How to Make a Floating Dock (Part 1)

Summary

Step 1: Prepare your floating dock project

Step 2: Assemble the dock frame

Step 3: Consolidate the dock structure with spacers

Step 4: Attach the floats to the dock

Step 5: Form the deck

Step 6: Anchor your floating dock

Making a floating dock is not as difficult as it sounds. To moor a boat, to have easy and secure access to a body of water, or simply for the pleasures of swimming, it is the ideal solution. With the method, the right tools and time ahead of you, you can achieve a solid and durable construction.

To find out how to build a floating dock, follow the detailed explanations below.

Materials needed to build a floating dock

TRCC bolts (round head square collar)	About $13
Adjustable wrench	–
Square	$ 4
Mounting bracket	$ 4
Tape measure	From $ 4
Paper + pencil	Already owned
Drilling machine	From $ 30
Wood boards	According to species and dimensions
Jigsaw	From $ 30
Tasseau	From $ 5
Screws	From $ 2 the bag
Screwdriver	From $ 30

1. Prepare your floating dock project

Define the surface area of the dock and the choice of floats.

Determine the length and width of the floating dock based on:

– the number of people to be accommodated;

– the load to be supported;

– the size of the craft (boat, kayak, rowboat, etc.) to be moored to the dock.

Choose the size of the floats:

The size of the floats depends on the weight to be supported.

If you install a ladder or guardrails, include the weight of these elements in the load to be supported.

Example: for 2 to 3 persons, 4 floats of 15 cm high are provided to ensure the buoyancy of a 200 kg load.

Also, consider the desired height of the dock.

Good to know: if you want to be as close to the water as possible, opt for floats about 15 cm high.

Make a quick plan of your dock, noting all the dimensions.

Take the necessary materials with you

To make a floating dock, you will need:

– autoclave-treated wood planks;

– wooden cleats;

– steel mounting brackets;

– galvanized steel hardware;

– mooring cleats;

– floats;

– galvanized steel chains;

– dead bodies.

Important: Ask your dealer to choose the right type of float for your dock.

2. Assemble the frame of the dock

Shape the perimeter

Saw 4 planks to the right dimensions to make up the perimeter of the dock.

Position them on high support (trestles, workbench, table, etc.) so that you can access the underside of the dock under construction.

Assemble the planks together by screwing them together laterally, checking their right angle with a square.

Important: Always use galvanized steel hardware to prevent rust.

Then bolt large galvanized steel mounting brackets to the 4 corners of the assembly.

Important: the brackets must extend halfway up the dock. This will then allow the spacers of the dock structure to be attached to them.

Divide the dock into several sections

Divide the dock into equal sections.

Good to know: determine the number of sections according to the size of the dock.

Saw boards to the right length to insert them inside the frame to form the sections.

Position and screw the planks in the perimeter.

Also, secure these interior boards by bolting them with mounting brackets.

3. Consolidate the dock structure with spacers

The sections of the dock must be reinforced with X-shaped braces, fixed on the fixing brackets.

The spacer is a rigid part used to maintain a fixed distance between 2 elements.

In the first section, measure the diagonals with a meter.

Cut 2 boards to these measurements:

– 1 plank will be fixed flat: apply a 45° angle at each end;

– 1 plank will be fixed on the edge.

First fix the spacer flat by screwing it into the fixing brackets.

Then fix the spacer positioned on the edge in the same way.

Repeat these steps for each section of the dock.

This post will now continue in part 2 in our next publication. Stay posted and remember to leave your comments below.

Posted by : Paul
6 October 2020
General

5 Tips to Pick Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Gleaming snowy white or vanilla off-white, ankle or knee-length, straight or puffy, you probably want your wedding dress to be perfect! Although “what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it”, as the famous French designer Yves Saint Laurent once said, most women dream of a statement piece for their bridal gown since they were little girls.

Whether it is custom made or a designer’s piece, the dress of the bride is significant in creating a memorable marriage and a once-in-a-lifetime day to be cherished forever. But with all the excitement and planning going on, choosing the right dress can be challenging. You can take this weight off your shoulders, we’ve got you covered! We’ve gathered 5 tips that will allow you to pick the ideal wedding dress to walk down the aisle with grace while all the spotlight is on you.

