Home And Garden

t’s all about the water.  In order to make your pool look inviting, you need to keep the water crystal clear. You do not have to be a chemist in order to maintain the water quality in your pool.  However, you should understand the components that make your pool water safe and ideal for swimming.   The components are tested based on a parts per million (ppm) measurement.  This is the measurement of the parts of a substance in relation to one million parts by volume of pool water. How to Test Swimming Pool Water Using the test strips from the pool supply store should be sufficient for testing.  Water test strip containerGet the strips that show the chlorine, alkaline, pH, and cyanuric acid.  Find an area away from the skimmer and the returns and with the strip in hand submerse about 18 inches into the water for about 10 seconds.  Remove but don’t shake water off.  Wait a few moments until the colors fill in.  Compare each component’s colo...

Tips and design ideas for using stamps to add pattern, texture and color to a concrete pool deck Colored and stamped concrete is an ideal pool deck surface, combining the attributes of beauty, durability, and low maintenance. Stamped concrete pool decks give you a vast array of decorative options not possible with other pool deck materials. You can choose from many different stone, brick, and tile patterns and even wood-grained textures. Using stains, powdered pigments and antiquing agents, contractors can color your pool deck to look identical to natural stone or customize the color to complement your home and landscape. When properly sealed, stamped concrete will also resist harsh pool chemicals, constant water exposure, and fading. If you're worried about your pool deck getting slippery when wet, you can easily improve the traction by mixing a nonskid grit additive into the sealer. Here are some other ideas for enhancing the look and function of a stamped concrete pool deck:...

Paver Shape Considerations Paver shapes can create engaging patterns and designs that no other paving material can match. The color, shape, pattern, and visual texture add charm, vitality, and ambiance to any landscape setting. With all these available in the marketplace today you are sure to find the perfect paver for your project. Manufacturers offer a multitude of shapes that can be combined, from simple patterns to intricate patterns. You can create your own unique design by mixing and matching different shapes and colors. Some shapes and their patterns are of larger dimensions and they need a larger area to show their beauty. If you have a combination of larger and smaller areas, combining different ones will be easy. Keep in mind that you should use color combinations for a pleasing effect. paver shapes The same applies for areas to be installed with 2 3/8" pavers in ground and 1" pavers on existing surfaces. Most shapes come in the two sizes to provide a match...