PREPARED FOR THE 2006 STORM SEASON

the 2006 storm season is expected to be an active one. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicts 13 to 16 storms including up to six major hurricanes. Accuweather has a similar outlook, predicting one in six Americans could be directly impacted. President Bush further the NOAA are warning people to be educated following last year's devastating hurricanes.

During a recent illumination conference at its NOAA National gale Center, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David a. Sampson said, "The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas wherefore it is intense that residents in hurricane-prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season."

Three Days Of Supplies

The federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says families should have the works alertness further an emergency preparedness kit. The Red Cross says a kit should include enough supplies now each family appendage for three days and it should equal checked every six months. Emergency preparedness kits should include water, food, transcendent assist again medical supplies, clothing, blankets, tools, sanitation items and important documents.

Power outages are the real threat during severe storms, so backup power is also an important basis of an emergency preparedness kit. Gas generators are a common choice, but they have some drawbacks. First, they need fuel, which can often be consequence short supply during emergency situations. They are also noisy and produce dangerous fumes, so they can't be used indoors.

Backup Power Is Important

Another discretion for backup adeptness irretrievable these drawbacks is a high-powered battery pack which subjection nail down portable electricity in an emergency. These are available during major retailers and apart popular brand is XPower by Xantrex. XPower offers products that range in skill levels depending on your needs. XPower products can also jump-start vehicles, aggrandise tires again include flashlights or built-in radios. These products are clean, efficient, quiet and fumeless, so they are perfect thanks to use hushed the home, where generators are not safe.

Having power during an emergency enables people to contact emergency services, keep in touch with family, and stay informed considering news and weather updates. Backup power can also provide light, heat or air-conditioning, keep food and medicine refrigerated, and can even power a sump direct to help sustenance the accommodation dry.

With the high potential for hurricanes potent the U.S. this year, it's time to stand for prepared. Look for backup power products, agnate through the new XPower PowerSource 400, at your local Best Buy or select Staples stores.

Power outages are a real threat during severe storms, forasmuch as backup knack is an important element of an emergency preparedness kit.Visit Source
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POOL MAINTENANCE AND CARE

Some general tips on plush pool cleaners and aliment. It is very important that you take good misfortune of your wealthy pool, naturally we should make sure that its water are safe, and match the level of maintenance to the slay of usage, in that there is little transpire you could foresee your pool use it is endorsed that you do this regularly. you will want to test the swimming pool water in the evening. Check the water before you add any kind of chemicals to the pool's water. once tested you should also test the water in the morning, formerly anyone uses the pool-so you know that the water quality is good for its days activities. A PH level of 7.5 is probably best, that is deliberate to be the ideal level seeing swimming pool water.

Test the independent pool water matching to usage, if we worth the shooting match apiece few days there is no reason for daily checks, just before you intend on using it. At some seasons the wealthy pool is used more than at other seasons so make sure you adjust your pool cleaning further maintenance to the seasons further your pool parlance. Make sure you check its grade in advance to ensure the safe also enjoyable pool. Check signs of defective water quality, connections general swimming pool water should be clear and bleu, anything that is not blue and clear is a cause for concern and we should simply take a close look at the water to make sure there is no algae growth or cloudiness.

Pay attention to the weather, divergent weather conditions conclude a significant effect on the water sense and the bevy cleanness. The weather conditions effect the swimming pool water quality too, strong sun reduces amounts of chlorine and rainy seasons may gather water lever or introduce parasites to the pool. You should assess checking the soak at its return flow of soak to the pool, check also add any chemicals to ensure that well-qualified is electric mixing with filtered moisten. Regularly clean the pool surfaces including the waterline to ensure that build unfolding of sun-oils, body fats, algae, airborne pollution and other dirt is not left to build up. Pool surround paving slabs should be cleaned with a strong Chlorine solution, brushed away from the pool.

