All posts tagged UV

Koi Pond Liners vs. Professional Construction

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Why is there so much talk about pond liners? Which ones are UV protected, or stronger, or last longer? I am by no means an expert on liner technology, nor have I ever used them in my 26 years of designing and building waterfalls. If youre a liner guy disciple, Im sure youre thinking, Oh no, here he goes. To tell the truth, I have been minding by own business for over two decades, just watching, reading and listening to all the experts.

Ive listened to how pond liners are simple to install, and pond liners are inexpensive compared to concrete and steel, and pond liners are quick to install. Or pond liners last for 50 years, pond liners bring higher profits to pond construction and waterfall construction, and liners dont contaminate the water with alkali as does concrete construction. Yes, Ive almost sold myself on listening to the facts of the experts. Well, not quite, due to a few facts of my own. So, a pond liner is guaranteed for 40 to 50 years? I would have to agree with that, as long as you leave it in its box the whole time. Too bad a liner manufacturers warranty doesnt include damage from gophers, ground squirrels, chipmunks, rats or mice. Or tree, plant and weed roots. Or from stretching and punctures in the liner due to heavy rocks and other sharp objects. Startling fact: a puncture only the size of a pin hole can cause a pond to lose one drip per second, or 5 gallons in just 24 hours. Thats a pin hole, not a hole made by a pair of buck teeth on a burrowing mammal. Imagine along with me for a minute. You have spent $350 on a pond design and then $8,000 of your hard-earned money for a pond and waterfall. This water feature is impressive. They dug a big hole, piled up some dirt at one end, draped a large rubber liner over the whole thing, and placed giant boulders all around the fish pond and on the dirt mound. Smaller rocks fill in between the boulder and additional rocks cover the liner in the pond. Now, its two years later and youve just come home from a two-week vacation to find the pond half empty (or half full, if youre a positive person).

There must be a leak! How did this happen? Where is it? No problem, you think, I remember the salesmans pitch: If you should ever get a leak, just clean off the area around the hole, dry it off, and using the directions enclosed in the patching kit, apply this patching material. But theres only one problem: Where is the leak? or leaks? How do I find them? And if I do find them, and Im successful in patching them up, whats to keep it from leaking again? Okay, Im going to snap my fingers and youll wake up. Snap! Surprise! That was only a mental exercise with a happy ending. It wasnt real! Or was it? Yes, it was. The short story you just heard was true. One out of every eight projects we do involves replacing the leaky liner for an angry fish pond/leaky liner owner. Why am I finally speaking up now, after 26 years and well over 1,900 waterfalls and fish ponds? Because Im angry, too! Not at the liner guy who sells the pond liners, but at his disciples around the country who are bragging how much money they make in just one or two days. Im not upset at the fact that they make in two days what takes me six to seven days to make in constructing my fish ponds of rebar and 3000 psi concrete.

How Caulks And Sealants Are Used In The Modern-day Construction Industry

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A trip to your local home improvement store can be an overwhelming experience for the average person, especially if you’re trying to figure out which caulks and sealants to use for your exterior home improvement project. Unlike the interior, the exterior faces high UV exposure, extreme temperatures and the requirement to stay 100% waterproof.

When you’re dealing with silicone caulks, you have a non-paintable surface, with poor UV performance. Although water based and latex caulks have good paintability, they also have high shrinkage, poor elasticity and poor UV performance. Synthetic-rubber (polyurethane) sealants and tri-polymer sealants (silyl terminated polyether sealants) can do it all: paintable, great moisture sealing, no or low shrinkage, and very good UV resistance. Many are also pre-tinted in popular colors. These include the popular NP1 (polyurethane sealant), Sonolastic 150 VLM, and Novalink sealants.

All of these sealant and caulk materials are heavily advertised and marketed with super flashy packaging, labels and all kinds of fancy logos. If you’re looking for a high performance caulk or high performance sealant, you can literally be confronted with hundreds of brands and companies that claim to have the best product for your needs. So what can you do, when you are bombarded with all kinds of choices?

