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If you have tile floors in your home, you definitely must be aware of both their benefits and hazards. Tile floors resist damage better than many materials, but they can become dangerously slippery, especially when wet or freshly cleaned. If your tiles are too slippery, try mopping them with plain water or a mix of water and vinegar. This will remove any remaining soap residue from previous cleans that can create very slippery tiles. If tiles are still slippery when dry, try an anti-slip treatment, install treads, or place rugs or runners for safety. How do you treat slippery tiles? As mentioned above, first check whether your tiles are slippery because of the cleaning products you’re using on the surface. Soap residue when left on the floor can create extremely slippery tiles. So you need to make sure that you remove all the soap residue from your floor. Then in future cleaning, consider using less soap, or alternatively, choose to do a second mop with just plain water. If that still doesn’t fix your slippery floor, then you may like to consider bigger changes such as: Cover Your Tile with Non-Slip Rugs Using non-slip rugs is the quickest and most often the most convenient way to make your tile floor non-slippery. Not only can rugs, runners and mats prevent slips and falls. They can brighten a room, add softness and warmth underfoot, and make the entire space feel more comfortable and inviting. But not all mats are made equivalent with regards to safety. Unstable rugs or those with curled edges can become tripping hazards, potentially making the area more dangerous instead of safer. The best type of rugs are those with non-slip backing. There’s an enormous choice of non-slip floor rugs in both online as well as offline stores. If you already have a rug that isn’t non-slip, you can place a non-slip floor underlay beneath it for safety. Use Anti-Slip Treads Though not ideal for home aesthetics, anti-slip tread stickers are an affordable, effective way to make commercial tile floors safer. Non-slip treads (or stickers) can be a very smart choice. They can be used on indoor smooth surfaces, similar to rest room ceramic tiles or stairs. The main benefit of anti-slip treads is their effectiveness and affordability without altering the original appearance of your tile surface. They are removable, so if you change your mind later, you can easily remove them without causing damage to surfaces. The downside is anti-slip treads usually don’t last as long as tile treatments and may eventually start to look unattractive. They also change the aesthetics of the room and some people may not like what they look like. Anti-slip treads are widely available, but many low-quality options don’t stick well and often peel off within a few weeks. Use an Anti-Slippery floor coating If rugs aren’t your preference or you want less cleaning, consider using an anti-slip floor coating to make tiles safer. An anti-slip floor treatment is usual a product that you apply to the surface of your tile. It the changes the properties of your tile resulting in a less slippery surface. Various treatments can reduce floor slipperiness, so it’s important to research and choose the one that best suits your needs. Follow the user manual provided with your particular product when performing anti slip floor treatment or anti slip coating. But most items will work best on the off chance that you start with a neat surface. Clean your coated ceramic tiles with cleanser and high temp water to remove any oil deposits.  After this, let them dry for a few hours, prior to utilizing your product. A few products work best on a surface that is delicately sanded first, so check with your headings. Also, consistently follow the provided safety instructions in the manual, such as wearing gloves and a face mask, when utilizing your picked formula. Another thing to consider is whether the anti-slip treatment will change the appearance of your flooring. As it is changing the texture of your surface, your flooring is going to look less shiny and glossy as it looks now. You need to ensure that you will be happy with any changes so no unpleasant surprises are experienced! Lastly, you want to make sure you get a quality product. Once such a treatment is applied a change of mind can be disastrous. Also a low quality product that produces a substandard or flakey final result or wears prematurely could be a great disappointment. If you are going to do it, research properly and get a quality product as it will likely be more expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run. Replace Old Tiles with Non-Slip Ones One of the most drastic and expensive options is to replace your existing tiles. Replacing floor tile could be a sensible decision if your tiles are old, damaged, or if you want to replace them at anyway. While this is a pretty costly and tedious method of making your floors safer, it can give you truly great outcomes. If you pick a quality product, you can be sure that your results will be non-slip for the whole time they are there! Why is my tile floor so slippery? There are numerous reasons due to which floors can get slippery, but the most common ones are: How Do I Make My Bathroom Floor Tiles Less Slippery? Sometimes, bathroom floors can be highly slippery. As mentioned above, the first thing to check is that all soap residue is removed from the floor. In the bathroom you have other considerations like shampoo and soap, they can all contribute to a slippery environment. An anti slip tile treatment can also be used to make them a lot less slippery, but if you need a truly basic alternative, get a plastic safety rug. They are easy to clean, whereas a grippy tile in the bathroom can require a lot of work to keep clean. Fortunately, there are various

