Home & Interiors

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It is often the finishing touches that go unnoticed. You know, all the little things that help draw a room together or make it feel special. I love seeing those areas where attention to detail really make a difference. I used to notice it all the time on holiday (remember those?) when checking into a room and having a proper good look around the place.

The great thing about those finishing touches is that if you do it right, you can make any room feel more modern than it should be. It is actually surprisingly easy to achieve at home. Don’t believe me? I’m going to show how by having you look at three areas you can improve in a sneaky way to add a modern touch.

New Fixtures & Fittings

Let’s start with the least obvious and most used feature in any room. Your light switches and plug sockets are always in use, and it is easy to argue they’re taken for granted. You might paint a room and get a few splatters on them without noticing. That has to stop. You should start viewing them as an essential item in any room, and sneakily updating them is a good start.

I see in many new build homes that it is common to have shiny chrome sockets, instead of traditional white, but I’m not the biggest fan. Instead, I would recommend plates and covers in black nickel or brushed style. They help instantly make a space look modern, especially if you have them at eye level in areas like your kitchen counter, where people will pick up on it. The best part is a decently made socket only costs around £6 a pop.

Sleeker Looking Radiators

Did you go a bit mad painting all the rooms around the house last year during the first lockdown? Who could blame you?

You could throw a hundred coats on a wall, and it still won’t help a room look fresh if you have an old school radiator in the way. You know the ones I’m talking about. Radiators that used to be white but have grown to now have a slight tinge to them.

You can update radiators these days without breaking the break. For anyone with a musty radiator with a few rust spots, you can dramatically change the look of a room with an infrared glass radiator. They only need wiring to the electric to work, so no pipes or anything is sticking out of the floor. To get an idea of what I’m on about, click here to view them at Trade Radiators. They are ultra-modern and don’t break the bank either.

Trust me, have one of those on the wall, and people will start taking an interest in radiators!

Paying The Premium On Bulbs

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Now, you don’t need to have those fancy hanging bulbs you see in restaurants and trendy cafes, but anywhere someone can see a light in a room is an opportunity to swap out the old screw-on (or bayonet!) bulbs for something a bit more modern.

Ironically, that can mean one of two things. You can either get yourself a bulb with a purposely exposed element, done so to give a little character, or you can get some wireless LED bulbs. Phillips would be the one everyone knows about, but there are other brands out there offering cheaper alternatives that hook up to your Alexa or Google speakers. 

Ironically enough, I’ve found that some of the cheaper options are sold on Amazon and Google. One in particular called hey! is only a tenner online and has a little adaptor you can pop on the bulb to use in both screw and bayonet fittings; isn’t that nifty!

Feel like making some improvements at home this summer?

There you have it. Three unique areas you can sneakily add a modern touch to any room.

If you’re lucky enough to have some time free for a little DIY love, why not following some of these tips on making improvements that will add value. And don’t forget, for any and all DIY and decorating advice, check out the latest home interior posts from the blog right here. 

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In a highly competitive housing market, it can be difficult to stand out from the competition, and make sure your home looks the best. If you are looking to sell your home or you are looking to improve your home for your own use and benefit, then it is important to think about what improvements to make and why. Not all improvements add value and so it is essential that you think carefully about what you want to do and why before picking up the tools or getting contractors in. Adding things to your home or making alterations that are not fit for purpose could devalue your home.

Why You Need To Upgrade Your Home

Homes get old fashioned and outdated very quickly. With new trends and themes coming into style and fashion all the time it can be hard to keep up. If you upgrade your home now with good quality fixtures and fittings, then you will ensure that you do not fall foul to trends that can disappear overnight. When you use good quality materials, fittings and fixtures your future proofing your home.

What Improvements You Need To Make

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Kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and entrance hallways all get their fair share of use. Keeping these rooms looking fresh, clean and well maintained is important as these are key rooms within your home that get more than their fair share of wear and tear. Improvements that add value to these key rooms include new units and countertops within the kitchen. New plain white suites within the bathroom, and new paintwork and flooring in the living room and hallway. Furniture and accessories within rooms always look nice but they do not always add value to your home, so think about adding value through renovations and upgrades to existing fittings.

In your home bathroom, it is important to buy cost-efficient fixtures and think of their sustainability when choosing them to install your home. A self-contained upflush toilet that uses a minimum amount of water than regular toilet fixtures is an example of an ideal upgrade or improvement for a family bathroom because it saves water bills.

