Fore! Handy Golf Accessories That Offer Premium Protection

As any avid golfer will tell you, there’s nothing quite like being out on the course, and the best of them will be out there in all but the most treacherous of weather conditions.  Golfers and expensive gear can get cold, wet, and dirty pretty easily on not-so-sunny days, so adequate protection is paramount to keeping equipment (and golfers) in top shape.

Golf Cart Enclosures attach easily to carts and come in a number of configurations to meet each golfer’s individual preferences for protection.  Cart enclosures not only protect the interior of golf carts, but passengers, too, who can get splattered or splashed on the journey to the next hole.

 

Golf Cart Storage Covers are specifically designed to cover and protect golf carts when not in use.  They withstand exposure to harsh weather conditions and keep golf cart interiors and exteriors free from dirt, debris, and environmental damage.  Using a storage cover regularly keeps a golf cart looking good and functioning as expected for many years.

A Golf Bag Rain Hood keeps clubs dry for die-hard golfers who like to be out even on rainy days.  Rugged and weather-resistant, this rain hood stays in place even when the wind kicks up.

Some golfers prefer to walk the links for exercise rather than hop into a golf cart, so keeping hands warm along the way is the job of Golf Mitts.  Golf Mitts stay attached to the handle of push carts, so they never get lost.  Their warm, insulated fleece linings keep fingers toasty and nimble on chilly days.

When golfers and gear are adequately protected, there’s very little that Mother Nature can do to deter the determined from engaging in a rousing game of golf.  Happy golfing!

Simple Steps for Sandbox Safety

With spring around the corner, the kids will soon be itching to play outdoors more and more.  Make sure your outdoor sandbox is ready for a new year of active play.  A lot can happen to a sandbox over the winter months when it’s out of use, but it only takes a few steps to get it back in shape and safe for all the kids to use.

1. Replace the sand.

Over time, the sand in outdoor sand pits or sandboxes gets dirty and needs to be replaced. Generally speaking, replacing sand every year or two should be adequate, but more frequent changes may be necessary depending on how often children play in the box and whether a sandbox cover is used on a regular basis. Play sand, rather than building sand, is the best choice for children’s play areas because it is cleaner and free of materials, like clay, that may stain skin and clothing.

2. Inspect sand toys.

Shovels, rakes, and other toys intended for sand play are not usually the sturdiest of tools. As a result, they don’t often last for more than a season or two. When sand toys or other tools used in the sandbox break, they can have sharp edges or pointy parts that can cause injuries. Before allowing kids to play in the sandbox this season, ensure that their sand toys are in good shape. Toss out any broken or worn out tools, and replace them with newer, sturdier varieties.

3. Check sand regularly.

Don’t assume that the sandbox will stay in the same good shape throughout the spring and summer. Sharp sticks, rocks, and other debris find their way into play sand quite easily, and sand toys may not be able to withstand the stresses put upon them by children during active play. Checking the sand on a weekly basis allows you to remove any potentially harmful debris and broken toys. You may also find that replenishing the play sand during these check-ups is necessary, especially if kids have spent any time shoveling it out of the box.

4. Cover the sandbox.

Sandbox covers are not used as widely or as often as they should be, but they are one of the easiest and most important ways to maintain a safe and healthy sandbox. When used properly, sandbox covers prevent excess debris, like leaves, sticks, and rocks, from falling into the sand and creating a potential danger to children. Sandbox covers also protect sand from blowing away in heavy winds, and they keep insects from making a home in the sand. Most importantly, sandbox covers prevent play sand from being contaminated by animals who like to use the sandbox as a bathroom.

The key to using sandbox covers successfully, of course, is to use them regularly when children are not playing in the box. Use sandbox covers that are made to fit your sandbox. Tarps and other makeshift covers can be easily removed or dislodged by animals or strong winds, making them ineffective and unreliable.

Overall, maintaining the backyard sandbox is an easy task that requires little time and few supplies. Keeping play areas healthy and safe for your kids will give you peace of mind, and will provide your kids and their imaginations with hours of good, clean, simple fun.

Keep Your Pool Warmer This Summer the Natural Way

Have you ever wanted to save energy and money by turning off your swimming pool heater, but haven’t done so because of the inevitably colder water temperatures you’d experience?  It is possible, though, to reduce your pool heater usage this summer and still swim in comfortably warm water.  The easy money-saving and energy-saving solution is the solar pool cover.  

Solar covers, also known as solar blankets, significantly reduce the amount of energy you use as well as reducing the amount of water that evaporates from your pool. Solar covers raise your pool’s water temperature by an average of ten degrees by absorbing sunlight during the day and keeping that heat in the pool at night.