Experts advise wearing masks in public, as talking can release tiny droplets that spread germs—even without coughing. While kids aren’t legally required to wear masks, encouraging them to wear a cloth face covering is a good idea. It seems obvious, kids can spread germs just the same as adults. While adult masks are easy to find, the real concern is where to buy cloth masks for kids. If you are wondering where to buy a cloth mask for kids, we have them in store. Our kids cloth masks for sale are three layers of cotton with a slot for a filter. This means you can choose to use them either as just a cotton mask or add a PM2.5 filter. These masks are dispatched directly from Canberra to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Australia wide. So what are the best options of face masks for kid? When it comes to buying face masks for your kids, we have got you covered. Read on to learn more. Cloth Mask for Children Since your child’s face is much smaller, you should not use an adult size face mask on them. This is because they will fit too loosely, and have large gaps reducing their protective potential. Thankfully, you don’t need to cut corners — we’ve found great options for buying kids’ cloth face masks. If you’re wondering where to buy cloth masks for kids, you’re in luck — we’ve got you fully covered! Kids mask with filter Did you know that you can buy quality kids masks with a filter from us? Our children’s reusable cloth masks have three cotton layers and a pocket to add a reusable filter for extra protection. We also have two different sizes of kids masks for sale, as let’s face it one size won’t fit all! Each children’s mask comes with 4 disposable filters so you can choose to use a filter or not. We also sell the reusable filters online, and they are rated PM2.5. This provides the mask with superior protection from and direct sprays of particles from someone facing your child. MORE OF THESE MASKS WILL ARRIVE NEXT WEEK FROM 17 AUGUST Kids Mask with Adjustable Straps Our kids cloth masks come with fantastic adjustable straps. Even though we offer two size ranges for kids, the adjustable straps are really the thing that makes it possible for kids at different ages to wear the same masks. What is the best face mask for kids? Face masks should ideally be comfortable, breathable, and fit around the face without any gaps.  While you can get smaller, disposable surgical face masks, the best option for kids are reusable cloth masks.  A cloth mask for children is generally a similar designed as surgical mask, but since they are cotton they are more comfortable to wear with high breathability. Cloth masks have several great selling points.  They are reusable, which means that you can wash them instead of having to keep re-stocking your supply. And we all know how wasteful kids can be, so sometimes the reusable option is just the most sensible option. The cloth mask should have multiple layers of fabric like our three layer cloth masks, and adjustable earloops which can helpful when trying to get it to fit snugly on your little one’s face. At what age can children start wearing face masks? Children can start to wear face masks after 2 years of age.  Never try to put a face mask or face covering on a child under 2; it puts them at risk of suffocation, strangulation and choking.  Their best protection is to keep them at home, or if you must go out, maintain social distancing, keep the pram roof down and try to minimise time spent in public spaces. How to get my child to wear a mask If your child is nervous about wearing a face mask, finding them a fun pattern that they like can go a long way towards making them more comfortable with it. Our kids cloth masks for sale can help with this with our three different pattern choices. Now you know where to buy kids cloth masks, you can show them the patterns and let them choose. Then your kids can show off their own individual style in their mask with cool colours and patterns! All helping to make wearing masks a lot more fun and a little less scary for kids. Another thing you should do before you put masks on the kids is have a conversation with them to make sure they understand why they’re wearing the mask. You need to check that it fits properly and that they don’t feel like it is impacting their breathing.  Otherwise, chances are you’ll find that they try to take it off.  It can take a little while for them to get used to wearing the mask, especially if they are young, so be patient. Having something covering your nose and mouth can also be distracting and feel restrictive if you aren’t used to it.  Keep an eye on your children to check that they aren’t pulling on, or continually touching their masks.  If you find that wearing a mask makes your kids touch their face more often than when they don’t wear it, it may be a better option to leave the mask off and rely on social distancing and minimising time in public. Where to Buy Children’s Cloth Face Masks We have face masks for sale here through our website, including children’s masks. We offer both reusable and disposable masks for kids.  Though wearing masks isn’t mandatory for children under the age of 12, it pays to take precautions, and protect them, as well as yourself.

Did you know that we offer discounts for people who are looking to bulk buy masks? We are a retailer and wholesaler of masks in Australia and stock N95, P2, FFP2, KN95, surgical masks, reusable masks and more. No matter what type of face mask you are looking for, we have the stock either in store, or the relationships with factories to source them for you. Types of Face Masks we can source in Bulk. It is a rapidly changing environment, so each day our supply options are different to the next. But this is a quick overview of the face masks we have been able to access in bulk over the last few months and can work to supply you with. Please keep in mind that global demands on masks has changed the ease of availability of some standards of mask – particularly within particulate respirators which provide the best protection. There are now more KN95 masks on the market than there has ever been. China is the largest manufacturer of disposable masks globally, and KN95 is their standard of particulate respirator which is considered equivalant of the USA’s N95 standard and Australia’s P2 Standards. While each country has their own standard for disposable respirators, the 3M Personal Safety Division advises that the standards are largely equivalent. They have put together this comprehensive comparison document of all the standards and the testing criteria that the masks need to meet to be approved to their standard. P2 Masks Bulk Buys Factories have started producing P2 Masks again, although they are still relatively hard to come by. P2 is the Australian Standard of disposable respirators that filter out ≥94% of particulates greater than 0.3 micron. They fully seal around your mouth and nose, meaning that air has to pass through the filter before it can reach you. We are currently working with supply partners to establish a reliable supply of P2 Masks. Contact us on 02 6242 8996, if you are interested in us sourcing P2 Masks in Bulk for you. KN95 Bulk Orders If you are looking for a high filtration mask with the shortest lead time then you should look at bulk KN95. We have KN95 masks in bulk ready for dispatch directly from Canberra. KN95 masks disposable particulate respirators that filter out ≥95% of particulates greater than 0.3 micron. They are flat fold masks that make for convenient transportation, and have a simple earloop strap design. They fully seal around your mouth and nose, meaning that air has to pass through