If you are planning on attempting a small DIY concrete job it is extremely important that you calculate the correct amount of concrete to order. Concrete is always ordered in cubic meters.

First off you need to identify what the new concrete area will be used for.

ie: Footpath, garden shed, driveway

Different concrete applications require different thickness’s.

Use this as a basic guide for square and rectangle areas

Footpath – 80mm thick
Small shed slab – 80mm thick
Driveway for standard size cars – 100mm

Use the formula below -

L = Length W= Width H = Height or thickness

(L) x (W) x (H)

driveway:

If the driveway is 5 meters long x 4 meters x 100mm thick

5×4x.1= 2 cubic meters of concrete required

The same formula can be applied to strip footings, steps etc.
To work out the required concrete for a triangle area the formula is as follows:

1/2 = half B = base H = height

1/2 (B)x(H) this gives you the square meters of the area, with this square meter amount the cubic meter volume can then be worked out

If a triangle has a base length of 5 meters and a height of 4 meters the equation would look like this

2.5×4 = 10 sq meters (2.5 is half of the base height being 5)

Now that we have the square meters of the triangle area we can work out the cubic meter volume

10 (sq mtrs) x.1 = 1 cubic meter

There are quite a few different types of concretes available inc. plain, coloured, exposed aggregate, terrazzo, limestone, light weight, eco concrete etc

There are a few main factors which affect the type of concrete required. Different applications may require more strength or a large aggregate size etc

For a standard driveway the type of concrete you would order is 25/14/80

25 = 25 MPa 14 = 14 mm aggregate size 80 = 80 slump

For a footpath the type of concrete required would be 20/14/80

For footing the mix would be 25/14,20/80

During winter or colder months the mix would also need to be a “Winter mix”. A winter mix has a low dose of accelerant in it to help speed up the curing time.

During summer a decellerant may need to be used to slow the concrete curing time down.

Paying careful attention to the points listed will help the DIY to not only save money on over ordering concrete but choosing the correct type of concrete to order.

http://www.davincioutdoor.com.au

The best way to deal with a pothole is to catch it early. The faster the problem is addressed, the less of a problem it will be. Both asphalt potholes and concrete potholes are the inevitable result of rain. Rain helps breakdown the surface of asphalt and concrete. Pavement is always under pressure and hairline cracks soon grow. With continued stress and water, small chunks are worked loose and are eventually pulled out of the surface by vehicle tires. This becomes a pothole which will continue to grow until it is fixed.

Tip # 1 Repair the Pothole As Soon As Possible
There are three main types of pothole repair products– cold asphalt, hot asphalt, and polyurethane. Longer-lasting than cold asphalt, hot asphalt is mixed around 350 F. The repair and compaction must be done while the asphalt is still hot. Asphalt potholes cannot be repaired with hotmix in rainy weather. Cold asphalt is mixed and used at lower temperature than hot asphalt. Cold asphalt is easy to work, compact and repair potholes with, but does not last as long as other repairs. It also needs time to dry and solidify. The sooner it is exposed to water the faster it will fail. Polyurethane repairs are done in any season provided the pothole can be dried. Although they can be more costly up front, polyurethane repairs last longer.

Tip # 2 Repair the Pothole with a Polyurethane Repair Product
While polyurethane repairs are the only option in wet weather, the surface still must be dried thoroughly. If you can catch a lull in the rain, use a butane torch to dry the area completely before mixing your materials.

Tip # 3 Dry the Pothole with a Torch
If you cannot wait for a break in the rain, or rain starts during your repair, use some kind of Easy-up or shade to keep the rain off and dry the pothole.

Tip # 4 Cover the Pothole with a Sun Shade or Easy-Up If Rain Starts
To begin the repair of an asphalt pothole or concrete pothole repair, use Roklin’s FloMix for Asphalt repair and FlexSet for concrete. Both FloMix and FlexSet provide a fast-setting repair with almost no interruption of service. Once the damaged area is clean and dry, sweep or blow out cracks so there is no loose debris. If you have a blower or compressor available, use that. Place the aggregate provided in the FloMix or FlexSet package to fill in some of the pothole, without going above the damaged area. Stay within about one half to one inch from the surface.

