Author Archives: Tom McHugh

Outdoor Living: Grilling Safety Tips

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Grilling Safety Tips

Grilling is a fun way to enjoy outdoor living. Some people look forward to grilling season all winter long. Others brave the elements and enjoy grilling and grilled foods all year long. Whichever group you belong to, grilling safety is important to enjoy it and not experience a tragedy. Here are some outdoor living grilling safety tips:

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Before Grilling

 

  • outdoor living grilling safety tipsCheck the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Be sure the venturi tubes – where the air and gas mix – are not blocked.
  • Check that your grill is clean, free of grease and fat buildup. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to check and/or clear  the tubes into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Continue reading →

Floating Docks: When Are They The Right Choice?

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Floating Docks

Although they are not as easy to build or keep up as stationary docks, and usually carry a heftier price tag, there are applications where a floating dock* is the best or only solution for your docking needs.

Because they are held up by the water, the distance between the top of a floating dock’s deck and the surface of the water (known as freeboard) remains constant; the only variation should be for dock-load and wave action. Also, since floating docks are not dependent on the lake bottom to hold them up, there is no maximum depth limit to their use.

Floating Dock Applications

The following specific situations work well for floating docks:

Large Scale Dock Systems: Floating docks are easy to assemble over the water. This is especially important for systems that need many sections of dock, such as swim docks for youth camps and tie-up docks for marinas.

Fluctuating Water Levels: Floating docks are ideal for water with fluctuating levels. This is important because a constant height can be maintained off the water.

Deep Water: Stationary docks are challenging to install in deep water (over 6 feet). Floating docks are simple.

Mucky Silt Bottoms: Floating docks should be used in areas that have mud bottoms. It can be extremely difficult, if not impossible to install or remove docks on legs or wheels in deep muck.

Floating docks should not be used in these applications:

Shallow Water: Floating docks will take a beating in shallow water situations if there is any type of wind, current or tidal action, especially over a rocky bottom.

Wind Exposure: In many lakes large pilings are restricted, in these cases floating docks cases and any attached boats are often attached by chains to weights under the end of the dock. Because of this and the added motion with floating docks, they should not be used in areas that are unprotected from prolonged high winds. The continuous chop combined with sustained wind forces against the boat and dock will make anchoring difficult, if not impossible.

Pros and Cons of Floating Docks

 

Pros:

  • Floating DocksEnvironmentally, floating docks cause less damage to the substrate (lake bottom). Any disruption is usually limited to anchors, moorings or pilings that hold the dock in place. Some are attached only to shore, causing no damage to the substrate.
  • Water depth is not an issue, so long as it is at least three feet. Floating docks are ideal for deep-water situations.
  • Floating docks support a consistent freeboard in fluctuating depth conditions.

Cons:

  • Environmentally, floating docks can block sunlight to aquatic plants, causing damage to fish habitat. They may also contribute somewhat to shoreline erosion.
  • Floating docks do not give the stability that a stationary dock does. The longer, wider, lower and heavier that a floating dock is, the more stable it will be. Unfortunately, these factors further decrease the amount of sunlight able to reach the water.
  • Typically for a floating dock not to cause damage to the substrate or itself, it will need about a minimum water depth of three feet. there is no maximum depth to worry about.
  • Floating docks are more expensive to build and install (and remove) because of their increased size.
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Docking & Mooring Supplies features equipment and supplies to build, repair and keep up your dock – including dock floats.

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More Articles About Docks:

 

 

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Wooden Adirondack Chairs: Comfortable and Stylish

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Wooden Adirondack Chairs

Comfortable, Stylish And Build To Last

Adirondack chair

There are many different styles of chairs designed to be used outdoors; one of the most popular and best-known is the wooden Adirondack Chair.

Wooden Adirondack chairs have been used for years, because they are comfortable, stylish and built to last. These chairs are available in different styles. Some have rounded backs; others have a decorative flare to them.

