Installing a home water filter system is a wise decision. Water is used for drinking, cooking and bathing so when it comes with poor quality, it can make all family members sick. When homeowners look after the quality of water in their home, they also make sure they watch over the health of their family.

These systems cause changes in several liquid properties such as color, taste, odor, turbidity and iron content. A simple filter can easily change chemical-filled water but it can be challenging to find the right product that best fits a particular household’s needs.

When it comes to water systems, the “one size fits all” approach does not work since customers have their own issues.

Tips for Deciding on the Right In-Home Water Treatment System

Before buying a filter, identify water issues.

It is easy for a free water test to identify filter issues and their severity. It can detect problems such as acidity, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide gas and iron, to name a few. As soon as the water test results are released, homeowners should think of the important factors.

When it comes to deciding on a water filter, is it important to have a pH balanced water supply? If that is the case, they should buy a product that addresses this issue. If their biggest problem is about reducing the amount of chlorine, they should invest in a model that is capable of removing chlorine.

A lot of filters can address a multitude of problems and they can ask help from their water filtration company to find a system that best suits their needs.

Indoor or Outdoor Household Water Filters

When a home is built, it is usually difficult and more costly to have a water filter installed for water supply in the indoors and outdoors. Indoor filter installation is simpler and more cost efficient. If they are more concerned about filtering water indoors, the chosen water filtration company should focus only on systems for indoor use.

If they also like to filter the water outside to enhance landscaping or make sure that their kids’ water toys do not spread germs or catch harmful chemicals, their water filtration company can find the best system for the indoors as well as outdoors.

Determine the Flow Rate

Just like water softeners and heaters, it can help to know the amount of water that a household uses per day. Regarding all water filter systems for household use, a person who lives by himself is likely to use less water than a family with four members.

Thinking about the technology and size of the water system will allow them to save on expenses and water on the long-term. Following the above mentioned tips will provide the right water filter for the family, which would lead to better tasting water, a better home and better health.

Why does big business have all the fun? We fix our own postage stamps – THEY use a franking machine. We use scissors – THEY use a guillotine. We put our papers in the bottom drawer while THEY have a filing cabinet. And it has only been in recent times that you can get a car that plays a tune when reversing, just like those big lorries.

Oh, and next time you are in your supermarket, have a look around, especially behind the delicatessen counter. You will soon see an electric fly killer. These are also common in restaurant kitchens and food production factories.

Well that is just marvelous. While the rest of us have to make do with a rolled up newspaper, these shops and factories can have the work done for them by a machine. Try asking the supermarket assistant if you can buy a fly killer, or where you can get one. “These machines are not for the likes of you! Go and buy a newspaper like everyone else” would be the reply. Well, perhaps not – I think my imagination got lost there – most shop assistants are much nicer than that.

And try going down the high street to find an elusive fly killer machine. Drug store (Chemist)? – No! White Goods store? unlikely. Toy Shop? Pet Shop? No, I reckon the fly killer machines are in the same shops that sell guillotines and franking machines. What, a stationer’s shop? No….perhaps not……I guess this means a trip to the newsagent – perhaps they can supply ready-rolled newspapers.

Look, isn’t it time for the ordinary folk out there who want to live in a clean, hygienic, house fly-free house, to strike out.

Well, I’ll let you into a little secret: the wonderful Insectocutor Hygenie fly killer is designed for domestic properties. It looks like an elegant wall lamp but is actually deadly to flies and wasps. There are other small machines for the home too. But where are they? Try http://www.eeeee.co.uk (link is below) and so you can now have your very own killer in the home!

MISTAKES.

Don’t worry about making mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes.

Why should you be different.

The person who never made a mistake, never made anything.

Mistakes can be costly. They can also be educational.

Look upon your mistakes as an asset.

Life is a learning process. Learn from your mistakes.

Profit from them and you will not only make more money, you will also become a better person.

You must face the fact that from time to time you will make the odd mistake.

As long as they are not life threatening, pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get on with your life.

Just remember to not make the same mistake twice.

As I said before, “Learn from your mistakes.”

Better still, learn from other people’s mistakes.

There are people out there who have become millionaires working on the internet. Do you think they never made mistakes? They are only too willing to admit to their mistakes and to explain how they resolved them.