1. Research Comes First

Do you want your skirt with or without a crinoline? Are you looking for an empire or sheath silhouette? Would you prefer tulle or organza fabric for your gown? If you have no idea of how to differentiate these terms, no worries, it’s normal! You don’t get to deal with the wedding dress terminology every day, and before going shopping, we advise that you do some research first.

Grab some bridal magazines and read more on websites to understand the bridal gown glossary and get a better idea of what you are looking for.

2. Your Taste Matters

Stick to your gut feelings! After all, this wedding is going to be your day and your dress needs to suit your personality and taste. You will be the one wearing the dress, and it is essential that you like the color and style.

Pop by a bridal shop; have a look at the fabric and decorative details available on the market. Make a folder with photos of wedding dresses you like. You can also get some inspiration on Pinterest and create a private board to pin the wedding gowns you love.

3. It’s All About the Fit

Forget about the size when choosing your perfect wedding dress. Think about the fit! You can try on a few dresses to have a better understanding of which style flatters your body shape the most. Be meticulous on the dress cut to see if the gown is flattering your best features.

For instance, mermaid gowns will complement beautiful curves while a trumpet dress will work well with a slender silhouette. However, there are no rules to follow here, it is just about fitting your body figure, so you look at your best and feel comfortable.

4. Tune It with Your Theme

You don’t want your dress to clash with the mood you want to achieve for your wedding. When you’ve decided on the theme of your wedding décor, you’ll get a good idea of what type of material and color to choose for your dress so that it matches your party’s atmosphere.

We also recommend that you keep your venue in mind when picking your gown. This will narrow down your options, making your purchase choice more straightforward.

5. Stick to Your Budget

Wedding dresses are probably the most expensive clothing item for women. Before making any decision, it is crucial that you do your budgeting and be clear about how much you are willing to spend on the dress. Therefore, when you visit the bridal store, you can inform the salesperson about your price range so you’ll try only pieces that you can afford. There’s nothing more disappointing than thinking you’ve found the perfect dress ending up realizing that you cannot get it.

Remember that there is nothing to stress about as when you find the right dress, you will know. Plus those 5 tips will help you in your decision making. Haven’t you find the perfect dress yet? You can always schedule an appointment at a bridal boutique and let the stylist find you the dress of your dreams.

Posted by : Paul
5 October 2020
General, Weddings

Why Choose Illuminated Signage for Your Business

Contents
– Illuminated signs: definition
– Types of illuminated signs
– Why choose an illuminated sign?
– Use of the neon sign

The choice of lighting system is an important step in the design of a sign, as it allows the company to stand out from its competitors and be visible during closing hours. This is why the place of illuminated signs in commercial activity plays a key role.

Illuminated signs: definition

Illuminated signs are one of the most effective media for advertising communication. Regardless of the lighting technology, it is always equipped with either LED or neon lighting.

Just like a shop sign, it consists of all illuminated inscriptions, shapes or images that can be placed on the facade of a building where an activity is carried out.

The sign, whether illuminated or not, is a means of display that allows:

– to attract customers;
– to promote the image;
– to convey a message.

Types of illuminated signs

Illuminated signs allow you to promote your business day and night, and are available in different models:

– Illuminated boxes;
– LED signs;
– neon signs.

Illuminated signs can be:

– either illuminated from the inside, as is the case for lightboxes or certain sign letters;
– or backlit.

What is a lightbox?

It is widely used in the field of signage and advertising communication. The lightbox is a visual device that allows a poster to be displayed. Totally or partially transparent, it has a luminous electrical installation (LED or neon backlighting) that allows you to enhance your display.

The models of lightboxes

Several types of lightboxes are currently available on the market:

– The simple lightbox, which allows highlighting an advertising poster on the front part of the box.
– The double-sided lightbox, which offers the possibility of displaying 2 models of visuals on both sides. These include flag signs.
– The scrolling lightbox, which can display several visuals scrolling successively. This is notably the case for certain advertising panels.
– The stretched canvas lightbox, which allows for the display of large lengths or large surfaces, as is the case for advertising tarpaulins.

What is an LED sign?

