Proofing Your Home

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Doors

If you have a new baby in the house, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to make your home safer.

It will seem like no time at all before that cooing baby is a crawling baby, then a toddling tot. This is when they’re going to start getting in trouble.

Babies are curious by nature. They want to know what everything is, how it works, and how it tastes. When they start gaining mobility this means no cabinet or door in your home is going to be free of their scrutiny, unless you secure them now.

Now is a good time to take an inventory of your house. Think of all the cabinets and doors at the baby’s level. Let’s start in the bathroom. What’s under the sink? Chances are you have cleaning supplies for the toilet and sink, as well as possibly make-up, perfumes, hair sprays, and a number of other chemicals and items that should not be part of a baby’s diet. In the kitchen, you also probably have more cleaning supplies in the cabinet under the sink. The food shelves have more than their fair share of glass bottles and jars that could come tumbling down and break. All of these threats are just inside the house.

Then look outside. While you may say you won’t let your little one get outside, that is exactly the attitude that leads to problems. It takes just seconds for you to turn your back and that small one to have twisted the doorknob and started out into your back yard or towards your pool.

So how do you keep your child from being one of those sad statistics? Start now. In the bathrooms and kitchen you should look for safety latches that can be hooked to the doorknob on a cabinet and keep it closed. These will have to be installed, but it’s relatively easy. Doorknob locks and latches are screwed into the main part of the cabinetry and can be latched around the doorknob to hold it shut when someone pulls on it. There are a number of styles of doorknob locks and latches on the market, and you should choose them carefully. Not all of them are strong enough to hold up against a big tug from a child. Make sure you choose ones that will be durable when a little one, who wants to get in, tugs on the doorknob time and time again.

If it would be better to keep your little one out of an entire room that holds threats, but you can’t lock everyone out, there is also the option of installing doorknob covers. They are literally covers that slip over the door knob, but can be removed by an adult, to keep a child from being able to turn the knob and get in or out. These can also be a useful tool to put on the doors to the outside of your home to keep your child from making his way out.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of different online niche stores that specialize in providing online consumers with not only useful and eye-catching products, but valuable information as well on how to nicely decorate and furnish your space, whether it be in your home or out on your deck or patio. There are many tips that are helpful for creating a space that others will envy and here she offers buying advice when purchasing lavish antique doorknobs, stylish glass door knobs, and unique glass doorknobs.

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Nov 11 2009

Buying New Door Hinges Can Be Overwhelming

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Doors

Putting in new hinges is an easy task, but there are some things that you are going to need to take into consideration before you begin. The first is which way the hinge goes. There are right hand and left hand hinges. It’s easy to determine which one is required for you door.

To correctly determine which hinge that you need is important, and you will not have any problem figuring this out. Ok, so stand in front of the door and grab the door handle.

If you grabbed the door handle with your left hand and the door opened into the room you are about to enter, or opened out towards you than this is a left hand hinge.

If you grabbed the door handle with your right hand and it opened in or out than it is a right hand hinge.

You can find many diagrams on the internet. Looking at the diagrams will definitely make it much easier for you to know just what I am talking about.

Let’s look at how you can make sure that you are buying the right hinges. This is going to save you a lot of time, and frustration. There is nothing worse than having to get back in the car and go back to the store. Getting it right the first time is the main goal and it is fairly simple to do in this case.

The most common type of hinges is the butt hinge. Butt hinges come in two different types fixed pin and loose pin. A fixed pin butt hinge is when the pin cannot be removed, and a loose pin is when you an remove the pin. Both of these types of hinges have their advantages and disadvantages.

You might be better off with a loose pin hinge if you plan on taking the door off the hinges frequently.

There are so many other types of hinges, and they all have their purpose, such as the knuckle hinge. A knuckle hinges main purpose is for increasing the design of you home. It’s a decorative hinge but it’s also a strong hinge as well. You will use this type of hinge for an exterior door because they are generally heavier than the average interior door.

Hinges are actually a little more complex than you may have ever known. They have the ability to do many things, like keeping your door closed, or hold it open. If you want to keep the door closed than you will need to look at a spring loaded hinge. The types of hinges is not going to be your only concern, you are also going to need to pay close attention to the color, and material of the hinges. And you have many to choose from.

