Tag Archives: Winter

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter, Think Again!

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter, Think Again!

If you associate mold and mildew stains with the summer months, you’d be correct. The hot and humid weather provides a perfect environment for rapid mold and mildew growth. The winter however, despite cold temperatures in much of the country is not a mold and mildew-free season by any means.
In fact, the development of mold and mildew stains can actually be intensified during the winter. That’s because people tend to lock-down their houses to prevent cold air from coming in and heat from escaping. The reduced circulation of fresh air results in a higher concentration of airborne spores which in turn, can increase the likelihood of mold and mildew stains on ceilings, walls or other surfaces.
In a warm house, mold and mildew will continue to grow in areas such as basements, attics and crawl spaces. Once the Christmas decorations are put away, emerging mold and mildew growth has a free, undisturbed ride until Memorial Day when the summer gear gets pulled out.
The worst-case scenario is mold that silently grows behind a wall, under flooring or above acoustical ceiling tiles. This type of mold growth is usually caused by a leak that wasn’t repaired properly, or if it was repaired, the surrounding area wasn’t sufficiently dried or treated before covering it with new drywall, tile, etc. If any part of your house has water damage history, it should be inspected carefully.
There have been many newspaper articles and news reports about families being forced to move from their homes and school closings due to toxic mold. But despite the media hype, most of the mold people encounter is usually the harmless, gross-looking variety.
The jury may be out on what the health effects of certain types of mold are, but the fact is that there is usually a point of origin and mold growth is a fairly slow process. For those concerned about mold and mildew stains, here’s a simple, four-step plan that should be followed all year long:
1) Inspect – Look for early signs of mold and mildew in places such as basements, shower areas, walls that house water pipes, ceilings, etc.
2) Repair – Fix plumbing leaks, drain clogs, roof leaks or poor bathroom ventilation that can encourage mold growth.
3) Remove – Treat emerging mold and mildew thoroughly with a powerful cleaning product such as InstaGone Multi-Purpose Stain Remover.
4) Restore – Once mold and mildew stains have been treated with an effective cleaning solutions such as InstaGone, let the area dry thoroughly, apply a mold resistant primer and repaint the area.
The use of long rubber gloves, non-vented goggles and a chemical respirator to limit your exposure to mold are recommended. If you have an area of mold larger than 3 feet by 3 feet, have severe allergies or have been experiencing symptoms such as headaches and difficulty breathing, it’s best to avoid the health risk, and call a certified mold remediation specialist immediately.

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How To Drive Safely In Winter

How To Drive Safely In Winter

Weather can vary considerably over a very short period of time and distance. Winter can often strike suddenly and severely, leaving motorists unprepared for the conditions. This is an essential guide to driving safely in winter from GEM Motoring Assist, the leading UK driver based road safety association.

Winter driving checklist
Before winter weather arrives, check that your vehicle:
• is properly maintained and serviced
• tyres have plenty of tread depth, are in good condition and correctly inflated (don’t forget the spare)
• radiator contains anti-freeze and the cooling system is free from leaks
• battery is in good condition (many garages / battery suppliers will carry out this check free of charge)
• windscreen wipers and washers are working effectively
• washer bottles are full and contain anti-freezing / cleaning additive.

Before driving in winter weather check that:
• all lights are clean and working properly
• all windows and mirrors are clean and clear from snow and ice.

Winter driving tips
• use dipped headlights in poor visibility
• reduce your speed compared to ‘normal’ driving conditions
• keep a safe stopping distance behind the vehicle in front. It takes much longer to stop in wet or icy conditions
• avoid harsh braking, acceleration and steering
• keep a careful watch out for other road users especially motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and young pedestrians.

Plan your journey
Before setting out on a journey during winter weather conditions make the following checks:
• is the journey absolutely necessary?
• check the local and national weather forecasts
• obtain travel information and road conditions from local and national radio
• ensure that the vehicle has a full fuel tank
• give an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination
• take the appropriate equipment with you. Consider the following: mobile phone, warm clothing / footwear, torch, shovel, hot drink, food, fluorescent / reflective tabard / jacket, warning triangle, and a mat or sacking for extra grip in deep snow
• finally ask yourself again if the journey is necessary.

