How a simple green metal patio bench saved me from my darkest hours of despair

As you walk through the patio and into the observatory of my house, you will notice a three seater metal bench placed just at a tiny corner of the covered patio. Coated in green, how can such a lifeless-looking cold metal structure be providing me with immense satisfaction and joy almost daily?

I remembered its humble origins. I never had this metal bench all the while. It was on a very dark day to begin with that my best friend Peter Duss brought it in to the house. Peter said it was a gift to me, and he carried it onto the patio with his wife during that slightly breezy evening.

That day was one of the darkest days of my life. It was so because I had just returned from the hospital, with news of the results of the blood tests for my son who was diagnosed with almost complete bone marrow failure. There would need to be an international search for a bone marrow donor, as this auto immune disease would quickly wreck his health. I was crying.

Peter told me the metal bench placed on the patio would allow me time to sit there to spend with my son when he would be discharged from the hospital. It would be a great place to bond with my son again, and to enjoy the ambience of the evenings together on the patio, to watch whatever was happening around together and to enjoy the breeze, and the sounds of the night together with my son.

This was exactly what we did.

The metal bench was to be the focus place where father and son would be together for many nights, just being together to face the difficulties ahead.

In the end, after numerous sessions of chemotherapy, and treatment, my son was blessed with a recovery, and the green metal patio bench remained in its place.

It is now 4 years past this episode, and the patio chair is still providing that opportunity to bond with anyone in the family and with friends.

If this real life story touches your heart, and if you ever wish to give a gift to someone dear, to someone you love, consider that a patio chair can give immense meaning and provide opportunities for family bonding.

I know... this green metal patio bench did exactly that, and both the gift and the giver have a special place in my heart.

Advice on asbestos disposal

Did William Daniel have proper advice on asbestos disposal? This resident of Ohio was fined $22,600, ordered to perform 208 hours of community service and was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment on 21 Feb 2002 for violating the Clean Air Act. Daniel had improperly disposed 469 bags of asbestos waste thereby causing a grave danger to public health.

Condition of Asbestos is a Major Factor in its Disposal:

Depending on condition, we can divide asbestos into two major groups.

Friable – that which can crumble by hand pressure such as insulation

Non-friable – that which will not crumble under hand pressure such as asbestos sheets in good condition.

If the asbestos is in a non-friable condition, we can leave it as it is. Safety will further improve by painting the surface and edges with a sealing paint that will not allow fibers to escape. Smoothening the edges or surface will release fibers and is dangerous. Friable asbestos has significant risk of breaking up during handling and needs special care. You should seek adequate advice on asbestos disposal before disposing this dangerous contaminant.

General Advice on Asbestos Disposal:

If you are unsure whether your appliance contains asbestos, it is best to contact the manufacturer directly and ask. Giving the model and year of manufacture would help. Ask for specialist advice on asbestos disposal if your appliances contain asbestos. You can use the yellow pages to locate manufacturers and people offering asbestos disposal services and advice.

Disposing small quantities of household asbestos is straight forward, but if quantities are large then consult professional disposal agents. They will observe all laws and will dispose the asbestos in authorized sites only.

The key element of the disposal process lies in ensuring that fibers do not separate and fly into the air. Towards this end, experts advise that we dispose asbestos on a humid and a calm day and reduce the numbers of people involved to the bare minimum. Any dismantling of structures would provide opportunity for the fiber to separate and fly. While dismantling, keep the asbestos sheet wet with soap water to reduce dust and fiber.

After separating the asbestos, you should pack it in heavy gauge plastic sheets. Smaller pieces can be stored in two layers of polythene bags. Any residual dust or small pieces can be picked up using a wet cloth and stored in double plastic packets. You should use similar disposal method for clothes used in the asbestos removal process.

As we said above, so long as we observe common sense precautions in accordance with advice on asbestos disposal and ensure that fibers do not contaminate surroundings and the quantities involved are small, there is no danger of running foul of the Law. However, it is essential that we are aware of the “Clean Air Act” and similar laws before disposing of large quantities of asbestos. William Daniel may have served out his sentence, but the next judge may well be stricter.

