Simplified Water Softener Maintenance

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Water softeners are remarkably underrated filtering appliances. Aside from first entering water hardness level, regeneration timing parameters as well as replenishing the salt, they go along and do their task. Even if they are low-maintenance, there are some simple ways to make them more efficient and last for a longer time.

Prevent Salt Bridges and Salt Mushing

Salt bridges are the hard crust formed in the brine tank that build an empty space between the salt and water, which prevents salt from dissolving in the water to produce brine. When there is no brine, resin beads cannot do their job of softening the water.

Bridging is commonly caused by high humidity, changes in temperature around the water softener or the wrong type of salt. It is possible to have a salt bridge when the salt tank seems to be full but water remains hard.

The more serious problem between the two is salt mushing, which occurs whenever dissolved salt recrystallises to form a sludge at the base of the brine tank. This thick salt layer prevents the water from regenerating, stops the water softener from functioning and blocks the passage of water.

In case the water test indicates a salt bridge though it does not break up when pushed, this is caused by salt mushing. The only way to address the issue is to drain the water in the softener, scoop out the old salt and refill it with fresh salt

Be Discriminating When it Comes to Salt Choice

Water softeners are available in three basic types: rock, solar and evaporated. The most affordable is rock salt that has high level of insoluble impurities/minerals. Over a period of time, this can cause a muddy tank, decreasing the efficiency of the softener and leaving impurities in the water.

Solar salt, which dissolves faster in water than rock salt, is produced by the evaporation of sea water. It comes in the form of pellets and crystals. Evaporated salt, which is the best choice, is made by combining mining and evaporation. It is considered the purest among all types of salt, at 99.99% sodium chloride.

Generally, it is best to use high purity salts that leave less residue in a storage tank, making it less likely to have salt bridges and salt mushing that will lead to less maintenance. Bridging issues can be eliminated with the help of high quality salts as well as salts in pellet form.

Resin bed cleaner

Resin beads are frequently recharged by salt but it would be an advantage to clean the resin bed once every few months using a water softener cleaner so it will remain in top shape. Over a long period of time, a water softener can acquire pollutants like iron, heavy metals, silt and organic compounds, causing it to become less efficient.

To reduce the rate of ineffective resin, this requires pouring the amount of water softener cleaner down the brine as recommended by the manufacturer and manually regenerating the system. The cleaner is released during the usual water softening cycle flushing process. This will let the resin remain clean and absorb the maximum amount of calcium and magnesium during its life cycle.

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Source by Karina Popa

How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

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Home makeovers don’t need to cost a fortune. There are ways to redecorate and rejuvenate your home without going into debt or breaking the bank. Keep reading for simple tips on how you can update your home for less.

1. Always have a plan.

Before you even step foot inside a Home Depot or local department store, you should come prepared with a full plan of what you’re going to do.

By identifying exactly where you want to make changes and how you want to decorate your house, you’ll save money in the long run. Start by visualizing the style you want, along with the overall theme, and then figure out exactly where you want to make structural or major changes. For inspiration, try browsing decorating magazines and manuals at your local library.

The most critical component of any project is a detailed plan. Without one, you will likely make a number of purchases you’ll later regret – or get part way through the project and wind up starting all over.

Remember, just because you have a plan doesn’t mean you can’t buy a great light fixture that’s on sale. Rather, it just means that light fixture needs to fit into your overall plan.

2. Highlight your focal points.

Redecorating doesn’t mean you have to overhaul the entire house. By focusing on one particular area, you can concentrate more of your efforts and budget on major renovations that can make a big impact on its attractiveness.

One of the best returns on any home decorating investment is a kitchen project. By updating your countertops, appliances and cabinets, you’ll not only be highlighting a major focal point, but also investing in the future value of your home.

3. Identify your needs.

Are you redecorating because you want a new look or because you need to create extra space for a new child or a home business? Do you hope to make it more attractive to guests, or more functional for young children? By identifying the “why” behind your choice to decorate, you’re less likely to steer off track.

If your goal is to create new space, then you’ll stay focused on space-saving, multi-functional pieces. But, if your goal is a contemporary, new look then you’ll know to stay away from those adorable country kitchen chairs that don’t really fit your plan.

4. Measure twice, buy once.

Especially if you’re buying wholesale or on sale, it’s extremely important to know all your measurements. Heavily discounted furniture is often not returnable, meaning if you accidentally buy a couch that’s too big for your living room, you may have to buy an axe to cut it down to size. Even if you are able to return mis-measured furniture, it results in a waste of time and certainly nonrefundable delivery expenses.