If you want to get to the top, and I presume that you do, study those who have already made it to the top. Study the way that they did it. Copy the methods of successful people. They will not be too proud to explain the problems they encountered on the way. Problems that you will surely meet as you progress and gain experience.

Disregard the ‘overnight gurus’ trying to sell you the latest get rich scheme. If you listen to them you will be making the biggest mistake of all.

The old adage’ Learn to walk before you try to run.’ Holds good in any type of business venture.

The main difference when setting up a business on the internet, as against setting up a conventional business, is that on the internet there is no shortage of genuine advice for the newcomer to take advantage of.

Good advice is there for the taking. Don’t disregard it just because it is free. Some of the very best things in life are free.

Just make sure that you take full advantage of them.

Relax, nothing is so bad that it can’t be fixed.

Here’s to your great success. Bob….

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days. From television shows to magazines, the industry is trying to teach the consumer how to design cheap. In the past, ideas such as cheap design shows would have left most interior designers horrified. The industry of interior design has changed dramatically over the past few years in order to better accommodate consumers.

In it’s early to mid stages of evolution, interior design was an industry of prestige. Now, due to the demand for cost-cutting design for the average customer, designing on a budget and cheap interior design has become a topic of much interest and acceptance. Of course, you will always find the designers who absolutely insist that durability and style of a design is identifiable with the name brand associated with the contents therein, which relates back to the price tag. Most everyday people do not relate to this line of thinking therefore it has become increasingly unpopular within the normal ranks of the professionals in the industry.

A secret tool to marvelous rooms created using cheap interior design ideas is good decision making. By purchasing some slightly more expensive key items in a room’s furniture and cost-cutting on the smaller items or accessories you can save big bucks and still achieve the same look that is achieved in other more expensive, name brand rooms. The first question that pops into your mind here is likely to be, alright, simple concept, now where do I buy the bargain items?

Easily answered! Your hunt for cheap interior design ideas and items can begin successfully at any bargain-type store. The stores and availability of items in these stores will vary according to your location. Many times, there are locally known ‘bargain bins’ or stores at which you can by slightly-damaged or used items at a fraction of the cost associated with similar store bought items. When buying at these stores, be careful not to overspend. Many of us have a tenancy to get overly enthused and purchase items that are not good bargains or ones that we are not very likely to use. Save your money for where it counts. If you bargain shop for long enough, you will find the perfect items that fit into your lifestyle and space, just waiting for you to purchase!

Some accessories are easier to find bargains on then others. If you search and search for a certain item and are unable to find it, try to improvise or select another similar item to take its’ place. Cheap interior design ideas are abundant to the creative thinker who is willing to overcome obstacles with unusual, cheap solutions. Keep your mind open to all possibilities and applications of furniture…a pulled-together solution adds style and a conversation piece to any room.

Other places you can find cheap interior design ideas are yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets. Remember again when shopping in areas such as this that it is easy to get caught up in the moment and overspend. Take your time and comb the items carefully for objects of value. Many times in these type of sales the physically larger items tend to sell for more then cost value and the smaller valuable items are looked over in haste. Cheap interior design ideas are not limited to large items! If you find a good deal on an accessory or such, especially If it is part of a group or collection of items, buy it and use it to accentuate your other items.

Cheap interior design ideas are easy to find these days, you just have to know the right places to look and the right items to purchase. Time is the essential element in designing cheaply. Patience pays off in most any situation, including interior design!

Are you looking to buy a good air purifier? If so, we suggest that you check out the following reasons to have one in your house or office. Read on to find out more.

1) Air Pollutants

First of all, we have airborne pollutants that can have a negative impact on our health. They may include arsenic, lead and cigarettes. Therefore, installing an air purifier is as important as eating healthy and drinking pure water.

2) Enclosed Space

The walls around our house protect us from a lot of unhealthy elements. However, the downside is that they can also capture airborne particles, odor, gases and chemicals. According to EPA, the air in our homes and apartments can be up to 100 times dirtier than the outdoor air.

3) Having a New Baby

If you have a baby, it’s important that you take necessary precautions. According to many researchers, disease is a continuous process that may take many years to show symptoms. Therefore, your fetus or newborn should be protected from the air pollutants during the first few months.