Breaking mold s grip on your home

Your walls may be alive-and not with music. Mold spores growing in your home can cause allergic reactions in you, your pets and your kids. Fortunately, it can be easy to banish mold from your house.

The issue of mold continues to be an important topic to builders, homeowners and governmental agencies. Of late it has reached an even higher level of awareness, as plans are made for rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, there is much confusion concerning mold, as well as effective solutions for preventing it.

Experts say the best way to avoid mold in your home is to control moisture. In the summertime, when humidity is highest, this often means running air conditioners or a dehumidifier.

Here are some more things you can do to avoid mold in your home:

• Keep kitchen and bathroom windows open, or use exhaust fans to move moisture outside.

• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors.

• Dehumidify your basement-the floor and walls can be a source of moisture buildup.

• Similarly, be sure the attic is ventilated.

• Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation around windows, piping, exterior walls, roofing and floors.

• Act quickly if your basement or crawl space floods, both in terms of cleaning up and preventing future flooding.

• Mold-resistant materials play an important role in minimizing mold growth. However, unless mold-resistant products are installed in homes and buildings that are designed, built and maintained properly, they offer little protection against mold.

To help fight mold, the Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition (RSMC) was launched recently through a grant by USG Corporation, a leading building products manufacturer.

RSMC is an industrywide coalition formed to communicate accurate information to both the construction industry and homeowners about how to control moisture, and thereby control mold in commercial and residential construction.

A clear view on vinyl window options

Windows are an investment in your home's real estate value. They add style - both indoors and out. But old, leaky windows can also add to home heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 to 40 percent. And with energy costs inching upward, windows are getting more attention than ever.

Windows come in many shapes, sizes and styles and are made from a variety of materials. Choosing appropriate windows for your home is a significant decision, but don't get overwhelmed. Know your facts and work with a qualified contractor so you can be prepared for your next window replacement project.

One of today's most popular and versatile window materials is vinyl. Compared to wood or aluminum, vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free and long lasting. Pioneered by CertainTeed in the 1970s, millions have been installed and the demand continues to grow.

Advanced manufacturing techniques shape vinyl windows into different styles, including single - and double-hung, horizontal sliding, casement, architectural shapes and more, even custom shapes and those with decorative glass.

For energy conscious consumers, vinyl is hard to beat. As an example, CertainTeed vinyl windows with Thermaflect® low "E" glazing system help keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In fact, these windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 15 percent each year and come with the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star rating.

Installing your own custom home theater is easier than you think

The installation of a home theater entertainment system in the comfort of your own home can revolutionize the way you experience movies, music, your favourite TV programmes and more.

There are many options to consider when purchasing the best home theater equipment - and luckily there is now greater choice than ever when it comes to custom home theater design, packages, set-up and accessories. For instance, wireless home theater systems and speakers have become more popular in recent years, as they offer greater style and compactness, and allows for a more spacious home theater room; and "home theaters in a box" are advertised as providing a simple introduction to entertainment centers. Home theater stores are also willing to combine top quality individual parts (such as custom home theater projectors, speaker systems, DVD players, receivers and screens) in whatever way you choose, and for cheaper than you might expect.

Additionally, building your own custom home theater system is increasingly simple and cost effective. Many home theater magazines and webzines offer useful information on custom home theater construction: including practical instructions such as home theater plans and layout advice, audio system plans (including surround sound), DIY wiring diagrams and advice on custom home theater electronics.

Websites can also provide you with expert-quality home theater reviews on products from high street companies such as Sony, Yamaha, Panasonic, Pioneer, Bose, Onkyo and Samsung - often complete with photo galleries - so that you stay informed whether you choose to buy online or not.

If you have a custom home theater idea you are unsure about, or simply want to discuss, you may also find it valuable that a lot of these websites contain forums in which you can exchange ideas and suggestions with others planning to build their own home theater. Whichever home theater option you chose, the web is a valuable resource that can be a great aid when deciding on the best entertainment center for you.

