When the weather gets warm is the perfect time to get your flowerbeds ready for the warmer months of the year. It will take some effort and preparation, but if you do a little bit of prep work you can have a beautiful flowerbed throughout the season. (more…)
More and more people are are bringing nature indoors with fountains. They are both relaxing and pleasing to the eye! Anyone can install their own fountains and most will only take about an hour from start to finish.
Decreases in the prices of wall fountains have allowed more people to be able to afford to add them to their homes decor. Most wall fountains require very little space, yet they add a calming atmosphere to any room.
Choosing the right fountain is much more than just finding one you like, one you can afford or the right size fountain you need. When shopping for wall fountains, you will need to consider their weight and whether or not your walls are sturdy enough to support it!
Wall fountains are made from a variety of materials including stone, copper, clay and fiberglass. Fiberglass is probably one of the best choices, it’s lightweight and very durable. Fiberglass can also be textured to look like stone and many other materials.
You should always read the instructions that come with any item that you purchase. Some fountains may have specific hanging instructions or may even require some assembly. But, there are some typical steps in hanging any fountain.
The first step is to of course decide where you want your wall fountain to be. This may be a step that isn’t a complete choice, since you will need to hang the fountain near an electrical outlet or create a new plug-in!
It’s a good idea to have someone hold the fountain on the wall so that you can step back and get a better idea of how it’s going to look. While they’re holding it for you, mark the wall where the top of the fountain will be.
You will then need to measure from the top of the fountain down to the brackets or hanging apparatus on the back. If the measurement is 10 inches for example, you will need to measure down 10 inches from the mark you made on the wall and mark that spot.
Then you will need to measure the distance between the hanging brackets. Divide that measurement in half and measure and mark each spot from the second mark you made on the wall.
Once you have the correct spots marked, use a hammer and gently tap the screw anchors into place. Insert the screw into the anchor and screw it in leaving it sticking out enough to catch underneath the brackets on the fountain.
Now you’re ready to hang the fountain and plug it in! You should never use regular tap water in your fountains. Tap water contains minerals and deposits that will build up and clog the pump.
The calcium and other minerals in tap water will also discolor your wall fountain and cause unsightly spots. You should always use distilled water when setting up your fountain or refilling the water level.
Most professionals recommend that you change the water in the fountain at least every six months. Other than that the only water maintenance you will need to do is to add about a cup of water every week or so to replace the water that will evaporate.
It may seem like a “cool” idea to add a little dye to the water for some color or even perfumes. But, you shouldn’t add anything to the water as it will eventually damage your pump.
Wall fountains are very nice additions to foyers as a focal point for any guest that enters your home! Color can be added with vases hung on each side with either live or silk flowers.
Many home improvement centers also sell lights that are made for underwater use. The bulbs can be changed to create different colors of lighting to enhance the look of your fountain.
You should always check the automatic transmission fluid when you are checking other fluids in your vehicle. If you have small leaks they will turn into larger ones over time. Fixing a transmission leak is very inexpensive compared to repairing, or even replacing, your entire transmission, which is very costly. (more…)
You hear a crash and run to the living room to find a baseball rolling around your floor! Accidents can happen, but you don’t always need to call in a professional for repairs!
Replacing single paned windows is a pretty simple job that almost anyone can do in a few hours! If you have double or even triple paned windows, then you may not have a choice but to call someone that’s got a little more experience.
Installing a new glass pane is a lot easier if you can remove the window and lay it on a table or even the floor. Depending on the type of windows you have, there will either be some moulding strips or just glazing compound that goes around the glass and frame.
If your windows have strips be careful when removing them, you’ll need to re-use them for the new glass. After you’ve got them removed, scrape off all of the old window putty or glazing from the window bed.
If the material has became really hard, you can use a heat gun to lightly warm it and loosen it up. If you don’t have a heat gun, you can use a torch or some other type of heat, but be very careful not to scorch your window frame.
Once you’ve gotten all of the old glazing off of the frame, you will be able to see the glazing points. These are tiny metal chips, usually triangular shaped that are pushed into the wood up against the glass to hold it in place.
Remove all of the glazing points and carefully remove all of the broken pieces of glass. After you’ve taken the glass out throughly clean the channel where the glass sits and remove any remaining compound.
To make sure the area is completely clean, use a small piece of sand paper to sand the area all the way down to the bare wood. Measure the exact opening size and then subtract 1/8 of an inch from each side to get the right size glass that’s required.
You will need to apply a primer or coat of sealer to the sanded area and let it dry. When it’s dry, apply a thin coat of glazing compound all around the area where the window sets with a putty knife. About 1/16 of an inch is all that’s needed.
Insert the glass and gently press it into place, all of the edges should come in contact with the compound. The glazing compound will seal the glass to prevent any water from leaking down between the glass and frame when it rains.
