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Home Improvement Tips
- Choosing Colours
- Common Plumbing Problems
- Interior Design and Decorating Tips
- Hiring a Painter and Decorator
- Wallpaper Types
- Tips for Choosing a Electrician
Gardening Tips
- Attract Wildlife to your Garden
- Create a Butterfly Garden
- Gardens and Children
- Landscaping your Garden
- Make Your Own Compost
- Create Healthy Soil For Your Garden
- Common Australian Garden Pests and Pest Control
- Garden Types
- Growing Herbs in Your Garden
- Save Water and Consume Less Water
- Container Vegetable Gardening
- Tips to Saving Costs in Landscaping
- Choosing Your Landscaper
- Comparing Landscapers
Swimming Pool Tips
- Choosing your Swimming Pool
- Handy Tips to Save on Swimming Pool Construction
- Swimming Pool Contractors: Points to Consider When Hiring
- Pool Safety
- Spa, Jacuzzi or Hot Tub
- The Cost of Constructing your Swimming Pool
- In Ground Swimming Pools
- Above Ground Swimming Pools
- Swimming Pool Construction in Australia
- Above Ground Swimming Pools
- Swimming Pool Construction in Australia
Removals Tips
A collection of home improvement, garden or pool tips contributed by our visitors: |
|
Name: |
AZ-Tech Lifestyle Concept |
Title: |
Deck Safety Checklist |
Tip: |
Common shortcuts to look for with your deck supplier • The use of cut price (poor quality) materials that reduces the longevity of the structure and creates unforseen hazards • The use of timber species unsuited for the purpose • Decks built without council approval risking substandard materials and workmanship Materials recommended for optimum decking safety • Premium quality box section steel framing such as Stratco Outback or Pro-beam eliminates the risk of fixings coming loose • Steel deck framing does not split, warp, crack, twist, or rot and fixings do not come loose. Pre-finished Colourbond (available in a range of colours) greatly reduces maintenance that is otherwise often carried out by a home owner without professional knowledge of safe work practices What questions should you ask a decking company before you sign a contract? 1. What are the Guarantees on each and every component of the deck? 2. Who backs these Guarantees? 3. What evidence can the company provide to demonstrate that it is sufficiently big and stable to back their Guarantees over time (* avoid backyard operations whose promises don't protect the purchaser) 4. Is the company licensed to build decks? 5. If the company is also building a patio roof for you, are they fully licensed for both types of work and can they build both as a single integrated and seamless project. The various license categories force some firms to outsource part of the work and that reduces control and warranty protection. All components need to be compatible to to prevent chemical reactions between materials so as not to risk corrosion. 6. Ask to see a deck built by the company, (remembering that the true quality of the work becomes clear only over time) What are the signs that a deck may need attention? 1. Loose floor boards or loose, wobbly handrails 2. Split or cracked components 3. Deteriorated ends of structural members 4. Anything that is not straight and true 5. Corrosion of steel 6. Evidence of Ant or Termite activity 7. Stairs or stair treads that are loose, not flat or wobbly 8. Moisture on the side of joints that may indicate evidence of rot 9. Soil has been allowed to build up around the base of posts 10. It is an unapproved structure or there is no evidence available of approval What ongoing maintenance of a deck do you recommend? 1. Quality Oil Based Preservatives on timber deck surfaces and quality paint on timber handrails 2. Ensure nails are tight and punched down on the deck surface 3. Regularly check and retighten all bolts 4. Replace deteriorated components without delay – don’t wait for an incident 5. Have suspect components inspected by a licensed Building Inspector or Builder 6. Vermin prevention and control |
Name: |
Michael Peters |
Title: |
Master Painter, Courtney and Wise, Sydney, Australia |
Tip: |
An Essential Tool A simple and too often overlooked item in any painter’s toolbox is an old, soft cotton rag.
Hmm… with so many uses, you might need two! |
Name: |
Lindsay |
Title: |
Pool Contracts |
Tip: |
Before signing on the dotted line, be sure to read the fine print. Ask for all hidden costs to be identified and written into the contract. Ask if overburden removal is included in the site works, also the need for pool only soakwells. These two alone could add thousands to the installation costs. |
Name: |
Steve |
Title: |
Help Weeding |
Tip: |
Weed-proof membranes help to stop weeds from growing between your flowerbeds. Lay the the membrane below a mulch such as woodchips,gravel or bark. The best type is woven polypropylene as this lets water through. To plant, just cut the fabric. |
Name: |
Victoria |
Title: |
Pest management |
Tip: |
An important step forward in pest management is to maintain or create healthy soil. It produces more healthy plants, which should be better able to withstand disease and even insect damage. |
Name: |
Tom |
Title: |
Easy compost in bag |
Tip: |
To make easily transportable compost, put all weeds into a black plastic bag. Cut small holes in the bottom. Pour some water in the bag. When weeds are dry, seal the bag with a tie. |
Name: |
Joseph |
Title: |
Soak cartridge |
Tip: |
When cleaning cartridge filters, soak them in a cleaning solution for 24 hours, then hose them off before reinstalling. |
Name: |
Caroline Bergstijn |
Title: |
Conserve water |
Tip: |
Mulch your flower beds and trees with 3" of organic material - it conserves water, adds humus and nutrients, and discourages weeds. It gives your beds a nice, finished appearance. |