Additionally, a solar cover will reduce your water and chemical evaporation by up to 70 percent which can save many, many gallons of water each month. If you use a pool heater, the heat retained by a solar cover helps to reduce your heating costs which can mean a savings of up to 90 percent in the summertime.

Other advantages of solar covers are that they help keep debris out of your pool, and you will find that you need to run your filter pump less often.

How to Extend the Life of Your Recreational Vehicle

Preventative maintenance is just one of the ways to keep your RV in top shape for the long haul.  The other way is equally effective, but often neglected — RV Covers.  Here’s how to make the right choice…

There’s a proper RV cover to fit just about every kind of RV, from Class A, B, and C to 5th wheel RVs, travel trailers, truck campers, and folding campers. Be sure to select the appropriate cover for your particular RV to ensure the best fit. RV covers can be custom made, too, for those who want an even better fit or special features.

Just any kind of RV covers won’t do, though. RV covers should be constructed of a rugged, but breathable material. You’ll want a material that can endure harsh weather conditions, but at the same time, prevent moisture from becoming trapped and turning into mold and mildew. Some RV covers come equipped with access panels, making it easier to reach different parts of your RV without having to remove the entire cover to do so.

Covering other important parts of your RV with Accessory Covers is vital too, especially when storing the vehicle for an extended period of time. RV wheel covers are an easy way to protect your tires from weather damage, and from damage that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause. Additionally, there are RV covers which protect your propane and LP gas tanks from sun and weather exposure, and RV covers for air conditioners which protect the units not only from sun and weather, but from insects, who find the air conditioner an attractive place for nesting.

When you’re ready to hit the road on your next RV vacation, you can easily remove and store your RV covers until they are needed again. If you leave your vehicle in good condition before covering it, you’ll find it in the same good shape when the covers are off. This means that you can spend less time preparing your RV for departure and more time enjoying the scenery.

The Right Way to Cover a Car

Using a car cover seems self-explanatory, but there is actually a correct way to do it to avoid accidental surface damage to your vehicle’s exterior.   It’s a natural instinct to cover and uncover a vehicle by sliding the car cover across the vehicle’s surface. Sliding a cover on and off is an efficient way to do it, but it’s also a potential cause for some of the mysterious surface scratches and abrasions that car owners may find on the vehicle. 

Dirt or debris on the car’s exterior is usually to blame. Any dirt or debris on the car’s exterior or on the car cover itself can cause surface abrasions as the cover slides across the finish. Instead of sliding car covers on and off, drivers should roll or fold them as they go. Doing so can prevent damage from occurring.

Material Matters with Replacement Playset Canopies

Maintaining a backyard wooden playset means many things: tightening bolts, sanding and re-staining the wood after a few years of wear and tear, ensuring that any damaged components are removed and replaced.

One of the most frequently overlooked features of wooden playsets is the canopy that is most often found providing shelter over the clubhouse portion of the equipment. A playset canopy can last many years, but over time and when harsh weather conditions come into play, it can become damaged and require replacement. 

When it’s time to replace your children’s playset canopy cover, consider choosing one that is constructed from a higher quality material so you can depend on it to last for many more years ahead.  A standard tarp from the hardware store is not recommended since the flimsy material cannot withstand constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays and harsh weather conditions.

Higher quality canopy covers come in either vinyl or canvas. The material that you choose depends on what features are most important to you in a playset canopy. Vinyl is heavy duty, resists mold and mildew, and will stand up to harsh weather. The vinyl should be marine grade, which offers superior strength and durability.

Alternatively, a playset canopy can be purchased in canvas. High quality canvas, such as that produced by Sunbrella, repels water, resists mold and mildew, and creates a drier environment underneath. Sunbrella canvas canopies are available in many more colors than vinyl, and they do not fade or lose their color over time. Additionally, they offer more protection than vinyl canopies from ultraviolet rays. While the cost of a Sunbrella playset canopy is higher, so is the quality.

A More Sophisticated Shade Solution

As you think ahead to spring and summer, you may want to consider an alternative means of providing your family with shade on sunny afternoons.  Patio umbrellas, awnings, and shade canopies are some of the more traditional shading options, but shade sails bring a more sophisticated and custom look to outdoor areas.

Shade sails offer homeowners an updated and versatile means of shading outdoor living spaces. They are readily available in standard shapes and sizes, but custom shade sails can be made to meet custom needs. Rectangles, squares, and triangles in a variety of appealing colors give homeowners the creative freedom to design the look of their outdoor spaces and create as much or as little shade as desired. A unique architectural and artistic effect can be achieved with careful planning and placement of two or more shade sails.

