Archive for February, 2010

Above Ground and Below Ground Pumping Stations


How to Accessorize a Deck


Furnishing and accessorizing a deck can easily be a pleasant experience. A wide variety of different products are vailable to a homeowner. It is very important to avoid going to the extreme by placing too much on the deck.

This can easily turn the outdoor living space into an obstacle rather than a structure that enhances its aesthetic and functional qualities in relation to the home and yard.

In situations where the deck is to be used year round or during the evening, outdoor lights, fire pits and patio heaters merit consideration. Plan extra space around grills and fire pits. Take the steps required to ensure that passageways that are frequently used are a minimum of 4 feet wide and are clear of any kinds of obstruction.

Hot tubs and water features should only be considered if there is sufficient space available. Features such as these demand careful planning, substantial amounts of space, weight supports and their own electrical circuits.

Decorative lighting is a great way to establish the mood on a deck. The possibilities are almost limitless. Low voltage commercial light strings can be woven along railing systems or in nearby overhanging branches. Low voltage light fixtures can also be hidden in hanging planters to create a feeling of ambiance.

The addition of lights to the surrounding yard greatly enhances the view from the deck at night creating drama as well as a sense of security. Utilize spotlights or floodlights to accent trees, shrubs and sculpture. Add spread lights to throw light horizontally across a garden or flower bed. In addition, position wash lights to reveal texture on a surface such as a chimney or masonry wall.

Decorative lighting fixtures for the outdoors are available in both line and low voltage types. Often they are available with a choice of lamps that include halogen, incandescent and compact flourescent. The latter lamp type is energy efficient and lasts the longest.

Avoid solar powered lights because the light output they generate is quite low. LED lighting fixtures are the wave of the future for low voltage deck and landscape lighting. These lights work well on stairs, in railing systems and when mounted on railing posts.

LED bulbs have an incredible lifespan and virtually never need changing. Although LED light fixtures cost more initially than their traditional counterparts, they are cheaper in the long run. They also conserve energy and are cooler thus reducing any danger related to finger burns.

A hot tub can be a great deck addition for relaxation but it requires a good deal of planning. Details must be worked out well in advance for its size, the number and placement of water jets, the location on the deck and support. All this must be done before any concrete is poured and any framework is built.

Hot tubs come in a variety of materials that include acrylic, stainless steel and ceramic tile. They also vary greatly in size with capacities up to 8 people.

The hot tub should be located in a space that maintains privacy. A separate open air or screened gazebo can work extremely well while providing a handy place to store towels, robes, shoes and even books.

Where the hot tub is part of the main deck structure, consider the installation of built-in seating around it. Think about placing planters in such a way as to separate the hot tub from other activity areas. Hot tubs can be installed flush with the deck surface or they can sit on the deck’s surface.

Flush type hot tubs need a concrete slab for support. Hot tubs on the deck surface require extra footings and additional framing.

Any hot tub will need a water source, an electrical source, housing for the pump, valves and filter. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a must to prevent possible electrocution. A wise decision would be to involve a licensed electrician and plumber in the addition process of a hot tub to the deck.

Ornamental water features, either freestanding or wall mounted, can buffer unwanted noise and provide a measure of relaxation. They require a power source to operate the pump motor. Water can be added occasionally to replenish the system and help to keep the pump functioning efficiently.

In cases where the foutain has a large water basin, a direct water source and a float valve can be used to maintain the water level automatically.

Reflecting pools and small ponds are wonderful possible deck accessories. Most often they are permanent structures with poured concrete or brick bases. A pump is a necessity to keep the water aerated and prevent the growth of algae. Again, a GFCI is an absolute necessity.

The pond or pool can be lined with either a rigid or flexible liner to keep water from draining away. Stones can be place around the edges to keep the liner in place and add a natural look. A wide array of aquatic plants such as water lilies can provide many decorative opportunities for the home gardener.

The number one activity on a deck is the burning of meat. Portable grills include larger grilling areas, side tables for resting serving plates, wheels so that the grill can be moved out of the way when necessary, rotisseries and side burners.

Built-in grills are a recent popular option. The advantages of these include permanent gas hookups, large grilling areas and roasting capactitiy, optional burners and rotisseries as well as durable weatherproof construction.

Portable or permanent food preparation and staging counters are becoming more popular. The space below the counter can become a cabinet for the storage of basic cooking and serving supplies. Cabinets on locking casters can add a great deal of portability to the food preparation and serving area.

Construction of such items will require the use of exterior grade plywood, water resistant finishes and polished stone, stainless steel or pocelain tile countertop materials.

The choice of whether or not to have a fire pit on a deck hinges upon how often it will be used and whether or not local bylaws allow it. In addition fire pits take up much space, pose safety issues and can be an eyesore at times. An alternative to a fire pit might be a chimnea or a portable fireplace.

The second choice, often called a fire bowl, is generally ringed with a stone ledge which can double as a place to set down a drink or plate.

More and more homeowners are opting to extend the outdoor entertaining season on the deck by using parasol shaped patio heaters. They are movable and burn kerosene, butane, propane or natural gas. Patio heaters come in many styles, sizes and price ranges.

Safety features can include emergency cutoff valves, flame controls, electronic ignition and infrared heating technology. The best placement is in a wind sheltered area.

The final option would be a built-in masonry fireplace located near the perimeter of the deck. It can be constructed with stone or brick which can complement materials already in existence around the house and yard.

Successful deck planning should take into account furnishing and accessorizing a deck so that homeowners, family members and guests will have every opportunity to enjoy their time on this new outdoor living space.