There are many online door hardware companies that you can look at. This is the best way to find exactly what you are looking for, and an even better way for you to save money on your door hinges as well.

Following these various techniques will allow you to find the best door hardware that will give you the design that you are looking for but also the security that you need as well.

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Nov 10 2009

10 Tips To Organize Your Garage

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Cleaning Tips

Garages are a wonderful place where you can store everything you need. After a while, however, your garage may become one big junk pile. Everything may be jammed together, making it impossible to find what you need. When this happens, you know it is time to clean out and organize your garage. Use the tips below to help you organize your garage as efficiently and easily as possible:

1. Plan ahead and arrange what you will need before you start. Have all of your cleaning supplies and storage containers readily available. Having to leave repeatedly for what you need will only make the process longer.

2. Do not be afraid to throw things away. If something is broken and you have not missed it, throw it away. If you come across old toys your children do not use, make arrangements to donate the toys to children who need them.

3. Assign jobs to every family member. Smaller children can help by sorting toys, and older children can help with lifting and moving objects. If you have an infant or toddler, make arrangements to have another family member or friend watch that child for the day.

4. If you have quite a few items that are in good condition but you do not need or want, make plans to hold a garage sale the day after organizing your garage. This way, you will have a firm deadline and will not be tempted to keep a few items.

5. Group your belongings by category. Keep all of your gardening supplies in one area, and your children’s toys in another. This will help you be able to find everything you need easily.
6. Holiday decorations can take up a lot of space. Take the time to sort through these items carefully. People often pack these items quickly at the end of the holiday season, and they do not take the time to inspect them. Some items may be broken or in very poor condition.

7. Create shelving for dangerous and toxic chemicals. These items need to be placed out of the reach of children. If you do have small children at home, putting these items where they cannot be reached should be your first priority.

8. If you do have small children, get down low and look around the garage at their level. This will help you identify any potential hazards.

9. Invest in at least one shelving unit. You can use these shelves to safely stack storage bins and other items. Shelving units will help you clear up space in your garage and help keep you organized. You can even label shelves so that they will remain organized in the future.
10. Use hooks. These can be used to hang hoses, garden equipment, lawn furniture, bicycles, and sleds. These will also free up valuable garage space and help you stay organized.

Organizing your garage does not have to be an overwhelming task. Use these ten tips to make organization a breeze.

Kristi Patrice Carter is a housecleaning maniac and the proud author of Super Woman Doesn’t Live Here Any More: The Ultimate 2 Week Plan for Getting Your Family to Help With Housework.” For ordering information and information on Daily Housecleaning Schedule, please visit http://www.dailyhousecleaningschedule.com

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Nov 09 2009

A Step By Step Guide To Cleaning Vinyl Siding

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Cleaning Tips

This article talks in detail about how to clean vinyl sidings. It tells you about all the precautions that are needed to be taken. It also tells you all the processes involved in cleaning vinyl sidings.
Generally, it is touted as being maintenance free however; there are several factors you will need to consider for the future.

*Wash it annually – Cleaning vinyl siding on a regular basis will keep you from scrubbing it harder when it becomes caked with dirt.

Keep Your Vinyl Siding Looking Like New

*Be careful with it – Keep lawnmowers, bicycles and lawn care items away from the siding so it doesn’t crack or break. If your vinyl siding has been cracked or punctured, or has pulled away from the house, you may need to initiate a vinyl siding repair. In case you cannot identify the portion of the vinyl siding that has been damaged, before you start the vinyl siding repair, I would strongly recommend that you visit a professional and ask him for his help. This will only make sure that in the process of vinyl siding repair, you don’t end up damaging parts of the vinyl siding that wasn’t damaged.

*Keep hot things away from it – Grills, smokers, and patio torches can produce heat that can melt your vinyl siding. Vinyl siding has a very high expansion/contraction coefficient. This simply means that it expands and contracts significantly as it experiences periods of exposure to sunlight and then periods of shade or darkness. This movement of the siding caused traditional exterior paints to fail in short order as the bond between the paint and the siding was severed by this constant back and forth movement.

