Soon, winter will be winding down, and homeowners will start planning — and prepping for — a variety of outdoor projects for spring. From cleaning, repairing or replacing decks, to creating raised beds for veggies and flowers, now is the time to start gearing up for those spring projects.
Cleaning up
Start with spring cleaning existing structures. Take a weekend to clean decks, gazebos and pergolas of dirt, debris, mold and mildew. For structures made of naturally durable western red cedar, a broom, garden sprayer and hose, plus a little bleach are all you need.
Sweep winter debris such as twigs and leaves from decks, taking care to pvc suction hose pipeclean between planks on horizontal surfaces. This facilitates airflow and drainage, and can help prevent a buildup of moisture when spring showers arrive. Next, use a garden sprayer to apply a-mild oxygen bleach solution to kill mold and mildew. Be sure to leave the bleach solution on the wood surface for approximately 30 minutes, and then rinse with water. Never use a pressure washer as it can damage the wood.
Maintenance and repair
Carefully inspect outdoor structures for wear and tear. While western red cedar contains natural preservatives that make the wood durable, all outdoor structures require annual care, fuel hoseincluding those made of pressure-treated lumber or composites.
Check planks, beams and boards for cracking, warping or rough spots and repair accordingly. Replace damaged wood, and be sure to examine hardware to ensure it’s working properly and free of rust.If you’ve always dreamed about lounging on a lovely deck on a summer afternoon, or savoring a spring morning beneath the shade of a decorative pergola, now’s the time to start planning the project.
A great deck is the showpiece of an inspired backyard, and spring is a prime time to add one. To ensure your deck affords you the most value and enjoyment, consider using an online deck planner to help you envision your deck before you begin building.
2014年4月14日 星期一
Are there dangerous chemicals in my garden hose?
Every now and then I read something that reminds me of the ubquitous and far-reaching dangers in the world around me. It seems like I can't even enjoy the simplest things in life these days without being reminded that everything is trying to kill me. Case in point for me this week came on Grist, when a reader asked Umbra about the dangers of garden hoses. Is your Minneapolis concrete garden path a highway to hell?
Garden hoses? I thought to myself. What could be wrong with garden hoses?As it turns out, potentially a great deal, because plastic hoses could leach chemicals into the water -- that same water you're using on your organic fruits and vegetables that you might not be bothering to wash because you think you know what's on them. And, of course, that same water that's trickling into the soil for your plants to take up, allowing chemicals to concentrate in their stems, leaves, and fruits.
The leaching per watering session may not be much, but it builds up over time. And while the health risk might be lower than some other risks around you, it's by no means nonexistent, which means it's worth ameliorating it if you can. Reducing risks can help you stay that much safer in the world around you, and while you shouldn't live in constant fear, prudent caution is a good trait to have.
Many hoses include pthalates and other softeners to prevent kinking and make them more comfortable to use. In addition, some are treated with antimicrobial products like triclosan to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, a common problem with garden houses. All of these chemicals are linked to human health problems, and they aren't the kind of thing you want spilling out all over your food, especially if you have children, who are particularly vulnerable to food-borne chemicals.
Looking out at the bright shiny garden hose coiled neatly against my house, I'm almost tempted to go on a mission throughout the neighborhood, ripping hoses out at the roots and saving my neighbors from themselves. You see, it's not just that plastic hoses contain health risks: the standing water that sits in them, according to Umbra, has been revealed to have lead and other chemicals, leached out from the plumbing in hose bibs and other equipment.
Garden hoses? I thought to myself. What could be wrong with garden hoses?As it turns out, potentially a great deal, because plastic hoses could leach chemicals into the water -- that same water you're using on your organic fruits and vegetables that you might not be bothering to wash because you think you know what's on them. And, of course, that same water that's trickling into the soil for your plants to take up, allowing chemicals to concentrate in their stems, leaves, and fruits.
The leaching per watering session may not be much, but it builds up over time. And while the health risk might be lower than some other risks around you, it's by no means nonexistent, which means it's worth ameliorating it if you can. Reducing risks can help you stay that much safer in the world around you, and while you shouldn't live in constant fear, prudent caution is a good trait to have.
Many hoses include pthalates and other softeners to prevent kinking and make them more comfortable to use. In addition, some are treated with antimicrobial products like triclosan to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, a common problem with garden houses. All of these chemicals are linked to human health problems, and they aren't the kind of thing you want spilling out all over your food, especially if you have children, who are particularly vulnerable to food-borne chemicals.
Looking out at the bright shiny garden hose coiled neatly against my house, I'm almost tempted to go on a mission throughout the neighborhood, ripping hoses out at the roots and saving my neighbors from themselves. You see, it's not just that plastic hoses contain health risks: the standing water that sits in them, according to Umbra, has been revealed to have lead and other chemicals, leached out from the plumbing in hose bibs and other equipment.
2014年4月8日 星期二
Toyota LandCruiser brake recall 13,800 vehicles affected locally
Approximately 13,800 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series models have been recalled in Australia due to a braking system fault that could result in a brake fluid leak.
Affecting current ABS-equipped Toyota LandCruiser VDJ7# models built between May 2012 and March 2014 in single- and China Fuel and Oil hosess manufacturersdouble-cab chassis, wagon or troop carrier guises, the recall relates to a flexible brake hose bracket located on the vehicles’ front differential.