Using the polyurethane repair material, carefully pour contents of bottle “a” into provided 5-gallon bucket then add special sand and aggregate. Next, shake bottle “b” thoroughly and pour into mixture. Mix with a paddle-mixer, using a drill. (For very large jobs, we recommend using a motorized pail mixer). When mixture is completely wet, pour FloMix onto asphalt pothole repair or FlexSet into your concrete pothole repair and use a trowel or lute to smooth material into cracks. When damaged area becomes sufficiently smooth, toss topping sand by hand over repaired area to create a uniform look and feel. The new pothole repair can be ready for traffic in less than an hour.

FlexSet and FloMix asphalt for asphalt pothole repair and concrete pothole repair are available for purchase through the Roklin web site at www.roklinsystems.com or call 1-888-FlexSet. Other concrete and asphalt repair materials are also available.

You’ll need to think about how to keep your enthusiasm going when learning how to build a deck step by step, so here’s some things that will keep you going. If you’re building a deck for your own home, the process can really be fun.

Deciding on Materials

Setting up string line and pacing dimensions can be done relatively quickly. If your configuration isn’t correct, just move a stake or two until it’s where you like it. Once the outline of the deck is established, the next thing is to decide on the materials for the decking surface.

Sometimes the type of decking you’ll go with will depend on the availability of the materials. In some areas of the country, 2″ redwood decking is more prevalent than spruce, and other localities might have stacks of 2″ doug fir at a great price.

Know Your Measurements

It’s always better to have more square footage material for your deck surface when deciding on decking material. This is what’s referred to as allowable waste, and if you’re not completely familiar with how to build a deck, step by step, you’re going to find this is a smart calculation.

Everything looks fine on paper, but once the project is underway, you’ll have a few odd cuts here and there, and maybe decide to run some extra blocking under the barbecue area.

Get a Little More Wood Than You Need

The 2″ deck joists, 4″ girders and posts and 2″ bracing are readily available, and they can be figured relatively close in terms of overall footage. Some like to add an extra joist and a couple of 2×4’s for the same reason they factor 5% over on decking.

However, if one already knows how to build a deck, step by step, that same person knows, a little extra is better than being short. If you don’t want to run out of framing material, consider this an insider tip.

Post anchors, post hole mix and metal post anchors can be bought anywhere building materials are sold.

The layout of the girders will determine the layout of the concrete footings for the girder posts. A good rule of thumb to employ is not to us anything over 8′ span when it comes to posts and girders that support the deck joist.

Attaching the Deck to the House

If the overall measurement happens to leave 10′ at one end, simply add another post. If the deck attaches to the house, and the distance from that point to the outside edge of the deck is 16′ or less, you will need one girder. The deck will need 2 girders if the distance is 18′. Handrails are a consideration in terms of materials needed in building a deck.

Beware of Building Codes

The building code in many localities specifies, where the deck surface is less than 18″ above the grade, handrails are not required. If you’re planning on having handrails, the intermediate rails or vertical balusters cannot have more than 4″ open space between them.

The department of buildings has specifications outlining how to build a deck step by step. After the layout of the deck, the next step in how to build a deck step by step is the concrete post footings and girder posts.

All you need are a chalk line and a saw to trim the edge of the deck. This is the part of the project where one can get the shape of deck to their complete liking.

Planning on building a deck from scratch or maybe you just want to learn how to build woodworking projects? Having the right downloadable woodworking plans is crucial. Download over 14,000 woodworking plans with easy step by step instructions with this easy to follow blueprint. If you want to learn how to build sheds from scratch, visit My Shed Plans.

Patios are a beautiful concept of building an outdoor sitting arrangement which can be as luxurious as the insides of the house. There are millions of patio ideas which people use to beautify the space in their backyards which is usually never used other than for barbecues. Sometimes people who have smaller backyards, think they can’t do much with it because of limited space. But patios look the best, when they are built in cozy areas with concrete tiles and luscious green lawns. You can also make use of garden ideas for small backyards, to give the garden a beautiful landscaped look in the form of a patio. Thus, if you love building and landscaping there are some great patio ideas for small backyards mentioned in the coming up paragraphs just for you!

