Getting a Swimming Pool – Where Do I Start?
Getting a Swimming Pool – Where Do I Start?
If you are considering installing a pool, do your homework. In order to know that you are taking the correct steps contact your local building commission. They can tell you where to start and what steps to take.
Builders must be registered with the Builders Commission Practitioners Board. They must hold a current building registration. Before you sign a contract with any builder ask to see their registration card, or go to the Building Commissions web site. Once you have a registered builder, get a contract. The contract is for your protection, as well as, the builders. Be sure that you understand what you are signing.
Victorian state law requires that domestic building insurance be issued for all building work over $12,000, this includes pools and spas. Do not begin installation until you have an insurance certificate in hand. Without this insurance you are completely unprotected. The insurance certificate ensures that when the pool is completed, there will be a 6 year structural warranty. If, in the future, you decide to sell your home the insurance certificate is transferable. You are required, by law, to provide the certificate to the buyer.
Find out if you will need a planning permit. Town planning overlays may apply to your property, if so, you will need a permit. Before work begins, you will need to ask the building surveyor for a building permit. The building permit ensures that all municipal guidelines have been met, as well as, all safety and structural requirements. In order to obtain a building permit your builder will need the following:
1. A copy of the Certificate of Title2. A copy of the block plan showing all existing buildings3. A letter of authority for the builder to apply for the permit on your behalf4. A signed agreement to comply with the requirements to provide5. A safety barrier/pool fence
Also, the building surveyor will need; a copy of the town planning permit(if required) and a copy of the insurance certificate(from your pool builder). You will be issued a certificate of final inspection and a copy will be given to the builder. The certificate must be issued before filling the pool.
Once the pool is complete, you will need to contact your local water authority, to find out if water restrictions apply. You will have to complete two forms, one is the water exemption request, the other is the water conservation plan. Under the water conservation plan, you will list the areas where you will save water, e.g. water saving shower nozzle, dual flush toilets. Some water saving devices qualify for the Victorian Government’s rebate scheme. Your pool builder can assist with these forms.
Your warranty will commence once construction is complete and you have been issued a Certificate of Completion from your builder. Your pool will be covered for 6 years under the domestic builders insurance. Contact your builder with any concerns about your pool.…
Firewise Landscaping Maintenance
Firewise Landscaping Maintenance
Firewise landscaping is a tool that is used to keep homes which may be in close proximity to forested areas safer when or if a wildfire makes an appearance. Learning how to care for your Firewise landscaping isn’t rocket science. It simply takes a little insight into how the fire will grow and spread. You probably discussed why certain aspects of the landscape were placed in certain ways, learned why the landscaping had open areas and a wider lawn. You know that these things help to prevent the spread of fire.
Once you’ve committed to making your landscaping Firewise, there will be a little maintenance involved in it. The principles of Firewise landscaping are those of keeping your landscaping free of flammables, or as far as possible.
This means that you will keep your residential landscaping in such a way that if a fire does take place, especially in those areas where forest and residence lay closely together, that your landscaping will play a part in keeping the home safe.
Because plants and trees are dynamic, constantly evolving and growing entities, they will require some care to assure that you’re Firewise landscaping remains fire wise. Firewise landscaping maintenance merely means keeping it as closely aligned to the original Firewise design as possible.
What Does Firewise Maintenance Involve?
Over time, your landscaping, even Firewise landscaping will change. The springtime gives way to autumn, pine trees will shed needles, leaves will fall and underbrush in the surrounding areas will grow and then dry out. The mulch surrounding your plants may dry still further, while plants will begin to spread and take over more of the area.
Trees too will begin to seed and to spread. The branches may sag a bit more and lie over the rooftop, or come lower to the ground. Shrubbery will raise taller to come closer to the windows or walls of your home.
Each of these items can present a fire hazard if they are left to their own devices. The Firewise landscaping only works if well maintained. It is part of an entire fire safety plan and will be a tremendous help if well maintained, but like any other machine, it needs a little oiling once in a while.
