Several Hints on Building a Perfect Tree House

Can you pinpoint the exact moment you stopped referring to the house you grew up in as “your house” and started calling it “your parents’ house”? This transition happens all the time and is just one of the signs you’ve grown up and left the family nest. Of course, you’ll miss so many things from that nest, such as your first bed, your seat at the dining table or favorite toy. If your father or grandfather were extra skillful too, they might have even built you a tree house that you’re going to miss! If you want to minimize this longing and homesickness and build one for your own children, we have some dos and don’ts for a more successful job.

The What and the How

First of all, what do you need? There are three essentials for this project: building materials, an idea and a lot of imagination. Call your local hardware store, find out which type of wood is the most durable and adequate, and order enough lumber, tools and other necessities, such as various nails and machines for drilling and sawing. You can even pay extra and your wood will be prepared, processed and ready. Also, secure yourself and your children – they truly are the best work crew you can find – and make a safe working environment.

Location, Location, Location

Now, begin! Let’s imagine that you already have a big enough tree that will support the weight and capacity of a tree house, but how to find the perfect spot? Try to work together with your children and meet them half way – they can suggest where they wish the tree house to be and you can decide which suggestion is the most sensible.

Naturally, being an adult, it’s up to you to figure out which part of your tree can support the entire platform, provide safety and accessibility. In addition to that, please be sure to pick the spot that will not bother your neighbors, block your own view or, and this goes without saying, make you cut vital branches. If you want your tree house to be there as long as possible, you have to keep the tree itself healthy.

Building 101

Knowing the challenges of this project, there are basically two ways of building a tree house: the hard one and the even harder one. You can decide whether you want to build everything on the ground and then erect the construction, or climb into the tree and place lumber directly between the branches. The first one is easier as you can work in your garage, have all parts in front of you and just combine them into a whole, not worrying about falling down.

However, the second one is more practical and hands-on, since you’ll be able to see what’s actually going on while you work – when on the ground, you can never know if a particular part of your tree house will collide with branches or knots. According to the people who work at my local tree service, both methods are good, but their combination may even be the best and that’s just what I did, building the platform directly on the tree, and then building walls and roof on the ground, connecting them onto the platform later.

Moving in!

Once your tree house is complete, there is an important issue you have to address – as it is for the children, it cannot be too serious or plain because they’ll be bored very quickly. So, tell them to add the details, do the painting, take their favorite toys and decorate the tree house according to their preferences. In the end, make a celebration and an official moving in party for your children and all their friends – if the construction holds, you, sir, have done a great job!

Having Troubles Maintaining Your Pool? Well, Not Anymore!

Unfortunately, having a pool in your yard isn’t all about fun and games. Sure, it’s all amazing in the summer when you and your family can kick back and relax by the pool, swim and play fun games in the water but we all know that in order for the pool to stay clean, someone needs to take proper care of it. If money isn’t an issue and you just don’t want to be bothered with this kind of house chore, you’ll probably pay someone to do all the “dirty work”. But, if you are trying to save up and want to be the one who is in charge of this commitment, then – here are some pool maintenance tips to get you started.

First of all, before even thinking of cleaning a pool, you need to be familiar with the pool terms. It’s inevitable to start with pH factor. Ph determines the water’s acidy and it is important to keep pH at a proper level, never less than 7.2. In case the pH is higher, use granular acid to lower it and if it’s less than this number, use sodium hypochlorite to raise it.

To kill bacteria, algae and various viruses, you’ll use free available chlorine. It also eliminates grease and oil. Add a shock treatment (a high concentration of chlorine) if the free available chlorine is too low. Shocking adds 5.0 to 10.0 parts per million (PPM) of free available chlorine to pool water. Before doing a shock treatment, test and balance the pH. This treatment should be done with the pump and filter turned on and after sundown. Test the free available chlorine after a shock treatment is done. Allow the chlorine to evaporate naturally if it’s too high. It is also advised not to enter the pool until the reading is 1.0 to 3.0 PPM.

The measurement of the water’s ability to maintain the proper pH level is called total alkalinity. Use an alkalinity adjuster if total alkalinity is too high or too low.

A measurement of calcium in the pool is called calcium hardness. In cases when the water is too hard, pH levels raise and cause scale to form. Add sodium hexametaphosphate to solve this problem. Tile grout dissolves or the vinyl liner cracks when the water is too soft, so to prevent this from happening add calcium chloride dihydrate.