Once on your way
• if you get into trouble, try not to abandon your vehicle, stay with it until help arrives
• if you are forced to leave your vehicle make yourself visible by wearing a fluorescent / reflective tabard / jacket.

Landscaping stores have the ability to give your home an aura of warmth especially during winter when most houses look desolate or bleak

Landscaping stores have the ability to give your home an aura of warmth especially during winter when most houses look desolate or bleak

An excellent tree that makes a good landscaping tree is the mimosa tree which has full, lush foliage and which beautifies the front or back of the house without much effort.|In addition to providing water for your plants, snow also helps to invigorate the soul and keeps alive plants that are under the soil; in essence, design your landscape in such a way that even the snow will benefit your plants.

The phone book can yield good sources of landscape material or equipment. Make use any available one within your reach to get landscaping ideas today.|When buying landscape material, make sure you buy those that are pertinent to your landscape plan. There would be no point going for materials that runs contrary to your landscaping plans|There are many landscaping software that are virtually useless and expensive; therefore, ensure that you get a demo which allows you to determine if the landscaping software is something you want.

You can bury your landscape rock in your backyard and leave a considerable bit of it jugging out to create the impression that it has been there for some time.|Landscaping software is extremely useful only when you want to check out how the design you have in mind will look first before implementing it.

Landscape stones can be purchased at certain home building stores or at a local gardening center and make excellent depth adding pieces.|It is advisable for you to get your landscape supplies from wholesale companies that specialize in landscape materials because they will be cheaper. This is realized because these companies offers special discounts and equally sell items with whole sale price|Plants or flowers can be planted within an arrangement of landscape rocks at your backyard or front yard to create a bordering that is pleasing to the eyes.

Winter – It’s Not Over Yet

Winter season – It’s Not Over Yet

While checking out the news online this early morning I encountered a post on that particular furry little groundhog, much better referred to as Punxsutawney Phil.
As occurs each year at this time, the little fur-ball arised from his burrow, as he’s done considering that 1886 – wow, he must be truly old by now– to offer us the upgraded winter season projection.
Yes sports flaunt’s main, great old Phil saw his darkness, which indicates six more weeks of winter months.
Currently your response to this information will vary relying on what component of the nation you live in. Below in the Northeast, most of us– this author consisted of– do not jump for delight.
If you take place to be among the winter months sports people you know the ones who ski, ice skate, snow sled and so on this was probably invited information.
Nonetheless, talking purely for myself– and anybody else that could agree – the idea of needing to proceed heading out into a cool morning as well as cleansing off my auto or needing to clothe like I’m going across the expanse just to take my pet dog out for a walk does not exactly thrill me.
Even my pets have had enough. Paths have needed to be shoveled out in the backyard for Toby– our little Shetland Sheepdog– if we didn’t do this a red flag would certainly need to be connected to his tail so he would certainly not obtain lost in the snow.
Now the pet cats, you have actually listened to the expression “Pet cat Fight”, well it’s occurring a little more regularly below these days. Typically the four of them get on fairly well, yet I assume they have actually had just around enough of these close quarters
I can completely associate with just how they really feel, so I have actually thought of a plan to assist make the following 6 weeks– give or take– pass a bit much more efficiently.
1) On a daily basis that is bright, I’m going to open the drapes as broad as they will certainly go, position a chair before it and also sit dealing with out for as lengthy as feasible. Audio funny, well not actually, there is a clinical benefit from this as anyone who struggles with Seasonal depression– or SAD– understands.
2) Acquisition every Residence Designing & Yard magazine that has any kind of posts or photos dealing with spring that I can discover.
Checking out the Residence Designing magazines, I’m mosting likely to begin making a checklist of all the tasks I wish to do, to alter my design from wintertime to springtime.
3) Because relocating from our huge home into a townhouse, I don’t have a possibility to do a great deal of gardening anymore. However I love taking a look at yard magazines anyhow; the pictures are always so lovely. Now I do have planters outside the back entrance, so I can still plan on some flowers and obtaining my hands dirty.
4) Start seeing the Travel Network a little bit a lot more frequently. I’m not intending on taking any kind of trips, but to sit for a half hour to a hr looking and visualizing myself in some warm, bright locations will certainly be fantastic.
Well, I think this is a respectable begin. Oh, one even more thing, every early morning after standing up, going to the kitchen area to put my very first mug of coffee I’ll then stand at the back entrance keep an eye out at the mounds of snow and also repeat a number of time
“This will certainly not last, Spring is coming”.

