Fix It and keep it

A Brief Look At Adjustable Wrenches
By: michael russell | Posted: 16th February 2010

There are three main types of adjustable wrenches that most people are familiar with. Knowing which wrench will be best for the job you are doing will help to make your home improvement or do-it-yourself project progress much more easily. Knowing what the best wrench to use for a job can be difficult if you are not aware of what the different purpose of each wrench is. The adjustable wrench is different from a standard wrench because it has an adjustable head, or jaws.

The most popular wrench used is the "adjustable end wrench". Most people know of this wrench as a Crescent Wrench. There are multiple sizes of crescent wrench available and they are very handy for both small and large home jobs. The most common identifying characteristic of this tool is it's angled gripping face on the jaw. There is normally a fifteen degree angle on the jaw of the wrench relative to the handle of the tool.

Many people who have weak wrists or hands will often use two crescent wrenches to get the grip that can be used effectively using opposing resistance. When the wrench is locked into place, it will not release which makes it very easy to use on a broken pipe, faucet, etc.

When using the wrench, it is possible to lock it in place and use resistance power to release a stuck fixture or close a broken faucet. Once locked, the wrench holds in place with the gripping jaws found in the head of the wrench.

The monkey wrench is also know as gas grips. This is an old type wrench and has a long straight handle. It is most commonly seen in use on large projects and the forged metal of the tool makes it very durable. The handle of the tool is smooth and the size of the gripping jaw can vary. Some of the tools are made big enough to grip a three inch pipe. The gripping faces of the tool are perpendicular to the handle.

The pipe wrench, is also called a Stillson wrench. This wrench is used by plumbers and other individuals who work with utility pipes. These wrenches are very similar to the monkey wrench but are narrower. They also have self-tightening properties that make them ideal for working with the small pipes found in homes. The hard serrated jaws of the wrench grip securely to a pipe or pipe fitting and in many cases, are able to be pulled with full body weight when removing a pipe from a fitting.

When deciding on the best adjustable wrenches for your project, it will be important to decide what the purpose of the wrench will be. In many cases, people will use two wrenches in a tight area to give them the resistance needed to turn a tight fitting pipe. These are extremely handy tools in a home.

Quality adjustable wrenches designed for holding as well as turning the nuts, bolts, screws, plugs, and all threaded equipments are available at the website where educative and informative articles of Michael Russell are displayed periodically. The wrenches provided here are available in both American standard inch and metric openings.

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Types Of Swimming Pool Coatings And How To Choose The Best
By: Levi Horowitz | Posted: 18th May 2009

Coatings are the materials used to cover the surface to protect from corrosion and to enhance the beauty. Made from paint and other additives, coatings are extremely used for interior and exterior decoration of home. Varieties of coatings are available depending on the purpose. Swimming pool coatings, garage floor coatings, and metal coatings are available.

Coatings vary in quality and variety depending on the manufacturer and the customer. Quality coat paints are offered within reasonable price. Coating improves the beauty and impresses everyone who sees it. With the latest technology and changing taste in the decoration of home, coating processes has become popular. While using coating some things must be remembered. Can this kind of coating offer durability? Do these coatings offer resistance to moisture and cracks? Do these decorative coatings last long? Depending on the purpose, the decorative coating also varies.

Swimming Pool Coatings: Swimming pool coatings are available in various kinds. Most famous swimming pool coatings are epoxy, acrylic, and rubber based.

Epoxy Coating: Also known as marine coating, epoxy paint is durable and last long. They protect us from ultra violet rays and chemical treatments. Epoxy paint is made by adding resin and hardener in one to one proportion. Available in various colors, turns to slight yellow when exposed to ultra violet rays. It needs to sand to recoat. It lasts for 7 years and it costs less.


Acrylic Coating: Made of polymer resin, does not require hardener or catalyst like other epoxy paint. It is easy to apply and easy to clean. Lasts for 2 to 3 years, acrylic paint is suitable for commercial applications. It is suspended in water to apply.

Chlorinated Rubber Base: Comes in various colors, chlorinated rubber base is easy to apply and lasts for about 3 to 5 years. It is not expensive as epoxy paint but shows resistance to salts, acids, and alkalis. Easy to recoat, it turns white when exposed to ultra violet rays. It consist highly solvent content and is soft. Mainly used for commercial purposes where the pool is renovated for every few years.