Improving Ease Of Access

Improving the internal and external access to your home will increase its value. For example, having sliding access doors or products from evoproducts.com will ensure that you always have easy access to every area of your home. As well as accessible doors and entryways, a good driveway and parking is a must for any family home. If your driveway is looking a little bit past its best then you need to think about tarmacking it, paving it, or laying down gravel. I personally adore the finish of a gravel driveway, I was concerned about the gravel spilling and moving however you can get a product known as gravel grid which is effectively a gravel retention system that stops the moving and keeps the affect of the gravel crunch but little movement. Really clever and adds a lovely affect to a driveway.

Focusing On Specific Rooms Or Areas Within Your Home

If you have not done any remodeling or upgrading on your home for a while and have simply been maintaining it, then it can be tempting to try and tackle lots of rooms at once. You must overcome this urge as it would be very difficult to try and complete lots of jobs simultaneously. Focus on the worst rooms first and once you have done the major works you want to, you can then move onto the next room. Doing specific rooms and areas within your home and taking things step by step will ensure you do not end up feeling overwhelmed, especially if you will be living in your home as you carry out the works.

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Purchasing your own home or moving into a new house can be very exciting, but the thrill and satisfaction of actually building your own home is something completely different. To be able to visualise the house of your dreams, then put in the actual sweat and hard work in making that vision come true – it’s a feeling like no other!

But, in all the excitement, we often tend to forget or oversee certain aspects, which could cost us dearly later. So here’s a quick checklist of things to consider when you are building your own home.

1. Builder’s Insurance 

You might not think of it, or, might not think it’s important, but getting insurance for builders is crucial. The very nature of work that builders and decorators undertake is dangerous, and no matter how careful you are or whether you take adequate precautions or not, accidents can and do happen. Either in the form of injury to yourself or damage to property. So it is advisable and sensible to get builders insurance prior to starting work on your house.

2. Know Exactly What You Are Getting Into…

The prospect of building your own house might be very exciting, but know exactly what you will be getting into before taking the plunge. See if you have the time and resources (because you will need a lot of both). Know all the facts and figures and nitty-gritties of the process and ensure that you will be able to follow through and complete the project.

3. Planning Is Important

This might seem obvious but often, we don’t tend to think things through all the way to the end – and that could result in setbacks and issues later. Before ordering materials and starting work, make sure you have the whole picture in front of you. Know exact dimensions of rooms, think  of what furniture you would want and where you would like it, have a solid layout in front of you so there are no goof-ups or regrets later on!

4. As Is Planning Permission! 

This is very important – make sure you have ALL your planning/ extension permissions signed and agreed upon BEFORE you begin any work. Sometimes, these can take time to get approved, but it’s worth the wait, instead of being caught up in legal hassles or wasted time and work later on.

Take into account all the planning permissions you require – check these with your local council if you’re not sure. 

5. Consider Hiring A Designer 

Even though this is your family home and your baby, and you have the perfect vision of your perfect home in your head, sometimes, it is advisable to hire a specialist designer as well. You might know what you want but might not always be able to put pen to paper, as it were. A professional designer will know all the tricks of the trade, and the most practical ways to bring your ideas to life, and will be able to guide and instruct you through the planning process. 

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Home renovations are interesting to do, but when they are not managed well, they can drag on. Therefore, it’s important to be picky about the ones to go ahead with and those to defer or not do at all. Ideally, it’s best to choose renovations that will at worst maintain their cost, but hopefully increase the value of the home. It’s a little tricky though because some future buyers plan to rip out a new bath because they want something to their taste. Nevertheless, modern updates do still make the property more attractive to list in the future even for people with separate plans of their own. 

Here are 4 home renovations that are worth investing in. 

Convert a Garage into a Living Space

The conversion craze to change a house into something else includes the garage. When you don’t use it to store a car, then there may a possibility to convert it into another living space. Whether this requires planning permission from the local council depends on if it is classed as a permitted development. If so, then it’s possible to go ahead because planning permission won’t be needed. With that said, building regulations do apply here. The property will need to be viewed on several occasions to look at various aspects to approve them for existing regulations, including electrical, water drainage, the supporting structures, and the roof too. 

For the most part, however, you should mostly concern yourself with the renovation itself. Planning the layout is an exciting part of the process, but getting to the nitty gritty of everything on the actual renovation can be a headache. Be sure to have a checklist ready to save yourself from unnecessary trips to the hardware store. Have an excess of certain materials such as nails, wood drill bits for taps, and the like.