the filter before it can reach you. Contact us, on 02 6242 8996 if you are interested want to buy KN95 masks in bulk. Buy FFP2 Masks in Bulk The FFP2 standard is the European standard that the P2 Standard is largely based on. Similar to Australian P2, FFp2 masks filter out ≥95% of particulates greater than 0.3 micron. They also fully seal around your mouth and nose, meaning that air has to pass through the filter before it can reach you. We have a trusted supply source for FFP2 masks and can arrange bulk orders. We have some in store, but for orders exceeding what we have in stock, there is a lead time of approximately 15 days. Contact us on 02 6242 8996 for a quote on bulk FFP2 masks Looking to buy bulk N95 masks in Australia? N95 face masks are the USA’s standard of disposable particulate respirator. N95 masks disposable particulate respirators that filter out ≥95% of particulates greater than 0.3 micron. Similar to the other particulate respirators, these fully seal around your mouth and nose, meaning that air has to pass through the filter before it can reach you. There was a short period where N95 face masks became more accessible but due to the situation in America at the moment, they are becoming harder to source. We are currently working with supply partners to establish a reliable supply of N95 Masks. Contact us on 02 6242 8996, if you are interested in us sourcing N95 masks in bulk for you. Bulk surgical masks If you are looking to buy surgical masks in bulk we can help you out. A surgical mask is a pleated mask that is the next best thing to a particulate respirator. They do not provide a secure seal around the mouth and nose, so airborne particles can enter through the sides. That said, they have fantastic filters and are considered by many professionals as sufficient protection in many circumstances. While they may look the same, surgical masks come in different grades: Currently, Level 1 and Level 2 masks are the easiest to source. We have ongoing access to surgical masks with fast turnaround times, depending on the required grade. For bulk orders, contact us at 02 6242 8996. Bulk childrens face masks We have supply options for bulk disposable face masks for children as well as reusable masks. Children over 2 years old can wear a mask, and children’s masks are made to suit between 2-13 years old. We have some in store, but for orders exceeding what we have in stock there is a lead time of approximately 15 days for orders greater than the stock numbers held in store. If you want to buy bulk childrens masks, just contact us on 02 6242 8996 Bulk cloth face masks There is a growing trend of cloth reusable face masks at the moment. While any covering is better than non, not all cloth masks are created each. Cloth masks made from loosely woven fabric does not provide the same protection as those made from tightly woven fabric. We are currently establishing a reliable supply chain for reusable cloth masks. With a focus on maintaining strong protection, we offer reusable masks that either include a pocket for a disposable filter or come with a built-in filter that withstands washing. Some stock is available in-store. For orders exceeding our current stock, please allow approximately 15 days lead time.

From August 2, people in Victoria must wear a mask when leaving home and going out in public places. Those who are not wearing a face mask without a valid reason may be subject to a $200 fine. It is highly recommended that people in New South Wales follow similar guidelines, especially when social distancing is not possible. These are the guidelines set in place, so what are the best masks to purchase? Is a disposable face mask better than a cloth mask? In this blog post, we’ll explain why disposable face masks are the best choice to protect you and your family. When Should You Wear a Face Mask? A face mask should be worn whenever you leave home. While they are not required in all states, they are highly suggested. Even while wearing a face mask, always maintain 1.5 meters distance between yourself and anyone outside your household. You should also continue to wash your hands and practice good hand washing hygiene. Who Is Exempt From Wearing a Mask? Children under the age of 12 do not need to wear a mask. That said, they are not immune from contracting and spreading coronavirus. Children over 2 years old can wear face masks, and we offer special small sizes for them in our onlinestore. If you have trouble breathing or a past trauma prevents you from wearing a mask, you are also exempt. If you have a breathing condition like asthma, try wearing a mask before ruling it out completely. Many find it slightly uncomfortable at first, but still manageable—even with prior breathing issues. However, if you find you cannot tolerate it at all, or that simple exercises make you breathless, then you may class yourself as exempt. What Type of Mask Should I Wear? Are Cloth Face Masks or Disposable Face Masks a Better Choice? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re likely inundated with ads online for face masks. Should you buy a bandana, or go for a cute fabric mask with a fun design? Better yet, consider one with a built-in filter pocket for added protection. What about a disposable face mask or a respirator? While all of these masks are acceptable for wear for the general public, fabric masks are not as good as disposable face masks for protection. Fabric face masks do offer some protection, in that they keep someone who is may have COVID19 from spraying their respiratory droplets. This is especially important considering we do not know how contagious those who have COVID19 but are asymptomatic are. However, disposable face masks, especially those that are similar or the same as worn in hospitals, are the best at protecting. This is because they not only protect other people from you, but they also protect you from other people much better than a fabric mask would. A 2008 study has confirmed that while homemade fabric masks do offer protection, the best protection does come from disposable face masks. Disposable face masks cannot be reused, which means that when you throw them away, you throw away all of the germs on them. Each time you wear a mask, you’ll put on a fresh and clean one. Can I Wear an N95/P2 Respirator Mask? N95 respirator masks do offer a high level of protection and are similar to disposable or surgical mask. This is because these masks are not only masks but respirators. They help filter out 95% of small particles in the air, making them fantastic for those who are concerned about people who are not wearing face masks. The difference with these masks is that they provide more comprehensive protection as the masks seals around your face, whereas