Creating a Deck That Will Last

There is nothing like enjoying a barbecue on a backyard deck with family and friends. Designing and building that deck so that you can host that type of gathering comfortably can be a process.

Here are some tips that will help you save time creating a deck that will last:

Consider using green building material:

Real wood such as teak is beautiful and can make your deck into a showpiece. The downside of using it is that it requires refinishing every few years in order to maintain it. As an alternative, one of the most popular types of wood on the market is composite wood mixed with plastic. It is also known as green board because some of the manufacturers use only recycled materials in their manufacturing process. Composite wood is impervious to water and will not rot. You will therefore be pleasantly surprised to find out that it not only looks good, but is also normally warrantied for up to 50 years.

Use the most experienced deck contractor:

It makes sense to hire someone who has been building for a while. It makes even more sense to go with an experienced, licensed builder who has leveraged their experience by joining a larger organization that pools design and engineering experience. After all, preparing your deck to handle certain loads and ensuring that it will last for the amount of time that you expected are worthwhile rewards. Archadeck is an example of a company that is national and only uses licensed, experienced builders to efficiently build custom decks to your requirements.

Require that the builder seal your posts and joists:

It won't do you much good if your decking planks are rated to last 50 years and your joists and posts are susceptible to moisture and therefore rot. Going with the best sealant available on the joists will make your deck easier to maintain. Similarly, asking to have the ends of your posts dipped in a sealant will save you innumerable headaches because without it, water will find a way to get next to your post eventually.

Adding a deck extends your home and allows you extra living space that will provide you with thousands of hours of fun. Ensuring that you build it to last will allow you to enjoy that fun instead of spending your free time underneath it and on top of it working on maintenance.

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Protect Your Family From Mosquitoes

Summertime is when friends and families love to get together and have parties, barbeques and other social gatherings in the outdoors. However, these gatherings often have many annoying, uninvited guests called mosquitoes. Everybody has experienced being outdoors and having fun, only to be attacked by a swarm of these hungry insects. Fortunately, you do not need to move all of your activities indoors in order to avoid mosquitoes. There are ways to fight back and prevent them from spoiling your fun. Here are some methods you can use for backyard mosquito control.

1. Eliminate standing water

This is the most important thing you need to do in order to stop mosquitoes from gathering in your back yard. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. If you keep your recycling containers and garbage cans in an open and uncovered area where they are exposed to rain, you need to drill holes in the bottom of each container. This will allow any rainwater that gets into the containers to drain out the bottom. Do not only drill holes in the sides. If the holes are in the sides and not the bottom, water will still collect at the bottom of the containers. You should also make sure your swimming pool has the proper amount of chlorine. Clean your gutters on a regular basis to prevent clogs. This will allow water to drain correctly and prevent areas of standing water from forming.

2. Call the professionals

If your mosquito problem is particularly bad, you might want to consider calling a pest control company that specializes in dealing with mosquitoes. They can come to your home and use chemicals that are specially designed to kill the mosquitoes without harming humans or pets. They can make your yard free of those awful pests, helping you to prepare for the outdoor gathering you are planning. Many of these companies use insecticides that are friendly to the environment. You can look online to find some companies in your area that provide this service.

3. Bug zappers

These are a very effective tool to use against mosquitoes, especially if you want to invite people to a gathering at night. Insects are naturally attracted to light, so bug zappers will not be nearly as effective in the middle of the day. If you are using a bug zapper and you have small children wandering around, make sure you hang it in the air so the children can't touch it.

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Effective Tips to Help You Choose the Right Washing Machine

Every mom will agree, washing clothes is one of the most tedious tasks to do. Well, this statement was true until the invention of washing machines. Today, as washing machines have made their way to almost every home, the task has become much easy. If you have been waiting to buy a washing machine for your home, you need to do a bit of homework before taking a final decision.

Typically, people walk into the electronics store and expect the sales representative to help them understand the features of the different models available in the market. Well most times, the sales guys just want to push sales and may sell you product that you may life at first but it would serve no purpose to you eventually. No matter, if you wish to buy whirlpool washing machine or any other brand it is imperative to compare the different brands as well as the models online. Some of the best features to look for are:

Washer, Dryer or Both? Now, before you select one on the list you just prepared, it is crucial to know what you need – a washer, dryer or one that offers both functionalities. Going for 2 in 1 definitely makes sense as it acquires comparatively less space.

Size does matter If you have not too many members in your family, a washing machine with a capacity of 6kg should serve your purpose, or if you want a bigger one you can opt for a washing machine with 10kg capacity. However, in case you have children messing around with their clothes each day, you might want to opt for a larger one anyways.

Check out for additional features. With an intention to prolong the durability of the clothes, some machines let you choose a washing mode based on the type of clothes being washed. This feature is great considering the fact that different people in the family have different clothing preference. Some washing machines come with a touch display that lets you take complete control over the washing process. Once your clothes go in, the display offers you complete information about the wash such as the total wash time, the time left and so on.

