To skim, place the net about halfway into the water and move it continuously back and forth. Empty the net when it is about a quarter full. When the filter becomes clogged, it cannot collect particulates as effectively. ImageegamI / Getty Images Clogged filters make pumps work harder, making them more prone to failure. First, turn off and unplug the pump. Remove the filter media and dispose of it. While you have the pump open, clean the filter with a soft brush to remove debris or algae....

What Is Pool Plaster? Pool plaster is the final seal on aconcrete pool. Pool plaster always has a base of Portland cement mixed with water. kropic / Getty Images What makes the pool plaster different colors is the punch in of marble dust or silica sand added in. Black plaster can even make deep-end water appear green. Bright whites look clean and make your pool water shimmer in the sun....

Learn more about what a popcorn ceiling is and the factors that can affect the popcorn ceiling removal cost. What Are Popcorn Ceilings? Popcorn ceilings have a bumpy texture that is usually made with a joint compound or a ready-madespray-on texture. bombermoon / Getty Images However, the rough texture isdifficult to cleanand tends to trap dirt, dust, and cobwebs. Additionally, asbestos waste disposal costs between $10 to $50 per cubic unit....

Painting these ceilings can be rather difficult and requiresthick-nap roller covers. It also requires a lot of paint, since the texture soaks up paint like a sponge. Besides that, textured ceilings catch and trap dust and are notoriously difficult to clean. The Spruce / Kevin Norris They can make a room look smaller because the peaks create dark shadows. Removing your popcorn ceilings should take one to two days, including time to let them dry between steps....

Tread covers go right over the old step treads, the horizontal board that you walk on. Some covers also conceal the old step risers, the vertical boards between the treads. In this case, safety and functionality should absolutely matter more than appearance. The Spruce / Candace Madonna That said, there are stair tread cover options that offer both function and an attractive appearance. The best systems use 100-percent hardwood materials, resulting in the look of traditional hardwood stairs....

Is Porcelain Floor Tile Right for You? It can be hard to tell the difference unless you examine it up close. Now, the costs for porcelain floor tiles tend to be comparable to that of good-quality standard ceramic tiles. The Spruce / Margot Cavin For professional installation, you might expect to add another $10 to $25 per square foot. However, these floors can last for decades, paying off the initial investment over time....

Porcelain is more durable and water resistant but ceramic is easier to install and more affordable. Learn more about ceramic vs. porcelain tile and when to use them in your home. Margot Cavin / The Spruce What Is Porcelain Tile? Margot Cavin / The Spruce (Look for low-absorption porcelain tile awarded a PTCA Certification Mark from the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency.) The clay mixture in porcelain tile is more refined than ceramic clays....

The biggest differences between a porch and a patio are their locations and architectural designs. “If a back deckhas a roof over it, that can actually be called a back porch. It is built with concrete slats or pavers or is concrete-poured. The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin Most patios are in the backyard though it is common to see one on the side of the house. Most patios sit near backyard gardens, firepits, and recreational games....

Depending on thepotato variety, potato flowers can come in a range of different colors and shapes. But should they be removed? Because of this, potato flowers have a similar shape to tomato or eggplant flowers. Mike Powles / Getty Images Different potato varieties produce different flower typessome might be large and vivid, while others smaller and clustered. Generally, potato plants will start flowering a few weeks before thepotatoes are ready to be harvested....

However, they’re different species with distinct characteristics and needs. Here’s how to tell pothos andphilodendronsapart, plus the differing conditions each needs to thrive. Warning Both pothos and philodendron are toxic to dogs and cats. Green pothos (left) next to a heart-leaf philodendron (right)The Spruce / Cori Sears It’s how plants get their botanical names. However, pothos and philodendrons fall into different genera. Pothos belongs to theEpipremnumgenus, and philodendron belongs to thePhilodendrongenus....

You want it to support and nourish your plants, often for years at a time. But the truth is, most bagged soils just aren’t designed for this. Here’s why and what you could do to give your indoor and container plants the best potting medium. ​The Spruce / Krystal Slagle Unfortunately, plants rarely thrive in this kind of potting medium for too long. With poor-quality bagged soils, plants are lucky to survive even for a few months....

While almost no bang out of plant is immune, certain species are more susceptible than others. Luckily, there are effective powdery mildew treatments that can help fight the disease. The Spruce What Is Powdery Mildew? The Spruce / Almar Creative Several different species of fungi can cause powdery mildew. Translation: the powdery mildew on your lilacs will not spread to different varieties of plants in your garden. The fungi spores reside in plant buds....

Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images Prayer plants are beloved for their colorful stripes and elegant oval leaves. These members of theMarantagenus can tolerate lower-light conditions that can be challenging for other houseplants. I’m still not sure what I did to kill the last one. Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images First, it developed brown patches on its leaves. I pruned them off and new, tightly curled leaves emerged, but most never unfurled....