New Bathroom

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A new bathroom to replace an aging one can help to sell the property later. Ultra-modern bathroom designs include walk-in showers and other niceties, and they can be attractive enough to buyers that they may not need to redo them. At which point, they typically do add to the property value. 

It’s also a factor that an old bathroom will put off some buyers whereas others will need to see a discounted price to reflect the cost of replacing it. Either way, it’s an impediment when you want to sell later. However, for the pleasure of using it, there’s little that beats a completely new bathroom. 

Attic, Basement, or Cellar Conversion

Converting the basement, attic or cellar is an interesting project. There’s often a great deal of freedom as to how it will be eventually laid out and used. As Woodford estate agents would tell you, additional usable spaces commonly increase a property’s valuation, whether that’s as a wine cellar, a bedroom attic, or a basement. Many UK houses have space to convert the attic or a cellar, but few enjoy basements to perform conversions, so we do what we can!

Double the Size of a Room

When the house is large enough, knocking down a non-supporting wall to merge two separate rooms into a single expansive one is a popular option. With the penchant for open plan living, less clutter, and a more minimalistic living style, escaping the smaller room size conundrum is very freeing. Do check if you need any type of permissions before doing so and verify that it’s not a load-bearing wall too (you don’t want to affect the structural integrity of your home). 

When you stick mostly to home renovations that at least keep their value and sometimes increase it, you’re onto a winner. In the meantime, you can enjoy the improvement once it’s completed too. 

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Perfect for sports mad families – kick an swing set from Wickey.ie

There are so many benefits of investing in a safe garden for kids. When kids feel as though they have a space outside that they can roam and play, they’ll be more inclined to turn off the screens and head out the door.

If you’re ready to give the kids an active area that they can run and play and have fun, why not create a safe garden space for them to be able to release their energy while enjoying spending time outdoors?

Benefits of Investing in a Safe Garden for Kids

Not all of these simple ideas may work for your space but they’re good ones to consider and see if they’re possible. If anything, they just might give you a good idea of other ways to incorporate safety and fun.

• Your children will grow in confidence

How fabulous is this swing and slide set from Wickey.ie

So many times kids tend to shy away from doing things because they don’t know if they’re safe to use. If you take the steps to create a safe and fun area, the kids will be more than happy to run right out that door.

• Safe climbing frames will help with focus and athleticism

Climbing frames and structures such as those pictures opposite from Wickey are a great addition to any outdoor space! As long as you follow the safety precautions in getting it set up, the kids will be able to climb around worry-free and have a blast.

Climbing frames are created to challenge them but also make them feel confident and proud as well. They’ll be so excited to show you just how fast they can climb around and you’ll be happy to know that they’re safe!

• Swing sets for younger explorers 

One of the most used pieces in our back garden is without doubt the is swing and slide set. Which we have loved about this is that is really does grow with your child.  It took mine time to get the confidence to go up the ladder and down the slide unaided when they were younger but now 3 years later they are loving it. Even the 8 year old can wile away hours out the back.

• Safety measures mean no surprise accidents or tears

If you’re able to create a safe garden space, the kids will be able to run about and have fun without the worry of accidents happening frequently. If you are stuck for ideas here is some inspiration for easy outdoor learning activities. This doesn’t mean that they won’t but this does mean that safety features can help eliminate some of that worry.

These simple tips for creating a safe space in the garden area for kids really do work and are worth trying. The more that you can give them and yourself peace of mind, the better!

What other benefits of investing in a safe garden for kids can you think of? 

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While everyone is finding the current pandemic situation difficult, the additional time many of us are spending at home shouldn’t be wasted. It’s a great time to get some upgrades or home improvements done. Depending on which one it is, some can certainly be done yourself without needing professionals if you’re willing to try. Other tasks will need a third-party to execute what’s needed to your specification. Either way, don’t let 2021 become a year that you fail to get ahead as there’s no time to waste. 

Here are 4 upgrades or improvements that are worth doing this year. 

• Changing the Heating System

When the heating system is sufficiently old that it sometimes stops working or is a bit intermittent, then that’s worrying for the colder months. If you’ve been grinning and bearing it for a while and there has been no improvement, then you can consider a furnace repair or an inspection to determine how bad the problem is. However, if you’re already certain that part or all of the heating system needs to be replaced, then it’s possible to make arrangements to get a booking for that. To get that organized, visit GlobalHeatingAirConditioning.com.