5. Save money where it counts.

Just as you should spend money on high-quality items like flooring, you should always save money where it counts too. One of the easiest places to save money is on accessories and fabrics – so when it comes to accent pillows and upholsteries, be ready to hunt down a bargain. You can find them at specialty stores, thrift shops, and through a casual search online.

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Source by Greg Fisher

Corner Computer Armoire (Buying Guide)

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Like other regular l-shaped corner desks, corner computer armoires are also superior on space saving. They are smart solution if the room is not too large because they can be located in the corner of the room that is usually unused optimally. They come with a wide range of designs, configurations and finishes! But unfortunately, sometimes the variety choices of them will make you confused when choosing and buying one of them.

There are some important points that you should consider in order to make your shopping successfully. These points include; calculating the large space of the room, deciding the appropriate configuration, choosing the finish, and so on. The following is helpful guide on how to select and buy one of corner computer armoires that meets your requirements:

1. As well we know, there are two familiar options on how to purchase one of them that are offline and online shopping. Offline shopping is more recommended since you can see and test the armoire directly. You can visit a home-improvement or furniture store in your local area. You can try to find what you are looking for, by visiting some credible retailers that usually offer pieces of computer furniture, like Staples, Lowe’s and Home Depot.

2. On other hand, shopping online is not too bad idea, especially if you prioritize the practically shopping. You can get a lot of information about armoire via internet more practically and quickly. You just type keyword corner computer armoire- to specify models, availability, and pricing. Tips; because you cannot see and touch the product directly, consider the long lifetime warranty and try to find some positive testimonials from satisfied consumers in order to specify the quality of the product that you want buy via online shopping. Don’t forget to make sure the manufacture supply the requisite tools by researching and considering the assembly requirements.

3. The size is crucial factor. Therefore, calculate the large space of the room where will be placed by your new armoire, correctly! The standard sizes of armoires are around 5 to 6.5 feet for the height and around 3.3 to 5 feet for the width. Select three or four armoires that meet your requirements and then specify the best one of them that meets your feature requirements, aesthetic, budget and the size of your room.

4. The last, consider also any additional services or materials that might be required to complete your purchase. It is better to prioritize the retailer either offline or online that offers free shipping cost. Make sure the color of your new armoire has the right color that meets the existing interior of your room.

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Source by Ndey Kyoto

Are You Looking For Some Great Ideas For Small Kitchen Designs?

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Retro Kitchen Designs May Be The Answer You’re Looking For

Are you a fan of the retro look? Do you love the look of whites and reds combined with metal that takes you back to the 1950s every time you see it? Do you have a smaller kitchen and are trying to figure out what to do with it?

If so, you might want to consider exploring some amazing retro kitchen designs that perfectly complement a smaller space. In fact, if you like the retro look, having a smaller kitchen is the ideal situation for creating a unique kitchen with an older vibe.

Enjoying the Retro Look

The retro look has long been popular among homeowners that are interested in creating a sense of nostalgia while making their kitchen look truly unique. In an age where many homeowners are choosing to create kitchens with a contemporary look, going retro is the perfect way to make a kitchen stand out. But, what should be included in retro kitchen designs and how can the look be created while still providing the homeowner with modern conveniences?

Luckily, there are appliances available that have been specifically built with a retro look while still utilizing modern technological advances. In addition, these items are often perfect for small kitchen designs because they do not take up a great deal of space and are the ideal complement to a smaller, cozier space.

With a little creative use of color and decorative elements, you can enjoy a retro kitchen that is a cinch to enjoy. You can even purchase energy efficient refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers that offer the retro look while still helping you reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy bills.

Making the Most of a Small Space

While a smaller kitchen lends itself perfectly to a retro look, it is still important to create small kitchen designs that make the most efficient use of available space. To that end, some elements that can be incorporated into retro kitchen designs while still using your space wisely include…

* Space-saver cabinets that make the most efficient use of the space inside the cabinet
* Keeping counter space clear by including cabinets or appliance garages specifically for storing your appliances
* Letting in natural light as much as possible and using creative lighting to help the space appear larger

The bottom line is that you can create the retro look without having to experience the cramped workspace our mothers and grandmothers had to contend with. By making some smart design choices, you can truly have the retro look without having the uncomfortable retro feel.

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Source by James J. Mahoney

The Calphalon Pot Rack – Protects, Displays, and Makes Your Valuable Cookware Easy To Get To

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When you have the right utensils cooking can become fun and interesting. If you love to keep your kitchen neat and organized and looking great, then you will find the Calphalon pot racks to be extremely useful to you. The following are some of the popular items in this category.