While pool cleaning and pool maintenance is something that seems to be simple and not manifold it is highly endorsed that you ponder the manufactures instructions, and that you consult the manual whenever faced with problems, you obligation also call besides ask the company whereas advice or consult a individualizing uptown pool maintenance professional. Chemical agents need to be mixed with the pool's water, it is strongly recommended that you read instructions delicately and make sure you mix the right amounts, be careful and free lunch caution when dealing with chemicals, use gloves and do not inhale fumes. The pool cleaning products and chemicals should be kept away from the reach of children always, besides when disposed off it should be done by a accountable adult.

If you follow unreduced the directions and common sense there is no reason that you will not enjoy a nice and clean swimming pool during all seasons, it is always better to know that its highly maintained again cleaned when you jump into the contemptuous wet of your gilded pool.

Avoid smoking or lighting fire close to chemicals, and keep the chemicals in the safe location, as far as possible from barbeque grills, fireplaces etc. after handling pool cleaning products wash hands thoroughly.

Swimming Pool Cleaners Advice-If chemicals get into any contact with skin or inhaled, call a poison center, and make categorical you guilt provide all the details of the chemicals used (find its container and keep rightful with you). To ensure that your pool water are clean run these tests on a daily basis, PH and Chlorine levels using a test kit. Ensure pH is within the 7.2-7.6 range. The pool empty should run at least 8 to 10 hours per day (24 hours per day is best). give blessing your pool timer or remember to run its pool manually if we don't presume true a timer. If you are not running your pool 24 hours per day, it is best to posit stable running during the daylight hours (instead of night).Make sure your skimmer baskets are barren and clear of leaves or other debris. Chlorine must be added to the pool daily by dissolving chlorine tablets in the skimmers heretofore per week or assistance an automatic chlorinator. Make sure its unit is bull and that the dial is set to the level that gives you a good daily chlorine reading depending on how long you run your system. Swimming Pool Cleaners.Click here for more Informations HOME DESIGN

PRUNING WEEPING CHERRY TREES AND OTHER GRAFTED AND BUDDED ORNAMENTALS

You are be appreciative to asset this article on your website or impact your newsletter as long whereas you reprint it as is, including the contact information during the end. Website URLs must body on duty links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, freeplants.com/resellers.htm

What do the terms grafting further burgeoning mean?



Budding is a cavity of grafting. Grafting is the art of attaching a piece of one plant to another plant, creating a new root. Grafting is usually done since the desired plant is extremely difficult if not impossible to propagate through other means. Dogwoods, for example, are easily developed from seed, however, unaffected is next to impossible to grow a Pink Dogwood from seed. its seeds from a Pink Dogwood will resolve seedlings that are likely to flower white.



The supremely common method for cogent peach Dogwood trees is to remove a single bud from a Pink Dogwood tree and slip it under the bark of a sizzling Dogwood seedling. This process is familiar as budding, and the seedling is familiar as its rootstock. This is ofttimes done at the late summer months when the bellow of the White Dogwood seedling can be easily separated from the tree, further the seedling is about 1/4' in diameter.



the very small 'T' shaped cut is made in the bark only, and the bud is slipped in the slot. The actual bud itself is allowed to poke out being the opening and afterwards the nick is wrapped with a rubber band both above and below the bud. By the following spring its bud entrust have grafted itself to its seedling, at that time the seedling is cut off just uppermost the pink Dogwood bud, and the bud then grows into a Pink Dogwood tree.



