Spa covers why you need one

As expensive as it is to buy and install a home spa, many spa owners look for ways to cut costs. One of the most obvious places they look is with the spa equipment itself, and for good reason. By opting out of premium spa accessories like a wireless remote control system, consumers can save thousands of dollars on their spa purchase. While many spa extras can be trimmed away to save a little bit of money, one of the places that consumers should not skimp is on the spa cover. Even though spa covers can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 or more, choosing to not buy one can cost you all of that and much more. The reason why is because spa covers save energy, chemicals and lives. No matter whether your spa is outdoors or indoors, the majority of the energy it takes to run your spa goes toward heating your water to just the right temperature. As with any water that is left to sit, the water in your spa will cool down to room temperature or the outdoor temperature when the spa is not in use. This means that you will have to use even more energy to heat it up again before using it a second time, and a third, and so on. The colder you let your water get, the more energy that it will take to heat it up. Spa covers help conserve energy by keeping your water temperature consistent. You see, the spa cover is made with a layer of foam insulation that works the same way that a thermos does. It keeps the cold air out and the warm water, well warm. This means that it will only take you a little time and a little bit of energy to heat your spa to the desired temperature before use. Another way that spa covers help save you money is by conserving chemicals. Did you know that a gallon of chlorine will evaporate in a few hours on a hot day? With this in mind, just imagine how much chlorine you will waste if you leave your spa uncovered for the entire summer. A spa cover also helps keep rain, leaves, bugs and other undesirables out of your spa. This not only saves you money on chemicals but saves your back as well because you will not spend near as much time cleaning your spa as you would if it was left out with no barrier to protect it from the elements. Safety is another concern around any type of water. In fact, the leading cause of death for children less than five years of age is drowning. Sure, you can be diligent about not letting any children near your spa, but snapping on a cover takes away the risk and your worry. You may even be held liable if a neighbor’s child falls into your spa. So, let the remote control go; let the built-in snack bar go; but make sure that you purchase a spa cover and use it whenever the spa is not in use. You may save more than just a few dollars.

A short history of the toilet

Toilets are an essential part of our everyday lives. We tend to take the toilet very much for granted and not really like to think about it too much until we find that we desperately need a toilet and none can be found. We forget that modern toilets are a luxury in a lot of under developed countries and find it a huge inconvenience if our toilet doesn’t work. Toilets that we are used to using are a relatively recent invention, and used to be only affordable by the very wealthy. Even now the evolution of the toilet is still in progress with technological advances including automatic flushing controlled by sensors and economy settings to allow less water to be used when the toilet fills up. The issue of hygiene is a constant one and, along with all the different types of toilet cleaners and fragranced deodorizers there are even public toilets that clean themselves after each visit. The prevalence of indoor plumbing has been the main factor in the availability of toilets inside our homes. It is this plumbing that ensures the toilet keeps functioning correctly and we don’t have to do anything more than pull the chain or press the handle. Before this all toilets were separate from the main house in small outhouses. The water supply that these outhouses were connected to was totally detached from the ones used inside the house. Toilets in outhouses began in a very basic fashion, a hole in the ground. Then seats were fashioned from planks of wood with openings in them to enable a person to dispose of their toilet waste while sitting rather than squatting. These primitive toilet facilities were then enclosed to provide a little privacy for the occupants. Wealthy house owners could use chamber pots in the privacy and comfort of their own bedrooms, or bed chambers. These were usually made from ceramic and were emptied by servants. As these pots became a more accepted method of going to the toilet there were fewer places to empty them, especially in towns and cities, and people would throw the contents out of their windows onto the streets. Thankfully we have progressed a long way since the days if having to dodge the contents of someone’s toilet being thrown over our heads as we walked along the street.