The LED illuminated sign is a form of dynamic advertising that uses diodes and can be remotely controlled via a computer. This offers many advantages over traditional neon signs or lightboxes.

The LED illuminated sign has light-emitting diodes for its illumination. Regardless of the model or brand of the sign, the process remains the same: these diodes allow electricity to pass through the material and the energy that is released allows the sign to be illuminated from the outside.

Depending on the materials of the sign, the colour of the light will be different. This material will also determine the wavelength of the light emitted.

What type of LED sign for your shop?

The LED sign can be used both indoors and outdoors. Depending on your needs, you can choose between:

– The programmable LED sign:

◦ Placed outdoors, you can program it to flash or scroll.
◦ It also allows you to broadcast a message to the public day and night.
– The decorative LED sign:

◦ Placed indoors, this luminous LED sign groups together LED display screen type signs or decorative LED signs.
◦ It allows you to highlight an advertising message or a commercial offer.

What is a neon sign?

The use of neon offers a definite advantage in illuminated signage. Like the lightbox and the LED sign, the neon sign allows you to durably spread the image of your activity, your business or your products.

To be seen, the neon sign is one of the most effective media.
There are two types of neon signs:

– Glass neon signs: these are illuminated signs lit by fluorescent tubes. These tubes illuminate, from below, a box which is equipped with a glass face.
– Flexible neon signs: these use the latest lighting technology to overcome the disadvantages of conventional neon signs.

Use of the neon sign

Depending on the type of business you wish to equip with an illuminated sign, certain types of display media should be preferred.

To date, neon signs are mainly used by night-time businesses such as:

– bars,
– hotels,
– restaurants, etc.

Why choose an illuminated sign?

An illuminated sign is a company visual that promotes contact with the customer. Putting an illuminated sign on your company or shop allows you to:

– stand out from the competition;
– catch the customer’s eye;
– be visible day and night.

Use of illuminated signs

Illuminated signs are of vital importance for a shop or business, whether it is located in a busy street or in a less commercial area.

This utility can be found in:

– advertising signs;
– shop signs;
– signs for bars, tobacconists, bakeries, restaurants, etc.

In our next publications, we will present the advantages and disadvantages of lightboxes, LED signs and neon signs. Stay posted, and remember to leave your comments below.

Posted by : Paul
5 October 2020
General

8 Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

As Albert Einstein observed, “once you stop learning, you start dying”. This quote is extremely pertinent in this day and age, where everything moves so fast that we must continuously acquire new skills to keep up with the pace. In addition to staying up-to-date, developing new skills is exciting and has many other benefits. For example, learning to play a musical instrument stimulates neurons and can build your confidence.

Do you dream of becoming the next Beethoven, but don’t know if you should start practicing the piano, violin, guitar, or other musical tools? We might be able to give you the motivation you need. Here are 8 perks of playing an instrument:

1. Relieves Stress

Stress can be harmful to your overall well-being, and music is ideal for keeping you calm. Soft tones have a relaxing and soothing effect on our emotions and can even lower our heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, when you play an instrument, you are able to reduce your stress level by decreasing your cortisol production.

2. Cultivates Patience

To develop a new skill comes with its loads of struggles during the first days and learning to play a musical instrument is no exception. You will have to memorize further information, notes, learn chord shapes, and won’t get immediate results. While it will take some time to adapt, you will also develop the virtue of patience when persevering.

3. Develops a Sense of Accomplishment

Practice makes perfect! Although it might sound like a cliché, it is nonetheless true. In fact, after you’ve nurtured patience with so much practice, once you start nailing it, you’ll also enjoy an enormous sense of self-worth and accomplishment, especially if you’ve been struggling a lot before.

4. Boosts Confidence

When you practice an instrument, you will eventually end up playing in front of a group of people, including family members, friends and colleagues, or perhaps a concert audience. This will encourage you to express yourself freely and give you the necessary grit to keep your composure when others are watching you.

5. Improves Memory

Did you know that practicing an instrument makes you use both sides of your brain? Yes, you’ve read right! In fact, research showed that acquiring this new skill can be an inexpensive yet effective method to treat people with learning disabilities. While for healthy populations, playing a musical instrument can enhance your literacy abilities and verbal memory.