What brands to choose? When it comes to washing machine brands, there are countless out there. LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Kelvinator, Haier and Electrolux are presently some of the most popular ones. However, each of these has its own piece of goodness to offer. It is important to compare washing machines from different brands before you make a final choice.

Shop online No doubt, traditional home appliance stores these days offer some exciting discounts. Moreover, a few even offer an extended warranty. However, taking it all a step ahead are online stores offering discounts good enough to save you a fortune, some as high as 30%. Moreover, when shopping online, you can always hunt for discount coupons that can further add up to your existing discount.

Finally, check out the online testimonials When it comes to buying an electronic appliance, it would be wise to know what others think about the product you wish to buy. And what better way to do it than go through a few online testimonials.

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7 Crafty Projects You've Never Tried with Your Printer

Having those nice customized art decors on your home feels so good to have but we sometimes thought that they're expensive and hard to do.  Well you can do it by yourself with your very own home printer.  You can print them on different materials aside from paper.  You can use napkins, tissues, gold foil,  wood, fabric, burlap and wax paper.  Just be creative and you'll open up great decor possibilities right in your own home.  Great bonding too when you do it with your kids.  Try it for yourself :)

7 Crafty Projects You’v Never Tried With Your Printer – An infographic by the team at StinkyInk.com

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Scheduled Maintenance Can Save You Some Money

If you make it a point to schedule regular maintenance for your home, you may be saving yourself a considerable amount of money. Sometimes, by spending a little you can save a lot. As you prepare your schedule for service calls and cleanings, be sure you take into consideration things such as your heating system, roof and flooring.

Heating system

Scheduling regular maintenance checks on your heating system can keep it running more efficiently. Not only will this save you money on your utility bill, it will extend the life of the system and provide a cleaner home environment for your family. Regularly changing the filters will not only improve the functionality of the system, it will make the air you and your family breathe much cleaner.

Roof

Regularly checking the condition of the roof can prevent some major home repair issues. Water damage, whether from a leaky roof or poor drainage due to damaged gutters or clogged downspouts can cause mold issues. This type of problem is often difficult and costly to deal with. Mold can also cause some serious health problems for family members and even pets who live in your home.

Flooring

You are mistaken if you think the only maintenance your carpet needs is regular vacuuming. Dirt, dust, bacteria, pet hair and numerous unwanted bits of dirt can become embedded in your carpet. By scheduling regular visits from a carpet cleaning service, you can be sure that your carpet is consistently being deep cleaned. When you choose a green cleaning company you'll know that the job is being done is a manner that is safe for your family and pets. Having your carpets professionally cleaned will extend the life of the carpet. Scheduled cleanings are easier on the budget than having carpets frequently replaced.

There is a connectedness between home maintenance, home cleaning and the health of your family. Keeping the air quality within your home at it's cleanest is beneficial to your family. It may even reduce the frequency of visits to the doctor for allergy related issues.

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How to Create an At-Home Library

If you love to read, you may have always dreamed of having your very own library at home. What’s better than a special place to store, browse, and delve into your favorite books? Read on for tips to help you create a book oasis in your own home.

1. Pick the location, preferably one that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic. You should also choose a room that has doors so you can completely close off from the rest of the world!

2. Assess the number of books you have to determine how much shelving space you’ll need. If you have a ton of books that you plan on keeping, floor-to-ceiling shelves may be the best option. If you prefer to use an e-reader, you may only need a few free-standing shelving units.

3. Invest in great library furniture! The more space you have, the more library essentials you can add.

4. If you have a dining room that you never use, consider turning it into a library. Place comfy seating around the perimeter and add a throw rug to make the space more homey.

5. A large closet or unused hallway are ideal spaces for a library, especially if live in a small apartment or house!

Don’t let technology dissuade you - there are many reasons to have your own home library. Even if you prefer to read online, there’s nothing wrong with doing it in your own quiet space!

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Scientists Point out Possible Benefits of Resveratrol

A group of recent scientific studies have focused on the health benefits of resveratrol. While the jury is still out on most of these benefits, there is mounting evidence that resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that has some positive health benefits in those who eat a diet rich in foods containing it.

Cancer Cells

Most studies have focused on whether or not resveratrol could be of any assistance to cancer patients. There is some strong evidence that the antioxidant compound can help to shrink tumors that it comes into direct contact with. Doses would have to be carefully applied due to the fact that excessively large amounts of resveratrol can actually enhance the formation of growths.

Psychology

Some recent animal models suggested that resveratrol has a positive influence on the moods of studied organisms. While the influence of the antioxidant on human psychology is still unclear, some studies seem to indicate that it might help alleviate some symptoms of depression.

Neuroprotective Influence

Several animal studies have illustrated that resveratrol has a neuroprotective effect. This could potentially be used to treat some kinds of neurological disorders as soon as the effect is better understood.

Skin Protection

Scientists have recently found evidence that resveratrol can help to protect skin. Oxidative stresses that come from exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the biggest causes of skin damage. Antioxidants help to reduce this type of stress. Those who want to know more about this interesting natural compound should clicke here for more information.

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