How To Maintain and Care for a Pressure Washer

By Lucy Martin

A pressure washer is a powerful tool that blasts highly-pressurized water. It is used to wash away layers of hardened dirt, dust, grime, mold, mud, and even graffiti. Because of its tough work, a pressure washer requires maintenance and care to keep it working properly. Here is how to maintain and care for a pressure washer to ensure its good working condition.

1. Turn off the pressure washer. Switch the pressure washer off before cleaning. Make sure that the button is set to off. Remove the pressure washer’s plug from the electrical outlet as well. Even though the unit is turned off, the plug still receives electricity. Cut off all power from the pressure washer to avoid damaging the unit and injuring yourself.
2. Wash the intake. A pressure washer usually has an intake where chemicals, cleaning substances, and detergents are placed to mix with the highly pressurized water. Residue from these cleaning materials may accumulate and cause damage to the pressure washer. To prevent this from happening, wash the intake of the pressure washer using clean water. Wash until the water coming out of the intake becomes clear. Do this after every use.
3. Wash the pressure washer. Clean the pressure washer to remove dirt and grime that may have found its way inside, because these may cause the pressure washer to behave erratically. Wash the dirt away using clean water. If there are chemical buildups inside, wash these away as well. Do this after every use as well.
4. Keep the nozzle open. When using the pressure washer, keep the nozzle open. A closed nozzle increases pressure inside the hose and may cause the hose to become damaged. Turn the unit off when the water inside is pressurized enough.
5. Get adequate water supply. When there is little water left inside a pressure washer, pressure inside greatly increases and the unit may become damaged. When using your pressure washer, check the water level to see whether the unit receives enough water to run properly.
6. Remove excess water after using. Pressure washers run on either electricity or gas. For electric pressure washers, flip the switch on and off to remove excess water from the pump. For gas-powered pressure washers, pull the start rope for at least 3 times. Water left inside the pressure washer may breed insects, parasites, and mold.
7. Store the pressure washer in a safe place. Keep the pressure washer in a safe place which is sheltered away from unfavorable weather conditions. Don’t leave the pressure washer in a very hot or a very cold place. Keep the pressure washer away from children and people who don’t know how to use it. A pressure washer is a very dangerous device in untrained hands because it can peel away human flesh.

Use your pressure washer properly to lessen the chances of it becoming damaged. Care and maintain a pressure washer regularly. Keep its manual and read it so that you know the specific instructions on how to take care of the particular pressure washer. When the pressure washer becomes damaged, or if it shows signs of deterioration, discontinue using it and bring it to a repair service.

Factors to consider if you install a generator for your home

Article Author:
Michael Del Greco

Factors to consider if you install a generator for your home

Submitted by: Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic GI 0121, President of Accurate Inspections, Inc, a New Jersey home inspection company

Use of Portable Generators
Some people use emergency generators to provide back-up power. While generators can be used in a safe manner, improper use of a generator can pose significant hazards to you and your family. Hazards include electric shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, explosion and fire.

Prevention of Electrical Shock

It is extremely important to insure that your generator does not feed electricity back into the power distribution system. You should consult with a qualified electrician to insure that your generator installation is safe.
Since the generator must be operated outside your home, it is important for it to be equipped with a ground fault interrupter.
Only use grounded type extension cords that have the rated capacity to handle the given electrical load.
Inspect all extension cords prior to use and never use a damaged cord.
Do not run extension cords through water or across wet surfaces.
Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide (CO), but at high levels it can kill a person within minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Never operate a generator in an enclosed place including your garage or near an open door or window.

Gasoline safety tips

Always store gasoline in containers approved for the storage of gasoline.
Never store gasoline in your home. Keep it in a detached garage or tool shed.
Never fill your generator when it is running or when it is hot. Wait until it is cool before filling.
Always refuel your generator outside away from any source of ignition.
When refilling gasoline cans, always place the cans on the ground. Never fill a can that is in the bed of a truck or in a vehicle.
Never transport gasoline in the trunk of your car.
Only store a reasonable amount of gasoline. The maximum quantity of gasoline stored should not exceed (10) gallons.
Hazards of Gasoline

Gasoline vapors burn not the liquid.
Gasoline will produce sufficient vapors to burn at any temperature above 44o Fahrenheit.
The vapors are heavier than air and can travel a considerable distance before finding an ignition source.
Static electricity will ignite gasoline vapors.
Gasoline is lighter than water. Using water on a gasoline fire will spread the fire.
Gasoline is poisonous and can be fatal if swallowed


Buying a home in New Jersey? www.NewJerseyHomeInspection.com has a listing of home inspectors in all counties of new Jersey. New Jersey Home Inspections are performed by the author of this artical Michael Del Greco in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic Counties.

The Symbolic Meaning of Flowers

by Ellen Adams

For centuries flowers have been used to brighten spirits and amplify celebrations. They still serve as an internationally recognized balm for emotional pains and a perfect peace-offering when personal differences divide us.

And even in the absence of a personal presentation, flowers symbolize a special touch capable of soothing the most turbulent emotions. In short, flowers are enthusiastically received as gifts for celebrations, pardons and acts of compassion.