Clear out any dried mulch, dried ground plants or dead leaves. Make sure that there are not piles of dead branches in the area. Prune the shrubbery if any exists near your home or the out building structures, and keep all dead and dying grasses trimmed as close to the ground as possible.
Remove any dead plants and if you have plants which have strayed further than you wished them to out of their set areas, remove them. Dig up and transplant or give away plants that have spread outside their designated borders so that you’re not contributing to a ladder fuel effect.
Cut back low hanging branches of any trees in the immediate area, and make sure that your driveways and yard are kept free of fuels.
Keeping the Firewise landscaping maintained means keeping your home as safe as possible from a wildfire. Proper Firewise landscaping maintenance also improves the overall look of your house and your yard.
Your Firewise landscape is a healthier one, it is a landscape in which fire can’t travel long distances, led on by the fuel that is properly placed to engender disaster. Dead plants and leaves are not visible anywhere, piles of fall leaves are removed and low hanging trees simply don’t exist in your area.…
Landscaping Lighting Tips Every Homeowner Needs
Landscaping Lighting Tips Every Homeowner Needs
The right outdoor lighting not only allows you to enjoy your landscaping after the sun sets but also provides much needed safety and security. Use lighting to highlight favorite plants, trees, and shrubs along with lighting your home’s facade. Here’s a few other tips:
Add drama and ambiance to your front porch and home by directing your lights skyward.
If you don’t want to figure out wiring, use solar landscape lighting. Solar lights are ideal for lighting paths and flower gardens. They turn on automatically as the sun sets and turn off as daylight arrives.
Be sure you have a timer to automatically turn the lights on and off. Place timers in an accessible area. When daylight hours change you need to adjust the timer – which is a minor drawback.
Motion lights are important for your safety and security. You may want to have motion lights on the sides and back of your home or other dark areas.
Light bulbs should be shielded in some way to prevent glare; do not allow the bulbs to be visible.
Landscape light wattage should not exceed 20 watts (preferably in the 7 -13 watt range is best).
Live near saltwater? Select brass or copper light fixtures.
Use extra lights to illuminate steps and walkways. Our eyes need time to adjust from a well lit room indoors to a darker environment outdoors.
Place lights at both the top and bottom and along the sides if your staircase if it is long. Two or three steps may be lit by using only one light if its beam is sufficient to light all stair treads.
Another great option is to hang sconces on your columns at the top of the stairs.
Try to avoid spotlights near your porch. They will provide sufficient light but tend to create glare making it difficult to differentiate between steps.
Landscape lighting has become the norm of the average homeowner thanks to the convenience of do-it-yourself landscape lighting kits. With a huge range of lighting designs and information available on line, it is a project almost any homeowner can do.…
Maximize Your Back Yard With A Professionally Designed Landscaping Project
Maximize Your Back Yard With A Professionally Designed Landscaping Project
Engaging a professional landscaping design firm to offer you a plan for your back yard or garden may seem cost-prohibitive until you take a closer look at what you get in return for that wise investment.
The reality is that if you don’t get an layout plan for your back yard, you will run the risk of having it improperly designed. It may offer you a layout that is far less than the welcoming haven that you had in mind. That’s not really what you had in mind for your back yard landscaping.
In many cases, just jumping in without a real plan of action, you may find your yard or garden simply won’t have the appearance or functionality that you wanted. To cut to the chase, a professional design can maximize your back yard and is the virtual backbone of the most successful landscaping projects. The professional landscaping design should be where every home owner begins. Using the existing elements, such as a professional landscaping designer will incorporate means less money spent for landscaping and more bang for your landscaping dollar.
What Benefits Does a Professional Offer You?
Your professional landscaping designers brings with him or her a wealth of information about the overall design processes. They will draw on their knowledge of the soil in your area, the other elements such as fire-wise landscaping, or desert landscaping that may enter into play for you, and they look at other elements such as the topography of your area in order to assure that you have all of the practicalities covered before they begin to assess what is practical and what will work for you.
