How Long Will My New Epoxy Floor Take to Install?

So you've decided you want to install a do-it-yourself epoxy kits, but you don't know what kind of time investment is required to get the job done properly? Here's a quick rundown of how these kits allow for the easiest application possible, leaving you with a one-day project you can take pride in.

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With an all-in-one kit that will be delivered right to your door, you will have all the tools necessary to tackle your garage floor project without the worry of running out of supplies or needing additional gear. A flooring prep will help prepare the surface to securely bond with the epoxy, and can be quickly mixed and applied to remove excess mortar from the floor so that it's primed and ready for application. You merely scrub away the debris and wait for the surface to dry, so you can move onto your next step within a couple of hours.

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To apply the flooring, you begin by mixing the two included packages together until they create a smooth, homogenous blend of epoxy. Once the two parts are mixed you will have up to a half an hour of time to apply the epoxy to the surface of the concrete using a supplied roller, however, in most cases it should only take around ten to fifteen minutes to apply the flooring per kit. From there, it's a simple matter of applying the anti-skid fleck to the still-wet surface using a simple underhand toss to broadcast it in a uniform manner. The fleck will then sink into the wet epoxy coating, levelling itself with the rest of the garage floor.

After applying the fleck, you will have a 24-hour wait until the epoxy has thoroughly dried and you can get back to work in your garage. This wait ensures that the garage floor epoxy achieves maximum adhesion with the concrete beneath, protecting it from wear while giving you an exceptional surface to work on for years to come. A one-day project-it's that simple!

How Long Will My New Epoxy Floor Take to Install?

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What is Soft Water?

Soft water is basically free of dissolved calcium or magnesium. Only a small percentage of homes are supplied with naturally soft water. However, since naturally soft water usually has not been neutralized by passing through mineral layers in the ground, it can be quite corrosive.

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Softening water mechanically, such as with a home water softener, does not make it corrosive, however. Since calcium and magnesium are not present in soft water, no adverse reaction with soaps and detergents is allowed to occur.

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The result is the virtual elimination of soap scum and the corresponding reduction in time spent cleaning. Hair and skin is allowed to "breathe" more readily.

And the School of Consumer & Family Sciences at Purdue University conducted a study which proved that the life of clothing and household textiles was prolonged up to 15 percent when they were washed in conditioned water.

Soap usage can be significantly reduced with soft water. Since the water is already soft, the cleaning agents do not have any hardness minerals to react with and overcome and lather more readily and work more effectively.

In fact, a large proportion of the ingredients in most soaps and detergents consist of chemical "water softeners" added to stop the reaction between the detergent and the hardness minerals present in most water (the reaction that forms a sticky residue or soap curd).

Since such chemicals are not necessary for cleaning with soft water, less soap is required. Soft water households usually experience considerable savings on laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, hand soap, shampoo and many other cleaning products.

Since soft water contains no scale forming minerals, it leaves the inside of plumbing and water-using appliances free of solidified rock.

Appliances operate more efficiently and last longer when using soft water, and of course soft water does not cause any of those unpleasant hard water stains.

What is Soft Water?

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Epoxy Technical Hierarchy

I have been in the industrial floor coatings manufacturing, and application business for over 24 years. Over the past two decades I have witnessed a company that specializes in formulating floor coatings using a 100% solids resin based epoxy to be used in resurfacing industrial, commercial and residential concrete floors with an advanced "work time" epoxy formula that can be applied just like "Floor Paint".

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Floor Paint & Floor Coating-An Image Rich Technical Analysis for Concrete Floor Protection

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Since the inception of Epoxy Resin in 1936 by Dr. Pierre Castan of Switzerland and Dr. S.O. Greenlee of the United States, there have been thousands of combinations of Epoxy formulations for many different industries. Here are some of the leading industries that currently use Epoxy: Floor Paints and coatings, adhesives, industrial tooling and composites, electrical systems and electronics, consumer and marine applications, aerospace applications, art, and wind and energy applications. This article will be focusing on the floor paints and coatings industry, and what the best product is for its application. Although there are many choices one can make when deciding which type of Epoxy to apply, one must understand that there is a clear and definite technical hierarchy. Below is a chart that ranks Epoxy for effectiveness.