6. Stimulates Creativity

Once you are more comfortable performing, you will be eager to express yourself and convey your emotions through your note composition and melody. Whether you are writing a whole new song or taking inspiration from another musical version, playing an instrument will allow you to craft your own masterpiece, thereby stimulating and nurturing your creativity.

7. Reinforces Immune System

In many countries, music is considered a cure and is used to relieve stress. While researchers are now exploring the potentially positive results of playing an instrument, psychologists Levitin and Mona Lisa Chanda explained in an analysis of 400 studies that music can strengthen the immune system.

8. Builds Time Management Skills

As we have said before, learning to play a musical instrument does not happen overnight. It requires effort and, above all, constant and regular practice, which can be challenging if you have a heavy schedule. However, if you want to do something, you will find the time to do it. In this case, you will ensure that you better manage your time in order to find a way to integrate your practice sessions into your schedule.

While these are the main benefits of practicing an instrument, the list is extensive, and you can encounter many more advantages. Have you recently began practicing an instrument? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

Posted by : Paul
2 October 2020
Music

6 Factors to Consider When Buying Your Home

Owning your own home is the dream that everyone wants to achieve before reaching adulthood. Many people are considering buying and owning their own home. It is important to understand, recognize and realize some of the main reasons for this process, even if it goes far beyond simply finding the best place to live! While there are many benefits to owning a home, in many ways, the wise individual learns and discovers some of the beneficial reasons before making such an important decision. It makes sense that the largest portion of the value of a home is often the largest and only financial asset that someone owns. However, before that, there are several factors to consider when buying a home for your family..

Here are a few of them:

1. Know your needs: What do you need in your home, and why do you think they are needed? Do you consider them and your priorities, and what would make you the happiest, or are you simply proceeding in a strictly emotional manner? Consider your current and future finances, your comfort zone, and whether they will allow you to be as satisfied and happy as possible!

2. Know your wishes/desires: Break down your considerations between what you should have and what you might want, or wish for! What is the importance of these second categories, these elements and your will? They make a big difference to you because they allow you to know if a specific home meets or exceeds your needs and expectations!

3. Know what you can afford: Look at your current finances, your comfort zone and elements such as job security, economic security, etc. Avoid making this decision; become money – trap! Have you set aside funds for future contingencies, including reserves for repairs, renovations, improvements and potential periods of income interruption? Are you comfortable with the financial realities of homeownership?

4. Know what you’re looking for: What are you looking for and why? Does the area, region, neighborhood, safety considerations and access to transportation and amenities meet and exceed your needs and expectations? What are your criteria and why?

5. Know your priorities/foreseeable future: What are your preferences and are they in your best interest? How will you know if you are acting wisely, etc.? Are you secure, in financial terms, both now and in the foreseeable future? Will you be prepared to deal with life’s stresses and challenges and expand the boundaries of your comfort zone so that buying a home becomes a challenge and a glorious rather than a stressful event, etc.?

6. Raise/accumulate sufficient funds to meet the various demands and necessities: It makes sense to do the same – be prepared, as much as possible, from the start. Good – before you start looking for a house, start systematically saving money. Keep in mind that you’ll need funds for the down payment (often, but not always, 20%) and for other closing costs, including, but not limited to, prepaid property taxes, utilities and other costs, known as security items. In addition, most lending institutions require proof of mortgage payments, equivalent to several months’ worth of mortgage payments.

Are you a smart buyer? Are you prepared and ready for the joys, challenges, etc.? The more you know, the happier you’ll be!

If you are looking to buy a home, then consider Ideal Real Estate. It’s a Florida-based real estate company with a portfolio that spans all of Brevard County. They understand that buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life, and that’s why they are committed to helping every client through every step of the selling process. Contact them for more details.

Posted by : Paul
1 October 2020
General

Engagement Ring Dictionary: Everything You Need to Know to Cherry-Pick the Most Special Jewel

That moment when you finally open that little box and see “the ring”, you know it’s when the ultimate wedding adventure begins. The engagement ring marks the beginning of all the preparations that will come after, and will probably be the jewel that you’ll wear with the most affection and love. However, that moment tends to catch many off guards because, if you’re not fond of jewelry, it’s a brand-new world with so many options that it can cause great indecision. But, such a thing doesn’t need to occur! We’ve put together the fundamental knowledge to get the perfect engagement ring right on the first pick.