4) You have Kids

It’s important to keep in mind that kids are more sensitive. They have immature metabolism and they may not be able to excrete chemicals unlike adults. As a result, they are more prone to air pollution.

Aside from this, many kids suffer from asthma and allergies that can get worse if they are exposed to chemicals and airborne particles.

5) Being over the age of 60

When you are over the age of 60, your body loses its efficiency. Breathing in fresh air is quite important at this age if you want to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

6) Modern Conveniences

The problem is that many of the products we have are eroding our health. For instance, appliances, hygiene products, cleaning products, pesticides, non-stick surfaces, flame retardants, plastics and dry cleaning are adding toxic dust to the air. Therefore, keeping a good air purifier in your rooms is a good idea.

7) Allergies

If you have allergies, they may get worse due to airborne particles, such as dander, pollen and dust. Aside from this, it can get aggravated by a lot of other elements, such as airborne chemicals.

The only way out is to get an air purifier that has HEPA filtration to eliminate at least 99.97% of the particles.

8) Asthma or other Respiratory Issues

At old age, your respiratory systems get compromised. Therefore, having an air cleaner is essential to stay healthy. A HEPA filter can do a great job of eliminating 99.97% of allergens. On the other hand, a deep-bed filter of carbon can remove airborne odors, gases and chemicals.

Long story short, these are some reasons why you may want to invest in a good air purifier unit. If you are already going to buy one, we suggest that you remember the tips given in this article. This will ensure you get the best product to clean the air in your home or office. Hope this helps.

If there is a time that well waters fear is when the water that comes out from the tap has become discolored, cloudy or foul smelling. There must be something wrong with their well.

Luckily, there is a solution to most common well water problems. Well users just need to identify the cause of these water issues so they can take action and restore water supply immediately.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Hard Water

Hard water is caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the liquid. It is very common to find hard water in the US as it affects 85% of the people who live there.

Hard Water Symptoms

• Clothes lose their original color and feel rough;
• Skin is dry and hair is flakey;
• Low pressure because of the buildup of minerals in clogged pipes;
• Buildup of scale on faucets and appliances;
• White residue and spots on dishes and dishwashers;
• Stains on sinks and bathtubs.

Acidic Water Well Issues

Acid rain, drainage from mining operations as well as plant decay can lower the pH level to under 7.0 pH. Low well water pH level can also be caused by low total dissolved solids or TDS.

Acidic Water Symptoms

• Blue-green color or rust stains in sinks and bathtubs
• In some cases, cloudy water
• Metallic, bitter taste
• Small leaks in plumbing
• Worn down faucets and fixtures
• Hydrogen Sulfide

As organic material decomposes, the flammable hydrogen sulfide enters the water. The gas can be produced by the infestation of sulfate-reducing bacteria or chemical reactions with the anode rods inside water heaters.

Hydrogen Sulfide Symptoms

• Rotten egg smell and taste of water;
• Stains on clothes;
• Stains on bathroom fixtures;
• Discoloration of silverware, brass and copper;
• Iron and Manganese.

Iron and manganese, which are naturally found in bedrock, can dissolve in groundwater when mining operations cause a disturbance.

Iron and Manganese Symptoms

• Black stains or specks;
• Orange, red or brown stains on sinks, bathtubs;
• Cloudy, orange water;
• Bitter, metallic taste;
• Oily water surface;
• Grey/black staining water;

Turbidity.

Drilling, runoff or other forms of earth disturbance can let high total suspended sediment levels enter well water. High levels of sediment may show the presence of pollutants, microbial life, or oxidised metals like iron and manganese in water.

Turbidity Symptoms

• Dirty or cloudy water

Fluoride

Fluoride occurs in all natural water in a range of amounts and can be detected by testing well water. EPA recommends a 0.7 mg/L level for fluoride but it can be higher when it comes to well water

Fluoride Symptoms

• Dental fluorosis: Brown or dirty white stains on teeth, children in particular.

Fecal Bacteria

Fecal bacteria like E. Coli is found in human or animal waste. These can find their way to well water by means of agricultural runoff, well wall cracks or overflowing sewage lines and septic tanks.

