Get the Lead Out: Candle Wicks in the US
December 23, 2007
According to the National Candle Association (NCA), most US-manufactured candle wicking is made of cotton or cotton-paper combinations. Nearly 90% of the candles made in the United States (i.e. members of the association) use wicks that contain no lead. Generally, the metal you find in a US-made candle wick is either zinc or tin, which are known to be safe alternatives to lead. With increasing competition in the candle industry, many makers are celebrating the fact that they use no lead in their wicks, when in reality those NCA members voluntarily agreed more than 25 years ago to end the use of lead wicks! Further, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead wicks in all candles sold or manufactured in the US in 2003.
The original idea behind using metal cored wicks was to provide more rigidity so that as a candle’s wax pooled, the wick wouldn’t slump over and drown out. Wick technology, as little as it’s known, has improved dramatically in recent years. Usually a self-trimming cotton wick works just as effectively as any metal-cored wick. Today, metal cored wicks are used more frequently in smaller container-style candles, where a cooler burning wick is desired to prevent the container from developing heat fractures (cracking). Even so, if the container is appropriate for candles, the heat from a hotter burning cotton wick should pose no threat to the candle holder.
Fall Pond Cleaning
December 22, 2007
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months can be very stressful on your fish. However, if the pond is really dirty and full of ‘muck’ - then you may want to consider it because all of the decaying organic matter in the pond can cause problems if the pond ices over, and this begins to de-gas and rot.
So, I think the best solution, and what we used to do for our clients was do a partial Fall pond cleaning.
Here’s how to do it:
First, get a container that will hold roughly 100 gallons or so, or up to half of your pond volume (bigger is better). Then take a pump with a hose, and pump out the relativel ‘clean’ water from your pond by holding the pump just beneath the water surface. Keep as much of the ‘old’ pond water as you can. Then, catch your fish (if possible) and place them into the holding tank of their own (clean) water.
Then you can either net out your leaves and dispose of them, along with any muck that you can get out also. Alternatively, you can then pump out the remaining water and do a thorough clean out, including vacuuming out the pond with a large wet/dry vac (this works great!).
Strongly Scented Candles: Use your mouth, nose and eyes to tell
December 21, 2007
Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all phrases candle manufacturers are using to tout their claim that their candles have more “smell” for your buck. In reality, these claims only act to confuse most consumers. Candles are made with so many different wax blends, it can be difficult to know for sure how well a cold candle will perform until it is lit. That means, in most cases, buying the candle first. So what can you do if you’re eager to try a new candle scent or candles form a new company? Use your senses to make sense of the scents!
A primer on candlemaking: for traditional paraffin candles, while the ingredient list may differ from maker to make, the concept is the same: refined petroleum distillates (paraffin wax) is combined with additives and a wick is incorporated to make the finished candle product. The more refined the paraffin, the fewer impurities there are in the wax, which helps reduce sooting or contamination in the candle. Many companies tout “food grade wax” which means that the wax (not the additives mixed with it) is suitable in food related uses (like canning). Once you throw additives into the mix, that claim doesn’t mean as much.
Choosing a Home Construction or Remodeling Contractor
December 21, 2007
Choosing the right Contractor is the most important aspect of any home construction project. You must take your time and do your research to find a good qualified contractor if you want excellent quality at a fair price. When we built our new home we spent many hours finding the best contractors for each aspect of building our new home. We developed a method that served us well and it is as follows:
Determine exactly what you want done and write it down. This may sound a little basic at first blush, but it is so important. Remember what is not well defined is easily manipulated. If it is not in writing, it can be disputed. You do two things when you define your project in detail, and in writing. You find any missing aspects that you may have overlooked and you have good definition and expectations for your contractor.
Get three (3) bids for each trade that you will hire. Never rely on one bid, and always meet the contractor face to face at the site where the work is to be done. If you are uncomfortable with the contractor when they are bidding the job how is it going to be when the two of you have to work out the details of your project. Remember cheaper is not always better!
Building Your Own Home
December 20, 2007
Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge of all aspects of the home building process. The impression of most people is they don’t really know enough to build their own home. Let’s face it, most of us know a little about the process. Some of us may know a lot about one aspect or the other involved in building a home. You may know how to paint or do carpentry work or lay tile, but you probably don’t know everything about home building.
What is so different about building a home than the rest of major tasks that we take on in our everyday lives? Right now I am typing on my laptop over a wireless connection that is networked to the Internet. Do I know how all this works? Nope, I just knew how to put it all together and eureka, I can do it! Well we all know it is not that simple sometimes with computers, but my point is you don’t need to know everything about something to do it.
Hot Feeding Tips
December 19, 2007
Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the time to watch for potential problems caused by high water temperatures during extreme or extended hot periods.