When applying products always follow manufacturer's instructions. Also, when it comes to chemical safety of the water, if you are not sure what to do, it’s best to consult an expert than do something wrong as misuse of pool chemicals may trigger some health problems.

General Pool Maintenance

The keys to pool maintenance are clean water and balanced water chemistry. To keep your pool in order, it’s best to establish a weekly routine of cleaning the pool. Maintaining the chemical balance is one of the most important aspects of “pool health”, so make sure you are on top of it. Usually, the above-mentioned shock treatment prevents the majority of pool problems and solves the existing ones. On a weekly basis, test the pH and free available chlorine in the pool water and shock-treat if necessary. 

If any of the following occurs, do an additional shock treatment:

·         More swimmers than usual

·         Very heavy rains and windstorms

·         Swimmers with burning, red eyes

·         Extreme temperatures

·         Foul odor from the pool water

·         Murky, slimy water

·         Algae growth

Keeping the Pool Clean

Don’t kid yourself if you think you’ll be spending just couple of hours a week on pool upkeep. Plan to spend at least six to eight hours weekly for your pool to be the safe environment for swimming.

Daily:

1. Skim remains out of the pool to keep it clean

2. During swimming season, clean all skimmer baskets

Weekly:

1. Test the water

2. Clean the walls and floor by using brushes, cleaners and vacuums recommended by the pool manufacturer

3. After cleaning and before using, hose down the pool area. To prevent dirt from washing into the water, direct the spray away from the pool

When first having your swimming pool installed, it’s important you talk to the swimming pool builders about proper maintenance of the pool. If you’ve had yours for a while now, give them a call to clear up anything you may be wondering about regarding pool maintenance.

Peaceful without Colors

The view was taken one afternoon in Bogor Botanical Gardens. Bogor Palace can be seen on the background. My main interest is the pond and reflections on it. The girl is my niece. 

The Weekend in Black and White

All about Security Cameras in Ireland

Concerned about property damage, vandalism or break-ins? Worry not. Security cameras are there to take care of all these issues. They offer people peace of mind via video monitoring. In this era of uncertainty where theft and vandalism have become commonplace in Ireland, security cameras have turned into a booming industry. Security cameras in Ireland are being widely used and its strength in the last couple of years has increased rapidly. Although there is no dearth in the availability of different security systems for one to select from, yet nothing can compete with security cameras.

Installing these cameras can turn fruitful in myriad ways

Installing security cameras in one’s premises can turn fruitful in myriad ways such as,

• Deter break-ins- first and foremost installing security cameras will help one to prevent break-ins
• Keep an eye on children- the gap amid parents returning home and school dismissal is something most families fight to bridge. Often parents face a tough time to determine when their little one will be ready being left home alone. It is here where security cameras can work wonders in removing the last pangs of discomfort via allowing parents to keep an eye on their abode from their workplace. In homes having small kids, these cameras can be utilized for checking the house when someone is babysitting
• Gaining peace of mind- no two people have the same living arrangement yet everyone wants to feel secure. No matter whether one wishes to prevent worrying when on vacation or monitor the home’s exterior, anyone can reap the advantages of this technology that is easy to install and use
• Protect one’s business- workaholics are increasingly bringing office work at home and sometimes even running a firm from their residence. In such cases an extra need for protection, especially if one store financial data and customer records in their home office computer is vital. It is here where security cameras can work wonders
• Reducing home insurance rates- via installing a security camera, one’s chances of being a victim of break-ins will be reduced. And if one lets their insurance company know that they have installed this device, they will be eligible for good discounts
• Monitoring pets- Pet lovers can now breathe free. With the help of security cameras, one can leave their abode and keep a check on what their pets do in their absence
• Caring for elderly members- following the increase in long-term care prices, most families choose to shift their aging elderly members in their own home. Although the morning and evening care are covered still parents are left alone during day time. Security cameras can offer one a chance of peeking in and ensuring a medical emergency or fall has not occurred

Security cameras in Ireland are available in varied forms and shapes and can be wired or wireless. Few models are highly technologically advanced having zoom features that will enable it in being planted at least 40-50 feet at a distance away from the main activity. Tape recording, voice quality and storage capacity are all characteristics which require being deciphered as well as jotted down if needed at the time of decision making.

About the Author- In this article Peter Elvis has explained how security cameras in Ireland are being widely used and how its strength in the last couple of years has increased rapidly. He has also laid emphasis on its wide variety.