with a surgical face mask there are gaps on the sides. There are clear downsides of these masks. Firstly, you must have them fitted in order to ensure that they’re filtering out particles correctly. This is not always possible, especially if bought online. They can also be problematic for asthmatics or those who have breathing difficulties to wear. Most people can breathe through cloth or surgical masks, but for some, a P2 or N95 will be a bit more difficult. It will become even more so when the respirator fills up and needs to be changed. Both must also be thrown away after each use, but the N95s are more expensive, making it tempting to reuse it. Disposable masks are easier to breathe in and are cheaper. As such, they are preferable for the general population. Additionally, as they don’t need to be fitted, you can order them from the Internet without worrying if they’re the correct size for your face or if you’ve formed the appropriate seal. P2s and N95 respirators can be difficult for small adults, children over the age of 12 and those with facial hair to wear correctly. Because of this, you, disposable face masks are a better option for the majority of people. How to Properly Wear a Face Mask While wearing a face mask is undoubtedly better than not doing so at all, some protocol must be followed to keep the spread of COVID at bay. Before you put on the disposable face mask, you’ll want to wash your hands with soap and water. You can use alcohol-based hand wash, but soap and water is your best bet. You’ll then need to dry your hands thoroughly before putting on a new disposable face mask. Before putting on the face mask, find the top of it. This is the area where the stiff part is, or where there is a metal piece. Some masks may not have these and are fine either way. A disposable mask will also have a coloured side and a lighter side. The darker side should always face away from you, and the lighter side on your face. Make sure your nose, mouth and chin are covered with the disposable face mask and that it is on your face comfortably, but is not too loose. Make sure there

We all know that safety is important, but not all of us know how to make our workplace safer. That’s why we put together this article, to help you work out what you need to do to make it a priority in your workplace and set your measurable safety goals.   Safety is an essential part of every workplace, so it is important that you are keeping you safety goals up to date. Some key things to remember when setting safety goals is to make them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based.)  Read on to learn about creating a safer workplace and a list of handy links where you can find the safety rules relevant to each state. How do you set SMART safety goals? To create good saftey goals you need to consider past incidents, how could they have been avoided? Making SMART safety goals is an essential part of any safety program. Creating a safe environment for staff, contractors, the public, and anyone else who steps foot in a workplace is the responsibility of every business and company. There are many different ways to making sure that your workplace meets safety requirements. In this article, we’ll cover everything from safety culture, to the critical elements of a safety management plan. We’ll explain the role that occupational health and safety plays in the workplace and tips on how to set your safety goals. First you need to learn from your past. Look at the recorded incidents from the previous year, find areas that need improvement, and then set goals based on that. It’s important to involve others in the process, it encourages staff to take intitaitve to look after themselves as well as their colleagues’. Getting your employees involved in the process is a great way to get another perspective from the boots on the ground as well.  It not only provides them with an opportunity to take ownership of their part of the safety culture but will also provide feedback on what makes a realistic or achievable goal. What are the 5 stages of safety goal programs? 1. Worksite analysis and hazard identification Knowing the hazards in your workplace is the first step to reducing risks and creating a safer workplace. Complete a worksite analysis or audit with people qualified to recognise both the existing hazards and any potential risks. 2. Management commitment and employee involvement Everything flows from the top down. For a safety management program to work, management needs to commit to providing adequate resources for a safe work environment.  These include rostering enough staff and appropriate training and equipment.  Management should also facilitate an environment for employees to get involved and be able to provide feedback or report potential hazards when they see them. You can also consider implementing a stop-work authority.  If an employee, regardless of their rank, believes a task is becoming too risky, they can call a stop.  This makes every employee an active part of ensuring a safe workplace. 3. Policies and procedures Safety programs need to include plans, policies and procedures for safe practices and operations in your workplace. Keep them focused on the ways that the hazards and risks identified in the workplace can be removed or reduced using the hierarchy of controls. It’s also essential that all safety policies and procedures are communicated clearly to staff.  4. Safety training Everyone in the workplace needs to be trained in the safety management system.  This includes the operation of any machinery, the use of personal protective equipment and the conditions they’re used in.  5. Performance tracking and improvement Every safety management program requires an evaluation and review. Investigate all incidents that occur, including near-misses, to identify causes and what improvements can be made.  Keep records of all these incidents and look to identify any patterns that indicate a hazard or risk that still needs to be addressed. What is safety culture and how does it relate to your safety goals? Safety culture is the way the people within the workplace think and act towards being safe. It comes about when an organisation’s people value and respect their safety goals.  When people come together and commit to the policies and procedures designed to uphold the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the workplace, it creates a safer environment.  