A DIY Guide to Cleaning Vinyl Siding

Cleaning vinyl siding is a snap with the right tools. If your siding isn’t in need of scrubbing, spraying it with a hose can wash away the dirt and grime that has accumulated throughout the year. Cleaning vinyl sidings may be a tedious job if you don’t have the proper tools. If you need a cleaning solvent, some ordinary dish soap or laundry detergent mixed with water will do the trick. Where there are troubled areas, such as mildew, a mild solution of 1 quart of bleach, ¾ gallons of water and a small amount of detergent. Scrub the areas with a soft-bristled, long-handled brush.

While cleaning vinyl sidings, if scrubbing with a brush is going to be too much work, you can clean your vinyl siding with a power washer, which can be rented at your local home improvement store or other equipment rental business. Most homes can be pressure washed with a 2200 psi or higher washer.

For cleaning vinyl sidings, follow these simple steps:

-Turn off all power to the outside lights that may get wet while cleaning vinyl sidings.

-Ensure that all your windows are closed and spray away from doors and windows to ensure water doesn’t spill outside your house, while cleaning vinyl sidings.

-If you have shrubbery or flowers below, make sure you cover them with plastic so no cleaning solution drips on them while cleaning vinyl sidings.

-Start at the top and work your way down while cleaning vinyl sidings

-Be sure to rinse your cleaning solution off the siding before it dries after cleaning vinyl sidings.

You can also find more info on house siding types and buy vinyl siding Homesidingreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about home siding review.

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Nov 08 2009

How To Buy The Best Vacuum Cleaner For You

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Cleaning Tips

A vacuum cleaner is one of the most expensive pieces of home cleaning equipment we own. There are many types of vacuum cleaners in the marketplace today to choose from and often makes the decision about which one to buy difficult. Knowing what to look for will shorten the process and assure you that you’re choosing the right one. There have been a lot of advances in vacuum cleaners over the years so it’s hard to buy one that is truly bad or you’d be unhappy with.

Vacuum cleaners with bags use the bags as a filter to trap the dirt. Keep in mind vacuums will have a wide range of options and features to choose from; some have features like nozzles, extended cords and bright colors that jack up the price. Vacuums with replaceable bags can add to your initial cost each year driving up the cost of your initial purchase.

If you have a lot of floors to vacuum you’ll want a model with floor attachments that use brushes and/or an upright vacuum with bottom plates that are made of metal. Vacuum cleaners can lose suction when the filters or bags get clogged and blow dirt back into the air. You may need an ‘after motor’ ‘true HEPA filter’ in a sealed system.

Check out the manufacturer’s warranty for the vacuum, and find out if your place of purchase will extend the warranty. Make sure attachments are easy to put together and take apart, stay together and are airtight. Higher priced uprights have a wider cleaning path, possibly dirt sensors, and some may be self-propelled; they may have pre-motor filters to protect the motor from damage also.

A vacuum cleaner with a bag will keep the air you breathe free of dust, allergens, pollen, smoke particles, and other chemicals and pollutants found in household air, if it doesn’t get clogged. A low-end upright model will usually have only a suction hose with a crevice tool, stair brush and an extended wand piece. A bagless vacuum may leak dust, dust mites, mold spores, fungus, bacteria and allergen particles into the air, so small you may not be able to see all of them but it will be cheaper in the long run, because you’re not buying and using up bags.

The lower priced or low cost upright vacuum cleaner may or may not include manual adjustment for the height of the carpet. Uprights in higher price ranges may have suction hoses that are more sturdy and crush resistant. When shopping for a new vacuum cleaner you may want to buy a high quality vacuum cleaner and save money too.

Once you’ve done your initial research, if you can, go to a local store to get a look at the vacuums with the best ratings and reviews and try them out. You can save a lot of money buying your vacuum cleaner online if you do some thorough research first. And find out how often belts, filters, and other items will need to be cleaned and/or replaced.