Quartzdek Coatings: With the latest technology, available, efficient engineers are making highly efficient decorative coatings. Among them, the best one is Quartzdek. No other decorative coating can compete with it in the present market. Manufactured by Surface MD, Quartzdek is made of effective resins and quartz. It's most common uses are Swimming Pool Decks, Driveways, Walkways, Boardwalks and other wood decks. The product is far superior to its competitors in terms of slippery resistant, crack resistant, and water resistant. This requires less maintenance and it is of low cost. It requires no painting materials.

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Swimming Pool Temperature – know the right level
By: Synapse India | Posted: 27th November 2008

If you are wondering what is the ideal swimming pool temperature then it is not a very easy question to answer. It is so because the proper swimming pools temperature depends largely on the preferences of the swimmers. Based on the recommended heater temperature and the settings from all manufacturers virtually, the ideal temperature range for both the backyard swimming pool and the indoor swimming pool ranges between 75- 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this figure is not taken to be as the final one as the temperature varies from the preferences of individual to individual and varied environments.


Ideal swimming pool temperature attainment can be a little tricky job if one possesses backyard swimming pool sans heater. It is so because the swimming pool temperature gradually increases along with the season change and there is a heating of the pool, but the very initial swimming pool temperature of swimming season remains to be cold. It is in fact lesser than 70 degrees Fahrenheit or so which is not quite favorable for even the adventurous lot of the swimmers. If the backyard swimming pool does have a heater, then there are no issues as the temperature of the swimming pool water can be well adjusted as per the requirements and the convenience of the swimmers and their activity levels. For example, cooler swimming pool water is apt for exercising purposes while warmer one is good for beach/ lounge atmosphere.

When the temperature of the swimming pool is increased, this is to be well considered that it may have some effects on the maintenance of the pool. Like, if the pool water temperature is higher, there will be increased water evaporation and thus the pool owners will have to remain vigilant regarding when the water needs to be added for easy swimming. Also, higher pool water temperature also implies quicker build up of the dissolved solids which is actually the “bad stuff” which the chlorine then attacks in the pool water. In fact, having higher temperature may also burn the chlorine and the agents used for pool sanitizing far more quickly. The algal growth will proliferate and increased vacuuming, squeezing and swimming pool cleanups will be required.

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A smaller Swimming Pool Pump Can Save You Big
By: one800pools | Posted: 03rd March 2009

Swimming Pool Season is almost upon us, and its time to go out and open up the pool. So you go out uncover the pool, start up your swimming pool pump and your ready to add your Spring Start-Up Kit, and you find out your pool pump is broken. Great what next? You could just replace your burned out pump with the same model and HP rating in hopes that it was sized right, from when your pool was installed. Or you could make a conscious effort to make sure your pump is sized correctly, allowing you to get maximum filtering benefit and to also save energy.

Bigger is not better when choosing a Pool Pump. What you want to do is use the smallest size pump possible for you swimming pool. To choose the correct pump, you can consult a pool pump-sizing chart. In technical terms you want to match the hydraulic characteristics of the pump to the piping and the pool’s flow characteristics. If you are heating you pool by solar, you also need to consider extra capacity to pump the water through the collectors.

A Study conducted by the State of Florida shows that ¾ hp pump is generally sufficient for residential pools. You can decrease the size of you pool pump by decreasing the systems hydraulic resistance by, substituting a large filter (50% higher than the designed flow rate) and decreasing pipe length or increasing diameter. Also replace 90-degree elbow pipes with 45-degree or even flexible piping. Besides, decreasing the pool water’s circulation resistance can save you up to 40% in electricity use.

Another way to save energy is to decrease the amount you pool pump runs to 6-hours a day. Basically you run the pump while your adding chemicals, and for automatic debris filtering. Longer circulation times wastes energy. Many people think that you have to keep the pump running to keep the growth of algae down, but the best energy conscious effort is to use chemicals in the water and scrub the walls when needed. If you have an instance where the water doesn’t appear clean then increase the pump-on time by ½ hour increments. Studies have shown that most of the people were happy with the water quality reducing their pump time down to even 3 hours a day. On average this would save you 60% on your swimming pool pump electricity. You will have to experiment to find the best operation.