Each brand of caulk generally has its own special and unique qualities. Although, it is in your best interest to read all of the labels and also follow the company specifications, for the use of the caulk and sealant, the very thing you want to know may not be found on the labels of the containers at all! Many of the best products are architectural / commercial grade and not generally available to the public.

Sealant was originated through the needs for exterior finishing in the home building industry. Caulk was originally a term that was used to describe the sealant material used to build boats. Many companies and manufacturers these days are using caulk as an all-purpose word to describe paintable interior grade products. Sealants by definition have at least /-25% elongation capability over a long-term period and are UV resistant. Advanced sealants are 100% solids and offer up to 100% elongation.

Most of the general public use caulk and sealant interchangeably to serve the same basic purpose, which is to fill gaps between building materials and to shield materials from air and water.

Although sealants and caulk work the same basic manner, they both also fail for the same basic reasons. There are three major types of caulk failures that you will encounter. These are substrate, cohesive, and adhesive. The bond that is put between the substrate and the caulk can actually fail, making the caulk tear and break down. Caulked joint problems are also very common and are usually due to the substrate not being effectively prepared or using the wrong product all together.

So, before you choose a certain kind of product, you want to really think about how you will be using it and for what purpose. You will also want to consider the area or location you are going to apply the caulk or sealant.

For example, if your intent is to seal the area around the base of a toilet, sink, bathtub or shower, it will be imperative that you purchase a product that both mildew-resistant and durable enough to survive scrubbing and chemical cleaning. If your intent is going to be to use sealant or caulk between wood clapboards and vinyl windows, then you’ll need to purchase a product that is able to bond very well to both types of materials and is weather resistant.

You will also want to keep humidity, temperature and moisture in mind when you are shopping for caulk or sealant. Water-based caulks not recommended for outdoor projects, because these products do not withstand the hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot weather changes, as well as other harsh weather situations. If you are living in an area that is below 50F during the time you need to apply sealant, then you’ll probably want to use a silicone sealant, instead of polyurethanes, because polyurethanes are very difficult to apply in chilly conditions.

Other Applications: For sealing skylights, glass domes, greenhouses and such, Sonolastic Clear 25 is a popular product. For Kynar or siliconized paint finished metal roofs, a special sealant formulated to seal to these surfaces is a must. Products such as Duralink are popular. For repair of swimming pool tile grout lines, polyurethane sealants are excellent. Products like Ultra provide a very durable seal, which can survive in areas where grouts fail quickly. Ultra is also used as a pickproof sealant in security applications.

To the delight of many, who prefer the do-it-yourself project, certain caulks and sealants can be color-matched to paints, tiles, grout, wallpaper and even carpeting. The beauty of these products is that they can be color-matched while they are still in the product tube. NP1 is also available in many popular pre-formulated colors. Any good home building products store will be able to help you color-match your caulk and sealant to your desired color. Once the caulk has cured, then it will precisely match the color you were seeking to acquire.

In summary, let’s review your options again:

1. Water-based caulks are the easiest to work with. They have a smooth, thin and consistent flow, and they are easy to apply with almost any tool. These products cure quickly, have very little odor, and the clean up is easy with water.

2. Silicone caulks and sealants are good for interior or exterior areas, which will not be painted and are good for areas that will be exposed to extremely cold weather, certain metals, and glass. Silicone materials do not repair well (nothing wants to stick to cured silicone material, not even more silicone)

3. Synthetic rubber sealant is best used for areas with high movement and dissimilar materials. These materials can be painted and are designed for long-term exterior exposure. There is also less chance that the synthetic rubber bond will break during movement. Common applications are roof tile repairs, roof moldings, and roof to wall sealing, window frame sealants, and doorsill sealant.