Fecal Bacteria Contamination Symptoms

Symptoms of Fecal Bacteria Contamination

• Gastrointestinal illness happens more often
• Water may/may not have an odor

A Kitchen is a space where family bonds while cooking food. An open and bright kitchen space is a welcoming sight in your home. An attractive remodeled kitchen makes your home more appealing. A kitchen should be well-equipped to perform an extensive diversity of tasks. As you plan to model your new kitchen, you should look for the appeal as well as the efficiency part. If you wish to contact a professional designer, then you can reach out to Beyond Kitchens. Beyond Kitchens is one of the top refurbishment companies in Cape Town who can help you in processing the work smoothly.

What does a Professional Kitchen Designer do?

A kitchen designer is an interior designer who works on designing, modernizing, or renovating the kitchen at your home. They cater to the needs and requirements of a client. The first step followed by a kitchen designer is, to sit with a client and brainstorm about the overall aesthetics and extent of work. Based on their discussion, a kitchen designer prepares a basic layout. The designer then looks at various cupboard designs, appliances, and different kitchen-related things. All these things should be well planned before starting the construction work of your kitchen.

Cupboards are one of the most important parts of the kitchen zone. Your cupboards should be well-coordinated with your kitchen color and theme.

Factors You Should Consider Before Designing Your Kitchen Cupboard

Layout

The layout of the kitchen should be concluded before starting the renovation work. The cupboard size should be proper and it should be placed in the kitchen without blocking the area. Their design should go well with kitchen counters & other appliances.

Material

Wood is the material that is commonly used for cabinets. The different types of materials that can be used are birch, cedar, oak, cherry, and maple. All the mentioned materials have a different variance of shade, texture, and style.

Quality

The quality of the cupboard should be chosen in such a way that the cupboard stays in an optimal condition over a course of time. The quality of a cupboard matters more than the quality of the cupboard. If additional hardware is installed, then a high-quality cupboard can sustain for a tremendous amount of time.

Cupboard Doors

A cabinet door should be well-chosen to complement the color of your kitchen. Most homeowners prefer cathedral, arch, slab and square styles of cupboard doors.

Storage Space

The most important factor to be kept in mind while choosing a cupboard is the storage space. Kitchen cabinets should be large enough to accommodate drawers, sliding trays, racks, and shelves.

Beyond Kitchens is a professional company that enjoys the challenge of designing the perfect cupboard for a client. Their team has decades of experience in providing exceptional service to their customers. They specialize in designing, manufacturing and installing the most dependable customized cupboards.

In the US, most households get water for drinking from a private well. This is practical and cost-efficient because people can save on expenses. They do not have to spend for drinking water for as long as the water they get from the well is safe.

The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA of the US does not cover private wells. They regulate water supply to ensure that water that comes from the systems, which is delivered to the homes is potable. This means to say that water coming from private wells are not guaranteed to be safe.

The water supply in the US is considered one of the safest worldwide. However, it is still possible for water drinking sources to get contaminated and affected by different elements. These include natural minerals such as arsenic, among other chemicals. Such minerals can cause the malfunctioning in the wastewater treatment system. Also, this can be affected by pesticide use near the water source, which could contaminate the water.

How to Know if a Particular Private Well Water is Safe to Drink

When a private well is the source of drinking water, it needs to be tested. This can be done by an authorized research facility or a certified laboratory. This is an efficient way to know if water is safe for the whole family to drink and use.

The harmful parasites and bacteria, among other things, cannot be seen by the naked eye. For this reason, the way water looks does not determine if it is safe to drink.

Though people who drink water from the well do not become sick, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe. Even a number of contaminants present in well water can cause long term health conditions. Such microorganisms can be found in the surface and groundwater.

Some chemical contaminants in particular that are present in a water source can bring about chronic health illnesses, which could last for a long time. Regular testing of water will determine if water is not safe. It will guarantee that the water is treated to a satisfying level.

A private well of a household is not guaranteed to be safe even if the well a neighbor has been observed and tested to be safe. The security of a well depends on several factors such as depth, surface and underground geology as well as development of the well, to name a few. The quality of well water can change from time to time during refilling or revival due to the dry season. So, it is important to test well water and keep the results in case they are needed in the future.