• Add Some Landscaping

Spending time at home gives you a greater appreciation for the outdoor space at your home. But sometimes it can be a little lackluster, need a clean-up, and more. Adding landscape gardening can turn a backyard into a space that’s to be enjoyed once again. Some layered features to lend both depth and dimension to a previously boring lawn is one possibility. A small fountain or a pond with fish can also give the backyard more movement or life that might presently feel missing. 

If you’re up for a major improvement project, consider adding modern metal balusters and handrails to your porch or deck to transform your outdoor space completely. Not only will it enhance the curb appeal of your home, but it will also improve the safety of an elevated outdoor space.

Or if you really want to splash out why not consider  wood fired hot tubs, it is definitely on my list. I  have visions of chilling in the hot tub glass of wine in hand. The dream….

• Spruce Up the Decor

The décor may require sprucing up or it could just feel like a change is in order. Changing the paint hue on the wall or hanging some new paintings or photographs can completely alter how the room looks and feels. If you’re quite selective about the photos that you’d like hung, then do you have some that you’ve previously taken that will personalize the space? Do you love travel? Framing and hanging past travel photos can evoke happy memories and inspire you.

• Bedroom Makeover

A bedroom is a place of tranquillity and rest, but not all of them feel that way though. If you haven’t changed yours since moving in, then it may be time to consider a complete makeover. New wardrobes, a hardwood floor with a soft rug, and a replaced bed can do wonders. 

Also, if you’ve found that your current mattress is sagging and lacks proper support, then one of the mattress-in-a-box companies like Tuft & Needle, Saatva, or Helix could provide a replacement right to your door. These mattresses only need unrolling and airing out before you’ll be floating on them! 

Just choose the upgrade that has the most appeal and fits your budget, then get going with it. Don’t let 2021 go to waste – make the improvements that will increase your happiness at home. 

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Moving house is a lot of work, so it’s no surprise that many people who have done it will list it as one of the most stressful life experiences to go through. If you are trying to sell your current property before you can buy and move into a new one, it can be even more stressful. The first step is finding the right real estate agent to market your home. However, whether you are after a quick sale or want to get the best price possible for your property in the shortest amount of time, there are several things that you can consider doing to encourage your home to sell. 

Consider a Cash Buyer

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If the aim is to sell your property as quickly as possible, you might want to consider selling it directly to a cash buyer like Blueprint Homes real estate renovation and investments. Selling to a cash buyer typically means that you will be able to close the deal very quickly regardless of the condition that your home is in. This is an ideal choice if you need a quick sale but are struggling to secure a buyer because your property needs a lot of work. 

Clear it Out

When you are selling your home, it’s a good idea to get a storage unit for as many of your belongings as possible, so that the property is clean and clutter-free when you are showing it to potential buyers. When you’ve been living somewhere for a few years, it’s quite normal to accumulate lots of things, but this could make the home look smaller or make it difficult for prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there. 

Fix Things Up

Even if your home is not in need of any major renovations, it’s important to ensure that everything is working and in good condition before you show it to any prospective buyers. Go around your home and look for any little problems that might affect the impression your home makes like small cracks in the wall that could be filled or light bulbs that no longer work and need changing. 

Boost Curb Appeal

Spend some time working on the front of your home, since this is the part of the property that is going to make the first impression on potential buyers. A well-kept garden, some tasteful flowers and plants, and a clean driveway or pathway can make a huge amount of difference. 

Neutral Décor

Before putting your home on the market and showing it to prospective buyers, it’s a good idea to redecorate it throughout in neutral colors like white, cream or light gray. This makes it easier for prospective buyers to imagine what they would be able to do when they own the house rather than viewing a house with somebody else’s personal stamp on it. 

Selling a home can be a stressful experience, but the good news is that there are several things that you can do to encourage buyers to take an interest and secure the deal.

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People lead busy lives, this much is clear and for most of us, the last thing we want to do after a long week at work is to dig out the lawn mower on a Saturday morning or get the old clothes out of the cupboard to spend the weekend weeding on our knees. And don’t forget the cleaning, power washing and general garden tidy up! It’s the bane of my life (and the bane of many other people’s too!), and because of this, the best piece of advice I can give – and you can thank me later for this – is to enlist the professionals for these tasks. You can learn more about this here.  Homeowners in 2021 are collectively searching for low-maintenance solutions for their gardens as a valuable investment.