4. Self Leveling Expansion Joint Sealant, such as SL1 and SL2, are used to fill and seal the expansion joint gaps in concrete and driveways.

5. Tri-Polyimer sealants, such as Sonolastic 150VLM are the next generation. Although somewhat more expensive, they offer superior exterior performance.

6. New Hybrid products are available that defy all classifications. Using these kinds of sealants can yield a lot of surprises, so be sure to read the instructions carefully. Some of these products tend to expand upon drying, so it is best to test them out in an inconspicuous location before actually using them on your project.

Print this article and take it with you when you are shopping for caulk and sealant. Review it and then follow any instructions on the containers of the products you buy. It is our hope that this quick tutorial will help provide some clarity on exactly what products you should buy for your home improvement or home construction project.

Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

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Today people are getting more interested in making energy-efficient houses for many different reasons but ultimately to save money. There is one thing that has stopped many people from making their house more energy-efficient. They wonder if doing it will cost them too much money which would defeat the purpose in the first place.

Sure, if youre planning to install a solar water heater or rebuild your house to be more environment-friendly, you can take out your wallet and make sure therere no holes inside, but really, making your house energy efficient is neither too expensive, nor too time-consuming.

In fact, some simple steps that you can take will easily do the job for you.

Turn off lights and fans/A/Cs when youre not in the room.
Set youre A/C temperature at 78 fahrenheit. That is cool enough to keep you comfortable. Keep it at a temperature that wont use up too much electricity. Also, if the weather outside is pleasant, opt to open a window rather than turning on the A/C.
Plant trees and shrubs outside your house. Another thing you can do is to extend your window sill on whichever side youre more comfortable with, and place pots there.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs. CFLs are not only more energy-efficient, they also last longer. In fact, CFLs are so energy-efficient that if you leave the room for short periods of time, leaving the light on will consume less energy than turning it off. Sometimes, however, people are not comfortable with the light that CFLs give out. In such cases, just remember that yellow light takes up a lot more energy than white light, and that tube lights are also a healthier option than bulbs.
Make sure your walls are properly insulated. This prevents the heat outside from filtering in on hot days, and the heat from inside filtering out during winter. If your house has no wall insulation, blown-in insulation will help save enough energy to be cost-effective.
If you are changing your windows, consider replacing them with energy-efficient models. If replacing your windows is not an option, consider installing a UV blocking window film.
Repair all leaking faucets and pipes. This should save you quite some water. Remember to turn off the tap when youre brushing your teeth or washing dishes, etc. Also, install energy efficient shower heads.
Make sure your air conditioner is always running at peak efficiency. Clean air filters at least once a month; dirty filters consume a lot of energy.
And lastly, schedule an energy audit for expert advice on your home. Conduct a home energy audit to determine the largest savings potential for your house. You can either conduct one yourself, or call an independent auditor for a more detailed examination.

Ohio Automotive Refinishing Detection Identifying How To Save Cash In Finishing And Repair

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Car maintenance can be a costly activity especially when not done regularly or as required. One quite daunting and expensive job is to have the car refurbished or repainted. You cannot say that you won’t need it because in the long run, because of daily use, you will see that your car will really need refurbishing. However, you cannot just trust any company to do the work. You have to call for an expert assistance, such as from an Ohio automotive refinishing detection team.

The truth is, a few of today’s clear coating paint surface finishes are the most long lasting ever used to autos. This real not just of manufacturing facility finishes, however likewise in the aftermarket. Evidence of the longevity of clear coats over single phase paint finishes is shown by the service warranties that auto makers are providing on the clear coat paint finishes. Usually they do not provide the same service warranty for single phase paint finishes. Toughness is really a really genuine issue for auto owners these days. With the boost in air contamination and various other ecological aspects, a vehicle’s finish goes through major damages. The toughness of the clear coat goes even past the topcoat itself. By including UV blockers to the clear coat you have a brand-new level of security for the tones in the foundation coating. As you understand oxidation and fading have constantly been the significant trouble with paint finishes and the most significant trouble dealt with by detailers.