Buying or creating a custom home theater may be more than just a purchase - it can turn into a lifestyle! This is reflected in the vast array of home theater accessories and furniture available, from dйcor such as custom cabinets and speaker stands, to time - and trouble-saving items like the Home Theater Master™ - an acclaimed universal remote control.

Options in home theater room design include a variety of seating, whether you opt for a chair or a recliner, and ranging from cost-effective to the ultimate in luxury. Websites can also provide you with the best home theater room plans that can optimise your space and enjoyment of a DVD entertainment center.

Jacuzzi - a brief overview

Jacuzzi is a brand name of a water pump system used in bathtubs. When people refer to a Jacuzzi, it also means a hot tub or a spa. The terms can be used interchangeably.

When shopping for a Jacuzzi or a hot tub, there are several things to keep in mind. First, where are you going to put it? A Jacuzzi needs a room with plenty of circulation. The warm water needs ventilation to circulate in the room or to the outdoors to keep drywall from mildew or rot.

A Jacuzzi also needs plenty of weight support to hold all of the water. Putting a Jacuzzi on the second floor is not a good idea, unless it is a small bathtub Jacuzzi. A basement hot tub is not a good idea either since the cement block walls can hinder ventilation and cause added moisture problems.

A cement slab or patio is an ideal place for a Jacuzzi hot tub. To use year-round, a gazebo or small room can be built around it. Windows can be made to open or remove to allow for ventilation, or to cool off on hot summer nights.

Second, what size do you need? Do you plan on hosting lots of parties and entertaining? You may want to consider a 6-8 person Jacuzzi. If it is for you and a significant other, a two seater may be perfect.

Jacuzzi’s come in a variety of sizes, and they also come in a wide selection of shapes. Jacuzzi’s can be round, square, oval, kidney shaped or made into a custom design. Jacuzzi’s can be made into a shape to fit a unique room size or to curve around a wall or architecture style.

A Jacuzzi can be made from many different materials. There are inflatable hot tubs, which can be filled with air or let out and moved. This offers flexibility if you live in a cold climate, you can bring it inside for winter months and enjoy.

High resin plastics and wood also make up the exterior of Jacuzzi’s and hot tubs. When buying wood products, make sure it is specially treated to resist water and damage caused by heat.

The interior of a Jacuzzi is almost always a type of plastic. What determines the price is how many jets are inside and how many settings they have. Settings can be limited with high and low, but more advanced with multiple choices for water speed and angle.

Jacuzzi’s require similar care to that of an outdoor pool. Water levels must be checked regularly and tested for bacteria. To keep bacteria and other agents away, a variety of chemicals are available to treat the water. The representative where you buy your Jacuzzi from will have instructions and can offer guidance until you are used to the process.

Besides the initial expense of purchasing the Jacuzzi, there are monthly expenses for maintaining your hot tub. Those expenses would be for electricity to keep the water warm, chemicals to keep the ph levels safe and water to keep it full!

Options to go with your hot tub are unlimited. Floating tiki bars, drink holders, pillows and toys for the kids are just a few fun things available. Special seat cushions can be made to help with special back problems or ailments.

Covers should be on the Jacuzzi when not in use. It keeps any excess dirt and dust out of the water and jets. It may keep wandering children out of the water too. If you have children, special infrared and laser security alarms can be made to go off if the light has been broken. Keep safety a top priority if you have a Jacuzzi in your home.

Cheap carpet - carpeting a room for 20

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Do you want cheap carpet that you can easily install yourself? Well, I once carpeted a large bedroom for a total cost of about $12. You read that right, and no, the carpet was not used carpet. I did it with carpet samples.

I bought them for 25 cent apiece at a closeout sale, and it took 36 squares of carpet to finish the room. The only other supplies I used were the staples, which cost about a dollar. Normally, you might pay a dollar each for squares of carpet. I found them available for half that just a few weeks ago, but in any case, this is cheap carpet.