You are given what is a concept plan for your back yard landscaping. It’s a very low cost portion of your overall landscaping bill and will be one which will assure the success of your landscaping project. The bottom line is that a professional landscaping plan can save you a great deal of time, money, and headaches when it comes to your landscaping.
The concept plan takes into account every portion of the design, tells you where lighting may be necessary because of darkened areas such as trees that will be in place, as well as what will grow best in your soil and require the least amount of work and time outlay on your part. A fully designed professional landscape not only tells you what will be your best bet so far as the elements in your landscaping design, but works to help you in the long term.
With the right professional landscaping design you will maximize the potential for your back yard and garden and need less effort to keep it looking great. That means you spend more time enjoying your back yard landscaping and less time working to maintain it.…
Important Information About Leaf Blowers
Important Information About Leaf Blowers
There are many benefits to using a blower over a rake. The most obvious is time. For example, a yard that is 1/3 of an acre will usually take approximately three hours to rake. Of course, a lot will depend on how many tree branches hang over the lawn. In this case, it is assumed that trees cover the majority of the lawn. With a blower, this three hour event can be cut down to only about 30 to 40 minutes. Most people greatly appreciate saving this kind of time. It allows them more time to work, play, or spend with the family.
Another benefit to using a blower over a rake is helping prevent pain. Excessive rake use can lead to blistering, aching joints, sore muscles and even dehydration. An often overlooked benefit for owning a blower is improving neighbor relationships. Offering use of a blower to a neighbor will sometimes lead to offered favors in return, which could mean use of an extension ladder, a pruner, a hatchet, or anything along those lines.
It is now possible to buy a four-stroke engine blower that uses gasoline, or a two-stroke engine that uses a mixture of gas and oil. There are varieties attached to a backpack for easy carrying, or models that are hand-held. The hand-held blower is better for smaller jobs and the mounted blower is better for larger jobs.
As with anything, as long as the use of a blower is limited, it will not pose any serious risk to anyone or anything. Users should take the time to don work gloves, safety goggles and long pants to protect themselves from flying leaves, dirt, dust, twigs and rocks. Operators should also request that any small children or pets have left the area before using.
In conclusion, power leaf blowers take less time to corral leaves and debris than rakes. They are more efficient and reduce physical labor while promoting goodwill. As a result, they are worth the investment.…
Landscaping Ideas and Tips
Landscaping Ideas and Tips
Many individuals have lately chosen to stay at home to spend free time to relax and enjoy their surroundings. In this case, spending hard earned money on beautifying your home surroundings is a wise investment.
You will want the outside area to be an inviting space for you and your family to spend quality time and for your guests to enjoy a barbeque or get together. The back yard landscaping ideas plays a major role in transforming a dull yard to a comfortable and pleasant environment.
Decide what type of landscaping will give you the best effect considering the size of your yard, the number of trees or lack thereof, the type of grass and ages of the people in your home. If you have small children, keep in mind a place for them to play and incorporate a play yard set, swing, or whatever they will enjoy.
Most people are happier with landscaping that is easy to take care of and requires little maintenance. Plants and bushes will fill empty space beautifully. Flowering bushes give you a double benefit, and butterfly bushes are a pleasant addition, especially when the butterflies start fluttering around your yard. With the proper type of plan, landscaping will also make you feel that you have a larger yard.
If you love fresh vegetables, plan an area for gardening. Fresh tomatoes, peppers and herbs will guarantee good meals and be money saving. Plant seasonal flowers amongst the bushes for additional beauty. For those who entertain impress your guests by lighting up the area with spot lights, string lights, or twinkling lights in the trees and bushes. Extra lighting will also provide safety for evening time outside.
There are many other accents that can make your outside area functional and fun. A pool, hot tub, bar and fireplace are a few ideas for some.…
Beauty All Around – Sprucing Up Your Yard!
Beauty All Around – Sprucing Up Your Yard!
The first thing that guests notice when they pay a visit to your home is not the immaculate interior, or the perfectly matched drapes, rug and furniture. It is your yard. Making your yard look good is the perfect way to start a home renovation, or simply as a good hobby to pass the time. There are several things that one must keep in mind when performing a do-it-yourself landscaping.