Because of their versatility, shade sails are an appealing shade solution in an endless variety of situations. Not only can they protect patios, decks, and porches, they can also provide shade for entry ways, children’s play areas, swimming pools, outdoor restaurants and cafes, and more. Shade sails are easy to install and can be attached to homes, trees, or patio columns. They can also be a completely free standing structure supported by wood posts or steel columns embedded in concrete footings. Shade sails can be left up year round or used seasonally; they are easy to take down and store.

Will Your Mower Be Ready for Spring?

Yes, it’s the middle of winter, but that first spring mow will be here before you know it.  Is your mower ready for the job? 

Most homeowners wait until the last minute to tune up the mower and make sure its components are functioning properly, but that’s usually when problems are found.  Problems mean delays, and the grass can get out of hand quickly.

Here are some tips for getting your mower ready for the first use this spring.  Keep in mind that where you live will determine when you follow these guidelines.  If you live in a warmer climate, you’ll need to prepare your mower sooner; if you’re still planning to be knee-deep in snow for a while, keep this list handy for when you can see the grass again.

• Clean the engine housing.  This should be an easy job if you already cleaned it at the end of last season and then covered your mower with a protective lawn mower cover to keep the dirt and dust out.
• Check the condition of the blade.  Sharpen or replace as necessary.
• Change the oil. 
• Replace the old spark plug. 
• Refer to your owner’s manual for other recommended pre-season maintenance tasks related specifically to your lawn mower’s make and model.
• Fill up the gas tank.
• Fire up the mower to test that it still starts easily and runs smoothly.
• Cover the mower with a protective lawn mower cover until it’s time for the first official mow.

Following these easy steps within a month of using your lawn mower this spring will ensure that your mower is ready when you are.

A Better Way to Fly Fish

For many fly fishermen, standing in a stream or river wearing waders and trying to coax an enormous trout onto the fishing line is the only way to spend a day. Some rivers, though, are not easily accessible to fly fishermen who would normally wade out into the waters to fish. Rivers can be too deep for wading, or too wide. Because of this, the best spots for wading can become overrun with fly fishermen and overused.

Another common problem fly fishermen face is the sheer fatigue and discomfort that comes with wearing waders in briskly moving water for an extended period of time. The constant rush of cold water around and between legs that are covered in floppy waterproof pants can be extremely tiring. The solution for all these problems is to get out of the waders and into a boat. On a boat, it’s easier to find quieter fishing spots that are not easily accessible by wading fly fishermen. The best kind of boat for this purpose is a one-person inflatable pontoon boat.

One-person inflatable pontoon boats have a number of advantages over other kinds of fishing boats. The first of which is that they are lightweight. If you fish by yourself, which many people prefer to do, you’ll want a fishing boat that doesn’t require more than just yourself to transport it. The best inflatable pontoon boats even come equipped with an integrated transport wheel, making the boat a breeze to move from your vehicle to the water. The wheel stows away under the boat while you fish. Additionally, inflatable pontoon boats for one person are quieter and easier to maneuver in the water. Finally, these boats are much less expensive than hard-body boats; if well constructed, they can last for many years, making that initial, smaller investment even more rewarding.

Birds Like Naked Cars — Here’s Why You Shouldn’t

To the average automobile owner, car covers may seem like an unnecessary luxury used mostly by car collectors or by the enthusiastic young adult who just invested in his first set of wheels. But, practical reasons abound for using car covers, and any automobile owner can benefit from using them on a regular basis.

One of the more obvious reasons for using car covers is to protect a vehicle from environmental damage. Depending on where you live, your car takes a multitude of abuses just by sitting on a driveway, along a street, or in a parking lot. Wind-blown sand, sea salt, tree sap, bird droppings, dirt, dust, falling twigs or other debris, and weather conditions like rain, ice, and snow can take an expensive toll on a car’s exterior.

Additionally, car covers protect your car’s interior from sunlight. Interior temperatures are reduced to a more comfortable level on hot, sunny days when a car cover is in use, and interior fabrics and materials are protected from damage by the sun’s harmful UV rays. Materials like vinyl, plastics, upholstered fabrics, and leather that are exposed regularly and over extended periods of time to UV rays can become discolored, weakened, and cracked. Environmental conditions quickly age a vehicle’s interior and exterior, and car covers are one easy way to dramatically slow down that process.

Car covers are also useful for deterring theft because they keep expensive interior components out of view. And, car covers can prevent the innocent, but curious, passerby from peeking into car windows and leaving fingerprints on your car’s exterior. Thicker car covers can even prevent minor dings caused by careless neighbors in the parking lot.