How To Care For Your New Pool Fence

pool fence care
Safety is very important when it comes to owning a swimming pool. And congratulations for taking the responsible route and putting up a new pool fence. But now you face a different problem. Just because the fence is preventing someone who can’t swim from getting to the pool, it doesn’t mean it can’t look good. In fact, if the fence doesn’t look appealing, it might just ruin your mood for a swim altogether.

The fact is you need to take care of your new pool fence if you want it to remain safe and visibly appealing. So, consider the following:

1. What Type Of Fence Is It?

A good place to start would be to look at the type of pool fence you have. Seeing as they come in so many shapes and sizes, caring for them will entail different approaches.

For example, if it’s a wood fence you’ll need to protect it from the natural elements with special coatings. If the fence is concrete, it’s definitely going to need a paint job in order to look appealing, but it requires the right type of paint.

2. Wash It Regularly

Dirt accumulates over time, meaning you won’t really notice it until the damage has clearly been done. One moment you don’t see anything, and the next day it’s like a mud storm blew over the place.

But just by cleaning the new pool fence on a regular basis will extend its visual appeal. This is especially true if the fence is made out of vulnerable materials like wood.

3. Check Locks And Hinges

Unfortunately, there are some weak spots when it comes to pool fencing, and they can be found at the gate. While you probably won’t have too many problems with the locking system or the hinges of the gate, it’s best to test them regularly.

If you have kids and pets, or you know of other kids that might be coming to visit, ensure the locks and hinges are secure. Accidents happen incredibly quickly, and you don’t want to take unnecessary risks.

Of course, you can always hire a professional to give your fencing a regular checkup. This way you’ll know the integrity of the fence is stable and it still provides a safe environment around the pool area.

As for making it more visually appealing, that part is up to you. Just remember it will require a little more maintenance.

Common Roofing Issues

Identifying some of the most common roof problems early on can help save you a lot of money in the long run. It may save you from spending a fortune on complete roof replacement in the future. There are many common signs that will tell the homeowner that there is a problem with his/her roof. Here are some of the common roofing problems that you need to be on the lookout for.

Poor or faulty installation is a common roofing problem that can dramatically reduce the life expectancy of your roof. It is best that you work with a professional roofing contractor when installing the roof to avoid such issues. A qualified and experienced roofing contractor will install your roof properly and prevent such problems over time. Moisture will get under the layers of the roof over time due to wind, rain, snow, hail, ice, and debris collected on the roof. This could result in leaks, rotting, and the spreading of mold on the roof. Preventive maintenance is important to keep your roof free of such issues. Make sure that you work with a reliable roofing contractor in the area to maintain the roof and prevent it from deteriorating due to the aforementioned problems.

Flashing is important to seal the areas of the roof that have been penetrated for various reasons such as vents, pipes, chimneys, skylights, or HVAC systems. When the flashing is not attached properly, it may cause open seams and cause the tiles to blow off after some time. That is why it is important to install the flashing properly. Make sure that you work with a professional roofing contractor when installing the flashing.

Small birds and animals can cause damage to the roof. If you find such animals living in your attic, you should get rid of them as soon as possible to prevent them from damaging the roof. Water that ponds on the roof is another common issue affecting most of the roofs. A common cause for this is improper drainage from HVAC systems and debris buildup on the roof. Overhanging tree limbs can cause damage to your roof over time. Hence, it is important to cut such limbs before they grow into a problem. These are some of the common roofing problems that you need to take care of before it is too late.

# The aforementioned article provides information on some of the common roofing problems. Thank to the team at Roof Restoration Northern Suburbs Melbourne for the content.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lights can change the entire feel of a home, venue or city. Here we take a brief overview of some of the types of external lights on the market today.

Timed and censor lights – These are great for home protection and security but also for parties and entertaining. You can set them at a range of heights and angels and can an extremely wide range in light strength.

Floodlight – Perfect for your outdoor spaces such as swimming pools, tennis courts or entaertaining areas. They can be an excellent inexpensive option that have a huge impact.

Step lights – These not only make your paths and steps safer they also offer a touch of class to your paths and entry. The lights come in different designs which range from the regular types to individuals that could come provided with sensors that double as security measures.

Wall lights – These are excellent to help make your garden ornaments get noticed at night-time. For example, they are often installed on the pillars of a veranda or a porch to enhance its aesthetics. Again, these come in a huge range of colours and varieties.

Visit this great Pinterest page for more ideas https://www.pinterest.com.au/explore/backyard-lighting

Ceiling Lights – Some of the most popular options here include options like track lights, pendant lights, and chandelier lights. They are a standard choice for indoor lightings but may work equally well in outdoor areas like the patio, porch, or gazebo.