Though they may not be more powerful, higher priced uprights have a lot of gadgets that can be handy for your home, providing you use them. You’ll need to decide whether you want a vacuum with a bag or a bagless vacuum. Higher priced upright vacuum cleaners can range from between $200 to $500, depending on the features.

A bagless vacuum that uses filters may leak dust, dust mites, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, smoke particles, chemicals and allergen particles into the air, that are so small you may not be able to see them all. If possible test the air-tightness; you can do this by vacuuming for a little bit with a floor model and see how much dust has collected on the outside of the vacuum. Make sure you get a good feel for the vacuum cleaner, its handle and accessories so you know if you can handle it if you have any physical problems.

True or absolute HEPA filters are usually more expensive than other HEPA filters. But HEPA-like or HEPA type filters may only capture only 85 to 90 percent of particles and that percent can fall even lower for particles of 1 micron and below, unlike the true or absolute HEPA filters. Reducing or eliminating particles will make the air cleaner for everyone in your home. To receive the true or absolute HEPA designation, filters must perform to a certain set standard.

Make sure you comparison shop and read vacuum ratings and reviews. Ask your friends and associates what they like. Buying a vacuum cleaner either online or offline doesn’t have to be intimidating when you’ve done your homework.

For more information on saving money on vacuum cleaners and best buy shopping for vacuum cleaners online and offline go to http://www.SaveMoneyOnVacuumCleaners.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s website specializing in vacuum cleaner tips, advice and resources, including information on vacuum cleaner ratings and vacuum cleaner reviews

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Nov 07 2009

Camcorder Cheat Sheet:5 Tips for Capturing Great Video

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Audio & Video

The quest for better home movies motivates many consumers to invest in digital video camcorders each year. Although these devices give consumers unprecedented ability to edit their home movies after the fact, the ultimate quality of the films they produce are still dependent upon the ability of the person to capture good video during the filming process.

For home movie enthusiasts who are just starting out, a few simple tips can help to produce films that they can be proud to share.

1. Use a tripod when shooting with a camcorder.

Handheld shots are fine in some situations but films will be dramatically improved if a tripod is used to steady the camcorder whether it is a stationary shot or one in which the film maker pans to follow the action.

2. Incorporate the same principles used for getting great photographs to get great video.

• Get in close to the subject of the shot.

• When outdoors, it’s best to avoid shooting film at mid day when the sun is directly
overhead.

• Shoot with the sun or any bright light behind the camcorder rather than behind the
subject. Bright light behind the subject will create a very dark image of that
subject. If the bright light can’t be eliminated, use an additional external light to
brighten the subject.

• Because light can cause harsh shadows, its best to bounce light off of a wall or
backdrop rather than shining it directly on the subject to avoid this. Diffusing the
light using translucent plastic or thin tissue paper over the light can soften it as well.

3. Use the zoom function on the camcorder sparingly.

Zooming in and out is seldom used in scenes from professional videos. The image while zooming is often distorted or blurred and the movement is generally not very “viewable”. When possible it is better to simply move closer to the subject. When zoom is used, it should be done slowly, or while the camcorder is off, to improve the quality of the shot. Digital zoom in particular should rarely be used when filming.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask others to assist in the filming process.

Others can hold lights, direct unwanted traffic away from the filming scene, and perform other miscellaneous tasks to allow the film maker to concentrate on controlling the camcorder and the images it records.

5. Stay stationary.

Walking with a camcorder can create a very unsteady shot that can be difficult to view. It is better to remain stationary or to use some type of mobile stabilization device. If the film maker must move while filming, it is best to shoot wide as any movement while using telephoto settings is exaggerated. Some videographers fabricate their own slings to help them keep the camcorder stable when moving. Dollies can be useful when moving along a smooth surface and can be home made by devising a stable mount on a wagon.

Like any photography, getting the best images from a camcorder requires some study and considerable practice with lighting, focus, and various filming techniques. However, observing some of the simple suggestions above can help to produce an immediate and noticeable improvement in the quality of the video capture

Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Take advantage of the wealth of simple to understand, useful information and shopping available on her website at http://www.homemedias.info

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Nov 06 2009

How To Buy A Plasma Television In 4 Easy Steps

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Audio & Video

Are you bewildered by which plasma television to buy? You aren’t alone, there is such a wide range of sizes, manufactures, models and screen options available to fulfill your movie watching needs these days, its no wonder we’re so confused about which is the best plasma tv to purchase.

