Tips on How to Prepare Your Pool for Winterization

LOOP-LOC, inground pool covercompany that services New Jersey, talks tips on how to prepare your pool for winterization.

Clean it up. Cleaning the pool prior to winterizing it is a multi-step endeavor. Remove any dirt and debris that have collected in the water, skimmer, filter, and basket to avoid anything from sinking to the bottom to stain the liner. Then brush the sides and bottom. Shock the pool four to seven day before you close it. Choose a different day to add algaecide so the chlorine doesn't destroy it.

Find some balance. Make sure the pool water is balanced so it won't corrode the sides of the pool or form scales. Balancing the water will also keep the water clean during the off-season. Regularly monitor the levels until you put on your inground pool cover.

Backwash the filter. Backwashing the filter will remove all contaminants. To do this, turn off the pump and set the valve to backwash. Turn the pump back on and check that the water is flowing out of the backwash hose/pipe. This needs to be done until the water runs clear. Then, shut the pump off, turn the valve back to filter, and turn the filter back on.

Treat the water. Before the pool is closed, the water needs to be winterized. Contact a local dealer for professional assistance, or purchase a pool winterizing kit. Right before closing, drain the water four to six inches below the skimmer.

Remove the equipment. All ladders, skimmer, baskets, and fittings need to be removed and stored in a safe location. Place the plugs in the baskets so they don't get lost. Be sure to completely drain the pool cleaner and hose before placing in storage. Do not coil the pool cleaner hoses too tightly.

Cover the pool. This is the final step. An inground pool cover will not only protect the pool water from the elements, it will prevent it from evaporating over the winter. It will also preserve the pool liner, and eliminate the need to skim and vacuum during the cooler months.

Five Pool Fence Facts That You Might Not Know

There are no federal pool fence laws in existence. Therefore, it is important to check with city or town officials to find out what laws are in place. Here are some pool fence facts you may not be aware of.

The fence should be made with durable materials. Sturdy, removable pool fencing should be made of a high-quality, poly-coated, open-weave mesh fabric that has high tensile strength and excellent UV stability. The fence should offer high visibility without ripping, stretching, or fading. The fence manufacturer should use a high quality, polyester bonded thread for further stability and strength. Resistance to fungi, mildew, and bacteria is a bonus.

The fence should have a latching option. A self-closing, self-latching gate is a must—the safest ones use a powerful magnet that requires very little force to secure. Make sure the latch is key lockable and has injection-molded hinges that can be easily adjusted with a screwdriver to ensure the gate closes and latches itself each time.

The fence should be solidly reinforced. The fencing will not do its job if it is not properly reinforced. Choose aluminum pools that are non-corrosive and rust-proof. Carefully inspect all fence components—such as the latches—to make sure they are made of a stainless-steel material that won't rust or corrode.

The fence should be user-friendly. A removable safety fence should be easy to set up and take down so thatpool owners will use it often as an added measure of safety for young children and pets. See-through mesh will not obstruct the pool view.

The fence should meet safety standards. Do some research to make sure the fence meets all ASTM standards and U.S. consumer product guidelines with heights of 4 or 5 feet, which better protect children, pets, and animals.

top five 2017 pool trends

Ledges/Tanning ledges. Ledges and tanning ledges can help transform your pool into a mini-resort. These flat, shelf-like areas are usually placed in the shallow end of a pool or around its edges, and are used by pool-goers to sunbathe or just relax while still having part of the body cooled off by the refreshing pool water—without going all the way in. Younger children and pets are safe, and adults who may not want to venture into the deeper end of the pool can take advantage of this trend.

Pool lighting. The possibilities are endless when it comes to lighting the pool and surrounding area! Landscape lighting, floating pool lights and lanterns, and light-up fountains add an elegant touch to pool time. Advances in LED lighting feature colored lights that can really set your swimming pool apart from others in the neighborhood.

Fire pits. This trend may seem surprising to some, but many pool owners are incorporating fire pits/bowls and BBQs into the pool deck area. Fire features provide an element of warmth to night swimming and can illuminate the pool in a soft light on those cooler summer nights. Make sure there is adult supervision anytime a fire is lit by the pool.

Pool automation. Trendy pool owners are turning to their smart phones or devices to automate pool functions such as maintaining pool temperature, turning pool lights on and off, or turning on the jets of a pool spa.