A safety culture comes about when the group shares the same values, attitudes, perceptions and patterns of behaviour. The overall result is a positive culture around safety within the workplace. “A strong safety culture is built on open communication, where workers are encouraged to speak up about safety concerns without fear of repercussion, and their input is valued and acted upon.” Marcus, Local Workforce Hire This shared way of thinking and acting makes the workplace a lot safer for everyone. In a good safety culture, people talk openly about potential issues, learn from mistakes, and everyone feels responsible for keeping things safe. It’s like creating a team where everyone’s job is to look out for each other, making sure that getting hurt at work is less likely to happen. This team effort creates a positive vibe around staying safe at work, making the workplace not just safer but also a place where people care about and look after each other. Why is safety culture important? Employers are responsible for the health and wellbeing of staff and visitors to their workplaces and have a legal duty of care.  So, workplaces and organisations should always have safety management policies and procedures in place.  But just having rules isn’t enough, if people don’t value them, they will not follow them. When it comes to workplace health and safety, complacency can have serious consequences, such as injury or death. If employees become complacent about safety procedures, others will follow suit. That’s why safety culture and saftey goals are so important. People in groups tend to have a group mindset. Generally people prefer to go with the flow than stand out with different behaviour.  This can be great or difficult

When it comes to chainsaws there is no one size fits all. Even professional arborists carry a range of chainsaw sizes to suit different tasks. But homeowners often only want one chainsaw, so it’s best to work out upfront what size is best for the trees they want to cut. Someone might have recommended an 18″ Chainsaw, but then you might be asking yourself “what can i cut with an 18 inch chainsaw?” In this article we are focusing on the 18 inch chainsaw, and what applications it is best suited to. How Big of a Tree Can an 18 inch Chainsaw Cut? An 18 inch chainsaw can cut a 16 inch diameter tree in a single pass. This is because your chainsaw bar should be 2 inches longer than the tree’s diameter if you are cutting it in a single pass. But if you cut from both sides, an 18″ chainsaw can cut a 32 inch tree. It just means you’ll need to cut through 16 inches on each side to fell the tree. Just how versatile is the 18-inch chainsaw? Read on to learn more about bar length, uses, and how much power your chainsaw needs to run an 18-inch bar. Is an 18-inch chainsaw too big? An 18 inch chainsaw may be too big for beginners as it is a powerful machine that is on the larger side of the scale for homeowners. If you are new to cutting with a chainsaw the recommended size is between 8 to 18 inches. Whether a chainsaw is too big or not depends on what you want to cut with it. If you are new to cutting with a chainsaw, the recommended chainsaw range for homeowners is for bars from 8 to 18 inches.  Since the 18-inch bar is at the upper limit, it can be easy to assume that it’s too big.  But when you’re working out the size of chainsaw you need, it’s actually better to choose the size based on the kind of work you’re doing, rather than opting for the small, medium, or large end of a scale. For regular trimming of trees, removing small trees and cutting firewood, an 18-inch chainsaw is an appropriately sized tool.  That is, as long as you are comfortable handling it.  After considering the size of wood you’ll be cutting, the next thing to think about is your physical fitness and experience with chainsaws.  An 18-inch chainsaw can weigh around 5kgs.  While it may not sound like much, as a tool, it can start to feel quite heavy and cause fatigue if you aren’t used to it. If you don’t have any experience with chainsaws or your physical condition makes it difficult for you, then you might choose a smaller chainsaw size.  Smaller chainsaws have the advantage of being lightweight and having better manoeuvrability.  If all you need a chainsaw for is pruning something smaller, then a 12 or 14-inch chainsaw could be perfect! Is an 18-inch chainsaw good for land clearing? An 18 inches is a great all-rounder bar length for a chainsaw.  Whether it’s your best option for land clearing will depend mainly on the size of the trees you’re removing.  Generally you want to choose your chainsaw size based on the size of the tree that you will cut most often. As I mentioned earlier, the 18-inch bar is capable of cutting through trees with a diameter of up to 32 inches.  But it does require two passes to cut through any trees wider than 16 inches. It is slower to cut in two passes compared to a single pass. So if most of your trees are wider than 16 inches, an 18 inch chainsaw is going to slow you down over all. But if the land you’re clearing is mostly shrubs and younger trees, then the 18-inch chainsaw is the perfect tool for the job.  Even if you do have a few thicker trees, the 18-inch bar should be able to handle it (unless they are really big trees). Just remember it is better to get the chainsaw size that suits the MOST AMOUNT OF TREES. As a bigger one, is heavier and therefore can also slow you down and make your job harder. If you do have a lot of larger mature trees of greater than 32 inches, then you will need a longer chainsaw bar.  For example, arborists and lumberjacks will use bars in the more professional range of 22 inches and above.  But these are classed as professional tools for a reason.  They are heavier and harder to handle, with a greater risk of a dangerous kickback. So if you don’t have the experience, you’re better off calling a professional to do the really large trees for you.  How many cc chainsaw do I need for an 18-inch bar? The longer a chainsaw bar is, the more energy it takes to run the chain around its length.  Which means longer bars require more powerful motors. That’s why you’ll find electric, and battery-powered chainsaws are generally only available in the shorter bar lengths.  While these are easy enough to use for homeowners, they don’t generate enough power to be able to run an 18 inch bar. Larger chainsaws require petrol motors to power their blades.  The size of these motors is measured by the volume displaced by the piston in cubic centimetres, or “cc.” The bigger the displacement, the more powerful the engine is.  To power an 18-inch bar, you’ll need a 45-55cc chainsaw.  Matching your bar length to the right powered chainsaw is essential; otherwise, you can end up with the length, but no bite to the cut.  Trying to run a 20-inch bar off a chainsaw that came with a 12-inch bar is like trying to run a truck on a small car engine, a lot of strain and no real power. That being said, you can swap out the bar that your chainsaw came with for another length one size up. 