There are different aspects to address in order to maintain a healthy private well, which provides safe water:

• Durability of construction: If the construction is weak, this can cause issues later on.
• Location of well: It should be determined if the neighbors have any issues
• Age of the well: The quality of water has to be checked on a regular basis.
• Nature of aquifer from where the water is taken
• Activities within the vicinity that could have an effect on the well

The deeper the well (more than 800 ft.), the cleaner the water. The recommendation of CDC is to have well water tested for contaminants like Coliform bacteria and nitrates, among others once a year.

Babies, babies, babies-yes the topic of this article is based on interior design for nurseries. The new arrival of a baby brings a time of thankfulness and joy into all parents’ lives. It also brings to mind an important question: where will the nursery be?!? Once the actual space has been decided upon, the next concern will be color scheme and furniture. Before you make all of your choices concerning the new arrival’s bedroom quarters, keep these important tips in mind.

To begin with, the gender of a baby will may influence the color scheme used in the room and this will not be something that will be able to be determined right away so either neutral colors should be used or the painting of the walls and purchasing of the accessories should be prolonged. Keep in mind not to wait too long if it is your intention to paint the room. You will want to be sure to allow any noxious fumes time to disperse before bringing baby home and actually using the nursery. The safety of the child should be one of the main elements involved in the planning of interior design for nurseries. Keep this aspect in mind as you make every choice involved with your design.

Fortunately for the early birds, the traditional ‘pink for girls and blue for boys’ theme is not the happening thing in interior design for nurseries these days. Sure, pink is still associated with girls and blue is still normally in tune with boys design but the strict adherence to these rules is no longer the norm. A complimentary mixture of these colors is the basis of most contemporary designs. There is no reason to limit the possibilities of colors used in interior design for nurseries based on old traditions. Exposure to color in the nursery is your baby’s first environmental experience and it has been confirmed by doctors and scientists alike that this exposure aids in your baby’s development.

Stenciling is a method that has been and still is very popular in interior design for nurseries. Almost any of your neighborhood crafting stores should have a sizeable supply of stencil designs that you can easily use to create a ceiling-level or mid-level border around your baby’s nursery. If you are feeling a little more ambitious, there are many more intricate nursery themed designs that you can purchase in stores or even online that will require a little more time but produce astonishingly impressive designs. If this is still too little work for you, then go all out and create your own stencil patterns by sketching them first onto mat board and then cutting them out with an Exacto knife.

Once your walls are complete, it is time to begin making decisions on the furniture for the room. If you have heirloom baby furniture, let me make a suggestion. Don’t use it. Keep this furniture for display purposes and purchase new furniture. I make this suggestion for two reasons. First of all, baby furniture that was made prior to the 1960’s did not have to adhere to any safety regulations. While your father’s philosophy of ‘they don’t make ’em like this anymore’ might apply to cars, it does not seem like excellent advice concerning children’s furniture. Secondly, even if the furniture were safe, there is a good possibility that it will be damaged or broken during use. The best bet in any case would be to save these treasures to pass along to your child when they are older and to invest in a new set of furniture for use in your interior design for nurseries.

After the major choices of furniture that cater to the new arrival’s needs have been made, it is important to remember to include a space for mom or dad to sit during those sleepless nights! Rather then purchasing another traditional yet impractical item for the nursery, try considering your alternatives to the long-backed, hard wooden rocker. A comfortable alternate choice might be a spacious, comfortable recliner. You will appreciate this advice at four o’clock one morning as you roll over and try to envision how you would feel sleeping in a rocker around then.

Accessories can make interior design for nurseries come together in a wonderful, and useable way. Never focus on the visual aspect of an accessory for a nursery before you consider its usefulness. You will find out soon that practical items such as diaper holders, changing tables, and so forth are much more appreciated then aesthetic items such as ceramics or stuffed animals. The purchase of stuffed animals brings forth another important safety issue. Be sure not to purchase items with small parts or pieces on them which the baby can choke on.

Once all of the necessary and useable accessories have been purchased for the baby’s room, then feel free to go out and invest in some purely decorative items which you can treasure at a future time. This is, after all, a time you will remember and cherish for the rest of your life.