Patio Design Ideas

When you think of a small backyard in your home, it is obvious to run out of ideas on how to redesign it. Some like to make a tiny garden out of it so that there are ornamental plants which can grow around along with a small lawn. But making a garden would take double the amount of time, money, space and efforts than building a patio with furniture and potted plants to decorate it. There are so many designs which one can use in order to recreate attractive patio ideas for small spaces, which also make your home look complete and cozy. There are also a number of shapes and sizes that can be used to incorporate these economical and smart patio ideas within a limited space. Thus, if you are waiting to find out what these patio ideas for small backyards could be, read on and find out.

Water Additions
One of the most elegant addition to a small backyard to be made attractive is to build a patio with a fountain or a pond in it. There is no requirement of building large water bodies, but a simple vertical fountain surrounded with brick patio designs and potted plants like palms would just do the charm. Use concrete tiles to give it a more natural look and add bamboo furniture for the seating (a cane swing looks lovely). You can also use different styles of patio umbrellas for relaxing purposes. This way, your small backyard wouldn’t look small anymore and still get a very unique natural and cozy feeling to it.

Shady Patios
If you want a garden in your small backyard, you can simply have the best made in the smallest of spaces. There are many patio ideas for small gardens where you can first lay the floor of the patio with either stone or concentrate tiles and then build a 2 to 3 feet tall deck around it. This will not only personalize the space but make it useful for placing a fire pit too. To create a shady surrounding in your backyard patio, you can either plant fast growing colorful perennials (takes longer), or keep potted palms around the area. Add a wooden privacy fence and grow a few creepers on it.

Stone Patios
If you want to have a lovely looking stone landscape in your backyard, all you have to do is build it! The beauty of having stone patio ideas for small backyards is that, even though the space is limited you can create an absolute natural environment around it. Using stone tiles for stone patio designs is the best thing to do, as it will contribute majorly to the effect. As mentioned above, you can build a half sized wall to make an enclosure, where your patio furniture or fire pit can be seated. With the help of some beautiful perennials, you can definitely make the whole backyard look like a beautiful interior of woods (like a movie set!).

With these great patio ideas for small backyards you can surely guess, that you don’t need a huge sea facing mansion to build a royal and luxurious patio. Just a simple home with a backyard and an idea is more than enough to make it luxurious!

If, like me, you love to entertain, dine, cook, relax and just live in your own outdoor living area during the warm seasons, you have probably pored over all the magazines that display the wide range of gorgeous options available, creased the corners of pages and made plans in your head for the dream patio that will be yours one day. All that is required to achieve that dream is the appropriate space and sufficient money. However, if also like me, you do not have that money yet, you need a plan for your outdoor living area that will keep your future options open but also meet your present needs and desires. You need to know how to design a functional, comfortable, attractive patio on a tight budget. Three key considerations exist in the process of achieving this goal:

• Understand both the potential and the limitations of the area available.
• Determine how this space can best meet your needs and desires.
• Assess what you already own and still need to furnish your desired outdoor living area.

Recently, my wife and I purchased a new home for our growing family. After the down payment, the purchase of some much needed new interior furniture and the installation of a pool in the backyard, the available funds were used up and the dream patio was slated for future consideration. We needed an interim patio design that would fit our very tight budget; the task of designing and creating that patio fell to me.

My first step in this process was to figure out the potential and the limitations of the patio areas that came with the house we had purchased. I had to begin by measuring the dimensions and taking into account the logistical layout of the existing space. This space consisted of three distinct areas: one cedar deck 12 ft. x 12 ft. with a lattice roof; a second open cedar deck 12 ft. x 16 ft., adjacent to and one step down from the first; and finally, one flagstone patio area 12 ft. x 18 ft. another step down from the second deck and running perpendicular to both decks. Both decks run alongside the property line with a wooden fence border; the flagstone patio runs along the back of the house. The dimensions of these three spaces seem quite large and loaded with potential but their logistical layout puts significant limitations on each one. The first deck is approached by a matching 4 ft. wide cedar deck walkway that runs along the side of the house to a doorway off the kitchen. Traffic flow dictates that this walkway be carried on across the first deck to the second one reducing the usable area of the first deck to 8ft. x 12 ft.; that same traffic flow then turns and runs along the edge of the second deck where it turns back and steps down to the flagstone and turns back once again into the stone stairs leading down to the pool. The second deck therefore has now become an 8 or 9 ft. x 16 ft. living area. The flagstone patio also loses 4 ft. along its entire length as a gate to the street at the far end leads to this area and the same steps to the pool; thus, this patio space is now 8ft. x 18 ft.. The significant limitations of each area become apparent because each 8 ft. space bordered by traffic flow is not an expansive space to work with. My challenge was to know what I wanted out of my outdoor living area and how the available space could accommodate my desires.