Dark-colored liners. Darker colored pool liners are providing traditional light blue pool liners with some stiff competition. They look incredible—and retain a great deal of heat from the sun—which makes keeping pool water warm easier!

Study Uncovers Americans’ Outdoor Living Trends and Aspirations

uGreen believes more life should be lived outside, where we are happier, more active and more connected with ourselves, with loved ones and with nature. To better understand the trends, sentiments and aspirations that Americans associate with being outside, TruGreen conducted a national survey. The results provide insight into not only how we spend our time outside, but also how we think about our outside life. TruGreen Spokesperson Jason Cameron provides a review of the survey results in a new video.

• The Great Outdoors is Calling: More than half of Americans surveyed said they want to spend more time outside, and about two–thirds of all respondents, or 68%, say they are spending less time outside compared to five years ago, reflecting the tendency that perhaps we aren’t stepping outside into the fresh air as often as we’d like to–or perhaps even as often as we should–for a healthy balanced lifestyle.
• Get Outside, Change the World: The belief that time spent outside brings real benefits is substantial. A tremendous 87% of Americans said that if everyone spent more time outside, there would be great health benefits and long–term benefits for society.
• You’re Out!:  Overwhelmingly, Americans seem to believe putting down the cell phone for a pick–up game of ball is in order. 92% of those surveyed said it’s important for children to replace video game/internet time with time outside. 72% also said it’s important for themselves to replace video game/internet with time outside. This reflects the belief that while our lives have more digital distractions pulling us indoors, there’s no technology that can replace our happiness and healthiness that comes from a life lived outside.
• Time for Fun in the Sun: Americans spend an average of 309 hours in their yard per year, which is close to two weeks of getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Moreover most Americans (86%) who are lucky enough to have a yard consider this green space to be an important part of their life, and it shows. Yard owners spend an estimated 50 hours more per year outside than Americans without a yard. That’s more than a full weekend spent enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Interesting side note: Men spend an estimated 26 more hours per year in their yard than women.
• Greener is Better: One third of homeowners said that they spend more time outside because they have an improved yard. Moreover, 46% of all Americans surveyed said if they had a greener, more maintained and healthier lawn, they would spend more time outside. These sentiments underscore TruGreen’s belief that a happier, more fulfilled, and more connected life lived outside starts with a healthy, beautiful lawn as the foundation.
• It’s a Family Affair: Three out of five of Americans agree that their yard is their favorite place at home to spend quality time with family, which is music to TruGreen’s ears. An amazing two–thirds of Americans said their fondest family memories involves spending time together with friends and family in their yard. These days, those memories are often being made at barbeques and cookouts with more than four out of five Americans (82%) hosting these friendly gatherings.

“At TruGreen, we are committed to helping people live life outside, and spend more time

enjoying their yards with family, friends and neighbors,” said TruGreen President and CEO David Alexander. “We believe a beautiful lawn inspires beautiful connections, which often become our fondest memories and can even lead to creating new traditions. We’ve always felt that we are happier and healthier when we’re outside- and now our survey results are showing that America agrees.”

Myths Vs. Reality: Get Your Lawn Off To The Right Start With Tips From The Pros

After another chilly winter for much of the nation, springtime is when many people will roll up their sleeves and spend time in their yards. After tuning up the mower and sharpening the blades, most homeowners seek out the best ways to care for their lawns. But common lawn care myths and questions abound.

In celebration of National Lawn Care Month this April and to help homeowners get their spring and summer lawn care off to a great start, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) offers a series of myth-busting tips from landscape industry professionals.

Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.  Reality: Water is a valuable resource; make every drop of irrigation count! Watering the lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset minimizes evaporation, it's the best time for water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Myth #2: It's ok to cut the grass very short. Reality: Most landscape professionals advise to never cut more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. Mowing at a finished cut height of 3 to 3.5 inches tall throughout the summer is generally recommended. The lawn will need less water, will be more resistant to weeds and will have a deeper, greener color. Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing grass blades. A crisp and clean cut will help prevent a "brown tip" appearance.

Myth #3: It's best to water your lawn every day. Reality: Watering your lawn every three days is better than daily watering. Deep, rather than shallow lawn watering, is recommended to nurture roots.  One inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass.

Myth #4: If you want to replace your lawn, you should do it in the spring, when plants get ready to bloom. 
Reality: The best time to sow seed is in the late summer and early fall when the temperatures are more consistent and highly competitive weeds, like crabgrass, are at the end of their life cycle.