Plasma television technology is far superior to yesterday’s old fashioned televisions. Plasma TV allows you to experience high resolution HDTV and DTV signals with exceptional color accuracy. The wide screen ratio of plasma televisions enables us to watch our favorite movies in cinema format right in the comfort of our own homes, and it’s thin, space saving design provides installation options we never imagined possible.

This 4 step buying guide will guide you through the key factors you need to consider when deciding which plasma television is right for you and your family. I’ll also give you tips on finding the best price and a comprehensive list of the top 10 best selling plasma televisions in the United States.

Step 1 – Choosing Your Plasma Screen Size

Plasma screen sizes vary from 32″ to 63″. The most popular sizes are: 42″, 50″ and 63″. Plasma screens smaller than 37″ use LCD Panel technology, 63″ or larger usually use rear projection.

The size of your room and viewing area are key when choosing optimal plasma screen size. It is tempting to go out and buy the biggest plasma television possible, but it’s important that you have adequate viewing space between you and your screen to get a realistic cinema style viewing experience.

If your seating area is 6 to 10 feet from the screen, the recommended size is 32 to 37”. A 42″ plasma television is best viewed from 10 to 14 feet. And a 50″ plasma screen is optimally viewed from 14 to 16 feet. If you are thinking of installing a 61 or 63” display, your seating area needs to be 15 feet or more away for your viewing pleasure.

Step 2 – Deciding Which Screen Resolution to Buy:

Another key element to consider when choosing a plasma television is resolution. High definition or HDTV plasma screens are more expensive than enhanced definition EDTV plasma Tvs because it costs more for the manufacturers to make the components. HDTV plasma screens do provide a better picture quality, however EDTV plasmas seem to perform better when using a low end video signal like regular cable, satellite or DVD because it has less processing to do.

High definition plasma televisions are determined by pixel ratio. 853 x 480 is the standard EDTV resolution; usually found on 37 to 46” plasma screens. A pixel ratio of 1024 by 768 is most frequently found on 50 to 63” plasma televisions. A plasma screen is considered high definition if the second number is higher than 720.

Its important to note that most plasma screens are labeled as “HDTV compatible” or “HDTV ready,” meaning that they will accept and display an incoming HDTV signal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it has a high definition tuner built in.

Step 3 – Consider Your Mounting Options

One of the greatest benefits of plasma television ownership is its diverse mounting options. Before buying your new plasma television, you should take a look at the various types of mounting and installation possibilities available.

The most common and least expensive option is the flat wall mount. This provides a sleek sophisticated look and is easily accomplished. If you are faced with mounting in a location higher than eye level, like above a fireplace, perhaps you should consider a tilt or an articulating plasma wall mount. For commercial displays, perhaps the ceiling plasma tv mount is your best bet. They also sell matching stands and plasma television carts for mobile presentations.

Step 4 – How and Where To Buy Your Plasma Television

Should you purchase your plasma tv at a local retail store or through a reputable online dealer? There are many pros and cons to this question, but the bottom line is which one will save you the most money.

Buying at a retail store you will be assured you’re buying from an authorized dealer with a valid manufacturer’s warranty and easy return policy, but prices are not very competitive and you’ll have to pay sales tax. Another downside is selection, retailers usually only promote two or three products, that is not enough to do wise comparison shopping.

Reputable online plasma television dealers are very competitively priced and could save you hundreds of dollars if you shop around. But be careful of online warehouses like Pricegrabber or Dealtime because many of these companies don’t have product knowledge, return policies or the ability to replace defective merchandise. Instead, look for a well established dealer with a professional website who will give you a good price and excellent customer service and support. You will definitely locate the best prices on your new plasma television online.

Okay, now you’re armed with all the details you need to make a smart plasma television purchase, you know what size you need, how to determine screen resolution ratios, how to mount your new plasma and how to save hundreds of dollars on your purchase. Now, it’s time to go shopping for the perfect plasma television for your family’s home theater.

