Water based oils generally have a less dramatic impact on the natural colour of the wood. These oils block the pores and cover the surface with an acrylic film. In order for the oil to be effective, the deck needs to be cleaned of dust and other debris beforehand, or else there is a risk that the oil will not adhere to the surface and will peel off. Non-water based oils penetrate into the wood fibre and protect the material from water damage and other elements.
Non-water based oils provide similar protection to water based oils and but need a longer drying time between coats. However, these oils generally turn the timber a darker shade of colour, similar to wet wood.
The best-suited oil for your deck will depend on your deck’s usage, the amount of exposure to the elements, the type of oil previously applied and what species of wood it is made from. For example, if you have a deck made from Merbau, which is a dark, hardwood timber, depending on the look you want to achieve it may be best to use a lightly tinted oil to limit a further darkening in the colour of the wood. Check with us to find out what products are recommended.
An in-floor cleaning system is installed during the pool construction process. It consists of a series of heads that pop up in the floor and steps of the pool – similar to pop-up heads in your garden sprinkler system. Their purpose is to drive the dirt and debris towards a drain point, usually located in the deep end of the pool. Once the dirt is removed from the drain point by the pump, it usually passes into the filtration system where it will get trapped.
The main benefit of an In-Floor pool cleaner is “no hoses, no equipment” in the pool. That can be a big selling point for the person who hates to see any kind of clutter. It’s “virtually invisible” as one manufacturer states. It also improves circulation dramatically, mixing heat and chemicals throughout the pool, but perhaps no more than other pool cleaner types.
Believe it or not, plants can’t tell the difference; as long as they get the nutrients they need, the source doesn’t matter. But the two types of fertilisers do provide those nutrients in different ways. Synthetic fertilisers are fast acting and easy to apply. On the other hand, organic fertilisers are slow release and they add microorganisms and nutrients to feed the soil and boost its long-term fertility.
The choice to use organic or synthetic fertilisers is personal and often practical. When it’s time to grow, use what you need to effectively feed your soil and plants. It’s fine to use all organic, all synthetic or a combination of both.