Obviously, my second step was to figure out how the patio areas I wanted could fit into the usable space available to me. First, I had to consider the problems. Dining areas need extensive space because dining tables are large and chairs require ample space to move in and out, plus traffic flow needs to be accommodated all around them. An outdoor kitchen or cooking area needs less space but still enough to meet the needs of the cook (in this case, me) and it should have relatively easy access to both the indoor kitchen and the outdoor dining area. Ultimately, a comfortable sitting area became my final consideration in terms of current priorities. The first cedar deck then with its 8 ft. x 12 ft. area became my outdoor kitchen as it was just large enough to fulfill my needs and it allowed me to set up a sit up counter on the other side of the railing down on the adjacent flagstone patio, an option that was high on my list of desires. The second deck, one step down became the dining area because of its proximity to the cooking area and because its layout best allowed for ample traffic flow. The flagstone patio then would contain the sit up counter I wanted and a small comfortable sitting area. Now all I had to do was fill my three areas with the furniture and appliances available to me.

The final stage of my design process then was to fill my various outdoor living areas with dining and patio furniture, and with outdoor kitchen appliances. My budget required me to make use of whatever I already owned and had brought with me from my previous house. In the dining area I set up an old cedar table salvaged from a workshop that I had refurbished and adapted to this purpose; it is a bit small and showing its age somewhat but will do until I can purchase new. A set of inexpensive patio chairs make an adequate compliment to the table for the time being. The kitchen required a bit more creativity. I have a good gas barbecue that I set at the end of the first deck perpendicular to the railing that borders the flagstone patio; this setup forms a wall of sorts between kitchen and dining areas and also allows me to look out and down to the pool area while I cook. At the end of the barbecue opposite the railing, I placed another very old, small, wooden laundry room table with an enameled steel top that I have owned for years. My camp stove sits on this table to provide me with full cooking facilities out of doors; one day I will have a more elaborate system but, again, it is adequate for now. Opposite this table, against the railing I have a wrought iron stand holding a good steel cooler as a makeshift refrigerator. It keeps foods cool enough while waiting to be grilled and holds the beverages I enjoy while cooking. Beside the cooler on the railing side sits an extra workmate workbench (I don’t need two in the garage) on top of which I have large wooden cutting board; thus I have a handy work counter on which to prepare food. Against the back wall, the house wall, for shelving purposes, sits a bakers rack that could not find a home in our new kitchen when we moved. Two chairs sit here as well for the cook and a friend. All these pieces of furniture therefore form a small U-shaped kitchen with a tight work triangle and with easy access to both the dining area and the indoor kitchen. Finally, I needed to set up my sit up kitchen counter. For this purpose I used an old heavy duty cedar potting table discarded from a friend’s greenhouse business. It is 72″ x 30″ and when butted up against the railing so that it runs perpendicular to it, it provides counter seating for five right beside my cooking area – a very popular spot when we are entertaining. The counter stools are also leftovers from the previous house, without a home here until now. The sitting area, for now, has been relegated to the far end of this counter table; it is comprised of a refurbished cedar adirondack love seat and a patio swing set that face each other plus provide a view out over the garden to the pool. There it is: three areas created with no new purchases until our budget is healthy again.

Make no mistake: in the future, when the budget allows, I will make improvements. I will roof over, perhaps add on and screen in, and definitely buy new patio furniture. Never the less, the outdoor living area that I have now is functional and attractive and provides a great deal of enjoyment for myself, my family and our friends. Having a dream patio is a good thing but we all must be able to enjoy what we have while we work hard to afford the dream.