Consider the space in your yard. No one wants to over or under-use the space in his or her yard. You want to be able to use every space available to create a cohesive and pleasing design, but not so much that it becomes crowded and overbearing. If you have a smaller yard, more economical decorations, such as flowers and small stone statues can be the best way to go. If you have the space, and a budget, large stone sculptures, topiaries and water fountains are perfect eye catchers.
Think of having a focal point. One of the best ways to create cohesiveness in the design of your yard is through centering on a focal point. This will allow all the other elements in your yard to move around it. A great focal point is one that is large enough to catch attention, but not enough to be gaudy or tacky. Consider putting a small water feature, such as a fountain or a birdbath, or maybe a favorite statue or sculpture.
Consider your landscaping. Most yards are perfectly flat, and while this provides a very orderly and linear sense, you may want to think about spicing up your yard a little. Add a bit of depth and texture to it by creating elevated flower beds, or perhaps putting different types of foliage to create a whirlwind of color, shape and texture to catch any passer-by’s eyes.
Remember 365! That is the number of days in a year, and the number of days that you have to take care of your garden. Spring and summer are easy because your garden will practically decorate itself for you, especially if you have a lot of annual plants there. For autumn and winter, consider plating a few perennial plants as well, so that your garden does not become suddenly completely bare. Also, while planning the landscaping of your garden, try to image as to how you are going to decorate your garden for occasions, such as Christmas and Halloween, so that you will have an idea where to place the more permanent fixtures.
“Branch” out to other types of plants. Flowers and trees are beautiful, but there are times when you want to get out of the box and use something else to decorate your garden with. Why not try flowering, climbing vines around your fences or tree trunks? Or consider planting drought-resistant plants, such as cacti and bamboo to give your garden a more exotic look.
Landscaping is easy if you have the patience for it, and a little creativity to make the garden of your dreams a reality!…
Consider These Things Before Building Your Pergola
Consider These Things Before Building Your Pergola
Having some problems mapping out how to get your pergola up? Well, don’t fret. You’re not the only one who managed to hit this stumbling block. As a matter of fact, a number of homeowners have faced this dilemma as well. So to help you get things started right, here are some things you can consider to help you map out how to build this structure more efficiently.
Determine a Budget
When building a pergola, money is sure to come out of your pockets. So to keep you from spending in excess, make it a point to have a budget that you can work around on. That way, you won’t make the mistake of going beyond the money you set aside for the project.
Get the Right Materials
Since pergolas are placed outdoors, the last thing you want is to settle for run-of-the-mill materials. Do that and you can expect this structure to go down due to regular exposure to harsh weather conditions and elements. Not only will this prove costly to you financially, it will also prove to be a hassle since you’ll be forced to set things up once again.
Have a Specific Area To Build Around On
Since you’ll be setting up a permanent fixture in your home, you need to make sure that you know where you want it built. That way, you won’t have to tear the whole thing down in case you decide that it doesn’t look that good where you had it built. Again, doing this will save you both time and money.
Get To Know Your Power Lines and Pipes
Finally, before building your pergola, make sure you won’t end up destroying any integral power line or pipe in your area. Since these things can be found underneath, you stand the chance of damaging them if you’re not aware of where they’re placed. Face it, the last thing you want is to have a nice garden structure but don’t have any electricity or water. So know your pipes and lines.…
The Advantages of Landscaping Idea Pictures and Where to Find Them
The Advantages of Landscaping Idea Pictures and Where to Find Them
The yard is usually the first part of your house that is usually noticed by your visitors or even passersby. This is why many people take extra effort to make their yard attractive through landscaping.
If you are in the process of planning for a new look for your yard, a landscaping idea picture is the best that you can have.
You will get inspiration and good ideas from the picture and you will also get to learn many things about landscaping. You will also have an idea on what looks fabulous and what is not.
It can be acquired from many different sources. It is a good decision for you to collect as many ideas as you can and rate them according to which you like best and you like least. By doing this, it will be easier for you to pick up the landscaping picture idea that you really want.