If you have a debris problem caused by reducing your pool pump on time, you can install a timer on your pump (if you don’t have one already) to run at short periods each day and still keep within your lean pump-on schedule. These short cycle-on times should keep you pool clean all day.

Also remember to keep all debris clear of drains and skimmers. Clogged areas make your swimming pool pump work harder thus using more energy. And backwash only when needed because not enough requires your pool pump to work harder, and too frequently wastes water.

In a nutshell, sizing your pool pump to the correct size for your swimming pool, and making energy conscious efforts to reduce pool pump on time can you with lower energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, thus helping and doing your part in reducing your carbon footprint.
Steve Merillat has been in the Swimming Pool and Spa industry for 35 years. He started early on working for various Swimming Pool supply companies before ventured out in his own business. He pioneered many processes with the installation of Swimming Pools & Spas that are used as industry standards today. He regularly holds seminars and classes on how to properly maintain your Swimming Pool and Spa. For more information on Hot Tubs visit 1800Pools.com

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All about home swimming pools
By: Jakob Jelling | Posted: 23rd April 2007

Although home swimming pools might seem very simple, they actually imply several mechanisms which we usually do not know. Although these mechanisms might vary from one home swimming pool to another, there are some basic ones (such as a filtration system and a chemical treatment to clean water) which are usually present in most of them.

A mechanism which is efficient on maintaining the water clean is one of the most important matters which a swimming pool constructor needs to consider. The main components most home swimming pools usually have in order to keep the water clean are: drains, a water filter, a basin, returns, a pump, PVC plastic plumbing, and a chemical feeder.

Besides this, it is also interesting to know that there are several different basic types of swimming pools. One of these main types of swimming pools is the vinyl lined in-ground one. Vinyl lined in-ground swimming pools can usually be built faster than many others and are one of the cheapest options, although they might not endure as much as others.

Despite of this, the cheapest option nowadays available for constructing a swimming pool is an above the ground one. Above-ground swimming pools are the easiest to build since they are usually bought as pre-fabricated kits, in such a way that often can be installed by a non professional. But, in order to avoid wasting time or money by doing something incorrectly, it is always recommended to hire a professional to do the job.


Fiberglas pools, other of the most usual basic types of swimming pools in the market, are more complicated to construct but are created specifically according to the needs and space of the client. These swimming pools are made by installing fiberglass reinforced plastic in a ground hole, both of them specifically shaped as the client might desire.

Gunite and poured concrete swimming pools are some of the most popular options. Gunite pools are made by spraying a mixture of sand and cement in a hole which has been carefully prepared for the pool. Poured concrete swimming pools are similar, but their construction usually is much more difficult.

Get home design and decorating ideas by watching homes from all over the world - please visit http://www.dwank.com About the Author

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Say goodbye to swimming pool water problems – with regular use of swimming pool chemicals
By: Ukpoolstore | Posted: 17th April 2009

If you are a pool owner or looking after the maintenance of a swimming pool, you may often face issues regarding your pool water. Maintaining a swimming pool isn’t a hard task, but you need to follow the correct guidelines and know how to deal with pool water problems, especially the correct usage of pool chemicals and swimming pool sanitizers.

Stabilized chlorine granules are ideal pool chemicals which you could use daily in your swimming pool. These chlorine granules have the capacity to destroy harmful bacteria. They do not affect the pH level of the pool water as they already contain clarifiers as well as oxidizers, so it would be a recommended to use them.

You may find that you have algae issues in your swimming pool. It could be either green algae, yellow algae or even harder to remove black algae. You will need to act fast in order to get rid of it. Whenever you opt for an algicide, make sure that you check for the period of effectiveness. Some algicide products promise an algae free pool for almost 6 months after its application; however some products can cause discolouration, adding a haze which gives an untidy look to your swimming pool.

While cleaning your swimming pool, you may have noticed some marks above your water lines which are hard to erase. You can always buy a waterline cleaning gel which is specially formulated for this purpose. The waterline cleaning gel has low foaming properties with non abrasive properties which works wonders on removing the tide marks.