Epoxy's Technical Hierarchy

#1 100% Solids Resin based Epoxy 1 to 20 mils Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) No solvents/no V.O.C. 2 Component with a 2 to 1 mix Ratio

#2 Solvent Base Epoxy High Build 2 to 4 mils Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) 40 to 55% vol. solids with 45 to 60% Solvents Shrinkage and Evaporation 2 Component with a 1 to 1 ratio

#3 Solvent Base Epoxy Low Build 1 to 2 Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) 30 to 40% volume solids with 60 to 70% Solvents Shrinkage and Evaporation 2 Component with a 1 to 1 ratio mix ratio

#4 Water Base Epoxy 1 to 1.5 mils Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) 30 to 40% vs. with 60 to 70% Shrinkage and Evaporation 2 component with a 1 to 1 mix ratio and or 1 component

#5 Water borne Epoxy Same as #4 Same as #4 Same as #4

#6 Modified Epoxy sealer 1 to 2 mils Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) 5% Epoxy additive with approx. 30% of other active ingredients and fillers. 30 to 40% vs. with 60 to 70% Shrinkage and Evaporation 1 component moisture cured product

#7 Oil Base Acrylic Enamel (Porch and Deck Paint) 1 to 1.5 mils Dry Film Thickness (D.F.T.) 30 to 40% vs. with 60 to 70% Solvents Shrinkage and Evaporation 1 component moisture cured product

#8 Moisture cured Polyurethane Sealers Same as # 6 Same as # 6 1 component moisture cured product

#9 Acid Stains No mil rating of thickness Penetrating Sealer with concrete to chemical color reaction properties upon contact 1 component moisture cured product

#10 Water Base Stain No mil rating of thickness Penetrating water based stain sealer 1 component moisture cured product

#11 Standard Sealers: Applications for concrete patio's, sidewalks, driveways, brick pavers and stampings. NA NA 1 Component

Advantages

100% Solids Epoxy (Resin base, Industrial Grade) epoxy floor paint floor coating is far superior to all other concrete floor paints, floor sealers and floor stains available today. 100% Solids Epoxy was developed as a "High performance protective floor coating" to protect concrete floor surfaces from high traffic volume of hilos (tires/steel forks )constant wear and tear to the concrete floors surface.

Along with wear and tear to concrete floor surfaces, mechanical machines and equipment also leak oils and fluids. Without proper concrete floor protection, such as the recommended 100% Solids Epoxy, these oils and fluids will be absorbed through the concrete and into the soil beneath, resulting in contamination and potential deterioration to the floor surface. Consequently, these oils and fluids in the soil can potentially lead to environmental concerns in the future.

Concrete surfaces are very porous and soft compared to the 100% Solids Epoxy floor paint. That being said, imagine the concrete surface acting as a big "sponge" that holds and retains water, fluids, dirt, oil, grease, dust, mold and other substances that absorb into a porous surface. Unprotected concrete floor surfaces will yield a decreased life span. 100% Solids Epoxy is a permanent solution to the problems listed above. The following are other very important advantages when using 100% Solids Epoxy floor paint:

Surface restoration and repair Increased light reflectivity Resists hot tire marks Chemical resistant Abrasion resistant Industrial grade Easy to clean Slip resistant Salt resistant Oil resistant Self leveling High gloss Aesthetics

CONCRETE SURFACE PREPARATION

Concrete Floor surface preparation For New or Old Concrete Floor surfaces must be clean contaminate free and profiled (etched) for proper bonding/adhesion of 100% solids epoxy floor paint & floor coating.

NEW CONCRETE FLOORS:

Contaminate free concrete floors must be mechanically surface profiled by either a diamond grinder or a shot blaster or chemically etched with a recommended 4 to 1 part ratio acid base or "Inorganic Acid" concrete cleaner and etcher.

OLD CONCRETE FLOORS:

(1). Oil soaked, dirty, greasy, spalled, or cracked concrete floors must be degreased cleaned by a heavy concentrated degreaser followed by rinse bath. Repeat until satisfied.

(2). Fill all cracks with recommended cementitious cracker filler and/or any non-silicone base epoxy, polyurethane joint sealant that is paintable.

(3). Profile surface by recommended Mechanical method or chemical etch method.

100% Solids Epoxy Resin Base Industrial Grade is the only choice for concrete floor protection to paint your garage, shop, and basement or for any indoor concrete floor surface that you desire.

See below: List of all other products available for concrete floors in today's market, starting with the best product at the top of the list which is (100% Solids Epoxy) followed by their rating of performance levels from wear and tear to mil thickness and chemical resistance.

EPOXY GUARD- 2 PARTS EPOXY PRODUCT DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL

Epoxy Guard Floor Coating is a two-component epoxy resin, containing no solvents or coal tar. Epoxy Guard Epoxy Resin is designed for use in both interior and exterior (if top coated) applications. BASIC USES Epoxy Guard is recommended for several basic applications:

As a base resin used as a coating, to encapsulate wear resistant aggregates and as a lock coat. As an overlay with aggregate, to provide traction and wear resistance to concrete floors. Filled with silica sand, aluminum oxide or other suitable wear resistant filler.