Remember the three key steps:

• Understand the space you have to work with.
• Know what you want and how it fits your space.
• Decide how to furnish your space without too many major purchases.

Keep in mind two important architectural adages: first, form follows function; second, less is more. All that is actually required is a bit of soul searching, some careful measurements and observations, a touch of creativity and, most importantly, a fair degree of forethought and planning.

Kenneth Watson, owner Quality Cedar Patio And Garden

http://www.qualitycedarpatioandgarden.com

We offer high quality clear western red cedar patio furniture and garden features that will complement the outdoor living area of your dreams.

Please visit the website above to view the wide range of quality cedar furniture pieces available.

Owning a swimming pool provides enjoyment for the family but along with this, the owner must be responsible enough to take into consideration the safety of ever body, the children especially. Pool fences are the best and wisest option any pool owners have to consider. There are several types of pool fences that you can choose from, from the cheapest to the most expensive. There are fences that require the help of professionals in installing and there are also kinds that one can do it alone or those that are easy to install.

First step is to create a plan for the pool fences.

- Measurements of the pool fences should start at least two feet from the edge of the swimming pool.

- Make a plan on where you would want the pool gate to be placed; usually gate is placed at the front of pool stairs. It must be at least three to six feet in width.

- Measure the length by laying the garden hose or twine. The measurements you will get from here are the approximate size of the fences that you will have to buy.

Pool Fences Installation

- Make small holes which are 36 inches apart. This is the distance between the fence poles.

- Make another hole which is 2 ½ inches from one of the 36 inches holes. This is the distance between the fence sections.

- Follow this procedure throughout the surrounding pool area until you have finished making the holes around the pool.

- Make a measurement of the drill bits the plastic sleeves.

- Place a tape around the drill bit. When you are in the process of drilling, once you see the tape, stop drilling. This is necessary to ensure that the size of the holes is uniform and just the right fit.

- You are now ready for the tough job. Be sure that you are wearing protective gears such as eyewear and heavy duty gloves.

- Put the drill in the hammer mode. Turn on the drill and hold the drill tightly.

- Remove any loose cement from the holes.

- Place the plastic sleeves in the freshly made holes. The poles of the pool fences will be inserted into the sleeves. These sleeves should be put firmly until it reaches the bottom of the holes.

- Lay out the poles and the mesh and start the process. Be sure that the poles are placed firmly.

- Connect the spring loaded hook into the eye of the gate which is between the last two poles.

If you are looking for the complete pool fences solution, keep in mind you will need a swimming pool fencing professional to install each fence properly.

A hot tub is one of the most luxurious items that can be placed within a home. This luxurious item can easily add significant value to a home. This is the primary reason why so many real estate experts encourage homeowners to install one within their house.

Hot tubs provide plenty of health and recreational benefits. One can experience a relief of stress by sitting down within a tub for several hours. This can help provide relaxation for anyone who had a long day. One can also have a party with friends. These types parties take place all over the globe.

Inflatable models are pretty popular with consumers on a tight budget. They are made out of strong vinyl, rubber, or durable plastic. They can be stored away when not in use. Inflatable models are not as popular as other models, but they are great for anyone who cannot afford the more expensive models on the market.

Hot tubs constructed out of wood are usually priced higher than the portable styles. Many wooden styles have a simple round design that is reflective of the earlier wooden styles created years ago. They are attractive, but they lack all of the features that are normally found in other popular styles. The majority of wooden styles are easy to install. Unfortunately, more maintenance is required since they are made out of natural wood.

Fiberglass models are more expensive than their wooden counterparts. A fiberglass hot tub is made out of fiberglass or acrylic. It contains several seats for users. It is more popular with consumers because it can be placed in various locations. The den and bathroom are two popular spots for fiberglass tubs.

Having a hot tub installed within a home is not as difficult as some consumers may think. Following a few guidelines can help anyone take care of this project with ease. Here are several guidelines that are heavily endorsed by professional home improvement specialists.

Choose a Style

It is important to go with a suitable style that will bring in years of excitement and relaxation. Planning ahead should always be done. Browsing the inventory of virtual and physical stores can help one find an acceptable model.