This is an unusual style, though, and you may have to consider the resale value of your home. The bedroom I carpeted this way was in a rental mobile home, where cheap and unusual styles are the norm. Ordinarily, you will want to save this trick for areas like basements, playrooms, and maybe a children's clubhouse. Still, it doesn't look so bad - actually it looks just fine if you mix the various colored squares of carpet well.

In a children's playroom, the multi-colored floor is perfect. It is cheerful and colorful, and if a spill stains one of the carpet squares, you can easily pull it up and install a new one in its place. This is a nice advantage of carpeting a room this way.

Installing Cheap Carpet

The only things you will need to carpet a room with carpet samples or squares is a carpet knife and a staple gun. 5/8-inch staples have worked best for me. Begin at any corner. Just put the piece in place and staple it in two or three places along each side. Wiggle the stapler head down between the fibers, or between the border and the fibers, and the staples will usually be well-hidden.

When carpeting a basement floor, you can use carpet tape instead of staples. In either case, this is best done where padding isn't too important. Of course, you can use padding too, if you don't mind the complications, but without it, this is pure simplicity.

You might want to lay out the pieces first, to decide where each will go. When you come to walls, heating registers, and other obstacles, you can easily cut the pieces to fit. If you make a mistake, it cost you perhaps a dollar. Just start over with a new piece.

Before you start, estimate how many pieces you'll need, and call around to find a carpet store that has enough samples for sale. The carpet samples at different stores range in size, but are usually at least 18 by 18 inches. Using pieces that are all the same size is the easiest way to go. Even at a dollar, this makes it less than 50 cents per square foot to carpet a room. That's cheap carpet!

London bathroom fitters minimum of space - maximum of pleasure

Just as the supper at refined restaurant differs from fast-food snack, half an hour in a sweet-smelling bath contrasts with five minutes of fresh shower. Unfortunately, living conditions not always allow us to place a swimming pool or Jacuzzi in our bathroom. Let's talk about bathing pleasure even within the smallest bathroom.

Bathing geometry.

Probably, it is impossible to find a person who would like to have a small bathroom. What is the sense of that? Narrowness, impossibility to equip a room on your own free will and eternal dilemma: whether to place a bidet or a washing machine, to hang up a cabinet for bathing accessories or a heated towel rail? Each of us would like to have a spacious room where it is possible to place a Jacuzzi, to lay nice carpets on the floor, and maybe even to place a relaxation nook - a bench with a small table for cocktails. In other words, it would be great to transform daily procedures into favour ones. But, perhaps, none of rooms in the house contrast between dream and reality as much as a bathroom. And you’ve got to do something with that …

Most of all, the bathroom is a narrow rectangular where the bathtub itself is traditionally placed along a long wall, and near to it, in far corner, a toilet bowl is mounted. As a result, the remaining space is hardly sufficient for movement. And now let's have a look at a long and inconvenient room with a fresh pair of eyes. What's wrong with installation of a bathtub along the distant, short "side" or with placing of corner-like variant? Such solution will allow installation of all sanitary equipment without any difficulties and remaining free space would be occupied with stylish interior favouring pleasant procedures. But it is not necessary to occupy the remaining space with functional furniture or flowerpots flowers - the effect of "spacious" bathroom will be lost! Some free space beautifies a bathroom much more than the loveliest decorative elements.

By the way, let's remember such beautiful and having no additional space requirements way of bathroom decoration - mosaic and pictures on a glazed tile. It is possible to lay elegant design or to get any picture suitable as of its palette and mood. You may add it with stucco moulding and relevant bathing accessories - and a bathroom of you dream is ready.

Equipment problems.

One more eternal problem is installation of household appliances. First of all it relates to a washing machine which is frequently appears to be unnecessary both in bathroom and in kitchen. In the bathroom there is not enough free space to place it and in the kitchen it is not always fit in interior. Actually there is no need to be on the horns of a dilemma. Just place the washing machine … into sliding-door wardrobe in a corridor or in the box-room. Such household nook allows both to save a kitchen interior and to clear one square meter in bathroom.

Space economy.