LIMITATIONS

Epoxy Guard should be installed above 40F.

PACKAGING

Available in 3 Gallon, and 5 Gallon (Kit / units).

STANDARD COLORS

Light Gray Tan Dark Gray

INSTALLATION

Shot blasting must be employed to provide a sound, clean substrate. In areas where shot blasting is not feasible, consult the manufacturer for other methods of surface preparation such as concrete acid etching / cleaning. Apply Epoxy Guard Resin to a dry surface.

Coating System: Parts A and B should be mixed separately before combining. When combined mix thoroughly with a low speed motor and "Jiffy" paddle, always scrape the container sides and paddle blades. Do not aerate the mix.

Mix ratio: 2 Part A to 1 Part B by Volume.

Property Test Method Test Results Weight per Gallon

10.1 lbs/gal. Hardness (Shore D) ASTM D2240 70-80

Viscosity @ 77F(24C) ASTM D2196 2000-5000 cps

Cure Time @ 75F(24C) ASTM C920 12-24 hours

Abrasion Resistance ASTM D4060 Tabor 1000 rev CS17 Wheel, 1000 g Loss 0.08 grams

Weathering Resistance ASTM G53-83 Yellowing

Tensile Strength ASTM D412 5800 psi

Ultimate Elongation ASTM D412 15.00%

Tear Resistance ASTM D1004 180 pli

% Yield 99.00%

Port Life @ ASTM C603 45 minutes

Shelf Life @ 77F(25C) (2 years in sealed containers)

Chemical Resistance Unaffected by gasoline, oils, and coolants

Concrete Overlay:

Use as a slurry coat to add strength and wear resistance. Mix Parts A & B, then add fine silica sand, aluminum oxide or other suitable filler. The amount added will dictate the resulting density and surface texture. Epoxy Resin can be left as cured, or it can be top coated with a urethane to enhance the color and wear resistance.

EPOXY PRO APPLICATION PROCESS

After completing the pre surface cleaning it's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

MIXING

Pre-mix the Part A resin thoroughly. Pour Part A and then Part B into the 6-gallon bucket (Ratio:2 parts A to 1 part B by volume). Begin mixing for no less than 3 minutes using a drill motor and the included mixing wand.

APPLICATION

Trim all the edges using the included 2 inch trim brush. Squeegee and back roll 3 to 5 foot sections until the surface area is complete.

DECORATIVE FLECK

Epoxy Technical Hierarchy

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Ways to Raise Your Vibration

There are many ways to raise your emotional state or vibration. Here we are discussing few which may help you.

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1. You Must Follow Your Nose
Some of essential oils sometimes do shift you emotional state of mind very fast simply by getting a deep whiff. These may be found easily in health food or some spiritual shops. You may test and then buy those fragrances which pip you up.

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2. Stress on Gratitude & Appreciation
Gratitude greatly affects the mood. You just need to focus on something for which you are immensely grateful in life and you will immediately notice your rise by several levels on scale. Appreciation is even easier. You can just simply walk around your house and have a look at things and then feel appreciation for them all. More simple when you are driving around, just have a look at your surroundings, people and appreciate them all.

3. Make it a Habit to listen to the Music
Music is like a fragmented and can give you an immediate lift. You just need to choose a kind of music which gives you lift and takes you to an elevated state.

4. Just Reach Out & Touch Someone
You will find it amazing how nice you feel when you just put attention to somebody else from self. So, you just need to call someone, may be your relative or friend and feel the bond!

6. Get Busy by Playing With Your Pet
Cats can be quite entertaining and can keep you off tension for the duration of time you spend with them. Similarly dogs can really be fun. Make your day by taking out your dog for that nice walk or just play with him for some time.

7. Go for a Walk in Nature
You need to venture out in this little paradise. You will appreciate the nature in ways you have never seen it earlier. Sunshine, exercise, these are all great raisers of your vibration.

8. To Relax Always Do Something You Really Enjoy Doing
For me, it's playing organ. I get immersed in this very soon. I really feel de-stressed when I do something which I love doing.

Ways to Raise Your Vibration

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Health Benefits of Using Salt Free Water Softeners

Heart diseases and other heart related problems are on a steady uphill climb on hospital statistics. In the US alone, it is the most common cause of heart attack and even death. To counter these effects, conscious efforts are made to significantly reduce sugar intake among people. This however is made difficult by the fact that salt is the most common food ingredient used and doing away with it will greatly affect the taste of the food we eat.