Hiring A Seasoned Installer

Hiring experienced installers is one sure fire way of knowing that the installation will be done correctly. Asking for references and credentials should be done before giving someone the job. It is wise to hire an installer that has at least ten years of experience. Asking for photos of previous projects will also help in selecting the best candidate.

A hot tub can provide an instant upgrade to any home. It can add beauty and monetary value with ease. It also can help any homeowner sell their home within a matter of weeks. Selecting a model is not as challenging as some may think. Prudent shopping can help consumers uncover a suitable style. Following the tips listed above can help anyone handle this project like a real professional.

Serving the areas of Toronto, Mississauga, Woodbridge and patio furniture Vaughan, our furniture store is your solution for outdoor patio furniture Mississauga.

An outdoor fireplace is great for increasing the visual appeal of an outdoor place. Be it a courtyard, a garden or a patio, a fireplace provides an instant jazz to the space and gives it a cozy feel. If you plan to build a fireplace on your own, then you should be used to handling construction tools and be familiar with the safety precautions. In any case, it is preferable to have repair people or construction workers with you when you build a fireplace. A fire pit can be a good substitute for a fireplace.

Step 1: Choose a location

Location plays a very vital role in the planning and design of a fireplace. The location that you choose for the fireplace has to be away from inflammables like wooden outhouses, trees, plants and most importantly, electric cables and underground wiring. The ground where you plan to build the fireplace should be level. If it is not, then you have to level the ground before building an outdoor fireplace. You also have to clear the location of all grass, weeds, plants, stones and rocks before you begin construction.

Step 2: Plan and Design

The plan and design of the outdoor fireplace has to be suit the chosen location and its usage pattern. If you have chosen an open garden, then you can design high and large fireplaces. If it is a patio, then you may have to restrict the size. Therefore, based on the space available, prepare drawings of the fireplace. Make sure that the measurements are accurate and to scale. You can design the fireplace to match the architecture of your house and make it blend in with the whole space. The planning and design of the fireplace should also incorporate the materials required and a cost estimate. This stage of building a fireplace is the most important of all stages since all the other steps will be based on your plan.

Step 3: Prepare a fire pit

The heart of a fireplace is its fire pit. You first need to begin building an outdoor fireplace with the fire pit. Stone masonry is best suited for the central fire pit. Dig a pit four to six inches deep and line it with stone or brick. You need to fill gravel for the base of the pit. You can make pits of different shapes and sizes.

Step 4: Build the walls

Walls are built of stones or brick. Begin building walls as per your design. The wall should have a foundation of at least one foot. Therefore, start building the wall from one foot below the ground. Be very careful and maintain the dimensions of the walls according to the design. Cement has to be used for attaching brick to brick or stone to stone. Do not use chemicals for construction since the heat of the fireplace can make them emit toxic fumes.

Step 5: Let the structure cure

The last stage in building the fireplace is to let the structure cure. You can spray water on the masonry to cure it. Once it is done, you can bask in the warmth and joy of having built the fireplace yourself, and have fun with friends and family.

You might also want to learn how to build an building an outdoor fireplace. Our website offers the latest designs of building an outdoor fireplace.

A four-season porch is a home improvement project that definitely adds value to your property. Furthermore, it also adds space to your home. A four-season porch is also known as a sunroom. It is not the same as an ordinary porch since it has insulated walls and ceilings. The windows are made of glass and have a heating and cooling system. A four-season porch has additional features that allow more sun in. There are many advantages of installing a four-season porch or sunroom in your home. It enhances the curb appeal of your home, especially if you plan to sell your property later on. A sunroom attracts many homebuyers due to its luxury and sophistication. A four-season porch is also energy-efficient since natural lighting is used and there is ample amount of ventilation in the area.

Once considered as a luxury, today more and more middle-class homeowners are starting to understand the benefits of a sunroom. Although installing one could be costly, the investment is worth every dollar spent. You can have a four-season porch custom built, pre-fabricated or you can do it yourself. Custom-built sunrooms could cost you between 10 to 15 percent higher compared to pre-fabricated ones. When you want to do it yourself, you can expect the construction to be more costly since there are a lot of variables in the whole construction process. When building a sunroom, a frame is constructed to leave room for doors, windows and other features.