When there is a discussion of space economy, the shower cabins and hip baths are remembered at once. But such solutions are compulsory substitutes of fully-featured baths, and such choice is connected exclusively with shortage of space or with lack of skill to make good use of it. Such solutions may be used by anyone but not by us.

Let's have a look at two-in-one items and at amusing and ergonomic furniture which you can make with your own hands. For example, light chest of drawers which occupies almost no space. Having placed it under a mirror, you achieve two goals. Firstly, there is a set of containers for storage of numerous jars, shampoos and creams. Secondly, such chest of drawers keeps an effect of "empty wall" and does not compress the space by eye. By the way, you may place it under a wash sink: in that case it is necessary to provide water communications compartment and to place boxes on each side. Thus, the place often used absolutely irrationally finds new functional load. There is one more solution - don't tile your bath completely and make a small locker under it. You may hide there a small bedside-table with a seat (which, in its turn, may serve as container for storage of small items).

In other words, we can convert our bathroom into some kind of personal SPA-salon. It is possible to realize almost any design and planning solution nowadays - it's all depends from your imagination and will.

Things to consider when purchasing sunroom kits

Adding a sunroom kit to your home can offer you the warmth of the sun year round. A sun room gives you outdoor access while offering you indoor comfort. The benefits of sunlight are numerous. Exposing our bodies to the sun boosts vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb the calcium necessary to keep bones strong. Throughout the winter months, many people's bodies can't keep up with the necessary vitamin D production. As a result, our bones suffer from diseases like osteoporosis. A sunroom kit would allow you to enjoy the benefits of the sun without having to endure the cold winter weather. There are several options to consider when thinking about a sunroom.

The first thing you must think about is whether you want to build this room yourself or have it installed. If this is a project you want to engage in creating on your own, be aware that a poorly installed sunroom kit can reduce your home's energy efficiency rating. Moreover, it can reduce the value of your home. If you are capable of installing it properly, though, be sure to choose a kit that is right for you. Sunroom kits come in many shapes and sizes. Be sure you research your choices before you make your purchase. If you plan to have a contractor built your sunroom, a kit probably isn't the right way to go. Most contractors have ideas about what they do and do not want to install. Talk to him or her about what works best for the both of you.

Outdoor access with indoor comfort can be yours with a sunroom kit.

The second thing to consider is the best location for your sunroom kit. Installing it in the wrong location can cost you a bundle on your energy bills during the cold winter months. Conversely, installing it in a location that gets full sun may make it unbearably hot during summer months. Most likely, this is a purchase you'll want to enjoy year round. Do some research to decide where your sunroom kit would best be located.

The final thing to consider is the type of sunroom kit you wish to purchase. There are basic kits that offer aluminum frames and plastic windows. These are easy to throw together, and they usually convert to a screened in porch during the summer months. There are also more complicated kits that arrive at your home pre-assembled. Choosing the right sunroom kit will help you get the best fit for you.

Use your house to pay for your house

Few people have heard of the technique of using your home to pay for your home. It requires self-control and a change in habits, but doesn't everything in life that's truly worthwhile? So put your mortgage on a diet and quit paying extreme interest rates to your bank by paying off your mortgage early, then using your "former house payment" for other investments.

First, so you’ll know what we’re talking about, let’s review the common early payoff techniques. The oldest one around is to just add a little extra when you write your check, either every month or whenever you have it. Even a one-time $5 additional payment to principal could save you $50 in interest over the life of the loan.

Some people make a regular habit, even using automatic withdrawals from their checking accounts, to add $100 or more (or less) per month to their home’s principal only. It is very important to specify to your lender that you are not “paying ahead” on next month’s bill, but do, in fact, want the entire additional amount applied to “principal only.”

Bi-monthly mortgages became popular in recent years, but not as popular as they could have become. You see, many lenders agreed to accept half of the monthly payment at the first of the month and the other half mid-way through the month. The problem was, they were saving up the first payment and applying them both at once. So not only was a buyer not paying fast, it could be the buyer was actually paying more slowly.