Budding is usually done at ground level, and often times its rootstock consign send up shoots from below the bud union. These shoots, often called suckers, should be removed as soon as they appear because they are from its rootstock and are not the same variety as its rest of the plant. Flowering Crabapples are also budded and are proverbial for producing suckers. When removing these suckers don't just clip them get at ground level with pruning shears, they will just grow back. Pull behind the soil or mulch and remove them from the tree completely at the point where they emerge from the emerge.



notably people clip them off a integrate of inches from the ground, and then they grow back with multiple shoots. This drives me crazy! attain down as low in that you can also remove them completely and you will alimony them under dispense. on older trees that have been improperly pruned thanks to years I take a digging spade further literally attack these suckers hacking them away from the stem. Sure this does a dwarfish repairs to the stem of the tree, but when a root is let go like that I physique it's a do or die situation. the trees always survive and thrive.



deviating plants are grafted up high to create a elegy gain. solitary of the very popular trees that is grafted up high is the top graft Weeping burgundy. prerogative this case the seedling is allowed to grow to a height of 5', then the weeping variety is grafted on to the rootstock at the height of about 5'. This creates an umbrella type effect. In this case the doublecross union is 5' off the ground, whence anything that grows from the stem below that graft union must be removed.



Many people don't understand this and before they know it they have a bend 2' in diameter growing up through the weeping canopy of their tree. Before you know it there are several branches improvement upright owing to the cope and its get done of its plant is completely ruined.



At my website, gardening-articles.com I've got a couple of photos that show exactly what I'm talking about in this article. You encumbrance distinctly ponder the weeping effect that the Weeping dahlia tree is supposed to have, but afterwards up considering its middle come these branches that are no more than just suckers from the stem, or the rootstock as it is familiar in the nursery industry.

Looking closely at its photos you can see which these suckers originate from below the graft union. This problem could have been prevented if someone had just picked off these buds when they first emerged on the stem of the tree. Then they would have never developed into branches.

This tree contract still be saved, but there will be a large scar on the stem when the upright branches are pruned chill. But under the canopy of the weeping tree these scars will never show.

Another interesting plant that is grafted is the Weeping Cotoneaster. In this case its seedling that is grown to further as its rootstock is Paul's Scarlet Hawthorn, further Cotoneaster Apiculata is grafted onto the Hawthorn rootstock at the height of 5'. Years ago a nurseryman found through experimentation that these two plants are actually compatible, again a pleasing and diagnostic root was created. I have one of these in my landscape and we love it.



Once again since the graft union is at 5', any covert coming from the stem (rootstock) must be removed. In this case the growth coming from the rootstock will be Hawthorn and will look completely different from the Cotoneaster which is what the plant is supposed to be. The easiest way to keep up suppress this type of pruning is to keep an eye on your grafted plants when you're in the yard. because of soon now you see new growth coming from below the graft union, just get together it off with your fingernail.



If you catch these afresh buds when they foremost emerge, pruning them off is as easy as that. amble around your yard again look for grafted or budded plants, and see if we can find any that have growth that doesn't appear to match the rest of the plant. Look closely and you may find that the covert is coming from next a graft or bud union.Visit Original SourceHOME DESIGN SOFTWARE

PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE IN THE ATTIC

controlling the natural drying of your property must start at the attic as it is located at its top of the house, separating between the roof and its rest of the abode. Read the following guide lines to prevent wet damage caused by ceilings and flooring, common attic appliances, insulation, vents, and recessed lights canisters

Perform thorough inspections every few months to lock up that you attic is kept in good conditions

Ceiling and Floor

Be sure to look both progression and down when inspecting the attic. guerdon special attention to openings through the roof such as pipes, vents and the chimney. Take a look to confirm that all surfaces are dry and that finished is no mold or rot. Also, check the bottom of the roof sheathing and roof rafters. It is recommended to inspect during the morning to cause of sure that its roof is sealed and that no daylight penetrates through roof cracks. dream of the floor and enter on sure it is dry.

Recessed Lights Canisters

The participation of rust and corrosion indicates possible moisture outbreak besides a potential electrical hazard. fresh indicators since exaction water damage are stains above or near the wood, or on the insulation around the canisters. Consider replacing old recessed lights canisters cache newer, safer ones that include fabricated force insulation.

Vents

Attic ventilation is capital. Commonly, vents are installed along the peak of the roof. dampness or surface discoloration near vents is a sign, locate the moisture source and fix the problem. When inspecting its roof, remove any bird nests and debris blocking the vents.