Bollards – These are lamps that are encased inside a transparent material often installed to incorporate lighting aesthetics to the garden. Position them close to an outdoors seating area and to help accentuate them. These offer a real touch of class you’re your night-time setting.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, if you would like some professional outdoor lighting design and ideas make sure you talk to the team at Electrician Geelong.

Slate roof care

slate roofingFirstly, I want to say thanks to Slate Roofing Sydney for all their help on this one. If you need any slate roofing done in Sydney these are there services:
Slate roof repairs
New slate roofs
Slate roof restoration
Slate roof replacement

This article is to highlight the two biggest mistakes that people make when they are trying to care for their slate roofs. Theses problems come out due to the fact that slate is actually a very delicate material when it comes to roofing. Other products such as tile or metal just simply don’t have the same issues. It is extremely important when dealing with anything to do with slate that you are extremely delicate and cautious. Slate is very expensive and these mistakes can indeed be very costly. I personally recommend only using a slate professional but I don understand that sometimes you do have to address issues yourself.

Don’t walk on slate

Don’t ever walk on your slate roof. Slate can easily break under your weight. Even professional slate roofers that know exactly where to walk can easily break older tiles. Instead you can get a lengthy ladder and place it alongside the house, making sure to secure it as you go. This will offer you enough reach to still get the hose to most areas.

Avoid using strong powered cleaner such as pressure washers

Avoid strong powered pressure washers. As I have mentioned before slate is a more delicate material to tiles or shingles and can be chipped or cracked very easily, it is simply not worth the risk of using high powered cleaners. If your pressure washer does not have a power setting that you can adjust then you may be better off just using a hose or leaf blower.

Advice For Keeping Your Home Cool In The Summer

keep your home cool in summerIs it tiring to have to stay in a house that is too hot during the summer months?

A lot of people complain about this but they don’t have to as long as they are ready to pay attention to the solutions around them. Let’s take a look at advice from experts that state it is possible to stay cool in the summer.

1) Turn Off The Lights

Do the simple things right and that is going to include closing the lights in your house.

The reason this works well has to do with the heat that comes off the lighting fixtures. You are only making things worse by turning them on and it is best to keep them off.

2) Close the Curtains

You will want to close the curtains and even invest in specific blinds that keep the rays out.

This is going to make sure the house doesn’t turn into a hot box during the hottest days of the summer. You want to be smart and spend money on these as soon as you can.

3) Use Your Bathroom Fans

This is a good investment to make because your bathroom fans do add value. The reason bathroom fans are important has to do with their advantages as a suction-based solution. You are going to be able to pull in hot air with these fans and that is going to make life easier. You will be able to get things to work out for you and that is what it all comes down to. Use your bathroom fans and watch as the rooms start to get cooler over time. This is a must for those that are tired of getting hot.

4) Sleep Lower to the Ground

Yes, a lot of people are able to notice a real change in the house’s temperature when they sleep lower to the ground. This is going to be where the air is cooler and that applies to different levels of your property too (i.e. basement).

5) Turn on the AC

Well, this is a common sense tip and one that you will want to implement (if possible)!

Turning on the AC is a good way to regulate indoor temperature.

Think about these tips as you look to spend time indoors during the summer months. A lot of people hate the summer because of this feeling of getting hot and it shouldn’t be this way at all! Contact the team at Air conditioning Geelong for help and friendly advice.

Preparing for your Plumber

The good thing about getting plumbing work done is that there is a fair amount that you can do to get organised and potentially reduce the workload required of your plumber. This of course is not always the case if it is an emergency but even then, there are some things that you can do to help out and speed up the process.

Turn off the water

Whether its an emergency or not it is a great idea to get yourself prepared and turn off the water main. This is particularly important when it is a repair job as it can greatly reduce the amount of damage.

Find a good plumber

This is key, ask your friends or family if they know a good plumber who is fully licensed and insured. If that fails ask Google but make sure to look out for any reviews.

Organise the job

Communication is key when dealing with any tradie. Make sure that you have given clear instructions to what needs do be done and what time frame it needs to be done it.

Prepare the area

Do everything you can to prepare the area. If you are handy around the home this may include digging, moving tiles or simply moving furniture or other objects from the work area.

Give them space

Once they have started they will probably need some room to move. Make sure that you give them plenty of space and are not constantly hanging over their shoulder.