In a “true bimonthly,” half of the payment is applied as principal and interest twice a month. It’s still a little confusing though, because of the ambiguity of the modifier “bi.” “Bi” can mean twice in one period or every two periods. So a bimonthly payment could, conceivably, be paid twice in one month or every two months. You see the problem—big difference!

A bimonthly program requires discipline and yet saves, over the life of the loan, the approximate equivalent of only one month’s payment.

The better solution is “biweekly.” Perhaps that’s because a week is not easily divided into two parts (weekdays and weekends don’t count as half weeks!). Biweekly somehow always means every two weeks. The upshot of this approach is that it’s very easy for people who are paid every two weeks to use this technique, and it tallies up to an extra full payment per year.

Confused? While there are 12 months in a year, and they are generally thought of being comprised of four weeks, there are actually 4.2 weeks per month. In other words, there are four-13-week quarters in a year. Fifty-two weeks divided by two is 26; thus, 26 payments are made in a biweekly plan, as opposed to 24 in a bimonthly plan.

A biweekly payment schedule, depending upon your specific numbers, could cut five years or more off the total amount you would otherwise pay on a straight, fixed loan.

All of these methods can be arranged, rearranged or combined to maximize paying principal as soon as possible and interest as late as possible.

One methodology few people know, even amongst bankers and mortgage brokers, is that of using the equity in your house to pay off your house. And the best part about it is, if you live in a country where the interest on home loans is exempt from federal tax, you can use whole, 100% tax-free dollars for paying not only interest, but also principal, on your home!

It’s simple, though we don’t recommend trying it without purchasing a manual or drawing out a carefully crafted plan. One misstep, and you could find yourself worse off that you were before. But essentially, it works like this: you extract equity from your home and pay it onto the principle[al of your house. That reduces your remaining interest payments by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars (depending upon the specifics of your home price and loan).

Yes, you also then pay back the line of credit against your equity, but it should be significantly less than mortgage interest. Mortgage interest is computed daily, and compounded besides! Plus, it’s paid a month late. They call that “in arrears”—the opposite of in advance. Equity loans or lines of credit have different calculation and payment requirements and usually amount to much less.

Don’t try this at home without learning how to do it, but I betcha it’s a method you don’t hear much about!

Solar for your house learn the lizard lesson

Using the power of the sun to provide heat or light in your home can be done a couple of ways. In this article, we look to lizards for a basic solar lesson.

Solar For Your House: Learn The Lizard Lesson

Nature is a funny thing. If we pay close attention to it, we can often find the answer to many questions. Solar is no different. In this case, we are going to look at lizards for guidance.

Undoubtedly, you have seen lizards sunning themselves on rocks if you have ever gone hiking or even just sat outside. If you gave it any thought, you realized the lizard was using solar power to warm itself. It positioned itself to maximize the exposure to the sun by determining where it was going to get the maximum warmth. As odd as it may sound, using the sun to heat your house involves the same approach.

The goal of natural solar heating for a house is to maximize the exposure to the sun throughout the year. The more surface area that is exposed, the more energy you can convert. Get it wrong, and your results will be very disappointing.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the south side of your house will always receive the most sunlight. As a practical matter, this means the longest side of your house should face south. This side should also contain the most windows to convert the energy. While facing south is important, there is an additional step.

The Earth tilts through different degrees throughout the year, one of the factors that gives us seasons. You need to realize this and position your house for the appropriate time of the year. You are probably not going to need heating during the summer. As a result, you should not orient your home to the path of sun during this period of time. Instead, you should determine the path of the sun during the winter, to wit, the angle at which it strikes your property. You will be surprised how much of a difference there is, but will be glad you take it into account since this is when you need to the most heating.

Much like a reptile changes places on a rock throughout the day, you need to gauge the best position for your house to take advantage of the power of the sun.