Myth #5: Early spring is the best time to fertilize the lawn. Reality: Since different species of grass prefer nutrients at different times of the year, be sure to use the correct fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.  A slow release fertilizer allows for more even and consistent feeding over a longer period of time than a quick release fertilizer.  And remember to use fertilizers responsibly by cleaning up any that lands on streets, sidewalks or driveways where they can be washed away into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Myth #6: A garden hose is more cost-efficient than installing an irrigation system. Reality: Many landscape professionals recommend installing an irrigation system with smart controllers which have sensors that water when needed. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of 15 to 20 percent on water bills. Converting irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles will spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace, which makes them more targeted and effective.

Myth #7: You have to irrigate to have a healthy and beautiful lawn. Reality: Grasses are built to endure long periods of drought by entering a state of dormancy. When temperatures and moisture levels are at their extreme, the growing point of the grass plant, the crown, will shut off the grass blades, turning them brown.  In almost all instances, once the heat and drought stresses have gone, the crowns will begin to send up new shoots.  There's nothing wrong with irrigating to avoid dormancy, but "embracing the brown" for a couple of weeks in the summer is just fine too.

"Our members are passionate about creating beautiful and healthy lawns and landscapes for homeowners and communities to enjoy year round," said Jim McCutcheon, president of NALP.  "Whether homeowners hire a landscape professional to care for their yard, or learn a few tips from the pros, one of our goals is to provide the best advice possible."

For more helpful tips on taking care of your lawn and landscape, or to get advice on how to hire a landscape professional, visitwww.loveyourlandscape.com.  NALP is partnering with the Turfgrass Producers International and The Lawn Institute to Promote National Lawn Care Month.

5 Ways to Increase Curb Appeal, Value

Whether you're planning to list your home for sale soon or you're simply working to maintain features that attracted you to the charming abode in the first place, careful attention to curb appeal is a must.

In the real estate world, the saying to avoid judging a book by its cover does not apply. The exterior of your home sends an important message about its character, and even its value, making people eager to see what is inside. This first impression sets expectations for the entire property for potential buyers, appraisers and even your guests.

Keep your house looking young and inviting with these five home care tips:

1. Look at the landscaping. Curb appeal is about the whole picture your home presents, which includes your lawn, shrubs and features such as flower beds and rock gardens. Keep grass neatly trimmed and prune vegetation for a well-kept look. Also give your home a thorough look from the street. Are trees or shrubs obscuring an appealing architectural detail? Does vegetation dwarf your home, making it seem small? Would a pop of color from some flowering plants add to the overall look?
2. Beware of dingy dirt. Because you see your home every day, you may not realize the exterior has become dull with a layer of dust and dirt. An adjustable pressure washer with Briggs & Stratton POWERflow+ technology will let you wash siding, garage doors and shutters without stripping paint as well as delicate items such as glass top patio tables. Then switch to the high flow mode, which delivers up to five gallons per minute for extended reach to clean second story windows, eaves and gutters or to blast away hard-to-reach cobwebs and insect nests.
3. Update with paint. If a thorough washing leaves a ho-hum look behind, it may be time to revisit your home's exterior color scheme. Even modest adjustments, from pale beige to a deeper tan, for example, can completely alter the look. Or, focus on adding color to the trim, door and shutters if new, all-over color is out of the question.
4. Wash where you walk. The favorable impression created by impeccable landscaping and a fresh, clean facade can be swept away in an instant if sidewalks, driveways and patios are unsightly. Skip the messy buckets and brush, and instead reach for a high pressure, high flow pressure washer such as those featuring Briggs & Stratton's POWERflow+ technology, which include adjustable pressure and flow as well as power-soaping detergent tanks to let you clean tough stains then quickly wash them away with a single machine.
5. Dote on the details. Decks, fences, mailboxes, birdbaths, gazebos and other decorative features all factor into your home's exterior image. Thoroughly clean these items, repair any loose or broken pieces such as fence slats, and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain, if needed.

Redesigned Survey Reveals Latest Residential Landscape Design Trends

Sustainable and low-maintenance design are the top trends for residential landscape projects, according to the 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).  

Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2015. Respondents expected the greatest demand for ecologically sensitive projects intended to preserve the environment, conserve water and reduce landscape maintenance.