Click over to my Home Entertainment Theater website now to check out my comprehensive list of The Top Ten Best Plasma Televisions, get some Home Theater Design ideas, and pick up some tips about installing Home Theater Speakers.

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Nov 05 2009

Everthing You Wanted To Learn About HDTV And DVD Technology

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Audio & Video

There has been an upsurge in a lot of HDTV and DVD technology to match it. Because of this HDTV-DVD just got more accessible and easier to find. This means that you will have more choices to choose from as well. But also because HDTV-DVD just got more accessible you may be confused with all the choices. A closer look at the different DVD options and technologies can help you choose from among them. Because HDTV-DVD just got more accessible, knowing what you have to choose from can make the accessibility less confusing.

First of all, originally DVD formats have been around for ten years. The original kind also gave a lot more storage, up to 4.7 GB than most CD’s, which are around 700MB. Not too long after this original technology, there came some more technology that made space increase. This was the advent of double-sided DVD’s. Some general information regarding some double-layered discs is as follows: single-sided and layered ones with 4.7 GB and 120 minutes of space, single-sided and dual-layered ones with 8.5GB with 4 hours of space, double-sided and single-layered ones with 9.4GB and 4 hours of space and double-sided and dual-layered ones with 17GB and 8 hours of space.

Most DVD’s are read-write mediums although there are some that are read-only. There are three different kinds. They are known as DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. All of these can be used to record with. Understanding these basics can give you a lot towards understanding the wide variety of accessibility that is out there in DVD options. Especially when you are trying to understand that HDTV-DVD just got more accessible.

The first option is DVD-RAM and can actually be the most expensive kind. Yet this type can be re-written over and over again. Usually up to 100,000 times over a number of years even. This type is the one that would be more desired for video or film editing. The reason for this is because the disc stores data in no particular order. You must make extra careful however that the type of player you are getting or have will work with this type. This is because not all players are compatible with this type of DVD.

Another kind of DVD is the DVD-R type of disc. This is actually the cheaper option when it comes to recordable DVD’s. This type can only be recorded on once though. This is why this type tends to be cheaper however. This type of DVD is also compatible with most DVD players that are available out there on the market.

The main difference between the last type, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM is how many times it can be recorded on. The DVD-RW can be recorded on more than once. But it can only be recorded on about a thousand times. Which is a lot less than the DVD-RAM, but this type is cheaper than the DVD-RAM. This is best for those who want multiple recording capabilities but don’t need too much and want to save money.

The reason that HDTV-DVD just got more accessible is because there are two new types that have become available recently. The two new types or formats are HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Toshiba and the second kind by Sony develop the first one. They are very common but cannot play each other’s players. HD-DVD can store 15GB on single-layer and 30GB on dual-layer, while Blu-Ray stores 25GB on single-layer and 50GB on dual-layer. HD-DVD can hold 8 hours of space and Blu-Ray 9 hours.

As you can see with so many options now available you see how HDTV-DVD just got more accessible. Hopefully this information will make it easier to understand, even if HDTV-DVD just got more accessible. With the different types more clearly explained your decision should be easier now.

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Nov 04 2009

Chemical Free Swimming Pools

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

The chemical chlorine is the most widely used and effective method of sanitizing a swimming pool or spa. Typically a pool owner must buy, transport, store and handle the caustic chemical during the water treatment process, and the presence of the chemical in the water often causes problems for swimmers. There are several alternatives available today to the traditional routine of pool maintenance that may also improve water quality for the people that use the pool. The use of a chlorine generator eliminates the need for handling chlorine in its hazardous form.

A chlorine generating device produces chlorine by using low-voltage electrolysis of dissolved salts in the water via an electrode unit installed in the pool’s plumbing. This small electric current breaks water down into its basic components: hydrogen and oxygen. Common chlorine is generated when granulated salt is added to the mix. Two popular brands of chlorine generators are AquaRite and Intex.