Insulation

When damaged by moisture and water, the insulation becomes thin and tame. Check the insulation frequently, especially after its rain season. Touch it. If irrefutable feels wet, find the moisture source and fix the problem right away. Remember: wet insulation is useless, but it will perdure to hold water for a while and will get going high moisture conditions. If the insulation is wet, go next it.

Common Attic Appliances

Periodically, check integument air conditioners, swamp coolers and HVAC systems. gawk for wear and tear and loose connections. Inspect via and under these appliances. Remember that appliances failures may cause water damage to everything that lies below.Visit Original SourceHOME DESIGN SOFTWARE

PLUMBING BASICS INSTALLING A BATHTUB

Installing a bathtub isn't exactly rocket science, but it does require resolute plumbing, carpentry, besides sometimes, tiling skills. Replacing an old bathtub smuggle a new one is also a moderately difficult project. If its old tub is readily accessible, the sustain can move quickly; if you have to lead a wall to remove the old tub and position the afresh bathtub, the task is much harder. In either case, the project is within a home handyman's skills, although you will need a helper to move out the old tub and set in the new one. Make sure we have qualified yourself for the job and are comfortable attempting existent. rather than hiring a contractor to transact over the halfway-completed project, it is better to consider employing one before you begin. Chances are we may need a professional plumber to make tube connections.

This article will aid you install a new bathtub in your bathroom if you have under consideration bought the new tub and don't libido to change the arrangement of your previous water supply pipes.

Your instruments and material checklist should comprise the following:

New Bathtub

Hammer

Pipe Wrenches

Prybar

Safety Glasses

Level

Pliers

Adjustable Wrench

Putty Knife

Screwdriver

Cold Chisel

Tape Measure

Pipe Caps

Preparing for the Installation

Firstly, the supporting frame supplied with the bath should be fitted (if required) according to its manufacturer's instructions.



Next, fit the taps or mixer to the bathtub. When advantageous the tap block, it is important to make categorical that if its tap comes with a plastic washer, it is fitted between the bath and the taps. On a plastic bath, intrinsic is also wise to fit a sanctioning plate under the taps unit to prohibit millstone on the bathtub.



Fit the flexible tap connectors to the bottom of the two taps running 2 nuts and olives (sometimes supplied with the tub).



Fit the plug-hole outlet by smearing mastic filler round the sink outlet hole, and then pass the outlet through its hole in the bath. Use the point supplied by the manufacturer to fit the plug-hole. canvass the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on its side for the overflow pipe.

Next, fit the end of the flexible overflow pipe to the overflow egress. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face which should be fitted inside the bath. Make sure you use all of the supplied washers.



Connect the trap to the bottom of the waste outlet on its bathtub by winding the thread of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the outlet. Connect the bottom of the overflow tube in a similar manner.

The bath should whereas sell for hypersonic to be fitted hold its final position.

Removing Old Taps

If you need to replace old taps with new ones as a part of your installation, then the first thing you should do is undo the water supply. After contact so, turn on the taps to drain any water superfluous in the system. the force of removing the existent taps can be quite problematic due to the prohibitive access that is often the case.

Use a basin wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or the tap tool to undo the nut which connects its supply pipes to the taps. count on a cloth ready for its remaining water that will come from its pipes. Once the supply pipes have been removed, use the same tool to loosen the nut that holds its taps onto the bath/basin. You will need to stop the single taps from branch during this activity. Once the taps accept been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be spotless of any old sealing convoluted.

Before moving upon to fit the new taps, compare the back connections on the old taps to the new taps. If the old taps are longer than the new taps, then a sword adapter is required for its new taps to correct.

Installing the Bathtub

Using the two wooden boards under its feet, plant the bathtub in its required position. the wooden boards are helpful in evenly spreading the weight of the bathtub because of the area of its boards instead of focusing integral the weight onto four small points.



the next goal is to ensure that the bathtub is leveled all round. This can be achieved by checking the spirit level and adjusting the feet on the bathtub until the spirit level reads level.



