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KEEP THE POOL COOL AND LOOKING GOOD

By on February 22, 2012 in Blog

Summer is here, and as things heat up there are few things more refreshing than cooling down in your pool. With constant shifts in weather and humidity, such as we have been experiencing lately, a little extra `TLC’ is needed to keep your pool in top condition so that it is always ready for inspections or you to enjoy.

poolAlgae blooms in the heat and chlorine is the best defence against algae.

If you have a salt pool, you can use the `super chlorinate’ button on your salt chlorinator to fix the problem.

The safest approach is to take a pool water sample from below elbow depth to your local pool store to be checked for balance and sanitisation.

Another demand on pool water is the level of phosphates in the water, as algae love phosphates and feed on them. Phosphates are introduced to the pool primarily via bird and bat droppings, along with roof water added into the pool and swimming costumes washed in detergent containing phosphates.

Chlorine alone can’t eliminate phosphates, however a chemical called Phosphate Starver will eradicate the phosphates so the chlorine can work on killing the algae.

Your local pool store will also be able to advise on PH levels – if the PH is too high, you can get scaling on the surface of your pool and salt chlorinator. This can be addressed by adding acid to the water. If too low, the water will start to hurt eyes and skin and make you feel itchy, along with etching away the surface of the pool. Adding `buffer’ or alkali can fix this.

Other top tips for a healthy pool include:

  • If the pool is particularly dirty, increase the hours of filter operation until the pool is clear. The time is dependent on the size of the pool.
  • In times of heavy rainfall, add more algaecides, as these can be diluted by the extra fresh rainwater.
  • If you have a saltwater pool, increase the amount of salt, this makes the pool saline and create a natural chlorination. Add chlorine only when the water gets really dirty.
  • Use times of high rainfall as a good opportunity to backwash the pool.
  • Check and empty the skimmer basket and the hair and lint filter located in front of the pump to ensure they are clear of debris, as they can tear when they get too full.

 

Source : Quartile Property Network (18 November 2011)

 

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Find Your Dream Home from Our New Listings!

By on January 25, 2012 in Blog

Find Your Dream Home from Our New Listings!

Hi all,

Check out our New Listings email, sent out every week which features interesting articles and the list of properties open for inspection.

Contact us to check it out, you can always subscribe to receive it!

Thanks!

Regards,

Christina

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It’s Cooler to Go With the Flow…Beat the Summer Heat

By on January 20, 2012 in Blog

It’s Cooler to Go With the Flow…Beat the Summer Heat

Beat the Summer Heat

A passive solar plan can keep your home cooler and save you money when it comes to our hot summer months. Air conditioners are just about at the top of the pile when it comes to costs associated with cooling your home.

Here are some ideas to help you beat the summer heat:

  1. Solar control glass, double glazing or window tinting is an ideal solution.
  2. Light and breezy cross ventilation will keep the home cool, clearing out stale air.
  3. Ventilation plays an important part. Double brick always keeps your home cool due to the density of the exterior walls.
  4. Draw curtains and blinds early in the day.
  5. Ceiling fans are effective in circulation of air.
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Finishing With Style…Obtain Appealing Finishes

By on January 18, 2012 in Blog

Finishing With Style…Obtain Appealing Finishes

When renovating an older-style home there are many ways you can enhance the exterior of the property. Selecting the right finish for your renovation will determine its ultimate value.

We offer some tips here for obtaining cost-effective, appealing finishes.

Three common finishes that have considerable appeal include: a smooth rendered finish, trowelled splatter finish, and a bagged render. Each are cost-effective and add value to older properties: bringing the old red brick home more into line with today’s smoother lines.

Smooth Rendered Finish – Wet the wall lightly after levelling it out with a concreter’s level, then follow it with a trowel-type instrument and smooth it for a flawless finish.

Trowelled Splatter Finish – The cement is splattered then trowelled to give a similar effect to granosite.

Bagged Render – This technique is cheaper because there is less work but it doesn’t look as good as the classic render. This is applied using a hessian bag or a sponge; these days it’s common to use a soft nylon broom.

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Unleash The Dollars In Your Backyard

By on January 16, 2012 in Blog

Unleash The Dollars In Your BackyardSearching for a way to add value to your property without great expense? The answer is often under our nose or, more precisely, can be found by looking in your backyard.

Our love for the outdoors is no secret and you can add value to your property by transforming your garden and creating the feeling of space. There are many simple solutions where, even with a modest-sized area, home owners can provide the illusion of a spacious rear garden. This adds to the appeal of your property and will add to its value as well.

By cutting back overgrown gardens, and tidying hedges and bushes you can create a feel of tidy and orderly space.

Simple tips for creating space in your garden include:

  • Cut-back overgrown gardens and bushes.
  • Have a general rule of gardens across the rear of the yard and possibly down the sides
  • Strategically place your clothesline. The old Hills hoist in the middle of the backyard diminishes useable area.
  • Lay fresh lawn or turf over patchy grass areas.
  • An even rear gardens looks more orderly than clumps and hills.
  • Use weed mats to minimise the growth of unsightly weeds.

Overhauling your rear garden in order to create the feeling of space needn’t be costly. Keep it simple and plan ahead.

 

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