There are two types of chlorine generators in use in residential swimming pools: the brine unit and a unit that requires salt to be added directly to the water. The brine unit has a chlorine generating unit that is usually located in the pool equipment area. The brine unit relies on brine blocks, which are housed in the chlorine producing cell. The produced chlorine is injected directly into the pool. The brine units are less commonly used than the alternative design, because they tend to be messy and produce undesirable by-products.

The second type of unit, the type requiring that salt be added directly to the pool water, is more commonly used. There are two versions of this unit, differing only in installation location of the components.

Chlorine generators have clear benefits. Since the best units require that the pool’s pump runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they produce chlorine constantly. This constant addition of chlorine into the water prevents the build-up of algae and waterline scum. Eliminating the necessity of buying and handling hazardous chlorine chemicals is a bonus. The pool water feels smooth; many people compare swimming in a pool equipped with a chlorine generator to taking a shower in soft water. The cost of generating chlorine is lower than purchasing it.

No pool is without maintenance and there are, of course, drawbacks to using a chlorine generator. Obviously, the water is still chlorinated, so swimmers will experience all of the problems typically associated with swimming in chlorinated water including dry skin, irritated eyes, discolored hair and damaged swimming suits. Chlorine generators tend to produce by-products that raise the pH of the pool water to a level which renders chlorine ineffective as a sanitizer. The pH of the pool must be carefully monitored, and hydrochloric acid is typically added to the water to lower the pH. Handling and storing hydrochloric acid is as undesirable as handling and storing chlorine.

The bottom line is that while chlorine generators may produce swimming water with a more pleasant quality and may eliminate the need for handling chlorine, these generators are a new way of using chlorine to sanitize water, not an alternative to it.

Please visit us to see the problems with having a salt water pool and chlorine generators.

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Nov 03 2009

Pool Alarms – How They Can Help Save Lives Of Your Loved Ones

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

When you have finally bought all the needed pool items and supplies to maintain a clean and warm pool, you will want to make certain that you are going to take all safety precautions for your loved ones as well. An excellent way to make sure that each of your family members is always safe when they are around the pool area is with the use of a pool alarms. This article will go into some information on the different aspects of these alarms that you will certainly wish to bear in mind, as well as some pool parts outlets that you can buy quality pool accessories such as alarms from.

How Pool Alarms Function

A pool alarms functions in much the same method that a baby monitor does; if for any reason there is any type of unusual activity, the alarm will be triggered and alert you to any potential problems, and you will be able to save your child if they encounter any danger. In addition to your families safety, pool alarms will work well with pets as well, particularly small pets that are not used to swimming. These type of devices have been proven to save many lives, so you might wish to buy them at the same time that you purchase your pool.

So that the pool alarms will function as they should, one part of the alarm system needs to be attached to a section of the pool. The other part of the alarm, which will likely be some form of a speaker, needs to be positioned both around the pool area and in the home as well. The smallest part of the system, typically a bracelet or wristband of some kind, needs to be placed on your child or your pet; the bands are highly secure, so they will not be able to come off unless there is the assistance of an adult.

If your child comes in close proximity of the pool or happens to fall in, the alarm will sound. This type of system has helped in keeping numerous children from drowning, and it also furnishes the parents with the peace of mind that there will be advanced warning in the event of a possible dangerous situation. If you are thinking of buying alarms for the various members of your household, you can find quite a few excellent deals at online destinations such as Shopzilla, Overstock, or even Ebay.

Additional Resources

For additional information on pool alarms, you can also investigate Hancock, a pool service and supply company that specializes in assisting many families to maintain a pool area that is safe. Safety Turtle, a line of pool alarms are designed for smaller children and their parents, is also an additional option. They offer a wristband for your children that has a turtle on top that will serve as an alarm should your child fall into the pool. There are more resources that you can look into by using the online resource Justpoolalarms to find door alarms, pool gate alarms, as well as pool alarms utilizing wristbands that are designed to help protect your children and to help prevent trespassers from entering your pool.

Swimming is meant to be enjoyable and fun for members of your family to share on a daily basis. If you have the peace of mind that your kids are safe while they are playing near the pool, you are much more likely to be at ease when taking your family around the water.

Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of recreation and leisure. If you would like to learn more go to Inground Swimming Pool advice and at Swimming Pool Pump tips.

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