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Salt contents are usually very high on junk foods, processed foods, and those sold at the fast foods and restaurants. Only about a quarter of our salt consumption we get at home. So if you are looking to cut down on your salt consumption and start living a healthy life, start at home. The food you eat, and the water you drink.

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Most homes nowadays are using water filtration to alleviate problems caused by hard water. Hard water is the term used to describe water from the community water reservoir which is being distributed to each household in the area. Since more effort is given to kill bacteria and germs and other harmful substances in the water by using chlorine, less attention is given on the levels of calcium and magnesium in the water content. Most often than not, these substances do not create health problems, these however causes increased maintenance expenditures at home as they are the primary cause of calcium crystal deposits clogging the plumbing system of the house, and even soap scum that takes a lot of effort to clean up add to that the potential slipping hazard it could bring in the bathroom and kitchen floors.

Water softening systems are always a welcome addition to the household; they eliminate the effects of this hard water by removing calcium and magnesium and replacing them with sodium and potassium. But then again, salt is the common name of sodium chloride, the very result of using water softeners. If you are currently using water softeners and is looking to maximize the benefits that you can get out of it, you might want to try using salt free water softeners. Replacing your current softener with a salt free one, will only take a few minutes; this is usually done by replacing sodium as the main ingredient with potassium that equally as effective with lesser known side effects.

The best salt free water softeners can completely eliminate salt content from the water you drink. This will give a major boost to your conscious effort to lessen salt in your diet. By drinking salt free water, you will be one step farther from the risk of developing hypertension and other heart diseases.

Check out the salt free water softener reviews and see how well it has affected others, and how widely used it became. Millions of users worldwide are happy with the benefits they get from salt free water softeners, and so can you. Salt free water softener systems are the way to go. Have one installed at home and experience the benefits only soft and salt free water can bring.

Health Benefits of Using Salt Free Water Softeners

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Candle Making Soy Wax Manufacturers

Candles had been made from tallow for centuries. Beeswax candles were also available, but the beeswax was much more expensive. Paraffin wax was patented in 1876. It wasn't until the late 20th century, however, that wax was made from soybean oil.

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At present, there are a limited number of soy wax primary manufacturers. This article will focus on two: SoyaWax International, Inc., and Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.

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Michael Richardson, patent-holder for the process of making soy wax, runs a company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa called SoyaWax International. It sells two soybean wax blends:

The first, Phytowax C-1, has a melting point of 130 F (54.4 C); it is formulated to adhere to the sides of containers. The second product, Phytowax PV-1, shrinks just enough so that it can be easily removed from votive molds. Its melting point is 155 F (68.3 C).

Cargill, who purchased the intellectual rights to Richardson's patent, started a company called Elevance Renewable Sciences, which is headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois. They sell soybean wax and soybean wax blends using the brandname "Nature Wax." Elevance sell their waxes both domestically and internationally. In the following list of products, add "BK" suffix after the product number would indicate that the product is supplied as a "block;" adding a "CT" suffix would indicate cut or flaked product:

13C2000 NatureWax C-1 Container Wax (25054) is a soy blend which is to be used for container candles. It has a melting point of 124-130 F (51.1-54.4 C) This product is available internationally.

13C1120 NatureWax C-3 also has a melting point of 124-130 F (51.1-54.4 C) This mix of hydrogenated vegetable glycerides with alpha-monoglycerides and sorbitan tristearate is formulated to be used in container candles and as a softener for pillar candles. This product is also available for international delivery.

Elevance sells five soy base stocks with different melting points. These are formulated for container candles and can also be used as a softener for pillar candles.

13C1040- NatureWax 97MP Soy Base Stock; its melting point is 97 F (36.1 C)

13C1400 - NatureWax S-113 Soy Base Stock; its melting point is 113 F (45 C)

13C1510 - NatureWax S-118 Soy Base Stock; its melting point is 118 F (47.8 C)

13C1590 - NatureWax S-128 Soy Base Stock; its melting point is 128 F (53.3 C)

13C1090 - NatureWax S-130 Soy Base Stock; its melting point is 130 F (54.4 C)

Elevance sells three base stocks which can be used as hardeners or as fragrance stabilizers, though their main intended use is for coating boxes. All three have melting points of 155 F (68.3 C)

12C1020 - NatureWax 155 MP Soy Base Stock

12C1420 - NatureWax X-155 Base Stock blend

12C1430 - NatureWax X-155 Base Stock 155 MP w/ MS (soy blend with Dimethylpolysiloxane)

Elevance also supplies Palm and Soy/Cotton base stocks.