Good plumbers are hard to find and once you have found a good one you should do everything that you can to hold onto them as repeat work in the plumbing industry is more common than nearly all other trades. I would recommend that you pay your bill on time and do your best to be friendly to your plumber if he is a good one.

If you need a good Plumber in the Geelong area we highly recommend Plumbers Geelong.

Things to do prior to Installing solar roof panels

Before You Install Solar PanelsIf you are intending to setup solar roof panels there is a multitude of things that you need to consider.

Do you get enough Sun?

This is the simplest and yet most often overlooked question. You need to fully assess whether your homes roof gets enough sun so that you know your purchase of solar roof panels will be worthwhile. As well as assessing if you get enough sun you need to identify what part of your roof gets the most sun during the different times and seasons of the year. Identify where the best areas will be and talk to a professional roofer such as the guys from Roof Restoration South Adelaide to see if it is possible to fit solar panels to the parts of your roof that have the greatest amount of sun.

What condition is my roof in?

Think of your homes roof in terms of the length of time it’s likely to last, too. You are likely to be looking into brand new solar panels along with their warranties. Well, the last thing you want is to install those panels then must do a lot of roof work many years later. Understandably, it could be easier for you to get the roof work done first. Ensure that roof of yours is still in good enough before you even consider installing panels. Cary out any major repairs prior to installation and see a roofing professional to get an inspection of your roof.

Is there any chance of my panels getting damaged?

One of the things that can happen to solar panels is that they can be damaged by strong winds, hail storms or even falling branches. When considering where and how to install your panels you should look at what direction the strongest winds and storms come from for your location as well as potentially remove any large overhanging branches.

How do I install my solar panels?

This is an entirely personal preference and has many variables. Some of the things to consider when choosing between a professional company or a DIY project is what type of solar panels that you have and what type of access you have to your roof. Some panels are simply too large or have a complex installation procedure for you to do the installation yourself.

If you have a steep pitch roof or a double story roof it is highly recommended that you engage a professional company to do the installation for you.

Property Investment In Newcastle – Mistakes To Avoid

Property Investment

If you are brave enough to have a go at investing in property on your own, here are some tips on how to avoid common mistakes. Property investment in Newcastle is hot right now and delivering some of the best returns in the state. Particularly popular are positive geared properties and if you’re unsure, check out the team at Property Investment Newcastle for professional advice in the Newcastle area.

Lots of mistakes can and have been made by individuals in the property investment landscape. Lots of these issues can be avoided by carrying out thorough research. Talk to locals, talk to experts, check out the suburb carefully and get a feel for how the property your are interested in is positioned compared to the market overall.

You can avoid paying too much for a property by comparing it to recent sales in the surrounding areas.

Thorough property inspections are a must. Hidden problems that come out after purchasing a property can turn a potentially great investment into a disaster. If you’re keen on area such as Newcastle, seek out the services of a reliable, reputable building inspector and form a decent relationship with them. You’ll need to trust them when making investment decisions. Don’t overlook issues reported from an inspection, and try to keep emotionally detached to help you make sound decisions.

Understand the value of the property. As previously mentioned, carry out thorough research into the area you are interested in. This will aid you in determining the value of the property and help prevent you from overpaying for your investment. Enlist the aid of experts if necessary and get as knowledgable as you possibly can. The internet is a valuable source of information and sales and price history can often be found fairly easily.

Take your time with your decision (although not too much time, someone might come in before you with an offer acceptable to the vendors) and don’t rush. Pay attention to all the facts in the proposition and consider the pros and cons very carefully. Experience will help with the decision making process however if you are new to the industry, consider everything you have learnt about the property and try to make a careful assessment of the risk of the investment.

It will also help to have your finances in order before offering to purchase a property. This is very important and can assist in a speedy transaction. Seek the services of a local mortgage broker, financial advisor and of course your accountant.

There are many mistakes to be made in the property investment game. These are just a few examples and you will find that thorough homework and research coupled with experience will assist in minimising risk. Risk can also be minimised/avoided by using expert professional services such as those offered by Property Investment Newcastle.

Common Slate Roofing Installation Mistakes

I love slate roofs but it is one thing that people can screwup on. Slate roof installation or renovation isn’t your average DIY job. You need to have the right skills, knowledge and tools to do it properly, in order to make sure the roof is going to be durable and waterproof. Here are the four most common mistakes people do when installing or renovating their roofing.

1. Poor Flashing Installation

Flashing needs replacements more frequently than the roof itself. In order to reach it, you need to remove the individual slate tiles, install the new flashing, and put the tiles back in their right positions. When the slate isn’t properly installed, it may lead to broken slate tiles. The consequence will be a leaking roof.