It’s important to feed food that is easily digestible so fish benefit from fully absorbing the nutrients. Fish that actively seek food should be fed 1-3 times a day. To ensure they’ve consumed all of their food, feed small amounts at each feeding in the summer heat. This will prevent uneaten food from decomposing at the high temperatures and polluting your pond water. If your fish show no interest in food, don’t feed them!
The solubility of oxygen depends on temperature. In the winter, oxygen readily dissolves into cold water, readily available for fish. In the summer, as the water temperature rises oxygen becomes increasingly insoluble. When fish feed in extreme summer heat, their movement also uses more oxygen, which is a problem if there isn’t a sufficient oxygen supply in the water.
It is best to feed in the morning?the coolest time of day. Also, take steps to increase water movement, such as ensuring there is good water circulation, add a fountain to aerate water, and add oxygenating plants.
Laminate Flooring Is Attractive And Long Lasting
December 18, 2007
Laminate flooring is perfect for people who want to install a floor covering that is easy to install and combines the rich look of hardwood with the easy care of a laminate counter top. Laminate floors that have been constantly gaining popularity since their creation a few years ago. Laminate flooring can be properly installed on sheet vinyl flooring, concrete slab, plywood, hardwood flooring, or essentially any other flat hard surface. Laminate wood flooring has a special composite of layers that makes up its construction.
Most of the flooring plank is a thick and water resistant core material that is designed for uniformity. The top level of laminate wood flooring is the finished flooring material, which is usually decorative and waterproofed to protect against common household spills. Because of flooring harmonics laminate’s design, most laminate flooring will last longer than other types of flooring.
Choosing the right Laminate Flooring
Pergo Flooring Is Perfect For The Home or Office
December 17, 2007
Pergo flooring was invented more than 75 years ago, and has since become the leader in the laminate flooring industry. Pergo has been the leader in both design and laminate technology. Also, Pergo has become the leading seller of flooring in the world, so you know it is trusted worldwide. No matter what room you need flooring for, Pergo will just the perfect floor for you. If you still aren’t sold on the superiority of Pergo flooring, just compare Pergo flooring to any other type of flooring. With Pergo’s combination of exceptional engineering, quality materials, worry-free performance and any-room versatility, Pergo exceeds them all. Also, Pergo laminate flooring has more design patterns than any other type of flooring. No other brand of laminate flooring can match the variety of looks you’re able to achieve with Pergo.
Pergo flooring is available almost any way you want it!
Pergo flooring is available in whatever variety of wood, stone, tile or unique designs that you could possible want. Pergo wood flooring is also unique in that it is a floating floor, as it is not attached to the sub-floor. This creates a floor that is durable, attractive, and easy to clean. Pergo laminate flooring is the perfect choice for a household with small children, as it will clean very easily. If you are looking for a floor that sets the standard with its quality, then Pergo flooring is just what you are looking for.
Wholesale Vinyl Flooring Is Perfect For Wherever You Need It
December 16, 2007
Wholesale vinyl flooring is the perfect solution for people who are looking for flooring that is inexpensive, good looking, and made with high quality. Wholesale vinyl flooring is designed specifically for use in commercial, general and civil aviation applications and facilities, and it contains a hidden Tuff-SealŪ interlock system and is backed by a five-year warranty. No carpet will be able to match that performance.
For almost all uses, no adhesive, installation expertise, or uncommon tools are needed. Wholesale vinyl flooring can be used in virtually any aviation building or application, including kit aircraft builders, hangers and terminals, workshops, safety and security areas, basements and below-grade areas baggage claim, concourses, ground support and maintenance, passenger bridges, emergency, repair and overhaul areas.
Wholesale vinyl flooring will stay in place and does not shift even under heavy point loads. It can be used for wayfinding and to brighten cold and uninviting hangers and other areas, such as those used by visitors, customers and employees. Vinyl flooring’s cushioned feel has been shown to improve productivity and comfort, while reducing noise and dust.
Wholesale Vinyl Flooring is easily installed
Fertilizing Your Water Lilies…
December 16, 2007
Unfortunately, sunlight is not enough.
Your water lilies will grow, thrive, and bloom much better if you get in the habit of fertilizing them regularly.
The good news is — It’s Easy!
you can either remove your water lily from the pond to fertilize them, your sometimes you can even do it with the plants still in the pond…
I prefer to remove them so I can inspect to see if they are becoming overgrown, and possibly need dividing. This is really the best way, and a good time to kill two birds with one stone.
So, first - remove the pot from the pond. Then drain out any excess water, so you can see the surface of the soil and Rhiozome..
Next, here’s a trick I use to fertilize my lilies quickly and easily…
Have a fairly wide tipped flathead screwdriver nearby, and then use it to punch a clear path into the soil and through the existing roots. Then give it a good twisting to hollow our your hole.
You’d be surprised how hard it can be to push a fertilizer tab down into a dense root pack - so try this next time and tell me if it isn’t 100% easier.