The first Calphalon pot rack is the Calphalon 32-inch model, which is a straight wall rack. This has 4 heavy-duty single hooks to hang your pots and pans. Priced at about 40 dollars, this product can really enhance the look of your kitchen and keep your cookware organized. The material used in this rack is heavy duty hard anodized aluminum, with a sleek black finish for a modern look. The heavy duty hooks keep pots within easy reach. This rack comes with a lifetime warranty and comes with simple-to-follow assembly instructions.

The next Calphalon pot rack is an 18 by 36-inch version made of hard anodized metal. This one sells for about 140 dollars, and can hold more items than the previous one. The construction for this rack is very reliable and durable for life-long use. This comes without mounting hardware, which is available at hardware shops easily.

The Calphalon pot rack that comes in 20 by 56-inch is a multi-purpose rack which is an oval shape. Since this one holds even more cookware items, it is priced at $169. The material is hard anodized aluminum for long lasting finish, and has 2 double hooks and six single hooks. There are hanging chains included in this item, and it comes with easy-to-follow assembly instructions. This one is so durable it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Another popular product is the Calphalon pot rack in the 36-inch size. This one is made of stainless steel and priced at $139. This is made of the same material that makes up the cookware items. This model is ceiling-mounted, and this can really free up cabinet space in your kitchen. The space saving features of this rack are amazing, and it also stops the pans from scraping against each other, so they are kept safe.

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Source by Mary Franklin

Van Upgrades To Enhance Your Mobile Business

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If you have a mobile business or need tools and equipment on the job, chances are you are working out of a van. While this can be a great way to provide services to your customers regardless of their location, it also means that you will need to think about how you can make that van more functional and user-friendly for both yourself and your company.

Here are several ways that you could upgrade your van to enhance your business.

Install Van Racking Systems

Many people running a mobile business use their van as an office. As a result, they need to have a place for their laptop, phone and other essentials while they are on the go. While one could just pile these items in the back of the work area or set them on the passenger seat, having a proper van racking system installed will ensure that items are secure and in the same place each time they are needed.

Additionally, many of these systems can be customised to include shelving and bin storage to enhance organisation and maximise interior workspace in a van.

Install False Floors With Van Drawers

If you have a van with a bit of clearance, why not install a false floor with sliding van drawers underneath. Many installation experts offer these storage systems with one and two drawer options that are super long and can hold up to 150 kgs of weight.

Not only will this type of van storage solution create ample space for storing large and small items, but the carpeted feature adds a touch of elegance and style to your mobile van business.

Sliding Side Drawers

Just about any space or area in a van can be optimised with storage capacity – even the side entrances. That is why it is wise for mobile businesses to consider installing drawers along the side of their vans for easy access to items they use regularly.

Typically, these draws can be customised to fit any type of van and generally have a 290-450mm height range.

The Benefits of Upgrading Your Van Drawers

Upgrading your van’s storage capacity and design is key to ensuring that you can carry all of the equipment needed to make your mobile business successful.

Furthermore, a well-organised van allows for more time to focus on servicing customers. With more innovative storage options in place, your van will be much more functional and won’t leave you feeling frustrated when it’s time to work.

Enhance Your Mobile Business With Space-Saving Van Drawers

Whether you run a pet grooming, handyman, or cleaning company, having an intelligent storage options for your van will mean a world of difference when it comes to servicing your clients’ needs.

If you don’t like the choices available and a storage installation company – no worries. Many services provide custom installations to meet your specific business and storage needs.

And the best part? Van racking systems are custom designed which means that you can get exactly what you want and upgrade your storage needs as your business grows. So don’t hesitate to get the benefits of advanced storage options in your mobile business with van drawers designed to hold everything you need in an organised and accessible way.

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Source by Edmund Brunetti

Benefits of Hydroponic Gardening

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Many people are talking about the benefits of hydroponic gardening systems. However, as of yet, these powerful alternatives to more traditional gardening have not fully caught on, but it’s definitely gaining ground. As more and more people are seeking ways to grow their own fruits and vegetables, this method is capturing quite a bit of attention. This environmentally friendly, space saving method of gardening is definitely something to be looked into if you’re considering growing your own foods.

The benefits of whole food are well known. For many, gardening is a way of getting past rising food costs, and being better able to enjoy healthier foods- right from their gardens. Utilizing hydroponic supplies enables them to have a garden in virtually any space available without worry about season, temperature or weather conditions. This method has actually been around for quite some time, but with a recent push towards urban gardening, has been gaining steady popularity amongst both hobby and production based gardeners.