Chainsaws are a handy tool to have for keeping a well-manicured garden.  They make it easier to prune branches, and keep your hedges trimmed.  However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all.  With so many different chainsaws and bar lengths available, trying to work out the best bar length to purchase can be tricky. The best chainsaw bar length is generally 2 inches longer than the average thickness of wood you’re cutting. This is because it is better to have a smaller chainsaw bar that you occasionally also use for larger jobs, than it is to go the largest size chainsaw bar and try to use it on the smaller jobs. Chainsaw bars are quite versatile and can cut just under double their length by cutting the wood from both sides. We go further into why this is the best way to work out what the best chainsaw bar length is below… Should I just buy a bigger chainsaw? Well… no. If you don’t need the larger chainsaw, you’ll just be wasting money. The larger a chainsaw is, the heavier it is.  The larger the bar, the harder it is to manoeuvre.  Buying a bigger bar than you need, or are used to handling, will soon leave you physically fatigued.  It also doesn’t work out the opposite way. While a 20-inch bar works for cutting through mature trees, it becomes unwieldy for smaller jobs, making them more difficult. Even if you do have the occasional larger job, or tree that you need to cut down, you don’t necessarily need a larger chainsaw.  Although the recommended chainsaw bar length is 2 inches longer than whatever you’re cutting, that’s just to be able to cut it in a single pass.   By cutting the timber from both sides, the diameter you can cut is doubled.  For example, when using a 12-inch chainsaw, you can cut wood anywhere up to 10 inches thick in a single pass, or up to 20-inches thick by sawing through one half at a time. Read on to learn how to choose the best chainsaw bar length for you. How do I know which size chainsaw bar I need? The bar length that you need is dependent upon the tasks you’re using it for.  You wouldn’t use the same bar length to cut down a large tree as you would to prune your bushes, for example. To determine which chainsaw bar length is best for you, there’s three simple things to consider: How much experience you have with chainsaws. How often you’ll be using the chainsaw. The size of wood you’ll be cutting most often. It’s better to have the smaller bar that you occasionally also use for slightly larger jobs, than it is to go the largest size chainsaw bar you’d need, and try to use it on the smaller jobs. As I mentioned earlier, larger chainsaws are heavier, and harder to handle.  Introduce a sharp, high-speed chain blade into that mix and a lack of experience, and you put yourself at risk of physical injury.  And when things go wrong, they go wrong very quickly.  That’s why considering how much experience you have with chainsaws is a vital part of the selection process.  If you aren’t familiar with using a chainsaw, then a smaller chainsaw bar is better. For example, if the average dimension of your trees that you are cutting is 10 inch than you only need a 12 inch or maximum 14 inch bar. If there are a couple of trees that are up to 20 inches, you can still deal with them. But you are buying the chainsaw that suits the most of the types of trees you are cutting. So what size chainsaw bar should you get?  Recommended chainsaw bar length for home use For occasional light use around the yard, you’ll only need to invest in one of the smaller chainsaw bars.  For pruning back small tree limbs a 12 or 14-inch bar is all you need. If you have some mature trees that you want to prune the larger branches back on, you’ll need a slightly longer bar.  A 16 to 18-inch bar should be enough to get the job done.   This longer bar length will also work for cutting down small trees or removing shrubs. The best chainsaw bar length for cutting firewood If your primary use of the chainsaw is cutting firewood, then an 18-inch chainsaw bar is the recommended go-to.  It will be able to cut through most firewood in a single pass, anything between 16 and 32 inches will need two passes, but the chainsaw is still able to do the job, without you having to move up to a larger, heavier chainsaw. The best chainsaw bar length for farmers If you’re looking for a chainsaw to use out on the farm, then the 18-inch bar is recommended as the most versatile.  It can be used to cut down trees up to 32 inches in diameter (cut through one side, and then the other) and will easily cut through branches for pruning. If most of your cutting is larger trees and you’re able to use the heavier chainsaws, you might want to go a step up and buy a 20 or 22-inch bar. Which bar length is best for arborist chainsaws? Arborists perform most of their work off the ground – up in the trees, so a lightweight, manoeuvrable chainsaw is highly important.  Trying to carry a longer bar while climbing a tree isn’t the safest or most comfortable situation.  For pruning tree limbs in these circumstances, the versatile 18-inch bar is the most commonly recommended. Not all of their work is in the tree though.  Sometimes arborists need to remove a very large, mature tree, where the 18-inch just won’t cut it.  In these situations, the ideal bar length can be anywhere between 22 and 36-inches.  These extra-long bar lengths are professional territory, so unless you’re a lumberjack or arborist, you won’t ever need a chainsaw bar that size. 

A lush, thick lawn is the goal for many homeowners, and why wouldn’t it be?  It looks nice, it feels nice, and it will keep the weeds out on its own, making your maintenance work easier! But your lawn is patchy and you wonder how to get your grass to spread? Cutting grass will encourage it to spread. The speed that your grass spreads usually depends on your type of grass. Some grasses spread quickly by sending out runners. Other types of grass don’t spread as fast. Either way, cutting grass encourages it to put it’s energy into roots and new shoots instead of height. This will help your grass to both spread and thicken. What’s the best way to get your grass to spread and thicken, and how does your mowing affect it? Does frequent mowing thicken grass? Frequently mowing your yard, (if you’re following the correct practices), does help to thicken your grass.   As long as you don’t cut more than 1/3 off the top, and keep the total leaf height to at least 5cm, regular mowing keeps your grass healthy, and promotes lateral growth.  When you stop grass from being able to grow taller, it redirects the energy into sending off new shoots, resulting in thicker grass! Another way you can promote thicker lawn with your mowing, is to mow in different directions.  When you mow the lawn along the same route every time, you train the grass blades to grow that way.  By changing it up, and mowing from different directions, you will encourage the leaves to stand up straight.  This means that there’s more space for new shoots to grow alongside the current ones, so your lawn grows thicker (and feels softer). What happens to grass if you don’t cut it? The short answer is that when you don’t cut grass, it continues to grow taller (and starts to look untidy).  