There are certain things to know before getting one: the stone’s purity, its brilliance, and clarity (which will determine its value), its size, and the stone type. However, platinum or white gold is the most common metal, and other options such as yellow or rose gold are best for those looking for an original touch in their engagement ring. The same occurs with stone and diamond… the stone par excellence of engagement rings is increasingly giving way to another type with more color such as sapphires or emeralds. Discover with this guide, the engagement ring of your dreams…

White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum… Metals

The ideal material for engagement rings is platinum or white gold. It is the one that best combines with diamonds, the most traditional stone in engagement rings. However, you will also find them in rose gold and yellow gold, two options in which you will find an original and most striking point if that is what you are looking for.

Precious Stones

We could affirm without fear of being wrong that there is no engagement ring without a precious stone. It is one of the fundamental characteristics of this type of jewelry. And the diamond is the favorite. It is the hardest stone in nature, the most resistant and therefore durable, hence it is associated with eternity, the most characteristic attribute of marriage.

However, famous engagement rings, such as Kate Middleton’s, which once belonged to Diana of Wales, made up of a gigantic sapphire that has put different and varied options on the table. Those looking for a point of color or differentiating themselves from the classic engagement ring may choose other types of stones such as emerald or sapphire.

Characteristics of Diamond

When choosing a diamond, four factors determine its value: size, clarity, color, and weight. The carving is one of the most important because a good carving will ensure that all its attributes stand out, getting the stone’s maximum shine. The proportion and symmetry of its facets are decisive.

Clarity measures the stone’s purity – the more imperfections, the less valuable the diamond will be.

The most precious color in diamonds is colorless, and the weight of the stones is measured in carats. Although you may think otherwise, it is not the weight but the three previous qualities that determine a diamond’s price.

Cushion, Princess, Round, Emerald… the Shapes of a Diamond

Another factor that will determine your wedding request’s choice will be how the diamond has been cut. There are several shapes, and this will guide the design and style of the ring. The most common cut for solitaires, for example, is the round brilliant, whose setting creates the effect that the diamond is suspended in the air. There are variations such as the oval size or the pear, a shape reminiscent of a tear.

Are you looking for a much more attractive cut? You can opt for the emerald or baguette shape – the diamond is cut with parallel cuts and rectangular, thus achieving an exceptional shine and a more contemporary air. And for an extra touch of fantasy, there are other sizes such as heart-shaped, romanticism squared.

Solitaire, Alliance, Lane… the Type of Rings

Once you have chosen the metal, the type of stone, and the size, you have to decide on the ring’s design. The most classic commitment, the one we see in movies, is the lonely one. A band, usually of plain white gold or platinum, topped by a one-piece diamond, usually round cut.

The Alliance or Half Alliance Lined With Diamonds

Are you looking for a more versatile and discreet piece (without giving up the shine on your finger)? – The alliance or half alliance lined with diamonds is a great option! If the stones are set in a rail, the discretion is more remarkable! Why? Simply because the precious stones are surrounded by platinum and perfect white gold.

And Once I Have It, Where Do I Wear It?

Although this protocol has already been lost and one can put it where it seems best, tradition dictated that it should be placed on the left ring finger, the side where the heart is located (many people believe that there’s a vein or nerve that connects the ring finger with the heart).

Posted by : Paul
1 October 2020
General, Jewelries

Tell Them How You Feel with Flowers – The Most Popular Meanings Behind Flowers

It’s generally accepted that roses symbolize love, but have you ever wondered where that concept came from? Using flowers to send messages actually originates from the Ottoman Empire, where women used them to convey feelings they couldn’t say out loud. It wasn’t until the 19^th century, however, that floriography, or the language of flowers, was formalized in the form of Le Langage des Fleurs, a dictionary on the hidden meanings of flowers.

While roses are still viewed as the flower of love, they are not the only variety that can transmit messages of romance. In this article, let’s have a look at other blooms that can show your significant other how you truly feel.