This article has focused on two of the primary manufacturing companies of soybean wax. There are a variety of other soy wax manufacturing companies who do not do primary manufacturing. That is they do not extract the oil from the soybean. Instead they would start with soybean wax as a raw material to make their own wax blends.

Candle Making Soy Wax Manufacturers

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Epoxy Garage Floor Paint Is a Home Mechanic's Best Friend

For home mechanics that use their garage as a regular work space, epoxy garage floor paint is a great investment to keep their environment safe, clean, and easy to function in. With epoxy floor paint, a simple day's work can translate into years of high-performance flooring, adding value to your property while protecting your concrete surface at the same time.

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In terms of safety, by choosing light colored epoxy paint, the shiny surface of a finished garage floor will provide up to 300 percent more reflectivity than regular flooring. This means a brighter work area, and the ability to light the area without having to resort to high powered, energy draining industrial lighting. In addition, the fleck that comes in an epoxy floor kit provides a non-skid surface for workers as they move between projects, ensuring that no slips or falls will occur on a wet floor.

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For cleanliness, epoxy garage floor paints are second to none, as their solid, non-porous surface deflects staining and spillage from even the toughest liquids. From oils and paints, to any car-related fluids, most clean-ups will take only the swipe of a cloth to make the surface as good as new. In addition, regarding regular upkeep and maintenance, these epoxy floors are also easy to care for, needing only a regular mopping or sweeping to keep grit and dirt from wearing against the finish.

Lastly, when looking for a high-performance space that will be easy to function in, epoxy garage floor paint outshines its competitors because of its no-fuss application process and exceptional durability. After the floor finish has dried for the recommended amount of time after application, home mechanics can get started right away enjoying their pristine new work environment secure in the knowledge that their garage floor will be able to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. They can then continue to work with confidence, focusing on their projects instead of on protecting their floors from unanticipated damage and staining.

Epoxy Garage Floor Paint Is a Home Mechanic's Best Friend

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The Overload Principle For Fitness - How Hard Should You Work Out?

The Principle of Overload asserts that you must gradually and systematically increase your fitness training load. Overloading causes changes within your muscles as a direct result of the type of training you perform. Because your body gets used to working out at a particular level, you must progressively increase your work load in order to continue to improve.

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To apply the Principle of Overload to fitness programs, you can adjust some combination of intensity (how hard), frequency (how often), duration (how long), recovery (how much rest), and volume (total work) to achieve your desired results. It is most important that you gradually increase your work load with a regimen of training activities that targets your goals.

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Training at an intensity that varies between 60%-100% of your maximum effort is a guideline for how hard to work. Planned training cycles that include light, moderate, and heavy periods offer variation within an adequate range of intensity. Periodically testing your maximum efforts provides a basis for how much and in which ways you should increase training loads.

For cardio workouts, how hard you work is based on your maximum predicted heart rate. The Karvonen formula or a calculator can estimate your target heart rate zone in beats per minute. As your body adapts to training at any particular level, you will have to work harder to stay within the zone. You can pick up your pace, increase distance or time, or decrease rest time between training bouts in order to continue to make gains.

For strength, lift weights at 60-100% of your single maximum repetition (1 RM) for specific lifts (e.g., squat, bench press). However, if you are not conditioned, testing 1 RM is not advisable nor is it feasible for all exercises. One RM calculators offer a safer way to estimate the weight you can lift for a single repetition.

Another method to progressively overload for strength is to perform 10-15 repetitions of an exercise. Increase the weight load when you can complete 15 reps using good form through the full of motion. Do not increase weight loads more than 10% per week.

What happens if you do not work hard enough? You will make limited gains, progress more slowly, or simply maintain your fitness level.

What happens if you work too hard? Your progress can be compromised if your training intensity is too high. It is not necessary to work out until you are exhausted every day. In time, you could experience the effects of overtraining.

The Recovery Principle and the Variation Principle work in concert with the Overload Principle. To allow adequate recovery time, train 5-6 days per week for endurance and 3-4 days per week for strength. To prevent overtraining and to experience more rapid improvements, vary your workouts during each phase of training within a range that targets your goals.

How does the saying, No pain, no gain apply? Learn to distinguish between the "pain" of working hard and the "pain" of injuries. Overloading will result in normal training effects. Muscles will burn or become sore and stiff. You can continue to work through these effects of training. But you should work around muscle strains, joint sprains, and other structural injuries to allow them to heal.

The Overload Principle is a useful training tool, but your body's response to your total training load supersedes general training guidelines. You can make good training decisions by listening to your body and trusting your instincts about how to apply training principles.

Sources:

Fleck, S.J. & Kraemer, W.J. (1996). Periodization breakthrough! Ronkonkoma, NY: Advanced Research Press.