Why i want a swimming pool

So you want a swimming pool. I know I do but that’s because my body is getting flabbier as I get older and I want a pool for 2 reasons. I hope by exercising in a swimming pool it will tone my muscles, help me loose some of my flab and make me fitter and the other reason is I don’t want to scare people when I use a shared pool. When I’m in a public swimming pool people think there’s a whale loose in it when it’s only me. Oh dear, I think I need to diet as well.

I spent last summer vacationing in Europe. I started in London – it rained, travelled through France and stayed in an old converted remote farmhouse with its own pool and then travelled down through Spain to the Costa del Sol where I then spent 3 weeks in a villa high in the Andalusian mountains with stunning sea and mountain views and of course its own swimming pool. Both pools were unique and were self-builds. The swimming pool in Spain had been built by the villa owner, a great guy called John, who was an ex pat builder from London. The swimming pool he had built was 25 ft by 32 ft. It wasn’t square, the floor wasn’t level, the tiling wasn’t level, the slope of the floor wasn’t even, and you know, it was the best swimming pool I’ve ever been in. It was great.

I had travelled to Spain to see the area as its somewhere I had always wanted to visit on a vacation and do you know, I need to go back as I didn’t see a great deal of it. I spent most of the 3 weeks I was there in the pool. The swimming pool had what they call in England, rustic charm. The sides were not straight, the floor tiles were slightly uneven and the floor sloped ever so slightly from side to side but taken with the converted stables, now a villa, and the country setting it worked and worked very well. It was the best swimming pool I’ve ever been in. If I was building a swimming pool this is how I would build it. However, a swimming pool like this would not work with a new build house, it just wouldn’t suit it.

Take the swimming pool in France. This was much more of a modern pool but again was in a countryside setting so a really formal new swimming pool wouldn’t work and I’m pleased to say that this wasn’t a formal swimming pool although at least everything was straight like the sides of the pool. Again, the design was something I had never seen before. The swimming pool sloped down from the shallow end but at a certain point, the deep part fell away on all 4 sides to become 12 ft deep. However, it had an underwater ledge about 3 ft below the surface all the way round the pool. It was great for chasing the kids round the pool, or for them chasing me, and we had a fantastic holiday with 2 fantastic pools.

The trouble was though that although I had a very long vacation, I didn’t see a great deal of France or Spain except when we were travelling. The reason, well I’m sure you can guess. If not here’s a clue. I had 2 fantastic swimming pools. I am sure I can describe the swimming pools better than the countryside local to where I stayed. I’ll have to go back next year and try again but I know I’ll be distracted by the swimming pools when choosing somewhere to stay. Then again I could try a mountain cabin with a lake to swim in. That’s something I’ve always thought would be fun. It’s a tough choice, lake or swimming pool. Maybe I can try both or better still perhaps its time I built my own swimming pool at home.

Advice on waterproofing your deck

Even if you undertook the task of building your own deck, you understand the large investment (both monetary and in time) that went into the project. Decks add beauty and value to a home, and are often the family’s favorite place on lovely afternoons. In order to protect that investment, deck waterproofing is nearly as important as making sure your basement is dry and safe from water damage.

After the completion of your deck, either you or the contracted builder should seal the wood with a water-resistant coating. Water-resistant sealants are painted on the wood, covering the entire deck. This coating helps to protect the wood from absorbing excess water. Not only does this seal the deck but also provides wonderful preservation of the deck’s beauty.

If you choose to use redwood for your deck, waterproofing can extend the life of the wood’s color. It is strongly recommended that you seal this type of wood prior to construction. This ensures that the wood was properly and evening coated with the deck waterproofing sealant. When using redwood for construction, be sure re-apply the sealant coating once every 12 to 18 months in order to prevent the wood from darkening.

Untreated wood will eventually become damaged. Being submitted to harsh weather and direct sunlight is often a killer of untreated wood. Wood can begin to rot, crack, and in severe cases, provide an open invitation to termites. Redwood is not as prone to rot and other damage as softer, lighter woods. Despite its durability, you should seriously consider waterproofing for enhanced beauty. Deck waterproofing is the only way to prevent premature damage to your deck. Decks are often a substantial investment and deck waterproofing is insurance for your peace of mind.