Peonies

These fluffy blooms are most commonly associated with bashfulness, prosperity and romance. Some people even believe it to be a good luck charm, bringing the receiver good fortune in all endeavours. Peonies also have some roots in Greek mythology. Apparently, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty grew jealous of a nymph, Paeonia, who had drawn the attention of Apollo, God of the Sun, and turned her into the bloom in a fit of spite.

Matthiola Incana

Want to tell the love of your life that their beauty will not fade with time, and you want to offer them a lifetime of happiness? A bouquet of this spicy cinnamon and clove scented flower may do the trick.

Red Chrysanthemum

Want to convey feelings of passion and love? Fan the flames of her desire with a posy of the fieriest of flowers.

Ranunculus

Also known as buttercups, these colorful flowers will let the recipient know that you are dazzled by their charms.

Pink Asters

Asters get their name from their astral shaped heads, and represent love, charm, and sensitivity. According to florists all over the world, pink asters are the emblem of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love.

Daffodils

Traditionally the 10-year anniversary flower, you can gift a bouquet of these to your special someone to show them that you’re wishing them 12 months of good luck and happiness. That’s got to earn you some serious brownie points.

Gerbera Daisies

Daisies are known to symbolize beauty, innocence and purity. The Gerbera variety, distinguishable by their large flowering heads, come in rainbow hues, which adds an additional meaning for cheerfulness. Receiving a bunch of these happy flowers is sure to brighten anyone’s day.

Tulips

A traditional alternative to roses due to their relative affordability, these elegant and easily recognizable blooms convey warmth, comfort and the perfect love. If you want to stand out from the crowd but still want a classic, a bunch of tulips will definitely get the message across.

Alstroemeria

Native to South America and also known as Peruvian lilies, these long-lasting and striking blooms are the perfect way to show you want to take your relationship to the next level. These flowers feature multiple blooms per stem, making for voluptuous arrangements.

Casa Blanca Lilies

If you’re looking to make a statement, creating a bouquet of these expensive white lilies from the Orient are the way to go. Signifying beauty, class and style, the heady fragrance of these stunning blooms is a fantastic way to spoil your loved one.

Orchids

Quite possibly the most expressive of all flowers, sending a bouquet of these rare blooms can tell the recipient a lot of things. Orchids symbolize love, beauty, luxury, strength and also a desire to rock the bed all night. Is it any surprise that orchids are considered the ultimate seduction tool?

Now that you know the meanings behind some of the most common alternatives to roses, all you need is a place to get them. Why not feed two birds with one muffin? Flovie’s is a charming Florist/ Café that stocks the freshest flowers and also offers a romantic setting for you to enjoy a romantic meal. Check out their website here and leave us a comment to let us know how your date went.

Posted by : Paul
30 September 2020
Relationships

What Are Gutter Collector and Gutter Downspout Used For?

Summary
– Gutter collector
– Components of Gutter downspout
– Gutter downspout: evacuation or recovery?

A gutter system is made up of elements each contributing to the good collection of rainwater:
– the horizontal collection system,
– the sealing elements of the gutter,
– gutter hooks,
– gutter connections,
– gutter downspouts or vertical gutter chains,
– the gutter collector whose role is to connect the downspout to a rainwater recuperator.

Gutter collector: rainwater recuperator

When it rains, the rainwater collected by the gutter flows down the house through a downspout or gutter chain.
In the case of a downspout, the water can be conveyed:
– to a water evacuation system,
– to a rainwater recovery system: cistern, bin, etc.
The collector is a simple pipe that is attached to the downspout and connected to a storage tank.
The water that falls down the downspout is diverted by the collector and filtered before being stored. In the event of an overflow, the excess water continues its course towards the rainwater drainage system.

Economical and ecological

Caution: the water collected is not drinkable even if it is filtered.
The gutter collector allows you to make important savings because it allows you to recover 80 to 90% of rainwater for:
– gardening,
– wash your car…
Thanks to this process, the consumption of potable water is reduced: a true gesture of sustainable development!

Components of Gutter downspout

The gutter downspout carries the rainwater down; it connects the gutter to the collector.