Not only do these beautiful chairs come in many styles, but they are also available in different colors. Typically made from different types of wood, the newer poly wood chairs feature recycled plastic molded into the wood – giving the owner a protective covering from the elements. These  poly wood chairs are just as beautiful as the wooden Adirondack chairs, but also offer a choice of colors that are not usually available in the natural wooden chairs.

Custom Design?

Some people who have grown tired of the wooden look of their chairs, choose to paint their chairs. Though this takes away the natural look of the wood,  the owner can be creative with their chairs. Many people add cushions made for Adirondack chairs and match their paint color to the cushions to create a more customized look. Some are very creative and choose to paint designs on the back of one of their painted chairs. This adds character and personality to these chairs; in fact some are even sold with designs that range from tropical to desert cactus themes.

When it comes to decorating an Adirondack chair the possibilities are endless, though Adirondack chairs are still beautiful in their original natural wooden state. These chairs are commonly found on porches providing people with a comfortable place to sit and relax. It is truly a pleasant experience relaxing in one of these beautiful chairs.

Availability

Adirondack chairs can easily be found directly online and in home and garden centers across the world. Their popularity ensures an easy search for them whether online or off. Ordering Adirondack chairs online can often save money over buying them locally, and some of the online stores offer deep discounts on shipping. However you buy, you’ll anxiously await your first relaxing session sitting in your new wooden Adirondack chairs.

Two Seat Wooden Adirondack Chairs w/ Ice Bucket

 >>Visit The Adirondack Chair Shop Here<<

More About Adirondack Furniture:

 

 

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Wind Chime Hooks

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Wood Wind Chime image

Once you’ve found just the right wind chime for your home, office, or outdoor area, it’s time to hang it. This may seem like an easy task. Screw in a hook and hang the chime. Remember that things are not always as easy as they might appear. There are several decisions to make about which wind chime hooks are right for the wind chimes that you’ve chosen. There are almost as many wind chime hooks as there are wind chimes.

 

Where To Hang Your Outdoor Wind Chimes?

First, decide where you want to hang your wind chime. The answer to this question will help determine the correct wind chime hook. Do you want to hang the glass chime from an awning or your roof, or from your deck? Maybe you’ll need a hook to extend out from the house allowing the glass wind chime to catch as much of the wind as possible. Whether you want your glass chime to hang down, to hang out, or stick up, there is a stained glass wind chime hook for each type of placement.

  Continue reading →

Garden Wind Chimes

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Lovely Sounds From Garden Wind Chimes

simple wind chime photo

If you are a gardener and love the sound of chimes, garden wind chimes may be perfect for you. Or, if you like to sit outside to look at your beautiful flowers and plants, garden wind chimes may be the missing link to your total relaxation. Garden chimes are a wonderful accessory for the outdoors, and they promise to be a soothing musical interlude for your garden and lawn labors.

What Types of Wind Chimes to Use?

Although any wind chime can be used in the garden, it is recommended that garden chimes are made from more durable products; bamboo wind chimes, copper, pewter and brass wind chimes work best, in case of storms or bad weather. It is also recommended that you bring your garden wind chime inside when expecting a storm or if you are leaving on vacation. Continue reading →

 Long Lake Photo, Adirondack Mountains, New York

Long Lake photo, Adirondack Mountains, New York

Long Lake, Adirondack Mountains, New York

Long Lake, Adirondack mountains, New York

Kayak Fishing Tips

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Fishing from Kayak , kayak fishingKayak Fishing:

Have you ever tried fishing from a kayak?

Have you ever wanted to try kayak fishing?

Fishing from a kayak gives you the chance to get to some great  locations that other anglers can’t get to in their larger boats. In fact, there are a number of waters that ban the use of motorized boats – a kayak offers perfect access to these fishing hotspots.

Fishing from a kayak is not the best choice for all types of fishing, but you will have increased maneuverability and a closer connection to the water itself. You may even find that you’re able to enjoy a bit of solitude.

Here are some great resources (including paddling technique and safety tips) if you want to try fishing from your kayak:

Links to Kayak Fishing Resources:

Other Kayaking and Fishing Articles:

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