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:

• Native plants (85 percent)
• Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent)
• Food/vegetable gardens (79 percent)
• Fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent)
• Low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent)
• Permeable paving (77 percent)
• Drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent)
• Rain gardens (74 percent)
• Lighting (72 percent)
• Rainwater/graywater harvesting (71 percent)

"Consumers care about designed landscapes that are attractive, easy to take care of and eco-friendly," says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. "The survey shows that homeowners increasingly see opportunities to improve the environment right in their own backyard."

The survey asked landscape architecture professionals about the estimated popularity of various residential design elements for 2015. The survey was fielded February 13 through February 27, 2015, with 581 responding. ASLA redesigned the survey for 2015 and introduced a new methodology to more clearly rank the popularity of different types of landscape projects.

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent), lighting (72 percent) and grills (63 percent). The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (85 percent), food and vegetable gardens (79 percent) and low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (45 percent) and fencing (42 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.

The hottest sustainable design elements include native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent), permeable paving (77 percent) and drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent).

Forty percent of respondents noted that the most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2015 will include spa features—hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, and indoor/outdoor saunas—and swimming pools.

For more landscape ideas for your home, and to find a professional in your area, visit www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

Don't Be "Board" With Your Deck: Tips for Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Memorial Day holiday less than two weeks away, you may have realized your backyard deck is a wreck. But even if you have no deck at all, it may be time to start dreaming of something bigger and better.

-- With the

Thompson's® WaterSeal® has launched its 2014 Deck of Your Dreams Sweepstakes to help transform your dull outdoor space into a vision of perfection, with a grand prize valued at more than $15,000. That includes $10,000 in cash for building or repairing a deck,$5,000 in gift cards from the popular Plow & Hearth (www.plowhearth.com) of home furnishings and an in-person visit from HGTV/diy Network star, Jeff Wilson, who will offer his expert guidance throughout the design and building process. Enter atwww.thompsonswaterseal.com from April 5-October 4.

Past winners have included the Beck family in 2011 (tore out a 250 square foot composite deck and built a 750 square foot deck), the Durands from Minnesota in 2012 (built a 10x18 screened-in deck on their new house) and the Freeman family from Georgia in 2013 (just completed a 12x12 octagon-shaped deck.)

Wilson says that considerations when building a deck include size, shape, built-ins and type of wood. "But there are also a lot of creative choices to make once the deck is finished," he commented. "It's no different than finishing a family room or any indoor space." To choose a color of deck stain, Wilson suggests referencing the color wheel, and choosing a color that is opposite of your house color for a complimentary effect.

"The new line of Thompson's® WaterSeal® Waterproofing Stain at The Home Depot® come in the five most popular colors – Acorn Brown, Maple Brown, Harvest Gold, Sequoia Redwood and Woodland Cedar – which will work with most home styles," he said.

And since "deck-cessories" make the deck, Plow & Hearth offers the following tips to up the style, function and comfort factor:

• When selecting furniture for outdoor use, be sure to pay attention to the materials from which it was made. Woods like teak, cedar, eucalyptus and cypress are durable, long-lasting and require little maintenance. While wicker can be made of natural materials like rattan and bamboo, it is often crafted of resin—a durable, low-maintenance, easy-to-clean material. Wicker is often lightweight, which makes it easy to move around to create new seating looks whenever you wish.
• The addition of deck planters can really make a deck come alive (literally!) Self-watering planters are an ideal choice, because their reservoir system ensures plants get the water they need to grow.
• It's important to find the right style of furniture for an outdoor space. Adirondack chairs remain a favorite outdoor option. Rockers and gliders offer a traditional, comfortable way to enjoy a leisurely afternoon on your deck.
• Adding a trellis is an effective and affordable means to add vertical interest to an otherwise boring wall on the deck. Trellises can be almost any size.
• Looking for the perfect lighting so the deck can be enjoyed late into the evening? Solar lighting is an eco-friendly, energy-saving option, plus it requires no wiring or cords, which means installation is quick and easy. (And adequate lighting even makes the deck safer for use at night.)

Make Lawn Mower Engine Tune-ups a Rite of Spring

MILWAUKEE,- The engine experts at Briggs & Stratton (NYSE: BGG) are making it easier than ever to get your lawn mower ready for spring. From a tune-up kit to an oil evacuation kit to free oil recycling, an engine tune-up for your push lawn mower engine takes only 30 minutes or less. Riding mower engines may require an oil filter or fuel filter, which could add five to 10 minutes to the job.