As you try different methods of maintaining your swimming pool, you will come across many varieties of pool chemicals, water clarifiers and algicides which will promise to solve your pool water issues. You should always research their composition, directions for use as well as the dosage required when choosing the right product.


Maintaining swimming pools involves routine treatment and the appropriate use of pool chemicals and swimming pool sanitizers. The most common problems with swimming pools relate to the pool water and its chemistry. Common issues are those regarding swimming pool algae, staining of the pool, chlorine smell and cloudy pool water to name but a few.

While maintaining swimming pool water, you will mainly have to deal with three types of pool algae which are free floating green algae, yellow or mustard algae and finally, black algae. You should therefore use the right kind of swimming pool water clarifiers & algicides such as polyaluminium chloride (PAC) which is a liquid based coagulant. It is advised to also check for the correct dosing system, a FlocPac super clarifier, ground aluminium sulphate or even an Algaecide which contains benzalkonium chloride. It is important that you follow the directions for use in accordance with the quantity usage for best results.

Swimming pool chemicals include swimming pool sanitizers such as stabilized chlorine granules, HTH dedusted granules, aquabrome, sodium hypochlorite (Used on CWS Tank cleaning) or calcium hypochlorite which are easily available and thoroughly sanitize the swimming pool water. While the HTH Calcium hypochlorite can be used in soft water as well as hard water, not only does it act as a sanitizer, it adds much needed calcium into the swimming pool water.

When your swimming pool is being cleaned, you should ensure the right pH level of the water and it should range between 7.4 - 7.6. You can always opt for swimming pool chemicals (in granule form) which work well towards balancing the pH level, be it increasing the pH level or decreasing the pH level.

A Swimming Pool is a place where you can enjoy yourself and relax. So make sure the swimming pool has a regular sanitizing and cleaning schedule which makes the pool water ideal to be used without facing any health risks or hazards.

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By: Poseidon Swimming Pools | Posted: 12th September 2008

What is an ideal swimming pool temperature? This is a difficult question to answer because it varies based on individual swimmers preferences. Based on recommended heater temperatures and settings from virtually all manufactures, the ideal range for both indoor swimming pools and outdoor swimming pools is anywhere from 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This figure should not be thought of as final as temperature and comfort does differ from person to person and environment to environment, but it a good goal to reach.

If you have a backyard swimming pool without a heater, looking for an ideal temperature is a difficult task. The temperature of the swimming pool will gradually increase as the season changes and as the pool heats up, but the initial temperature of your swimming pool in the early parts of the swimming season will be quite cold – usually well less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though there is no proper pool temperature, swimming pools less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit are unpleasant even for the most adventurous swimmers. On the other side, if you do have an outdoor swimming pool with a heater, set it at something that is comfortable to your swimmers and your activity level. For instance, cooler pool water is more ideal for exercising where warmer water is better for a lounge / beach atmosphere. But, keep in mind that turning up your heater too much can lead to unexpected drama.

When you increase the temperature of your swimming pool water, it can have an effect on pool maintenance. With higher temperature comes more water evaporation. This means you will need to be more diligent about filling up your swimming pool to keep the water in your skimmers. Higher water temperatures also mean a faster buildup of dissolved solids. This is basically the “bad stuff” that the chlorine attacks in swimming pool water. Higher pool water temperatures will also burn off your chlorine and pool sanitizing agents much more quickly. Algae also love the hot water so they will grow faster and force more serious and diligent swimming pool vacuuming, squeeging, and cleanup.


Even if you don’t have a swimming pool heater to maintain your swimming pools temperature, the same concerns of a warmer pool will eventually plague your pool in peak summer heat environments. Keep an eye out for seasonal changes and how they will affect your water chemistry. The most important reading in your swimming pool during hot and cold times will be your total alkalinity. When the weather is cooler, your total alkalinity should be increased. In warmer weather, your total alkalinity should be decreased with a muriatic acid to keep the saturation index fairly constant.

There is no ideal swimming pool temperature but you should adjust your temperature based on your individual preference. Also, keep in mind the added responsibilities that come with maintaining a warmer pool. Watch out for seasonal changes and note how they affect your swimming pool chemistry. Both cold and warm temperatures have an effect on pool chemistry and maintenance routines.