Golf Course Tools Fundamentals: Winter Storage

Golf Links Tools Fundamentals: Winter Months Storage

Small engine automobiles, like golf carts, mower and also trucksters, require the exact same care and upkeep as an automobile or vehicle. Proprietors have a tendency to fail to remember that putting a golf cart or mower away for the winter months needs the exact same treatment as if you were preparing to keep a car for an extensive quantity of time. Too typically carts are saved away in some edge of the garage without much thought provided to how well they will certainly launch when the weather condition improves. Golf cart owners figure that concealing them away in a shed or garage, clear from the winter elements suffices. Not rather. Even if your golf cart or mower is new, they still call for some maintainance. Actually, obtaining them to launch trouble-free from period to period requires you follow a couple of factors of due-diligence.

First, take the tools you will need to properly place your golf cart in storage space for the winter season. This equipment consists of a wrench, a couple of bottles of distilled water, some cleaning dustcloths, gloves for you, safety glasses for your eyes, a hydrometer (it measures the gravity of the electrolyte solution) and also a voltmeter (to gauge voltage). You may desire to toss in some sodium bicarbonate and also vaseline as well.

The adhering to are measures you can take to guarantee your golf cart or course mower launches once more as spring occurs.

1. Check out the supplier’s upkeep guide
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Don’t attempt to play with the little engine if you’ve never dealt with one before. If you discover anything uncommon, take your golf cart or mower to the closest dealership for an examination. Don’t wait until springtime to have your little engine examined.

2. Get rid of the battery
Before saving your golf mower or cart for the winter months, remove the battery as well as disconnect it from the booster cable. Shop your battery in a refuge, far from heated elements, gas or heating system. Wipe it tidy and brush off the battery terminal with a metal brush. Examine for any type of cracks or borken components. If the supplier recommends special cleaning services for your battery, offer it an excellent cleaning prior to placing it away. If there are no spcial instructions, pure water ought to suffice. Prevent utilizing harsh cleaning chemicals. The majority of golf cart or lawn mower troubles are because of poorly preserved batteries.

3. Store in a safe, covered location
Shop your golf cart or lawn mower away from heating systems, heaters and gas containers. Additionally make sure that it is not place near any type of open home windows where water damage may happen.

4. Place it away tidy
Tidy your cart or lawn mower before keeping it. Laundry off any type of leaves, turf, recurring dirt, dried or wet mud, as well as moisture pockets from both the major exterior and also beneath. Rub out grass as well as dust from around the blade utilizing a long-handled brush – Do not use your bare hands! When you tidy your lawn mower, disconnect the ignition system lead cord, wind it up gently and tape it together.

5. Get rid of remaining fuel
You ought to end up off any kind of gas that is staying in your storage tank (if it makes use of fuel) or add a fuel preserver prior to storage space. Review the guidelines for the gas preserver meticulously before using. After including it plug your lawn mower or cart and also let the engine run for a couple of minutes. This should offer the gas preserver sufficient time to undergo the carburetor. One good thing concerning gas preservers (also called stabilizers) is that they keep the fuel fresh in the engine for as long as half a year. You can now shut off the engine.