Now our most significant issue is to get rid of scratch and scribing in the clear layer, which lots of cases is difficult. It can be lowered, however not constantly gotten rid of. When it concerns repair and routine maintenance, clear coats make repair works and servicing a lot easier. For instance, a repair can be made on a section of the panel and the color coat combined because location, then the whole panel is clear covered. This will get rid of the issue of panel-to-panel shade mismatches. Even a clear coating with scrapes or water areas that needs to be rubbed is a lot easier to deal with than an oxidized metallic solo phase paint finish. If the proper substance and pad is utilized the very first time the procedure is significantly faster.

Those paint finish issues that cannot be solved with either an orbital or buffer can be managed by a light damp sanding, which just certified detailers should try to do. If you understand what you are doing and can correctly assess the trouble with the consumer, you can charge far even more cash than for simply an enthusiast polish and wax.

While many vehicle producers will not confess it, the expense of using basecoat finishes considerably minimizes their expense to paint the automobile. How does it occur? Initially, acknowledge that the most costly component in paint is the pigments. The thing is, it does not take a great deal to find out that utilizing the ideal goods and hiring the best company such as an Ohio automotive refinishing detection company to do the job for you can save you money.

Knowing The Benefits And History Of Automotive Windshields

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Automotive windshields are large pieces of safety glass that are installed on different forms of vehicles. They come equipped on cars, buses, planes and even some motorcycles. The glass used is usually lamented. This means the glass was treated with two sheets of curved glass separated by a sheet of plastic before it was glued and sealed down to a window frame.

Windshields were created to protect automobile occupants from environmental elements. It has been used to shelter people from both snow and rain. It also protect occupants from the wind and debris that may be in the air. It is effective in keeping out harmful ultraviolet rays since many vehicles come equipped with a special coating of UV. It is similar to the coating used on standard sunglasses with or without the tint.

When the original car was created, windshields were created out of pure glass. When the glass is not lamented, it can cause a severe risk to passengers in the event of an accident. It was not until a series of incidents that glass windows were replaced with a material much stronger and safer. With a tougher glass, it would shatter into harmless little pieces in the event of an accident. This would cause far less damage to drivers and passengers.

The first lamented windshield was first created in France. It used a cellulose middle layer instead of conventional plastic. The cellulose layer was very effective in holding the two layers of glass together when an accident occurred. It was not until many years later that plastic became a better alternative. The purpose was to ensure that windshields will not break when an accident occurred.

Having windshields on motorcycles is becoming more popular today as people are becoming more socially aware and responsible. A typical windshield is large enough to protect both a person’s face and torso from carelessly discarded cigarettes. The discarded cigarettes has been a constant problem for bike riders that have to deal with burns and ashes left behind. It can also protect against other air and wind borne elements and debris.

Before, a bike rider had to look over his/her windshield because it did not provide enough clarity. That has all changed and manufactures have created better windshields with better material. Now a good windshield can redirect noise, airflow and low-pressure turbulence. This makes a motorcycle ride more enjoyable and safer since riders reduce the chance of suffering from wind fatigue.

Polycarbonate windshields are currently a new and better material available for automobile owners. Makers of the innovative product have tested it to ensure customers with the best material available that is both chemical and impact resistant. It has been tested under the pressures of steel wool to guarantee the effectiveness in protection and resistance. Optical clarity is also many times better than original lamented glass shields. It is currently only approved in the motorcycle industry but people can still obtain the replacement for other forms of vehicles since it is in compliance with state requirements.

Laminated polycarbonate windshields are made differently from commercial ones more readily available. The layers include a flexible polymer substrate rather than plastic. A chemical and scratch resistant coating is applied with a special adhesive in between two layers of polycarbonate sheets. Each layer is then treated to become transparent for people’s safety.