Here are 5 ways to create a low maintenance garden

Composite Decking

Timber decking was always the first choice for homeowners to deck out seating areas in the gardens, however nowadays, composite decking is fast becoming the first choice for those seeking a modern, durable, and low maintenance solution. Composite decking is made from a combination of plastic and wood. Due to this fact, the necessity of painting and treating on an annual basis is eradicated, saving time, money, and resources. Composite decking is also widely available in a range of colours and finishes so can be purchased to match your current or desired finish. 

Artificial Grass

Traditional turf requires regular attention to ensure that it remains in tip top condition, but this can take a lot of time, effort and expense across the year. Real grass needs colour treating, watering, feeding, reseeding, mowing – this list can go on and on – and of course, any damage must be repaired. Astro turf or artificial grass is the complete opposite. The only real maintenance needed is a simple sweep from time to time to remove seasonal debris from your lawn. Many homeowners who have chosen to install artificial grass have described it as a priceless investment, and with long-lasting, low-maintenance properties, it’s no secret as to why. 

Storage Solutions

A big part of garden maintenance can be moving things about around the year and ensuring items kept in the garden are weatherproof and secure. This can become an arduous task but it can be solved. The more storage solutions you can place in your garden, the better. From sheds, to shipping containers, to storage boxes or even Wooden Gazebos, the more storage you have, the tidier your garden can be. As a result, little maintenance is required to keep your garden looking neat and how you want it to.

Stone Paving

Many homeowners are now choosing low maintenance as a priority in line with the overall look and feel of their outdoor spaces. As a result, a lot of people are choosing contemporary paving solutions for their property’s front and back gardens. In 2020 and moving into 2021, York Stone paving is incredibly popular – especially in shades of grey – and has allowed people to transform their overgrown, high maintenance patios into modern, aesthetically pleasing outdoor patio areas they are able to enjoy all year round. 

Gravel Paths

Creating walkways throughout your garden or even just replacing existing flowerbeds with gravel can dramatically reduce the amount of maintenance required in your garden. If laid with the correct, durable weed membrane, gravel removes to need for regular upkeep to beds, paths, and more. Gravel is available to purchase from many general DIY retailers and garden centres, and can be bought in a vast range of colours and styles, so you can choose a stone to specifically suit the aesthetic of your outdoor space. 

Helpful ideas? We hope so! 

Garden maintenance is certainly regarded as a chore that many people would like to live without, so by making a few simple changes to your outdoor spaces, you can spend more of your valuable time enjoying your garden rather than maintaining it. 

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We all want to provide our kids with the best living environment to grow up in. We take huge steps to make sure that our homes are well suited to their needs. But often, it is easy for things to get a little out of control. With the pressures and responsibilities of day to day life – and with most children being pretty untidy and messy – you may find that housework falls from your grasp and your home becomes a little messy or dirty. Of course, we do the routine tasks that are required of us on a regular basis. We’ll vacuum. We’ll sweep and mop the wood or tiled floors. We’ll do the washing up. We’ll wipe down work surfaces and polish shelves. But often, we find that we don’t have all too much time for a real deep clean. Here are some areas you should do your utmost to fit into your schedule to make your home the perfect haven for both you and your little ones.

Declutter

Start by decluttering. Children bring all sorts of items home that they then no longer want or need. We tend to do this as adults too. So, go through your belongings, determine what you want to keep and what can be removed and make sure that you remove the items you don’t need or want any more. Sell those of value or donate them to a charity shop. Recycle what you can. Then ensure that the rest is picked up by a rubbish removal service. This will really clear up space in your home.

Clean Your Carpets

We all vacuum our carpets. But when’s the last time you gave yours a real deep clean? Remember just how much wear and tear your carpets experience on a daily basis. People are constantly walking on it. Pets go in and out of the house with mucky paws on it. Little ones are likely to spill food and drinks on it. Sure, you can vacuum and it will pick dirt up, or you can spot clean small areas, but over time, dirt will inevitably build up and this needs to be removed. The good news is that you don’t have to get on your hands. Instead, you could try hiring a professional carpet cleaner. These are special machines that can be hired and run around your house and will clean your carpet with a proper cleaning solution. Alternatively, you could use a professional carpet cleaning service, which will see a professional do the work for you. Trust me you will not regret it, we always factor in a professional deep clean of our carpets coming up to Christmas. 

Cleaning Windows

We all need to clean our windows. Otherwise they begin to smear. We’d recommend that you use professional window cleaners for your exterior windows. This is safer and will prevent accidents. But when it comes to cleaning your interior windows, you can generally do this yourself. All you need is a good window cleaning solution (try to find an eco-friendly option where possible), a window cleaning cloth or rag and a window cleaning squeegee. Then, simply spray the window and wipe it down thoroughly. It really is as simple as that!