Richard Vande Sompel
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-accessorize-a-deck-237334.html

How to Buy a Pressure Washer


Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer

When it comes to purchasing a pressure washer the choices are much greater than one might think. Likely the most important choice that will help you to narrow down a good selection is whether you want an electric pressure washer or a gas pressure washer. How to buy a pressure washer from there might be a bit simpler. If you decide to go electric then you should be aware that they will be smaller, easier to maneuver, and much quieter. They also don’t require as much maintenance as gas powered machines do. Gas powered washers offer more power and do cost more.

For industrial purposes, a gas powered pressure washer will be the answer when the question is how to buy a pressure washer. One of the main other factors to consider is PSI which means per square inch. That is very important, especially in industrial usage. This is only an important and critical factor if you plan to clean large areas. Pressure washers are used daily by various commercial cleaning contractors. Commercial pressure washers are composed of industrial pumps, very heavy-duty components and motors. How to buy a pressure washer depends solely on the pressure washer application.

Pressure washers come in many various assortments and types. The standard styles are cold, hot, and steam pressure washers. You should be aware of how to buy a pressure washer before embarking on the journey. Cold water pressure washers are the standard for general cleaning jobs that do not require the strength that the others offer. If you generally will be removing such things as grease and oil then a pressure washer that emits hot water will work much better as their temperatures reach a high enough point where they have the capabilities to remove such debris.

The hot water systems are also much more effective for cleaning cars and trucks, places that have contact with food and preparation, and to clean construction equipment. The ultra high temperatures make all the difference when you are figuring out how to buy a pressure washer.

Steam clean pressure washers rely on propane, gasoline, or other types of heating oils to create wet steam. Dry steam only offers a small amount of the same pressure and does not have the flow to remove debris from most surfaces. Although dry steam still uses the PSI measurement, the best that they can stand up to is about 50PSI. There is also not much consistency at all with dry steam cleaners.

The application and pressure washing locations play a vital role in determining how to buy a pressure washer. If it will be used outdoors then there are general rules laid in place by the EPA that prohibit exactly how you will use your pressure washer. Simply allowing water flow and contamination to run down the storm drains will likely get you a hefty fine. For indoor use there may be standards in place by both the EPA and OSHA that have to be followed.

Ultimate Washer
http://www.articlesbase.com/strategic-planning-articles/how-to-buy-a-pressure-washer-736144.html

what are submersible water pumps?

i want 2 know all basic info on Submersible Water Pumps like working, principles, construction, etc.

theory of operation:
There’s an impeller attached to the motor shaft, inside a housing with two ports, one for intake and the other for discharge. the spinning impeller puts centrifugal force on the liquid trapped between its vanes, so when it reaches the discharge port, the pressure inside the housing is greater than the pressure in the discharge outlet, forcing the liquid out. Faster spinning means more pressure, greater lift.

Some pumps (for example, those used to supply cooling water to marine engines), generate high pressure by utilizing a flexible impeller on an eccentric shaft (off-center). The intake port is situated at the point on the housing farthest from the shaft, so that the chamber between vanes gets smaller as it spins toward the outlet; when it reaches the discharge, the stressed impeller vanes increase the pressure in the housing.

DISCLAIMER: I just made this up as I went along; I have no formal training in any kind of engineering or design.

Water Pump Doesn’t Hold Presssure?

I have a Goulds JPlus water pump inside my home. Last night, my wife and I heard it going on and off repeatedly when we went to bed. I have two shallow wells hooked up to it, so I switched wells even though I didn’t believe the one I was on was dry (it was supplying H2O fine).

Still no luck, so I turned it off at the breaker and shut off the valve between the tank and pressure switch. Today, the pump pressure gets to between 50 and 60, then goes off. It then loses pressure v ery quickly (approx 10-20 seconds) and goes back on when the pump switch hits the lower threshold. It sounds like the water is running back through the pump and out of the house when it goes off unless I turn the shut off valve I spoke of earlier. I changed the pressure switch and no difference.

I can, however, turn it on and shower, flush, etc. I just then have to go down and turn the pump back off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Tommy is correct in saying that a proper air bubble in the top of the water storage tank is needed to provide a slowly declining pressure on the system as water is withdrawn. But if no water is being withdrawn inside the house then a check valve preventing a backflow through the pump discharge and allowing loss of water in the pipelines to the individual wells is leaking. It needs to be replaced.

Pressure in air pumps? ?

A bicycle pump has a piston with area .44 inches squared. If a person exerts a force of 30 lbs on the piston while inflating the tire, what pressure does this produce on the air in the pump?

30/.44 = 68.1818 psi

Sponge Filters for Use in Betta Tanks or Bowls

Stress the Silent Killer

how much does it cost to put a fuel pump/tank on?

my son in law is wanting to charge us 150 to put a tank/pump on our 98 cavalier…is that unreasonable?
im providing tank and pump

Anything you give him should be enough, after all he is your son in law. But if he was just a friend, one hundred fifty, is reasonable.. Good luck with your choices.

well pump turns on an stays on but builds no pressure?

goulds plus jet pump
i have no water

I am kind of at a loss ……..do you not have water ?
Or…… are you looking at the gage when the pump comes on?
Many times it will register zero when pump is running, depending on where the gage is mounted.
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Loss of prime
If your water pump is a two-line jet pump you may need to prime it. This pump needs to send water down into the well (and through a special valve at the end of the water pickup-pipe in the well) in order to bring water back. ………………However most well pumps are “shallow well” {motor/pump inside}…. or “ deep well” submersible …and both are of those are virtually self priming.
Three things come to mind………… the third thing …we want to pray…. it’s not
Bad check valve
Bad foot valve
Well is dry