Some great tips to help you before you hire a mason

A mason is a skilled craftsman who works with brick, concrete and stone. These are necessary for all types of new construction and repairs from building a fireplace to erecting a wall or laying flooring. Anywhere you will use brick, stone, or concrete, a mason can help. They will ensure the project is completed properly; the structure is sound; and that it is visually pleasing. Before hiring a mason, consider the project and ask questions. Know what you want to accomplish before requesting bids from masons. A mason can help with design and layout but you should have a general idea of what you want done before requesting bids. The mason will ask specific questions and inspect the area where the work will be done to give you a better idea of the needs and scope of work. Always get multiple quotes when hiring any contractor. Get referrals from friends or check the local directories to find several masons to quote on your project. Get references and review pictures of past projects to determine the skill level of the mason. Masonry can truly be an art form that takes time, skill, and patience. When I had stone put on the front of my new home, I was amazed at the amount of skill it took to make the wall look good. It took a lot of time to fit the stones properly so that there weren’t all big stones in one area and all little stones in another. The project took time but turned out gorgeous. When looking for a mason ask questions about how long they have been in business and the types of projects they specialize in. Make sure they are fully insured and get proof. There is potential for damage to your property and you want to ensure it will be covered. A quote will generally be comprised of labor and materials. The labor costs will include preparation, the actual work to complete the project, and clean up. Material prices will vary depending on the materials desired for the structure. An experienced mason can give you suggestions on the best materials for your project and possible options for budget concerns. Hire the mason who has the best mix of experience, quality past projects and price. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person as they will be working closely with you and have access to your home. If you are not comfortable with a mason, do not hire them. Execute a contract before work is started. This should include detailed specifications of the work including labor and materials. It should also include cleaning post project and a warranty of work. Read this carefully to ensure you have everything covered. The costs should be clearly outlined and include the payment terms. Never pay the total cost upfront but instead reserve some for completion of work. An experienced mason will be able to make a sound, beautiful structure to your specifications. They will be able to complete the project in a timely manner and clean up all debris so your home is properly maintained and safe. Choose a mason you feel comfortable communicating with and who has a proven record of quality work. And if you are having a difficult time choosing a mason, try your local stone/brick company. Many have showrooms that you’ll want to visit anyway to pick out the stone or brick you want. They will often have business cards of masons that past customers have used and some showrooms will even have sample walls of work done by various area masons for you to look at.

Outdoor living all year long

While Tampa winter days might seem chilly to those that live here, in truth we are extremely blessed to live in one of the warmest climates in the United States. And because Florida gets most of its rain in the summer, the winter months could well be the prime ones for enjoying time on your deck. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air can be vital to our health and sense of well being. Thanks to a variety of innovative deck heating systems, the outdoors can be a cozier place. What better way to enjoy the end of a day spent doing fall yard-work or walking in the neighborhood, than curling up beside your deck heater and grilling something nice on the barbeque? For homeowners, creating a truly usable deck space increases the value of your home, almost creating a whole other room in your home, but with far less effort than an actual interior renovation. So what are some of the options for making outdoor living comfortable? A covered deck has the advantage of never getting wet, and of keeping some heat in. For some, a roof over their deck might take away that open-sky feeling they love, but for others, it is just what they want to keep it cozy. It's a matter of personal choice. Translucent plastic corrugated roof panels might provide the best of both worlds, and are relatively easy to install for a person with carpentry skills. To keep the deck cozy, consider one of the many options for deck heating. There are several sizes of the lamp-post style of gas heater. Table-top heaters will give you about a 10-foot circumference of heat, while the taller heaters can give off about 20 feet of heat. These can be quite stylish, with an old fashioned design and made of sleek metal. These tend to come with safety features that shut them off completely if they get tilted, so there is no worry of it catching your wooden deck or wicker patio furniture on fire. Infrared heaters are another option for deck and patio heating. Some are free-standing and some can mount to a wall. While they are a little less stylish than the lamp-post variety, they are surprisingly energy efficient and don't have any burning gas fumes. If your outdoor space is cement, you may be able to have an outdoor, wood burning fireplace. There area variety of ceramic outdoor stoves. If you are considering this, check local bylaws to find out if wood fires are legal in your area. With the variety of options available in deck heating and weatherproofing, you should be able to find an affordable and attractive way to make your deck or patio comfortable all year long.