Hoeger, W.W.K & Hoeger, S.A. (2006). Principles and labs for fitness and wellness. (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth.

Martens, R. (2004). Successful coaching (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I., & Katch, V.L. (2000). Essentials of exercise physiology (2nd ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.

Powers, S.K., Dodd, S.L., & Noland, V.J. (2006). Total fitness and wellness (4th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Education.

The Overload Principle For Fitness - How Hard Should You Work Out?

FLECK WATER

Inaccurate Water Softener Reviews Can Ruin Your Whole Home

When a person is looking at water softener reviews, some factors that should be included in the decision for which review is the most accurate or will meet the needs of the household considering the review. When a person is looking a reviews it is important that the reviews contain the information that is relevant to one's needs. Many factors will need to be included in the decision for which type of water softener will meet a person's needs.

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Affordability is a big concern for most people today. Some units are available for less than a hundred dollars through local discount stores and on the Internet. The price rises until one finds that there is a water softener that is available for over ,000. Setting the parameter of affordability is the first step to looking at any type of review seriously.

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Knowing the type of water that is in the area where a person lives and seeing if the review addresses that water type. Some people live in areas that have terrible water and need softeners in order to drink and use the water. Other areas have excellent water quality and have little or no need for a water softener.

All of the water softener reviews will have a long list of the benefits of their products. It is important to sort out the benefits offered from the benefits that are actually needed. When a softener is selling for several thousand dollars to soften all of the water coming into a home it will not be a cost effective purchase for a vacation home that one spends a week at once a year.

There are many different types of systems available. Some are very small and hook up to a kitchen sink. Others are larger and hook up the hot water tank in a garage. Others, have connections throughout a home and all of the water coming into the home has been "softened."

One of the biggest pieces of information to check when looking at review are the chemicals used to soften the water. Some systems use organic materials that are not treated with any chemicals. Other systems are reliant on several chemical additives that remove the iron, etc., from the water.

When chemicals are listed on the review it is important to find out what those chemical do. There are many systems manufactured that use organic products to soften and purify the water that one drinks. These systems do not introduce any chemicals into the body through the water that they drink.

When reading reviews it is important to talk to individuals who have knowledge and expertise in these systems. They and can give details regarding a system that may not be shown in a review. These individuals will be able to assist a person in finding the type of water softener they need to meet their needs. They will also be able to assist in finding an affordable water softener system that may not have a great review, but can meet all of the requirements of the household effectively and efficiently.

Inaccurate Water Softener Reviews Can Ruin Your Whole Home

WATER SOFTENER

Water Purifiers

Does your home have a water purifier? Do you know what a water purifier can do? Well it is about time you read up this article as you will find out the wonders of water purifiers.

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Have you ever wondered what might be lurking in the tap water you drink everyday? Well if you do not know, fungi, bacteria and toxic metals are some of the things that may contaminate tap water. If you think of the safety of your family members, do invest in a water purifier.

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Types of purifiers

There are many types of water purifiers available in the market. Most homes use ionization filters, which attract contaminant particles using static electricity. However, ionizers are considered the most expensive kind of water purification system. A cheaper alternative is a charcoal filter. It uses ground charcoal to absorb the particles, thus cleaning the water.

Purified water

Purified water should taste clean, light and fresh. Some water purifiers however, remove important elements in water thus making it taste bland. An example of this of this is distillers. They tend to boil out the oxygen content and make the water taste bland. Despite this, it does not compromise the quality of the water but you should try your best to avoid distilled water if the bland taste bothers you.

Power saver

Water purifier must be efficient. It must also be energy efficient. Water purifiers should use up as little power as possible to filter a reasonable amount of water. Sometimes, the government rates these water purifiers for power efficiency. If you are looking for a water purification system, do look out for the government approval seal.

It is important to keep your family safe. It is also important that the water they are drinking is safe. Water is very important as it is one of the most essential factors ensuring the existence of life on earth. A major part of the human body is made up of water. It is necessary that we drink water that is free from impurities for a healthy life.

It is necessary to buy a water purifier as it makes the water from your tap safe for drinking. It is important to drink clean water as you would not fall sick easily. Therefore, if you are looking for a water purifier, make sure that you buy a power saving water purifier and one that suits your budget.

Water Purifiers

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How Much Salt Do You Get From Your Water Softener?

If you have hypertension and your Dr. has put you on salt free diet. If you have hard water and have a water softener that uses salt, which means you must have hard water, and if you live in the south west where the water is so hard, seems it is full of rock, plus a lot of other undesirables.:) High blood pressure and salt are not comparable!