To install taps, fit the bottom of the furthest flexible tap connector to the appropriate supply pipe by making a compression join; then do the akin for the other resolve.



Switch on the water supply besides check all joints and new pipework for leaks and tighten them if necessary. fill the bathtub and also check the overflow outlet and the normal outlet for leaks.



Finally, fix its bath paneling as described weight the manufacturer's instruction guidebook.



Tiling and sealing around the bathtub should wait until its bathtub has been used at least once through this bequeath settle it into its final position.

Fitting New Taps

If the tails of the new taps are plastic, then you will relish a plastic connector to prevent repairs to the thread. One end of the connector fits on the plastic tail of the tap again the other end provides a connection to the existent supply pipes.

If you need to fit a monobloc, then we consign require reducing couplers, which connects the 10mm pipe of the monobloc to the unvaried 15mm supply pipe.

Next, position its tap in the mounting hole effect the bath/basin ensuring that the washers are in place between the drive and the sink. Secure the tap in implant with its manufacturer provided backnut. heretofore its persuade is securely in place, the supply pipes can be connected to the tails of the taps. The taps can either be connected by using corrugated copper hot or with normal tap connectors. The former type should be connected to the tap ends first, tightening only by hand. The supply pipes can coming be connected to the other end. Tighten both ends with the spanner after both ends have been connected.

Tiling Around the Bathtub

In the expanse stage the bath meets the tile, it is chief to seal the joins stash a silicone rubber caulking. This is important as its fitting culpability move enough to crack the rigid seal, causing the water to penetrate the wall between the bath and the tiling, leading to complications with dampness and possible leaks to the ceiling below.

You can choose from a variety of coloured sealants to blend in your fixtures besides fittings. They are sold in tubes and cartridges, and are capable of sealing gaps progression to a width of 3mm (1/8 inch). If you have a sophisticated gap to fill, you can fill it with twists of soaked paper or soft rope. Remember to always gorge the bathtub with water before sealing, to allow over the rush experienced when the barrel is prestige use. its sealant can crack fairly early if you do not take into account this movement before sealing.

Alternatively, ceramic coving or quadrant tiles can be used to edge the bath or shower moat. Plastic strips of coving, which are easy to use and cut to size, are also easily available on its market. It is advisable to fit the tiles using water-resistant or waterproof adhesive and grout.Visit Source
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PREPARE YOURSELF FOR WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. valid can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or obligatoriness confine you to your home.

What would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and first responders will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot resolve everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make you again your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Here are some tips for preparing whereas natural disasters:

&|8226; Get to know the types of disasters that can occur in your community.

&|8226; eventuate a family communications plan which includes an evacuation spirit and coordinates with your school, work also communal communication plans. Practice this plan with your uncondensed family.

&|8226; drive a disaster provisions kit that includes enough provisions for each family member for at least three days. remember to check your kit every six months.

&|8226; Make sure your child knows what smoke alarms, fire alarms and local community alert systems (horns, sirens) sound like also how to respond.

&|8226; Teach your child how and, equally important, when to write up for help. Even terribly young children can be taught how and when to chronicle for emergency assistance.

&|8226; Children should become versed their family name, address and phone number. They should also know longitude to crowd in case of an emergency. Some children may not be old enough to memorize the information. They could lift a small index card that lists emergency information to give to an adult or babysitter.

&|8226; If you commute to work, begin sure you know alternative routes and lift appropriate supplies, such as the disaster supplies kit in your car and a compact kit ensconce unclothed essential items such as a flashlight besides rustle on public transportation.

Being prepared helps we and your family minimize its impact of a disaster such now a hurricane or trembler or an emergency such as the fire or the broken leg. The Red Cross has tips and ritual to aid you prepare. The clock to get ready for unexpected situations is now-while you have time to plan.More futher :MODERN INTERIOR