These are just a few starter steps to thoroughly cleaning your home, but they should get you off to the best start possible!

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On a hot summer afternoon, a plunge into the pool feels refreshing if not heavenly. That’s the primary reason for having a pool in my backyard. The other being cultivating my tan by the poolside during lazy days. Amid all the luxuries, there is a crucial element that keeps me on my toes. And that’s pool maintenance. It is what separates a limpid pool from a backyard swamp! You can, of course, hire a handyman (like handymandir.com, to name one example) to help with this, or you can do it yourself. Here are maintenance tips I have learned through the years.

Check the Water Levels

During my early years as a pool owner, I often forgot to check on the physical water levels. Due to this, my pump broke down regularly. It turns out that low water levels interfere with the pool’s skimmer. As a result, debris and leaves accumulate, clog hoses, and in some instances find their way to the pump. 

The ideal water level should be half of the pool’s skimmer. During high precipitations or whenever there’s a heavy downpour, I drain excess water from the pool. However, when temperatures are high and the pool’s water level drops, I add water using a hose.

Balance the Chemical Levels

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Maintaining the required chemical levels in a pool is a perilous task. Chemically imbalanced pool water irritates the skin, affects the eyes, makes the water murky, and is ideal for bacteria.

The chemical aspects I pay attention to are total alkalinity (80-110 ppm), free chlorine, calcium hardness (220-300), Cyanuric Acid (30-50 ppm), and pH levels (7.5-7.8). Testing the water is straightforward. I source the required testing kits from a pool store, then collect samples from my pool using vials. What follows is a color comparison between the tested water and colors on the kit.

Shock Whenever Murky

A common issue among homeowners is when should they shock their pools. From years of maintaining my pool, I have learned to use the water’s color as a determinant for shocking. A murky pool is a clear indicator that my pool needs to be shocked. My pool tends to get cloudy whenever my kid holds a bash and invites lots of friends.

The pool’s murkiness is caused by a surge in the number of bacteria, and shocking remedies this problem. Shocking implies using an excess dose of chlorine to kill pool bacteria within a short period. I usually pour five times the normal chlorine level to the return line, allow it to filter through, then refill the pool. I also avoid shocking too often since it degrades the pool’s sidings.

Regular Scrubbing and Skimming

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Every pool demands skimming off debris and leaves, but a pristine pool requires this service regularly. Luckily, I own a skimmer basket for such functions. I clean out this basket daily to prevent the build-up of undesirable material. Besides, a cleaner skimmer basket improves the lifespan of the pump.

When it comes to scrubbing, I perform this action every week. Scrubbing mainly prevents the growth and build-up of algae on the pool’s walls. My main focus is usually on growth spots, where I scrub using a brush and some chlorine. I start at the top of the pool, working my way down while employing steady brush strokes.

When it comes to scrubbing, I perform this action every week. Scrubbing mainly prevents the growth and build-up of algae on the pool’s walls. My main focus is usually on growth spots, where I scrub using a brush and some chlorine. I start at the top of the pool, working my way down while employing steady brush strokes. It’s worth keeping in mind that the material that your pool is made from will impact how regularly you need to clean. Concrete pools will require weekly scrubbing, whereas Fiberglass pools require much less cleaning upkeep, which is why they are an increasingly popular option.

Maintain the Filters

The number of times a pool filter should be cleaned varies depending on the type of filter. The quickest way of judging a problem is when the filter pressure gauge points to a drop in pressure. I clean my filter by first turning it off, eliminating the filter cap, then emptying the filter basket.

I perform this task weekly when free or contract a handyman whenever I am busy. I also backwash my filter system monthly. This removes any built-up contaminants in the filter pipes. Don’t forget also to regularly get your pool serviced  by a professional who is experienced in this area as this will ensure that your filters are in top working order. Fortunately, reputable companies like https://premierpoolservice.com/locations/ will be able to undertake this for you and also check the pump, the solar cover or the automatic cleaner if required. 

Yearly Service Appointment

Similar to most home appliances and tools, a backyard pool needs an annual check from pool experts. This is because most of us have limited knowledge of equipment like heating systems, pumps, and filters, to name a few. Each year, I have had a professional come and inspect my pool.

I ensure every aspect of my pool is checked with each visit, and mention any underlying issue to my serviceperson. The small problems the serviceperson detects averts astronomical calamities that I might encounter in the future.

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