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We had a water softener and we had a visit from some of our family members from the south east and they commented that our water was salty, my daughter could not believe it and I could not get my blood pressure to where the Dr. wanted it to be, needless to say, we knew we had a problem.

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The problem was we were use to it but they could taste it even with a reverse osmosis system under the sink for drinking and cooking water.

So we started using potassium chloride in place of salt but it was more costly, but my blood pressure went down!

I wrote this article in case some one out there has this same problem, as it does not give you any warning and if you do not know about the salt increase, then you would not do any thing to change it!

You would blame your high blood pressure on something else, especially is you are taking medicine and are checking your blood pressure several times a day.

Some times it is hard to believe something that tastes so good could be so harmful.

How Much Salt Do You Get From Your Water Softener?

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Jim McMahon, Ecologist Shares on Well Water and the Steps to Cleaner Water

In this article, Jim McMahon shares on well water and steps to cleaner water. Jim McMahon is and ecologist and founder of Sweetwater LLC.

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Kevin: Now, we haven't talked about well water and a lot of people who I talk to about water and I don't know as much as you do, but I tell them some of these things and they say, "Well, I'm on well water and that's okay." So why don't you talk a little bit about some of the things that you can find in well water and how you can protect from those.

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Jim: Well water is a reflection of the land around the well. So well water can be terrific or it can be horrible. The Midwest of this country is known as the lymphoma belt because of the application of herbicides. Pretty soon, a couple of months from now, we're going to see those farmers out in the fields and they're going to be spraying, spraying, spraying. Then it's going to rain. That water's going to go down into the ground and it's going to carry all those herbicides and pesticides into those wells.

So it all depends and then I've got people in the Rocky Mountains. People test their well water and there's arsenic, there's lead, there's fluoride and guess what. How did we settle the Rocky Mountains? Miners came out here for minerals. So whatever is going on in the landscape around you is going to be reflected in the water. Remember, water's a universal solvent. It's going to be dissolving the soils or the rock that are around you.

Now, a lot of well water is really wonderful. A lot of well water is not. Taste is not a good indicator. You really should get a thorough test. I sell a test called, The Water Check. It test for 75 parameters for 7 and you can add herbicides and pesticides to that for another . Get a good profile of your well and then you know how to treat it.

Kevin: Right.

Jim: The other thing that happens is people might have a well and so they'll buy a water softener. They say I have a well, so I need a water softener. Until you test that water, you have no way of knowing whether you need anything or not. It's no different than the guy who goes into the store and buys one of these little pitcher filters and figures they're covered. You need to test your water and then put in the treatments that deal with the contaminants that you find.

Kevin: With the well water, should you be testing it once every five years, ten years or something like that?

Jim: It really isn't a time thing. People like to come up with time and so maybe five years, but really, I would look for changes in the watershed. You have an agricultural community that suddenly becomes suburban.

Kevin: Okay.

Jim: That's a common transition. While you may move from one set of problems to another, from herbicides to leaking septics with nitrate, or lawns are a very common source of herbicides, because like Chemlawn, who even thought of naming that company that, Chemlawn. They come in and spray, so you have this green lawn with nothing but bluegrass. Those chemicals are getting washed down into your well.

So I would look for changes in the landscape. New developments can affect your water. Is there a new industry around? Anything going on that might affect the water table.

Kevin: I remember you told me once about a family who had really high levels of uranium.

Jim: Yeah. I shouldn't laugh. I never heard back from that guy, but his family had discovered this after many years of not testing their well and people had been dying in the family. The family had grown up with this well and they'd been dropping like flies and nobody knew why and then finally they tested the well and it had very high levels of uranium.

Kevin: Wow.

Jim: Then this guy needed - and sometimes I'll tell people and of course, they don't take me seriously, but I'll tell people to move.

Kevin: Really?

Jim: There's certain things that you can't fix.

Kevin: Right, because that's not only in the water, but it's causing reactions with everything else.

Jim: Yeah. Radon is another. There are certain things and I've got a library on my website at http://www.cleanairpurewater.com/resource_library.html. I just have links to all these articles about different contaminants. One of them is a study by a group of scientists about the things that you shouldn't get any of.

Kevin: Oh, cool.

Jim: One of them is radon. I remember when radon came out, everybody was reacting. Here's the EPA. One more telling us now we can't breathe radon. Where's this coming from? Well, radon can be in water as well as your basement. If it's in your basement it may very well be in your water and just inhaling small bits of radon can be very dangerous.

Kevin: Yeah and in the northeast I think something that's very prevalent.