Poseidon swimming pools is an inground gunite swimming pool contractor and master swimming pool builder in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. We build custom inground pools, custom spas, and commercial pools as well as landscaping, patios, and pool houses. About the Author
Poseidon swimming pools is an inground gunite swimming pool contractor and master swimming pool builder in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. We build custom inground pools, custom spas, and commercial pools as well as landscaping, patios, and pool houses.

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Replacing the inside door handle on a Toyota Corolla can be done by removing one screw. Once you have the screw removed you will need to release the clip that holds the linkage to the door handle and then replace it in reverse order. The inside door handle seldom cracks, but it can happen making your Toyota Corolla unsightly.


New Toyota Corolla inside door handles are fairly inexpensive if you buy one from someone other than the dealer. After market inside door handles can be bought for less than ten dollars and they are good enough quality that you would never know that they were after market unless you studied them up close. A few quick searches ought to yield you several places to choose from to buy an inside door handle.

Tapping a hole is easy, but it requires the right tools.

First you should know what size screw or bolt you intent to put in the hole that you are about to tap and select the drill and tap accordingly.

You will need to know four things before you begin:

1) The size of the screw or bolt you intent to put into the hole you are about to tap.

2) The amount of threads per inch on the screw or bolt you intent to use in the newly threaded hole.

3) Tap drill size

4) Tap size.


Once you have the screw or bolt you intend to use you will need to plug the size and thread count into the following formula to determine the tap drill size you will need to use.

TD = MD - (1/N) where TD is the tap drill size, MD is the major diameter of the tap (e.g., 3/8 inch for a 3/8"-16 tap), and N is the number of threads per inch (16 in the case of a 3/8"-16 tap). For a 3/8"-16 tap, the above formula would produce 5/16 as a result, which is the correct tap drill diameter for a 3/8"-16 tap. The result produces a tap drill size that leaves enough material in the wall of the hole to result in an approximate 75 percent thread that will provide a strong anchor point for you to secure your fastener to.

The type of tap that you use is as important in determining as the correct size. There are different materials that you can tap a threaded hole into and each one will require a different type of tap. Also, the type of hole you are threading determines a specific tap as well.

Hole Types:

A Through Hole-A hole to be tapped that goes entirely through the material is called a “through hole.” A through hole can be tapped by using a tapered tap to cut the threads. Once the tap is run in and out of the hole the threads would be ready for use.

A Blind Hole-A hole that goes into a piece of material and does not go all the way through is called a “blind hole.” When tapping a blind hole you will need to determine if what you are screwing into the hole will go all the way to the bottom or not. If you want it to go all the way to the bottom you will need to use three taps. If threads are to be cut to the bottom of a blind hole, the taper tap will be followed by an intermediate, or plug tap, and then a bottoming tap to finish the operation.
First use a tapered tap to go in as far as it can then use a plug tap to continue the threads and then finally a bottoming tap to finish the threads all the way to the bottom of the hole.

When you are using a tap you need to lubricate the tap and hole to prevent the tap from getting hot and sticking that will break the tap.

There are two types of lubricant for a tap, one is like a wax and the other is tap oil.

It is not a good idea to use the wax type of lubricant on a blind hole because the wax will hold the particles that result from tapping and may cause the tap to bind inside the hole resulting in a broken tap. It is better to use the tap oil because it will allow the tap filings to run out of the hole and not get bound up in the tap.


Taps and dies are cutting tools used to create screw threads in solid substances including, but not limited to, metal, wood, and plastic. A tap is used to cut the female portion of the mating pair (e.g. a nut). A die is used to cut the male portion of the mating pair (e.g. a bolt). The process of cutting the threads in a hole is called "tapping" the hole. The process of cutting with a die is called "threading" (or sometimes "chasing", although "chasing" as a technical term can have restricted meanings).

Our 2003 Toyota Matrix has painted door handles and they are always getting black surface marks on them from daily use. The marks look unsightly and they need to be removed with wax every time it happens.
To fix this annoying problem with my 2003 Matrix I found some chrome door handle covers and put them on the doors and no more problems. The chrome is durable and it doesn't show any blemishes after use and accents the look of the doors at the same time.
If you keep getting the door handle blemishes, or worse chipped paint on the door handle you really need to consider the protection of chrome door handle covers.