It should allow for optimal drainage since leaves, branches and other solid bodies are often carried along with the water.

Here is a summary table of the different components of the downspout:

Gutter downspout

Components	Features
Downpipes	Variable diameter: minimum 50 mm for round sections and 60 mm for square sections, up to 100 mm, length: 1, 2 or 3 meters, fit into each other over a sufficient height to ensure a perfect seal and in the right direction of water flow, their position should be as vertical as possible.
Descending elbows	Allows you to give the downspout the shape and orientation necessary to configure your roof, of the same diameter as the pipes, their number must be limited to the maximum, in order to facilitate the descent of the water.
Sleeves or rings	Assemble the elements together
Connection basins	Are V-shaped, allow the junction of two downspouts, generally one vertical and the other diagonal, flowing into the same collector.
Clamps or fasteners	Fastened to the wall with galvanized screws in dowels suitable for masonry, support the pipes and make them integral to the construction, keep the vertical descent away from the wall and avoid damages in case of leaks, It is recommended not to tighten them too much, the material must be able to expand.
Gutter protection elements	Toad mouth, and gutter leaf stopper.

Gutter downspout: evacuation or recovery?

Rainwater must be conveyed via a gutter collector:

– or to a drainage system,

– or a water recovery system.

Failure to drain or recover water may eventually and seriously damage the foundations of your building.

The location of eavestrough downspouts is dictated by the location of manholes around your home.

The number of downspouts depends on the configuration of the different sections of your roof, their surfaces and layout and should be carefully considered when installing the eavestrough.

We hope that the essential information in this post will help you make the right choices for your eavestroughs. For even more advice on purchasing, installation and maintenance, please contact Brunswick Roofing Supplies.

Posted by : Paul
30 September 2020
General

Why Choose Limestone Tiles to Decorate Your Property

Summary

– Limestone, the natural warmth of the stone

– Formats and installation

– Advantages of limestone tile

– Disadvantages of limestone tiling

– The maintenance of limestone tiles

Like granite, travertine, slate, and marble, limestone is one of the 5 main types of natural stone used for flooring.

Be careful when choosing your limestone! Some are for interior use only.

Like granite, travertine, slate, and marble, limestone is one of the 5 main types of natural stone used for flooring.

Be careful when choosing your limestone! Some are for interior use only.

Limestone, the natural warmth of the stone

Limestone is a sedimentary carbonate rock containing more than 95% calcite. It is part of the organic stones born from the sedimentation of plant organisms.

The different types of limestone

It is classified as limestone if it is:

– Bluestone, which is non-porous. It is dark in color and suitable for both interiors and exteriors and provides excellent thermal comfort. Bluestone is ideal for outdoor use because it does not freeze.

– Whitestone: a soft rock, nicknamed “warm stone” because it is sometimes very porous. It can, therefore, not always be placed outside. The whitestone will never be completely smooth and therefore has good non-slip qualities.

Good to know: People often speak about the “Burgundy stone”; it is a type of limestone.

Characteristics of limestone

Limestone harmonizes very well with rustic materials but also with more contemporary interiors. It has a wide variety of shades ranging from white to pale pink through light yellow or beige ochre of medium resistance. It comes in the form of paving stones, tiles, or slabs. In all cases, limestone will remain in light shades.

Sizes and installation

Limestone comes in the form of slabs, like a traditional tile.

The thickness is generally 2 cm, so you need to have a high reservation height to lay this flooring type. This will raise your support by at least 2.5 cm with the thickness of the glue, so pay attention to space, especially at the level of your doors!

Examples of formats:

– 20×20 cm;

– 30×30 cm;

– 40×40 cm;

– 60×40 cm;

– etc.

As with tiles, the installation can be glued or sealed. Exactly on the same principle with suitable adhesive mortars.

The advantages of limestone tiles

Limestone has impressive benefits for tiling:

– It is very soft and comfortable to work with.

– It is often found polished.

– Its warm aspect makes it an ideal stone for interior use.

– Its maintenance is easy; use a damp cloth with neutral pH soap alternating with black soap.

Disadvantages of limestone tiles

Limestone tiling has some drawbacks, however:

– Some stones are too porous to be placed outdoors.