Then you can show the pictures to the contractor if which of them suits your yard. Another advantage of doing this is for the provider to easily grasp the kind of result that you want to achieve. It is important to communicate very well with the designer so he will know what to do and what you want done.
You can get landscaping pictures from books, magazines and other literature. The library has these resources and you can borrow several of them.
Some libraries even have gardening and landscaping section, otherwise you can ask the librarian to assist you in finding those. Most books have amazing pictures of landscapes and you can choose from among the hundreds of choices available.
If you found pictures that caught your attention, have them photocopied. Put the photocopied images in a folder for protection. When you arrive home, you can start making notes on which of those you like best and you can also combine some ideas to be incorporated in your yard. You can write notes at the back of the pictures for easy reference.
Landscaping can easily be done if you only have a clear picture of the result that you want in your yard. Go and find landscaping idea pictures and select which one can be best applied in your entire yard and you will have an attractive home, which you have always wanted.…
Edible Landscaping
Edible Landscaping
When you’re selecting plants and trees to landscape your home and yard, why not consider those that are edible or have edible components? There are many plants and trees that provide attractive foliage and decorative interest to your landscape and can also be used for eating or cooking. This article will focus on some really easy alternatives you can incorporate into your master landscaping plan or add to your existing landscaping that do just that.
Fruit trees. Fruit trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape. During the springtime or early summer, the blossoms on these trees are delightful and colorful. Later the fruit provides color and interest to your yard. And ultimately, at harvest time, you can reap even more benefits in the way of tasty fruits for eating, freezing, and baking.
The specific type of fruit tree you incorporate into your landscaping will depend on the plant hardiness zone in which you reside. Some kinds of fruit trees require warmer temperatures, specific soil types, or longer growing seasons. Consider, for example, apple, orange, lemon, plum, pear, nectarine, apricot, peaches, mulberry, and cherry trees, among others. There are many different varieties of each, and some come in miniature varieties for smaller spaces.
Go nuts with trees. Many varieties of trees that produce edible nuts can also be wonderful additions to your landscape. Similar to selecting other trees, you will want to be sure the tree you select will thrive in your area of the country. Some nut producing trees to consider are: walnut, hazelnut, almond, pecan, chestnut, and butternut.
Colorful fruits amid the foliage. You can include other fruit growing plants in your landscaping to introduce height, depth, and visual interest to your yard. Many fruits are produced by low-growing plants with foliage that is also attractive and can make a nice ground cover. Again, some fruits grow in better climates and soils than others, so select plants that will thrive in your area. Strawberry plants, rhubarb plants, currant bushes, bush cherries, gooseberries, grapes, and raspberry, chokecherry, honeyberry, elderberry, and blueberry bushes have very diverse and distinctive foliage, for example. When planted in groupings or with other complementary plants to take advantage of their individual features-such as height, leaf size, leaf texture, etc.-they can add interest to your landscaping in addition to tasty fruits and edibles that work well in cooking and even jams.
In addition, bright red chokecherries, blue blueberries, currant bushes that change color, and other fruit laden foliage provides beautiful color and visual interest. Again, floral blossoms contribute to a gorgeous springtime display. And both blossoms and fruits are fragrant.
Herbs do double duty. Many herb plants can be incorporated into flower gardens, potted gardens or patio landscaping, and other landscaping elements in your yard, as well. They are varied in form, color, structure, and scent, providing a wonderful range of practical diversity. Spiky lemon grass, tarragon, rosemary, basil, and even chives are great additions. Some flower and provide wonderful fragrances as they grow in addition to seasoning cooking after they are harvested.
Going green. While all natural landscaping elements are “green” in terms of being good for the environment and ecologically friendly, edible plants are an even better use of environmental resources, including those in your yard. Why not incorporate plants that can help you feed your family and neighbors and provide all of you with organic food options? You’ll save money, help reduce waste from packaging of products you would otherwise purchase in stores, and do your part to improve your little part of the world.…