Follow these easy actions for storage space and also your golf cart or lawn mower will certainly launch in a breeze.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Preparing The Garden For Winter season

Preparing The Yard For Winter

Are you like me? Sad to see the summer end however at the exact same time eased that there is one less task to have a tendency to. Weeding, watering, trimming, and also extra weeding is over for this year and with a couple of even more jobs the outside gardening year draws to a close. The majority of what needs to be finished refers cleaning up and covering up. Practical actions to preparing your outside garden for winter months involve:
1. Shielding plants. There are various opinions worrying whether to lower or leave plants standing via the winter season. Right here on the grassy fields many people leave their perennials meaning a variety of reasons. In certain, capturing the snow cover is very important for defense of plants as well as maintaining moisture. Snow cover acts the like excellent mulch by insulating the soil. Several perennial stems and seed heads are also very attractive for winter passion and provide food for the birds. After the ground ices up, mulch perennials as well as shrub beds with want needles, garden compost, peat moss, or cut fallen leaves. This safeguards the soil as well as plant origins as well as moderates the results of extreme temperature level modifications throughout winter months periods of freezes and also defrosts.
2. Cleaning-up the garden. Harvest warm-season crops such as tomatoes despite the fact that they are still environment-friendly. Lie out on windowsills; or layer in boxes with newspapers in between the layers of tomatoes. They will gradually ripen or you can use environment-friendly tomatoes for fried green tomatoes or numerous eco-friendly tomato dishes. Draw out any type of remaining crops or invested annuals; clean up staying debris and weeds to decrease the possibility of illness problems in the springtime.
3. Evaluating your yard style. Prior to you begin winterizing your yard, take a couple of mins to examine what functioned and what didn’t and also make note of any type of locations that you would love to change in the springtime.
4. Prepare the soil for early springtime seeding. Pass on the yard soil late in the season while modifying with raw material such as leaves, garden compost, or well-rotted manure. In the springtime, a light raking is all that is required.
5. Taking care of trees and lawns. Safeguard the tender bark of young trees from bunnies and also gnawing animals by wrapping stems or trunks with hen cord or business tree-guard items. To avoid rats from nesting near structures as well as trees, trim tall grass, as well as eliminate weeds. Deeply water trees as well as bushes to make sure that they enter into winter well hydrated. Do not prune hedges and also trees as it may boost new development right before the harsh weather. Cut lawns as well as fertilise if you want with a reduced nitrogen ‘winter months’ mix. Use turf clippings for compost or compost. Never send them to the landfill, as they are superb fertiliser left on the yard (if they are not too long) and/or make terrific compost/mulch dug directly right into the garden or utilized for paths. When rotted on yard paths, dig into the garden and also change with brand-new yard cuttings.
6. Growing prior to winter months. Now is the time to plant bulbs. Yard centres bring several selections ideal for the grassy fields. Bear in mind: get good top quality as economical is not much better– the larger the bulb– the larger the bloom. Try to find plumpness, firmness, clean skin, and surface. Instructions for growing are consisted of with the bundle.
7. Composting. Compost dead plant debris consisting of fallen leaves. Leaves are a beneficial natural source. Instead of a hassle, they are the very best soil modification as well as great mulches. Leaves take very little initiative to reuse into a fantastic soil conditioner– fallen leave mould– for the yard as well as garden. You can make leaf mould by the exact same process nature does. Load up damp leaves and wait on them to disintegrate or shred the fallen leaves right into smaller sized pieces before loading them up. If you wish, you can confine the pile with chicken cord, snow fence, or something comparable. In the spring, I rake up dry leaves and dig them straight right into the veggie yard.
8. Cleaning your devices. Tidy the dirt from all your horticulture tools, oil any type of wood manages and relocating components, sharpen any type of blades, and afterwards store them in a completely dry place for the winter.
9. Water Horticulture. Generate pumps, drain, clean, replenish (if required) and store tender water plants before cold.
10. Generating your indoor plants. Before generating any kind of houseplants that have spent the summer season outdoors, analyze them for pests, wash them, as well as spray with soapy water or insecticidal soap. Usage sterilised potting soil bought from yard centres or mall if re-potting your plants. Do not use garden dirt as it might harbour pests, weed seeds, condition, as well as fungis.

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