2. Cracked Slate Tiles

Some slate tiles and more vulnerable than others. Eventually, they are all prone to breaking. This is why you have to avoid walking on your slate roof during installation or maintenance and repair works.
A damage to a slate roof may not be obvious right off the bat, but will cause a lot of hassle a few years later, when your roof is going to suffer water damage.
Prevent such situations by using scaffolding and hook ladders to get to the roof.
If walking on the roof is a must, the professional slate tradesperson will know the correct way to do it without affecting the slates.

3. Motley Or Stained Roof Colour

Your slate roof tiles may have slight differences in colour from one pallet to the other, even though, in theory, they should be similar. This happens quite often in case of low quality suppliers.
Homeowners who lack experience can’t notice such issues. On the contrary, a slate roof specialist will know how to blend the tiles in a way that’s esthetically appealing even when such colour differences exist.
There are some slate types that develop rust-like stains over time. This is something you should discuss with your slate roofing specialist before buying them.
It would be a shame to have to replace your roof at some point in time only because you don’t like its colour anymore.

4. Wrong Headlap Positioning

Headlap is a technical term describing how the head of the slate tile is overlapped by the adjacent courses of slate tiles.
When the headlap is correct, water can’t enter your house. The standard headlap is three inches, but this value may vary with the roof pitch and the

specific climate conditions in your area. This is why you need help from a professional slate tradesperson in order to avoid water damage and leaking roofing.

This is a slate roof done properly by Gerard at slateroofingsydney.com.au

Roof Restorations in Geelong

Roof Restoration Geelong At Home in the CoveThis blog post is not really related to my renovations and my super duper investment property. But it sort of is. This article is about the guys from Roof Restoration Geelong and how to provide a proper professional service.

Firstly, yes, another plug for a local business (maybe I should have my site themed around local business reviews), but I feel that small local business have it tough (I know, I used to own one and now have another) and need as much help as they can. So if someone in Geelong reads this article and finds it appropriate to give the guys a call at Roof Restoration Geelong, then my goal has been kicked.

Having just had my roof restored, I’m also somewhat of an authority on roof restorations and related work (hahaha just kidding – I’m no authority at all).

I honestly think that the roof is one of the most important component to a building. When you think about it, yeah I know – whoever thinks about roofs right, but going back in history, the one component of any habitable place or structure was a roof. For example, a cave, a hut, a gazebo, etc., etc. So there’s no need to build a case about how important a roof is, but when I think about things I need to do around the house, roof maintenance never comes to mind. That’s just me. And my mates – we never talk “roofs” while we’re having a beer. I guess roofers and their mates do.

So my point is sometimes your roof is worth thinking about and some maintenance is in order. Like anything, and this is the crazy part, a roof neglected and left not looked after for years and years will result in a hefty project at some point. And with hefty projects comes hefty price tags.

A Geelong local roofing company called Roof Restoration Geelong pointed out some of these tips and more whilst on a job at my mate’s place, funnily enough, in Geelong. I recently caught up with my mate for a few beers and his experience with this company came up in conversation (hahaha turns out we do need to talk more about roofs when having a beer with mates!) and he had nothing for praise for them. Being a small business, I then asked my mate to send me an email with some of the finer details so I could chuck up a blog post about them. Little did I know he would send me an essay, but I’ll condense it here for the benefit of the casual reader.

My mate has a decent size house in Geelong so consequently the roof is quite large. As with most buildings in Geelong, the place is getting a bit aged and the roof especially is dated. The roof is a tiled roof and the there are some broken/cracked tiles, along with some ridge capping that needs re-doing but it’s mostly the look of the roof my mate wasn’t happy about.

In come Roof Restoration Geelong and Simon. First thing he did was took time to listen to the concerns my mate had and take notes (very unusual I know). He seemed intent on knowing exactly what the issues were that my mate thought and what other things he would like addressed. Following the discussion, Simon was up on the roof in a flash and checking out things that I’m sure are best left for the professionals.

Following the inspection was another discussion about findings. Thankfully for my mate it wasn’t going to be too bad for him. A day or two later and he received an email with a quote attached. Easy as!

The rest is history. The quote was accepted, and the job done as planned and exactly to the quote. No hidden surprises and the guys finished off by cleaning everything up behind them.

Shout out to a very professional outfit, thank you Roof Restoration Geelong. Other roofing services that they provide include;

  • Gutter repairs, replacements and installations
  • Roof repairs
  • New roofs and roof replacements
  • Roof cleaning
  • Roof painting
  • Roof restorations.