– Limestone tiles require special treatment after installation. This treatment is imperative for all limestone tiles and must be carried out immediately after installation.

– Limestone is poorly resistant to pollution, acids, and fumes.

The maintenance of limestone tiles

Choosing this flooring type also means committing to meticulous and specific maintenance since its resistance is very average. You will have to carry out a water-repellent and anti-stain treatment right after the installation of your limestone. This treatment is imperative! It will waterproof your floor, just like we waterproof our suede or nubuck shoes! Once this operation is done, the maintenance is classic: water and soap or a neutral detergent.

Don’t forget to leave your comments below. We’ll tell you even more in our upcoming publications on:

– Natural stone tiles: the noble material par excellence;

– Main uses of limestone;

– How to Waterproof your Limestone Tiles

Stay posted!

Posted by : Paul
30 September 2020
General

Protecting Yourself Online – How to Deal with Scammers and Trolls

In our interconnected world of computers, phones, gaming consoles and other electronic devices that require a constant online presence, people have become somewhat blasé towards security and personal expression. This has given rise to such characters as internet ‘trolls’ – unpleasant individuals who harasses others in response to the other peoples’ opinions or even just their participation online, and scammers – unscrupulous individuals who try to steal protected data for monetary gain, or outright steal your money. It is therefore essential that you know how to guard yourself against these threats.

Below are some top tips to ensure you’re protected while living online:

Don’t use lazy passwords

This is quite possibly the most important tip we can give you. Make sure that your password is not easily guessed, which means avoiding a middle name, pet’s name or favorite football team or common words like password, computer or biscuit. Also, include capital letters, numbers and punctuation for extra security. Never use the same password for different accounts, to prevent people from accessing all your accounts if they manage to get into one. If you do get hacked, make sure you change your passwords immediately.

Be careful what you post online

There’s a common saying that everything is public and permanent on the internet. Being careful what you post serves multiple purposes. Make sure not to post personal details on public forums (like full name, address, bank details etc) Don’t share holiday plans openly, since that can leave you vulnerable to burglars. Also, many employers nowadays google prospective employees before hiring, so don’t post anything that could damage your chances of getting a job. Finally, avoid posting ‘private’ photos online to strangers, so you can avoid being blackmailed for money or worse.

If you are a victim of cyberbullying, do not answer back

Have you ever heard of the saying, ‘don’t feed the troll’? This is the perfect attitude to have when dealing with online abuse. No matter how nasty it gets, you’re much better off not responding directly. Simply report the abuse to people who are paid to monitor these types of behaviors and let them deal with it.

Never open email attachments or click on links from strangers

Most viruses are spread by people clicking on attachments and links from strangers. Don’t be one of them. If you don’t know who the email is from, don’t open it or anything attached to it. As a general rule, it’s better to delete the whole email without a second thought.

Watch out for email scams

Scamming emails are very common, and can range from the very poorly worded and obvious Nigerian ‘prince’ that wants to send you money, to the more subtle fake company emails looking for your personal information. This second type is called phishing. If you receive an email from an official company like Ebay, Paypal or even your bank saying that there’s a problem with your account, get on the phone to them and confirm. A very glaring warning sign is if the email asks you to enter your username and password into a portal – banks and other companies will never ask this.

If you’re doing online banking, use all the banks security recommendations

Almost every bank these days takes online security very seriously, and have robust protocols like 2-step authentication to protect your account online. Make sure you always set these up and keep the details safe.

Read the small print

When you sign up for any kind of online account, make sure you read their terms and conditions properly, especially the parts where they ask if you want to receive further information or promotional material from third parties. Only fill the mandatory boxes, marked with an asterisk (*) and make sure you’ve ticked/unticked the correct boxes before finalizing the process.

Use a firewall, anti-virus program and anti-spyware program

It doesn’t matter if you use Windows’ own firewall protection or a third-party like Norton or McAfee. Just make sure you don’t use both at the same time since they can interfere with each other.

In our next article, we’ll look at firewalls, anti-viruses and other Cybersecurity programs in greater depth. Until then, share your thoughts in the comments below and remember to stay safe.

Posted by : Paul
29 September 2020
General

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