While many homeowners perform annual tune-ups on their lawn mower engines, there are still many across the country that don't perform this important basic small engine maintenance, putting their equipment at risk.

"Homeowners simply want their lawn mower to start when they need it for that first cut of spring and a simple tune-up can make the difference between a hassle-free start and frustrating trips for service," said Synoilva Shaw, with the Briggs & Stratton marketing department. "While the source of most starting problems is old gasoline, which goes stale in about 30 days, a tune-up can help extend the life of the mower engine and keep it running at peak performance."

Lawn Mower Tune-Up in 4 Easy Steps

Briggs & Stratton research shows that tuning up a push mower engine can reduce engine emissions by as much as 30 percent and involves just four easy steps:

1. Changing the mower oil
2. Replacing the air filter
3. Replacing the spark plug
4. Adding fuel preservative to the gasoline

Step-by-step video instructions are available online at http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/videos.

Small Engine Tune-up Kit

A basic push mower engine tune-up kit costs under $12.99 and includes an air filter, spark plug, bottle of oil and a pouch of fuel treatment and stabilizer. A lawn tractor tune-up kit includes the same as a push mower kit with the addition of a fuel and/or oil filter and costs under $39.99. Briggs & Stratton tune-up kits are available for purchase online or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Oil Evacuation Kits for Lawn Mowers

Two options are available for oil evacuation kits – one that removes oil only and another that removes both oil and fuel. These kits help eliminate the need for consumers to tip the mower to drain the oil during a tune-up, making it easier to change the oil and reducing the possibility of an oil spill in the garage or driveway. Oil evacuation kits costs between $23 and $31 and are available for purchase online at www.briggsandstratton.com or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Disposing of Used Engine Oil

Participating Briggs & Stratton dealers nationwide make recycling oil easy and have recycled more than 200,000 gallons of used engine oil to date. Simply drop off your used oil in a closed container and let your dealer take care of the rest.

Look Before You Pump

Certain gasoline blends should never be used in lawn mower engines and other small gas engines. Fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol, like E15 or E85 gasoline, or gasoline containing other alcohol blends can damage small gas engines. Repairs required because of the use of these unapproved gasoline blends are not covered under the Briggs & Stratton engine warranty. Look for the "Look Before You Pump" warning logo on new models or find more information from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute atwww.opei.org.

Win a $70,000 Backyard Makover

Is your backyard just run of the mill and nothing special? Not quite the oasis you would like? Are you NOT currently living your backyard dream?

Then enter the Dream Backyard Makeover Contest for a chance to win a $70,000 backyard makeover. You can get the backyard of your dreams courtesy of Archadeck Outdoor Living, North America's largest builder of outdoor living spaces, (www.archadeck.com); Belgard Hardscapes, North America's leading manufacturer of hardscape paver products, (www.belgard.biz); and TimberTech, a leading manufacturer of composite decking and railing materials (www.timbertech.com). To enter, homeowners should visit www.dreambackyardmakeover.com and submit a photo along with a 200 word description of why their backyard is the most deserving.

The Dream Backyard Makeover contest begins February 1, 2013 and runs through April 22, 2013 via Facebook. The grand prize is a complete backyard transformation from Archadeck, Belgard Hardscapes and TimberTech. Second and third place prizes will be the renovation of an existing deck or patio, courtesy of Archadeck, and the installation of an outdoor lighting system provided by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, respectively. Two finalists will be selected at the end of February, March and April, and their entries will be posted on Facebook. On April 23, voting will open for one week so that Archadeck Facebook fans may voice their opinions on the most deserving backyard. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and Facebook fan votes, and winners will be announced in May 2013.

"While many backyards are in need of renovation, we're looking for that special backyard that really stands out for one reason or the other," said Rob Haslip , vice president of Archadeck. "Whether a homeowner wants to create a soothing sanctuary for two or an entertainment area for family and friends, our team will provide the upscale outdoor design that makes their dream come true, utilizing beautiful paver products from Belgard Hardscapes and gorgeous composite decking materials from TimberTech."

Archadeck, established in 1980, has built more than 100,000 projects across the country and is recognized as the largest deck and porch builder in North America. The company's design expertise includes outdoor living rooms, fire features, porches, pergolas, sunrooms and patios — all featuring the latest trends in outdoor leisure enjoyment and functionality.

For full Archadeck Dream Backyard Makeover contest rules, visit: www.dreambackyardmakeover.com.
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