Four critical tips for cleaning up after a flood strikes

The value of knowing how to respond to an emergency has never been so clear, with one of the worst hurricane seasons ever behind us. Educating yourself on what to do in a flood, therefore, is one of the key disaster preparedness issues. Here are some valuable tips homeowners should be aware of when cleaning up damage left behind by a flood. Don’t Go Near the Water: Floodwaters can be some of the most contaminated water you will ever come in contact with. Seek medical attention right away if you or a family member has been exposed to flood waters for any length of time. Topical floodwater contact could lead to serious infections. If you believe you or anyone else has drunk floodwater, seek medical care at your local hospital or clinic as soon as possible, as the dangers of infection are even worse. Tread Lightly: Stay out of any buildings or structures that still have floodwaters encircling them. Don’t underestimate structural damage floodwaters can cause. A structure's foundation can be significantly weakened by floodwaters in relatively short periods of time, especially in older structures. Foundations can sink and become unstable, causing cracks and gaps in the flooring, even a house’ total collapse without warning. An apparently sound structure may also have suffered gas leaks, electrical damage, or water line damage, so you should steer clear of such buildings until local officials have declared them safe . Wait Until the All-Clear: Just because the rain has stopped and the floodwater seems to be withdrawing, doesn’t mean its safe to go home and start cleaning up. Of course you’ll be anxious to find out what damage if any has been done to your property, but sometimes, floodwater damage creates many a hazard that requires professional clean up before the area is cleared as safe to local area residents. Keep watching for information on the weather if you have access to local radio or television stations, which will inform you of any threat from incoming storms, or other floodwater-related dangers in your area. Handle with Care: You should inspect flood-damaged buildings cautiously once local officials have judged the area safe. Start with examining your house carefully. Tread carefully; flood damage can weaken structures. Do not smoke inside the building. (gas leak hazard) Bring battery-operated flashlights or lanterns as electricity may be cut off. Study the floors, walls, doors, staircases, and windows closely to make sure the house is not in danger of collapsing, using the flashlight to look at the foundation for cracks or other signs of damage. After you've examined the structural integrity of the building, check for damage to the utility systems. Find and note down damage to the building's gas, electrical, and sewage system. Check for gas leaks by listening for a small hissing noise and smelling the gas in the air. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main valve immediately and contact the gas company. Scrutinize the building's electrical system. Any broken, frayed, or loose wires are spots for worry. If you see any sparks or smell any burning, immediately turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker or fuse box. You will also need to check out your home’s sewage system. Avoid using the toilet and call a plumber if you believe the sewage lines have been damaged. If fresh water pipes have also been damaged, call your water company and don’t drink water from the tap.

Improve your health by improving your home

The way your home looks has intense effect on your life. It can control you both physically and psychologically. Your life and achievement depends on how you think of yourself as a person. Everyone has a concept of self. Apart from the skin beauty, the most significant factors that affect the way you define the concept of self are your job, your home, how you dress and your family. Wrong environment at home can have a negative force on your health and ability to get things done in life. Home decor is one of the most important factors in creating a good home environment. This article discusses about "the effect of home decor on your health" and suggests some suggestions to keep your health in a good condition. Mental health: For many years scientists have studied the consequence of colour on mental well being. Some colours stimulates while some have tranquilizing effect. Hence care need to be taken while selecting wall colours, as they have direct effect on your health. Red colour stimulates and excites your mind. Selective use of red will give you the energy and inspiration. Blue signifies a restful, comforting environment. Children prone to tantrums and aggressive behaviour could gain from calming effect of blue. On contrary inappropriate use of colours would lead to negative health effect. Indoor water fountain in a favourable area in your home will give positive opinion and helps focusing on your goal. Light, music, water, air, plants, mirrors, wind chimes, houseplants and flowers will bring joy and happiness to your mind. Weight: Dining tables decor with Green themes could prevent over eating while orange stimulates the appetite and would be good for finicky eaters. Breathing: Carpets give us comfort and warmth feeling. But dust mites love to live in your carpet and the proteins from their faecal droppings when disturbed become airborne and affect your skin and respiratory system. If you suffer from asthma or eczema it is better to use hard flooring like wooden floor. Like wise while purchasing your sofas or chairs select a fabric (like leather) in which dust mites cannot inhabit. Recovering the room space by regular de cluttering and vacuuming the house will avoid breathing trouble related to allergy. Like wise closed book selves and cabinets will avert dust collection. Cigarette smoking inside the house could predispose to circumstances like asthma and bronchiolitis in children. Heart and circulation: Red could augment your blood pressure, pulse rate and cause poor coordination. Pink has peaceful effect and relax your muscles and bring the heart rate down. Blue has the trend of lowering the blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. Heart is a symbol of love and relationship. Decors like pairs of candles, pink quartz crystals, and objects made of materials such as porcelain, china, clay, stone or terra-cotta are believed to be helpful for heart and boost the feeling of love and togetherness. Eyes: Eyes are often considered as a part of brain and anything that affects the eyes would have a direct effect on your brain and mentality. Adequate lighting is important to avoid negative effects on eyes. Too much illumination increases your stress causing headache and irritability. At the same time low illumination will lead to eye strain causing recurrent head aches and problems like short sightedness. Musculo - skeletal: Accidents at home rank among the foremost causes of injury and death in the United States. Most of them are easily avertable. Avoid slippery floors. Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping. Use a rubber mat along the full length in your tub, and a non-skid bath mat beside the tub. Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Lamp shades or frosted bulbs can reduce glare. A night light in the bathroom can also make night trips to the bathroom safer. Avoid excess stress on your joints. Use larger or stronger joints to do things. Assistive devices can make tasks at home and work easier. Consider using a long-handled grasper to reach objects that are on high shelves or on the floor. Make sure hinges, doorknobs and cabinet doors are functioning well and repaired. Home environment has a major influence on how you live your life. Through the simple application of interior decoration, you can exert subtle influence over your health and well being.