When your grass spends its energy in growing up, it stops sending out new shoots, and becomes patchier.  Longer grass requires more nutrients to maintain the continued growth, and your grass ends up competing to survive and grow (your lawn is actually made up of hundreds of individual plants, not just the one!).  As a result, some of the plants will die, so while your grass will be taller, it will also become thinner. If you stop mowing your lawn, you’ll also be giving weeds freedom to grow.  While growing taller is detrimental to the overall health of your lawn, the taller a weed grows, the more it thrives, and the harder it is to remove. Because of the 1/3 rule when cutting grass, when you do mow it again, you’ll need to mow it down gradually in a few passes over several days to get it back to the recommended height.  Trying to cut it all the way down in one go will shock the grass, and it will take time to recover, if it survives. You’ll also have a lot more clippings to deal with than usual, which you will need to rake up. If you don’t cut grass, (depending on the type you have), it will eventually go to seed. Should you let grass go to seed? There aren’t really any benefits to allowing your grass to go to seed.  To reach the stage where your grass is ready to seed, you have to let it grow tall enough, which brings with it the problems mentioned earlier: a patchy, less healthy lawn, increased weed growth and general messiness. There’s the also the question: why do you want it to seed? If it’s to add more grass seed into your lawn so that it will grow thicker, then it better to sow bought seed.  Grass grown to seed in backyards is generally infertile, so the seeds won’t help to spread and thicken your lawn.  Developing the flowering seed heads also takes energy that the grass would otherwise be using to grow thick and healthy. If your goal is to have a thick, lush lawn, then letting your grass grow to seed isn’t ideal.  Will grass spread to bare spots? Whether your grass will spread to bare spots on its own depends on a few factors. What type of grass do you have? Is the bare patch fertile soil, or poor quality? There are a few different ways that grass spreads; if you have a type of buffalo grass then it sends out runners. This type of lawn will spread out into the bare spots (unless the reason there’s no grass there is lack of sun or other environmental factors).   If you have a seeding grass variety, you will be waiting a long time for your grass to spread shoot by shoot, into new areas. In this case, the best way to deal with bare spots in your lawn is to overseed your lawn. Read on… Can you put lawn seed on top of grass? You can put grass seed on top of grass. It’s called “overseeding” and is a standard method used to fill out thin or patchy lawns. The newly sprouted seed fills in any gaps, (even tiny ones) and keeps your yard looking thick and lush. To make the most of overseeding, mow your lawn first. Then dethatch or rake vigorously before sowing the seeds so that they can penerate the soil. Then keep the soil moist for the next couple of weeks and watch your grass thicken before your eyes! How do I get my grass to grow thicker? If you want thicker grass, you need to give it a little extra care.  First, check your soil. You can try every strategy on growing thicker grass, but if your soil is lacking, then your grass will always struggle.  Give yourself (and your grass) a head start and make sure you’re planting in quality soil.  The next essential is to keep it well-watered; a thirsty lawn is a yellowing lawn.  If you don’t have time to water your lawn

Lawns, when cared for properly, can become the envy of the neighbourhood. If you’ve just set up your new lawn, or are thinking to, you may be wondering if mowing new grass helps it to grow? Cutting new grass can help it to grow, but only if you do it correctly and at the right time. You need to wait long enough for your grass to take root before mowing it and don’t cut more than 1/3 of the leaf height. Then you’ll be helping your new grass to grow thick and healthy. However, when cutting your new lawn, it can be a fine line between help and harm. What are the things you need to know before you start mowing? Read on to learn when, and how to make your first cut. How Mowing New Grass Promotes Growth Grass uses a process called photosynthesis. This is when the plant turns sunlight into the nutrients the plant needs. Because of this, your new grass needs the sun to grow (and the big reason why grass doesn’t grow too well in the shade). As the grass grows taller, you may notice that some bits grow faster and are taller than others. The taller blades block the sunlight to the shorter ones. By mowing regularly, you keep the leaves at the same height, so that they all have access to the sun, and grow evenly. There is another reason why mowing new lawn promotes growth. When you prevent the grass from growing vertically (skywards), it converts that energy into growing horizontally (along the ground). The end result is thicker grass. This is why mowing new grass frequently helps it to grow from patchy little tufts to even coverage in a shorter space of time. Thicker grass will also make it harder for any weeds to grow! Should I Mow My New Grass Short? You might be thinking: “well if keeping it short makes it grow thicker, the shorter it is, the faster it’ll spread”. Hold on! It doesn’t quite work that way. Grass has a minimum height that it needs to be to stay healthy. If you cut it too short, or cut too much off at once, you can harm it health. This is called scalping your lawn.  What does scalping mean? Read on! Does scalping kill grass? Scalping your lawn places extra stress on the plant and will slow down growth as it will put its energy into recovery, not growth. Scalping causes damage to an established lawn, but to a new one, it can be devastating.   Never cut more than 1/3 of the total height off the leaves when you mow, and its minimum height should be 2.5-3cm. If you cut your new lawn so low that go past the green leaf blades and into the stems this is called “scalping.” And it’s something you’ll want to avoid as your lawn needs its leaves to turn sunlight into nutrients. The extra stress on your grass leaves your lawn less capable of handling drought and gives weeds a chance to grow through. Now that you know how mowing improves lawn growth, (and the risk of scalping), read on to learn when, and how to make your first cut. The first cut of a new lawn You’ve started a new lawn and are starting to see some growth, so now comes the question: when do you make the first cut? When to mow grass for the first time To work out the best time to mow your new grass for the first time you need to consider how you planted it. The main thing you want to look at is the strength of the grass blades if you grew your lawn from seed. Are they still very fine, or do they have some width? And for turf, whether the roots have established. New grass takes time to establish a root system strong enough to secure it. Until then, walking on it is enough to cause damage, so trundling a mower over it can leave wheel tracks of torn out grass, especially when turning. (Which is not what you want when spending the time and money to grow a beautiful new green lawn).   