It's amazing to see how the color, fragrance and attraction of flowers can elevate the spirits, and quiet even the strongest feelings of disappointment and dissension. But how do you know which flowers are appropriate for the occasion? Here is a summarization you can use to identify the flowers and their symbolic meanings.

Cheerfulness - Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Crocus. Faith and Fidelity - Bird of Paradise, Compass, Daisies, Dandelions, Iris, Lemon Blossoms, Lilies, Violets. Friendship - Acacia, Arbor Vitae, Geraniums, Honeysuckle, Periwinkle. Good Health - Apple Blossom Good Luck - Clover, Heather, Lavender, Orange Blossom. Gratitude - Camellia, Canterbury, Sweet Pea. Innocence- Baby's Breath, Daisies, Freesia, Gerbera, Chrysanthemum. Joy - Carnation, Gardenia, Hyacinth. Love & Passion - Azaleas, Roses.

1 Rose - I love you 2 Roses - A commitment or forthcoming marriage, engagement 12 Roses - The ultimate declaration of love 25 roses - Congratulations!! 50 roses - Unconditional love. Crown of Roses - Reward of virtue Bouquet of full bloom Roses - Gratitude

Prosperity - Buttercups, Cattails, Lunaria, Poppy Flowers

It's a rare thing to see people unmoved or unaffected by a presentation of flowers. After all who benefits more, the sender or the recipient? I suppose its part of the reason the flower industry has done so well.

The next time you have an occasion to send flowers, be sure to include a note regarding its symbolism. And when you send flowers be sure to click on this link to send flowers online, or visit http://www.preorderflowers.info.

Bonsai Ochna Serrulata For Your Balcony Garden

By Gilbert Foerster

The Ochna serrulata makes an interesting outdoor bonsai subject for growers in Zones 14-24, or anywhere with winter protection. Its foliage is attractive as the leaves change color during the seasons, its flowers are striking, and the seed formation is unique. This evergreen shrub from South Africa has a slow-growing, spreading habit and a trunk that can develop the character traits that are desired in the cultivation of a bonsai.

Ochna serrulata prefers a soil that is slightly acidic and should perform well in most bonsai mixes. A balanced fertilizer should be used most of the year, with attention paid to iron to maintain the deep green leaf color. As winter approaches, switching to a 1-5-5 fertilizer will reduce leaf flush during the coldest months, while still providing the right balance for maintaining root health and preparing for flower bud development. As with most bonsai requiring iron, I like to add a couple of non-galvanized washers or spent nails to the soil mix. The acidic soil promotes the rusting of the iron providing a satisfactory iron chelate for the plant.

Ochna serrulata has durable fine-toothed oblong leaves that are a bronzy color as the plant flushes out with new growth during the spring, which then changes to a rich deep green as the leaves mature. The serrated leaves have barbs, but they are soft barbs, that are visually pleasing and easy to work around. The flower buds are held close to the stem and will develop into bright yellow buttercup-type blossoms in early summer. The flowers themselves are very attractive, but the spent flowers are unique. The yellow flower petals will abscise, but the sepals will remain and slowly turn an intense red color. From the center of the red sepals green seed fruits will develop, ripening to a shiny vivid black color. When the fruits have ripened, the appearance of the black fruits against the red sepals looks very much like the eyes, ears, and nose of a mouse. This is why the plant is often referred to as the "Mickey Mouse Plant", and a reason why young and old love it.

When pruning Ochna serrulata, plant form and structure should be considered. It is necessary to prune to regulate growth and remove root suckers and trunk sprouts emerging from latent buds. You will also want to thin overly dense branches from the miniature canopy that may reduce air circulation and light from reaching the flower buds. To increase bonsai height, pinch or cut out the growing tips of the lateral branches. To increase the fullness, pinch or cut the terminal buds at the end of branches. Location of your cuts is important. If it is too close to the vegetative bud or flower spur, the bud or spur may die. If too far from the point that you want to induce growth, an inactive stub will remain that, lacking metabolic activity, will usually shrivel, desiccate, and abscise, leaving dead tissue that may leave an entry point for disease. In most cases, the cut should be about one quarter inch from the bud you want to encourage, and the cut should be made at about a forty-five degree angle so that the apex of the cut is above the bud.

I want to emphasize the importance of a sharp tool for all garden pruning, whether it is a pruning knife, shears or saw. Nice clean cuts will callus over more quickly and easily than ragged cuts that have torn the bark. If the cuts are clean, the active cells in the cambium layer of the stem or branch will grow inward and neatly close off the open wound. (Writing this short article on Ochna, made me realize, that perhaps more complete information on pruning plants in general, should be the subject of next few articles.

Because Ochna serrulata likes a bit of shade for best performance, it should make a great bonsai for any balcony that is not south facing in Zones 14-24, or anywhere with winter protection. With attractive foliage, striking flowers, and unique seed, this slow-growing shrub can be trained to develop the character traits that are desired in a bonsai subject.

Copyright: Gilbert Foerster/2010

Gilbert Foerster is the owner of http://radicleplants.com/, a company established to sell small quantities of select varieties of difficult to find plants to the enthusiastic hobbyist and collector. Gilbert has been germinating, growing, and shipping seedlings for over thirty five years for http://seed-link.com/, a wholesale seedling company catering to growers requiring large quantities of ornamental and landscape plant seedlings.