Hydroponic gardening is basically, being able to have a garden without using soil. Utilizing a hydroponic gardening system, the plants that you intend to grow are put in a growth medium that allows for nutrients to be delivered directly to the roots. As plants do not actually require soil to thrive, many people find that soil is inefficient. The energy that is used in growing out healthy root systems in soil to find the water and nutrients could be better used in other ways. If readily available nutrition is there for those plants, they often grow up to 50% faster and more healthy.

In utilizing hydroponic supplies, gardeners can gain better control over the nutrient balance in their plants. They can also have better spacing efficiency, utilizing a smaller root system, and reduce water waste with concentrated feeding. The pH of plants, as well as the nutrient levels are easier to maintain and measure. Having greater control over the gardening conditions can help gardeners not only increase the yield of produce, but also, ensure that crops are at their nutritional peak.

Hydroponic gardening systems are also growing in popularity due to the potential benefits, both societal and environmental. Many have suggested that in using hydroponic supplies, a gardener can create more readily available food to those who may suffer impoverished conditions. Hydroponic gardening systems also ease strains on the environment- with hydroponic supplies that can be set up as recycling both nutrients and water, this reduces needed resources in food production. In these systems, they use as little as 10% of the water that soil-based agriculture needs. It also eliminates the need for pesticide and herbacide use, and fertilizer use is reduced to about 25% of what soil based gardens need.

Hydroponic gardening systems can produce roughly the same amount of food as soil gardens, using 1/5 the space, and are not dependent on growing seasons in many cases. Artificially lit hydroponic gardens can yield year round production, an advantage over traditional gardening methods. Many urban areas already utilize hydroponic gardening systems, as seen in rooftop and basement gardens.

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Source by Nicole Roberts

What Points to Keep in Mind While Buying a Trundle Bed for Toddlers

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Toddlerhood brings a lot of changes. Some are significant, while others are little, but the shift from crib to bed is most important. Your kid may be communicating that they are up for a big bed when they are getting out of their crib. There are no hard and fast rules on when children should transfer to a separate bed; nevertheless, they can express interest before 2nd birthyear or after four years old. Although some children may be excited about the prospect of a toddler bed, some may be frightened by the prospect of a large bed.

Trundle bed for Toddler

A trundle is often a Twin-sized structure with wheels. However, Full-sized trundles are also prevalent. The lower mattress is generally thinner than a conventional mattress to allow simple storage and pull-out processes. They offer space for overnight visitors, create a pleasant meeting spot for your family. And give exhausted parents a wonderful place to rest when they’re up all night dealing with a cranky infant.

Trundle beds are popular among children since they’re unique and entertaining. Pulling out and pushing in the trundle bed and sleeping on multiple levels is enjoyable for children. Besides these benefits, trundle beds provide a greater play area for children while accommodating many children in the same room. You might want to try bunk beds with a trundle bed that comes out from the spare bed if you want to accommodate even more children in the same room.

Points to consider while purchasing

  • Recognize the benefits of a trundle bed over a regular bed.

We frequently ignore the advantages of a trundle bed over a regular bed. We often forget the trundle’s many benefits, and as a result, we miss out on many opportunities. For times when you have sleepover visitors, trundles give an extra sleeper. It is a more compact piece of furniture that can be used as a divan sofa and a bed.

  • Trundle Beds for Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are an excellent choice for a child’s bed if you have children sharing a room or need an additional bed for visitors. Choose a bunk bed trundle, which can be used as a second bed by adding a trundle mattress or as a single huge storage drawer for storing extra blankets or clothes.

  • Before purchasing a trundle, measure the available space in your home.

Trundle beds may be pretty large, so they require much room to be set up comfortably. It’s why you should consider where you can position your bed without risking scratches or bumping over other items when removing the trundle. A trundle bed with drawers will be helpful if you want extra storage in your child’s room.

  • Materials that have been used

One of the most important items to consider is the material for the trundle bed. Like maple, oak, and pine, Wooden beds are repairable and provide adequate leg assistance from the lower surface. Metal and wood beds are available in various colors to suit your preferences. Depending on your needs, you can select any material. If you want the room to be classy, you can choose wood. If you want a cool room, you can choose metal.

  • Matching theme

Designing a child’s room allows you to experiment with different colors, motifs, arrangements, and themes. Your home should be furnished in modern neutral tones, and your kid’s room may be created to seem like a racetrack. Alternatively, a jungle. Even though a trundle bed takes up less space than a standard double bed, it is likely to be the largest piece of furniture in the room. Likewise, a princess suite.

As a result, the design of this bed will establish the tone of the space. Search for a design that not only compliments your children’s room decor but also is adaptable and can evolve with them.