Jim: Yeah and again, it's easy to remove with a good whole house carbon filter, or you can aerate it. Another issue is this hydrogen sulfide, that rotten egg smell. For years people thought that is just an aesthetic concern and I get great customers. I had one guy whose daughters were insisting that he do something, because they would smell like that going to school.

Kevin: Wow.

Jim: Yeah. This guy was like, "I don't smell anything." So he's having this major social impact on their lives, but EPA has recently come out and said that in fact, hydrogen sulfide is not just an aesthetic concern, but is actually dangerous. We learn. As time goes by we learn.

Kevin: It's almost like we learn the things that we knew were bad for us anyway.

Jim: Yeah, intuitively.

Kevin: Right.

Jim: That's right.

Kevin: Say someone right now is listening to this call and they're interested in getting better water. What's the first and second step?

Jim: My opinion is the first thing you do is write down your goals in an unbiased setting. You write down what do you want. Do you want healthy water? Do you want water that tastes good? Are you concerned about mineral deposits that are building up on the shower doors? Because when you write down what your goals are that's going to drive your decision making later on.

I never make decisions for my customers. If some guy calls and he says, "Jim, all I care about is my wife is on my case about the marking on the shower doors." Then he needs a water softener. So sit down with the family, or the decision makers who are deciding what it is that you want to accomplish. Then, number two, look at your water report. See what's in the water. Then you can go to my guide or another location and say these are the things that I need to get out of the water. Here's the treatment I need and then go buy that treatment.

Kevin: One thing that I always talk about and something that we did with our water is that we got something that was sufficient with our budget at the time and then we upgraded and I think that's a good approach to take, too, if you are concerned about your water. Would you agree?

Jim: Yeah. A lot of people will buy these expensive filters in the grocery store. I won't name brand names, but they hook on the faucet, or there's a little pitcher. Those might be a good intermediate step. They are not a good long term step. The filters that hook on your faucet, just like a carbon filter without KDF, they've been shown to provide breeding grounds for bacteria. They can colonize and live on the surface. So now, all of a sudden you may be removing some chlorine, but you're actually drinking more in the way of bacteria. If you do that sort of thing, you've got to change them out really regularly and stay on top of it. So again, it seems cheap at first, but to do it right it's not.

Kevin: Here's a question that I wasn't even planning on asking. What about cleaning out the tubes? Is there any time that you need to flush the tubes with chlorine or bleach or something like that to get stuff out if there's organic material building up in the tubes?

Jim: Yeah and what I recommend that's in the manual of the Kitchen Defender is when you want to clean it, do it when you're changing the filters and go to the store and just buy some hydrogen peroxide at the grocery store, 99 cents. Take the canisters off. Fill each one up with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. So you'll have three canisters full of hydrogen peroxide and then run that to the faucet and you can tell when the faucet is discharging hydrogen peroxide and then turn it off and let it sit for an hour or two and then just empty it out and put your new filters in.

Kevin: Got you.

Jim: That will clean out any organic build up. It does not have the toxic byproducts that bleach does.

Kevin: Right.

Kevin: What about different companies and looking at a company that you know you're going to be able to get a filter in five or ten years?

Jim: You mean longevity?

Kevin: Yes.

Jim: I think there's some validity to that. People still ask me if I'm still going to be in business and I tell them that I've got kids to put through college and I don't hide my manufacturer from anybody, so they can always go there if they couldn't find me. We're in an era where - this isn't filters, but Starbucks turned around and are closing stores, because people aren't going to pay .50 for a cup of coffee. I never would have guessed that six months ago.

Kevin: Right.

Jim: Never ever. Big companies are being acquired all the time. One of the equipment suppliers that I use was acquired by 3M, because 3M is looking at water. There's going to be a lot of consolidation in the water business I think. Companies may come and go. Technologies are going to change. So maybe I think you'll be able to get filters for your system. You could probably find something locally. It won't be as good as what you could get from me, because I use a unique set.

Kevin: Right.

Jim: The other thing, if you start dealing with me, in three years I may be saying Kevin, I'm thinking about ozone, or hydroxical radicals. I've got this thing that if we add this onto your system I think we're going to get a better level of protection and so we're going to watch the water business, watch our knowledge, watch the technologies and see what develops. So it's not stagnant. It's ever changing.

Kevin: I personally think it's nice to have someone hold my hand, because the amount of research, there are other people out there too, but 30 years of environmental research, come on. I don't have that and I'm researching everything else in terms of health and so it's very valuable to go to a person to and say this is what my water looks like, what do you think, what are your recommendations and then decide if it's a fit or not.

Jim McMahon, Ecologist Shares on Well Water and the Steps to Cleaner Water

SOFTENER