You’ll also want to let it grow a little higher than usual before the first cut, around 6cm. When you mow, only take it down to about 4cm, following the 1/3 rule (never cut more than 1/3 of the total height off. No scalping!). Keep your mowing to this height weekly for the next few weeks, before trimming it down to your grass species recommended height (generally around 2.5-3cm). When to mow new turf You’ll generally need to wait 3-4 weeks after laying turf for the roots to take hold. Before mowing, give the corners of the lawn a light tug to make sure it’s secure. Another thing to note is that the soil where the turf is laid should be kept moist until the roots are established. But soft damp soil is not suitable for mowing (especially new roots). Turn off any watering you have set up 48 hours before your first mow to give the ground a chance to dry.  Mowing new grass seed Growing a lawn from new grass seed is a waiting game; it may take up to 2 months before it’s ready for mowing. The important thing is to be patient. Mowing too soon can uproot your newly sprouted grass, and the new shoots don’t yet have the strength to withstand the mower blade. Newly seeded lawn also needs to be kept moist while it establishes. You can see in this picture below, each blade of newly seeded grass is way too fine to cope a hit with the mower. Let the leaves broaden and get stronger, before you walk on them or mow them. As with the turf, stop all watering to the lawn 48 hours before the first mow, giving it a chance to dry. Can I mow after overseeding? If you have a damaged or

It’s time to sharpen your riding mower blades and you don’t know where to start. We know that it can be daunting, so we thought we would put together a quick guide on sharpening riding mower blades. Sharpening riding mower blades promotes an even cut and keeps your grass healthy. Before sharpening mower blades, make sure the riding mower cannot accidentally start by removing the spark plug boot. Depending on the make and model, you then either jack the rider up or remove the deck so you can access the riding mower blades to clean them and sharpen them.   Now let’s take a look in further detail on how to sharpen your ride on mower blades. Tools you need to sharpen a ride on lawn mower blade Work gloves and safety glasses, Sponge/washcloth and some warm soapy water should do) Usually a 15/16 socket wrench A  2-by-4 block of wood Vise Clamp Nail Hand file or angle grinder with metal abrasive disc Marking pen Safety when servicing your ride on mower blades Even old blades can have sharp points that can cut your hands. Always wear quality nitrile coated gloves when handling your ride on mower blades. Move your mower to a hard, flat surface. Apply the brake. To prevent accidental start up of your ride on mower while you’re working on the blades , remove the spark plug boot and drain the fuel.  Accessing your riding mower blades Depending on your riding mowers make and model, there a three basic ways to access the mower blades. Adjust your rider mower deck to the highest setting. Lay down on the floor and access the blades by reaching under the deck.   Jack up your mower using a hoist, floor jack or mower jack to give you enough room (also make sure your deck is on the highest setting before jacking it up). If using a jack, make sure you use the jack stands for safety. Make sure that the placement is correct, and it’s secure before sliding under it! Remove the deck to access the blades. You will need to lower the deck to the lowest position. Remove the belt guard, and then you can remove the belt from the pulley. Then you will need to remove the pins that hold the back of the deck – there is one on both sides of the deck. Next remove the front deck attachment point. Lastly you need to remove the PTO cable, there is a pin that secures it – so remove that first. Then pull the cable up and remove the spring. Now you can pull the deck out from underneath the mower, and flip it over to access the blades. Can I sharpen blades while still on the riding mower? You can sharpen mower blades while they are still on the mower, even though this is not the best way. Time how long you spend filing each blade to ensure you spend the same amount of time on each side. This will help you prevent ending up with unbalanced blades that can harm your rider. But to get the best results, you are best off taking the blades off the mower to sharpen them. It is not much extra effort to remove the blades. And it makes it a lot easier to access the edges (you can clamp it into a workbench vice, rather than kneeling or laying on the ground) Removing the lawn mower blades to sharpen then will give you better access to the blade for a steady hand and more polished job. It means that you can clamp it in a vice and focus on ensuring the angle is consistent the whole length of the blade. But the most important reason to remove your blades when you sharpen them is so that you can check their balance once you’re finished. You can’t actually check the balance of your blades without taking them off the mower. An unbalanced blade can actually damage your ride on mower. Listen for any unusual noises coming from under your mower deck next time you mow; you may need to take it somewhere to be serviced and ask them to balance it for you. Removing riding mower blades To remove the riding mower blades you will need your chock of wood, your 15/16 socket wrench, and your marker. First reach under and mark the underside of the blades with your marker. This will ensure that you know which side of the lawn mower blade is up, so you can ensure that you reinstall them correctly. The lawn mower blades are secured by a nut. The challenge is that when you turn the nut, the blade turns too. This is where your chock of 2×4 wood comes in handy. Place the chock of wood inside the deck to prevent the blade from rotating. Then you can loosen the nut with your socket wrench. Give the rider mower blades a good clean It’s no good trying to work with a blade that is covered in dirt, oil, or grass clippings, so get your cleaning gear and give them a good wipe down.  Once they are clean and shiny, dry them off with a clean cloth. Sharpening riding mower blades First you want to clamp your bar blade in the vise. This will allow you to focus on getting ensuring you sharpen the blade evenly along the length of the blade. No matter what sharpening tool you use, try to spend the same amount of time on each end while sharpening so that you don’t take more metal off one than the other. This will help you prevent your blades from becoming unbalanced Sharpen mower blades by hand You can now sharpen your riding mower blade by hand using a file. If you are wondering what angle should lawn mower blades be sharpened at, it is quite simple. The angle of each blade can be a bit different, so just follow the angle of the original