  • Safety

The guard rails on the beds will ensure that your tiny child does not tumble out of bed while sleeping. They will be protected by the guard rails. Furthermore, the gap between the two beds and the space between the top bed and the ceiling should be sufficient to prevent head injuries when getting out of bed.

Conclusion

In this place, they let their imaginations and magic run wild. It’s critical to give children this space as kids become older and accomplish key mental and physical growth milestones. It will soon be their sleeping, playing, studying, and dreaming space.

Transferring to a toddler bed is an exciting moment for you and your child, who is rapidly growing up. Be ready for a potential sleep regression and a new level of enthusiasm around bedtime. Patience is a virtue, and you should endeavor to maintain everything else similarly. Adhere to your usual sleep routine and ensure your toddler’s room is secure since they may roam when you’re not there.

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Source by Shalini M

Inexpensive Rubber Stamp Storage Ideas

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Rubber stamping is a fun and engrossing past-time, and like many hobbies, benefits from organizing your tools and supplies. Many organizational tools can be low-cost, as well as effective. Here are some handy tips to keep your rubber stamps stored safely and organized carefully.

One of the most important things with rubber stamps is keeping them out of direct sunlight. The rubber will degrade over time, and the stamp image will become less clear and crisp. The sun’s rays will cause the rubber to crack and dry out. You also want to avoid excessive humidity. Ideally, you should keep your stamps in a cool, dry place, without excessive temperature changes.

Mounted and unmounted rubber stamps should be stored separately, which will help you find what you are looking for easier. Unmounted stamps can be stored in flat, thin containers, like CD cases. To store in a CD case, just use EZ mount to stick your stamps to the inside of the case. You can then label the spine and the front of the case for easy filing. Another storage idea for unmounted stamps is to store them in a photo box on card stock. Attach Velcro to the card stock and place your stamps on the Velcro on one side of the card stock, and have the image on the front of the card stock, making it easy to flip through and find the appropriate stamp.

With wood mounted stamps, you may want to store them on a rack, which makes for space-saving and convenient storage. While there is a variety of ready made storage racks and cabinets, you can easily make your own. A cassette tape rack can be an effective stamp holder and organizer. You may need to create more space for each stamp by breaking off every other rung so your stamps will fit properly. Another inexpensive rack idea is using the side of an old baby’s crib, the kind that has wooden slats. If you turn the crib on its end and remove any hardware, you will have shelves that can easily hold your stamps that are wood mounted, just install it to the wall.

If your short on time, you may want to consider purchasing pre-made stamp holders and racks, but, with a little creativity, you can easily make your own inexpensive racks and displays for your stamps and your stamping materials. As long as you can easily find what you are looking for, and have protected your stamps from the extremes of heat and humidity, then your organizational system works!

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Source by Amy Wells

The Differences Between Banquet, Bench & Booth Seating

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When it comes to creating the interior for a pub, bar or restaurant and any other business within the hospitality industry for that matter creating the right atmosphere and look can be make or break. Making the correct interior design choices has the power to induce strong emotions within your clientele, both positive and negative, and selecting the right seating is one part of this.

With so many options in the market place it can often be confusing when it comes to deciding what the best choice is to fulfil your business requirements. So to shed a little light on the options available we got some advice from one of the expert producers of bespoke seating within the UK. Here they informed us of the top three choices within the marketplace.

Banquet seating is a long upholstered bench that is placed against, or sometimes built into a wall. Many restaurants choose this type of seating as it allows for minimum space to be used whilst also providing a greater number of seats, a great space saving technique.

Another possibility is bench seating, very similar to banquet seating, although often smaller and with two benches facing each other split by a table in between. If you are trying to evoke the feel of a 1950’s diner this would be the perfect choice for you. Often seen in cafes this seating gives a relaxed feel making people feel at home. It is also a very social seating option and often big enough to allow six people to sit around a table easily.

Lastly, a popular choice is booth seating; this type of seating creates a private space in a public setting, perfect in bars, pubs and restaurants alike, allowing people to enjoy both the social environment whilst still enjoying their friends company in an enclosed seating environment. By incorporating a number of these options, such as banquet seating and booth seating your business will be able to offer clients a range of options, from enjoying a quieter night in a booth to being in the midst of the social atmosphere on the banquet seating.

All of these options can be specifically designed to fulfill your exact requirements, from fitting a certain space exactly right down to the fabric used to upholster them, allowing you to use them to great advantage providing a statement piece in any space.

If you’re interested in adding some bespoke seating to your business why not contact one of the specialist suppliers that are located across the UK to discuss the options.

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Source by Nikki Maidment