Another option that people have is the use of tinted windows to protect from sun glare. The law places heavy restrictions on the use of heavily tinted glass windows. There is a maximum level of tint permitted and exceeding that limit can lead to multiple consequences other than being fined. If necessary for sun glare protection, drivers should consider having the uppermost part of their window more noticeably tinted.

Thermal glass has also been used in the past. This was a popular option before the invention of navigational systems. As of now, thermal glass can potential prevent many navigational systems from working because the metal embedded into the glass blocks the signal communication between a satellite and the device. People that have thermal glass can decide to buy an external antenna for their device to resolve this particular issue.

Automotive windshields have come a long way in history. They have evolved and changed to adapt to the needs of people overtime. People can obtain greater benefits if they properly accommodate their vehicles to adapt to their particular needs. Custom and special applications can be done to automobiles as long as they do not violate the law or the maximum restrictions.

Canoe Construction – Some Common Materials Used

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The most widely used canoe construction materials at the present time are polyethylene, aluminum, Kevlar and fiberglass. Polyethylene is becoming increasingly popular for new canoe construction because it is bendable, lightweight and cheaper than aluminum.

Aluminum Canoe Construction

Aluminum was, until recently, the usual preference for material to use for canoe construction but it has recently been overtaken by polyethylene. Even though aluminum is very tough and hard-wearing, and is one of the lighter metals, it is much heavier than polyethylene. It can stand up to being dragged on the bottom and will not be damaged by exposure to the UV rays from the sun as polyethylene can be. Aluminum canoes do need to be fitted with buoyancy chambers and they can be difficult to operate especially for unskilled paddlers. Additionally they may be heavy to carry and dent when knocked with plenty of force. Mending holes is also easier said than done and cannot be completely covered up.

Where Could You Use an Aluminum Canoe?

For flat water and for recreational use an aluminum canoe may be perfect, particularly if you don’t need to move it very far on your own. For people who lack storage space inside, an aluminium canoe is obviously be a more suitable option than polyethylene because it will not suffer damage from the sun’s rays or deteriorate from the weather.

Places Not to Use your Aluminum Canoe

Aluminum canoes aren’t good for white water paddling or for rivers with many sharp rocks and should not be used when you may be on an extended trip and will need to carry the canoe.

Aluminum Alloy Canoes

Canoes made of aluminum alloy are lighter and tougher than all aluminum and some may be even lighter than polyethylene. However, make sure that you are aware of the actual weight of any aluminum canoes as they may vary a great deal.

Polyethylene Canoe Construction

Polyethylene is light and flexible, is robust and is one of the most widely used canoe construction material. It’s comparatively easy to repair and inexpensive although it is vulnerable to damage from jagged edges like rocks, branches etc. However, it’s elasticity does present a problem so measures need to be taken in order to construct a more rigid canoe. One method is to use aluminum which provides a stiff framework and this is the type of construction seen in canoes made by Coleman and marketed under the name Ram-X.

An alternative way to provide some rigidity is by using a thick layer of polyethylene foam between two layers of material. This is how Old Town canoes are made and is called CrossLink 3. The polythene foam ensures natural buoyancy and this construction method can better endure damage from abrasion than pure polyethylene.

Some disadvantages occur when polyethylene is used unfortunately. It isn’t buoyant so most polyethylene canoes require buoyancy chambers. This material is extremely vulnerable to damage by abrasion and this is the most frequent cause for a canoe being irreparably damaged. Canoes that are made from polyethylene are normally low priced and you can save some money by picking a self-assembly model.

Locations to Use a Polyethylene Canoe

For calm rivers and lakes and water with no jagged rocks, a polyethylene canoe made with a rigid support as in the Coleman canoes is probably an excellent option. For more extreme conditions a Crosslink 3 construction is recommended as it will have increased durability and strength and can stand up to abrasion damage and jagged edges better.