According to the official recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s product safety recalls website, under certain conditions the brake hose bracket may fracture around the securing bolt and break, potentially resulting in a brake fluid leak.
“If the defect occurs, braking effectiveness is reduced, increasing the risk of a collision,” the notice says.
Toyota Australia said the possibility exists “if the vehicle is driven frequently at high speeds on corrugated roads”.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series - Troop Carrier and Cab Chassis.“In the worst case, the brake pedal stroke may increase and reduce braking effectiveness, resulting in longer vehicle stopping distances.”
The local division of the Japanese car maker confirmed there have been 27 reports of the fault locally, as well as one “low-speed accident”,China Chemical hosess manufacturers though no injuries have been reported.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail to organise the replacement of the defective brake hose bracket, along with two brake hoses, at no cost to customers. The fix is estimated to take less than an hour to complete.
The recall affects approximately 22,000 vehicles globally, including cars in the Middle East, South Africa and Middle and South America.
Affecting current ABS-equipped Toyota LandCruiser VDJ7# models built between May 2012 and March 2014 in single- and China Fuel and Oil hosess manufacturersdouble-cab chassis, wagon or troop carrier guises, the recall relates to a flexible brake hose bracket located on the vehicles’ front differential.
According to the official recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s product safety recalls website, under certain conditions the brake hose bracket may fracture around the securing bolt and break, potentially resulting in a brake fluid leak.
“If the defect occurs, braking effectiveness is reduced, increasing the risk of a collision,” the notice says.
Toyota Australia said the possibility exists “if the vehicle is driven frequently at high speeds on corrugated roads”.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series - Troop Carrier and Cab Chassis.“In the worst case, the brake pedal stroke may increase and reduce braking effectiveness, resulting in longer vehicle stopping distances.”
The local division of the Japanese car maker confirmed there have been 27 reports of the fault locally, as well as one “low-speed accident”,China Chemical hosess manufacturers though no injuries have been reported.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail to organise the replacement of the defective brake hose bracket, along with two brake hoses, at no cost to customers. The fix is estimated to take less than an hour to complete.
The recall affects approximately 22,000 vehicles globally, including cars in the Middle East, South Africa and Middle and South America.
More Power, No Problems
Ready to slay some dust bunnies this Spring cleaning? Tired of cat hair ruining your carpets, or sick of trying to clear out the cobwebs in your attic mostly by waving your hands around? Is your vacuum too heavy or loud, or are you constrained to using it within a few feet of an outlet? We’ve got an apartment dwellers dream, a compact, lightweight, extendable and portable vacuum cleaner from the company that reinvigorated the category.
The Dyson DC59 Animal Cordless Vacuum is certainly not your average model. When we last checked in with Dyson and their DC23 canister vac, we were impressed by the sheer power, as well as the space-age looks. The DC59 takes the same great industrial design and shrinks it, offering power comparable to a corded vacuum in a svelte battery-powered body. The last handheld model we saw was their DC31, and the latest update improves in every way on the predecessors. And it comes with a mini motorized tool, turning a hand vacuum into a flexible do-it-all wonder.
For starters, the low profile brush head slides under your couch, sofa, or other furniture easily. The battery life on older models was only about 15 minutes, and the DC59 just about doubles that, probably thanks to the change from lithium ion chemistry to new nickel manganese cobalt. Of course, the weight is also about doubled- but you’ll still barely notice it at under five pounds.
Plus, it’s well balanced enough that even your average teenager gal will be able to extend the hose and clean the ceilings without feeling likely to fall over. The 28 airwatts of power- and we love that measurement- put by the ‘Cyclone’ technology is enough to handle even carpets and do a quick job on floors. It’s still loud, but not that bad, and comparable to most others in this class.
As you might guess from the Animal in the name, this little guy does a solid job on working with pets and their fur and dander. We tried it out to attempt to clear some rugs, blankets, and surfaces from the hair that inevitably gets everywhere- and only needed to take one pass, with everything looking fresh and clean moments later.
The Dyson DC59 Animal Cordless Vacuum is certainly not your average model. When we last checked in with Dyson and their DC23 canister vac, we were impressed by the sheer power, as well as the space-age looks. The DC59 takes the same great industrial design and shrinks it, offering power comparable to a corded vacuum in a svelte battery-powered body. The last handheld model we saw was their DC31, and the latest update improves in every way on the predecessors. And it comes with a mini motorized tool, turning a hand vacuum into a flexible do-it-all wonder.
For starters, the low profile brush head slides under your couch, sofa, or other furniture easily. The battery life on older models was only about 15 minutes, and the DC59 just about doubles that, probably thanks to the change from lithium ion chemistry to new nickel manganese cobalt. Of course, the weight is also about doubled- but you’ll still barely notice it at under five pounds.
Plus, it’s well balanced enough that even your average teenager gal will be able to extend the hose and clean the ceilings without feeling likely to fall over. The 28 airwatts of power- and we love that measurement- put by the ‘Cyclone’ technology is enough to handle even carpets and do a quick job on floors. It’s still loud, but not that bad, and comparable to most others in this class.
As you might guess from the Animal in the name, this little guy does a solid job on working with pets and their fur and dander. We tried it out to attempt to clear some rugs, blankets, and surfaces from the hair that inevitably gets everywhere- and only needed to take one pass, with everything looking fresh and clean moments later.
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