When you are planning to build a four-season porch or sunroom in your home, it is necessary to consider several factors. The first thing to consider is you should be familiar with the various types of sunrooms so you can decide what type to build. Make sure that you have an extra space in your home. You should also take into consideration the materials that you are going to use. Most importantly, you have to consider your budget when undertaking such project.

When choosing a location for your four-season porch, consider an area in your home that is most exposed to the sun. A four-season porch should receive a lot of sunshine to serve its purpose and the area should have ample space. Be realistic when it comes to your budget. The amount you have to spend will depend on the kind of materials you want to use. Aluminum and glass are more costly. The labor is another thing to consider. While there are areas where you can do on your own, if you do not have the necessary tools and carpentry experience, it would be best to hire a professional to do it for you.

Keep in mind that a four-season porch makes your home a more comfortable place to live. Building a sunroom is a good investment when it comes to reselling. A sunroom not only boosts the value of your home but the most important thing of all is that you can benefit from this room all year round, without having to spend a lot on your cooling and heating expenses.

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Every spring brings that time: time to open your above ground pool for the swimming season of summer. It has been a cold, long winter, and it feels like so long since your pool was open and the water was gleaming. This easy guide will get your above ground pool open and running in practically no time.

1. Start by siphoning off all water that might be collected atop your pool’s cover. if you will be using an electric siphon pump, it is a good idea to place a plastic frisbee or similar item between the pump and the cover.

2. Carefully take off any twigs and other debris from the top of the cover.

3. Disconnect and take off the cover cable from the ratchet.

4. Take off any cover clips and water tubes.

5. Remove the cover slowly. Try not to let any debris that is atop the cover fall into the pool as you slip off the cover.

6. Take off the pillow by untying its string. Deflate the pillow.

7. Take out any leaves and sticks or other objects from the pool with a skimmer or a leaf net.

8. Expect the water level to be low. This occurs due to ice, evaporation, and water displacement.

9. The water level may be low. Add more. It is imperative that the level of the water be halfway up the skimmer. This will be the correct water level to maintain throughout the swimming season.

10. Check your skimmer, pump, and filter to make sure that they are in proper working condition.

11. Install the pump onto its base. Fasten it with two pump mounting screws.

12. Connect the ground wire to the pump.

13. Put the filter onto the base.

14. Check to be sure that all rubber o-rings are well-lubricated and not worn out.

15. Tightly attach the connector between the filter and the pump.

16. Securely connect the filter hose from the skimmer to the pump.

17. If you will be using a chlorinator, attach the return hose from the filter to the chlorinator. Then, connect the return hose to the outlet.

18. Be sure that all hose clamps are tight.

19. Be sure that the lid cover on the pump is secured tightly.

20. Use the removal tool to remove the winter plug from the return fitting. Then take off the aquadoor, or ice-plate, from the skimmer.

21. Be sure that all the screws on the skimmer are secure.

22. Install the eyeball return fitting. Be certain that the fitting parts are all assembled before installing. Once installed, make sure to position the fitting downward.

23. Attach the skimmer weir and skimmer basket.

24. If your pool if in or against a deck, insert the ladder into the flanges on the deck’s surface. If your pool does not have a deck, install an A-frame ladder. If you plan to use drop-in stairs, first put sandbags into the stair unit, then put the stairs into the water until they are fully submerged. Insert the handrail into the flange of the deck or stairs.

25. Check to be certain that each electrical connection is grounded.

26. Power on the filter system.

27. If you have a DE filter, add the required amount of DE. Expect to ‘bump’ your filter multiple times during the initial 24 hours of operation.

28. If you use a cartridge filter, be sure that the cartridge is installed.

29. If you use a sand filter, make sure to insert the drain plug into the tank. Make sure that your filter is properly filled with filter sand. Filter sand should be replaced at least every two years.

30. Backwash the filter.

31. Power off the pump.

32. Move the the handle of the valve to the position marked ‘filter’ and turn the pump on.

33. Don’t vacuum your pool for at least 24 hours.

That is all. You may now swim in your pool. Have fun and enjoy the water.

You can find out more about above ground pools and above ground pool vacuums by visiting Bob Washington’s website, where you can find out which above ground pool vacuum is best for you.