The glazing points can easily be pushed back into the frame with the putty knife to hold the glass in place. Get them as close to the glass as you can to hold it securely against the window frame.
You should put at least two glazing points on each of the four sides of the glass. For large panes, it’s recommended to use one glazing point for every ten inches on each of the four sides of the glass.
If you’re window had strips that went around the glass, you can replace them now. But, if there wasn’t any strips, use a small putty knife or your finger to apply more glazing compound or window putty around the entire glass.
The compound should be applied in a V-shape around the glass to make a nice smooth slope from the glass to the frame. You don’t have to wait for the compound to dry completely to paint it. As soon the surface of the compound has dried you can go ahead and paint over it.
Over time the weather can really damage your driveway. Winter can be especially hard on both asphalt and concrete. The freezing and thawing can result in cracks that over time become holes.
Repairing your driveway doesn’t have to cost a lot, you can do it yourself and save the money for something else! It’s a pretty messy job, but it can usually be done in a few hours over a weekend!
Holes and cracks in your driveway are unsightly, but they can also be dangerous! If they’re large enough they can cause falls and injuries and should be repaired! Repairing small flaws in your driveway will also keep them from becoming larger.
The first step you need to take in repairing an asphalt driveway, is to remove all of the loose chunks and dirt. You can use almost any type of tapered tool to pry the loose asphalt out.
Once you have the hole or crack cleaned, remove any small pieces of asphalt and dirt with a stiff brush. After it is clean, use any type of grease cutting detergent and water to wash the oil away.
Getting the area as clean as you can and let it dry completely is one of the most important steps in patching. If there’s oil, grease or dirt the patching compound can’t adhere and will just come loose before long.
Cracks that are 1/4 inch or under are usually just repaired with a liquid material. You can buy it in a jug or even a tube that can be used with a caulking gun.
Fill the crack with a generous amount and use a scraper or putty knife to smooth it out and deep into the crack. If the crack is deep, you may have to repeat the process.
For larger cracks up to 1/2 inch, a thicker material is needed. This type of filler is usually in a can and needs to be mixed well before applying.
Just scoop some of the filler out and press it into the crack until it’s full and then smooth it all out. Larger cracks will have to be repaired with an asphalt cold patch that normally comes in a bag.
Over fill the crack with the cold patch material and then cover it entirely with sand. Using a scrap piece of board, a piece of 4X4 post is best, to tamp the filler down until it’s level with the rest of the driveway.
If it’s a really large crack or hole, you can fill the hole in the same matter. But, to help press it out you can lay a piece of plywood over the patch and drive your car onto the board to hold it down! Wait about 24 hours before using the area of the driveway that you patched!
To make repairs to a concrete driveway, follow the same steps as above to clean the area. The only real difference in the repair is the type of filler you’ll use.
For smaller cracks up to 1/4 inch, you can purchase a sealant that comes in a tube and apply it with a caulking gun. Larger cracks up to 1/2 inch will need to be filled with premixed mortar and cracks larger than that can be filled with premixed concrete.
Once you’ve gotten the crack or hole filled with the concrete, let it set for about an hour and then scrape away any excess with a trowel and smooth it out.
Unlike the asphalt repair, the concrete repair should be allowed to dry for several days. The slower the patch dries the stronger the concrete will be.
You can lightly mist the area with the water hose to keep it moist and keep the area covered with a sheet of plastic to extend drying time. Once it has completely dried, apply a water sealant to the area with a roller for extra protection.
It can be really easy to overlook the gutters on your home! You may not even think about cleaning them until they’re no longer doing the job they’re meant to do!
Keeping your gutters clean is a important part of home maintenance! Clogged gutters can cause the water to overflow and keep your porches wet causing rotting and they can destroy a flower bed that’s placed near your home.
Keeping your gutters clean can also protect your siding from water stains. Another important job that gutters perform is to protect your homes foundations! Water standing around your home can eventually cause your foundations to sink!
Fall of course, is the worst time of the year for your gutters becoming full of debris. It’s recommended to clean gutters in both the spring and fall.
Dead leaves are the main cause of clogged gutters and they should be cleaned each spring even if you don’t clean them any other time of year.
Using a water hose to clean your gutters may seem like a easy fix. But, using a water hose will result in all of the dead leaves and debris being washed into the downspout and stopping it up!
Be extra careful when setting a ladder up to clean the gutters, leaning it against the gutters will bend them. You can purchase an attachment for your ladder that will keep it off the gutters.
You can use some heavy duty rubber gloves to remove as much of the dead leaves and debris that you can. To prevent a mess in your yard, either take a small bucket up the ladder with you, or spread large sheets of plastic out to drop the debris on.
As you’re cleaning the gutters, take notice of any loose or missing nails and replace them as you go. This is also a great time to check the braces holding the gutter in place to make sure that they’re still secure!
Clean out as much of the debris as you can by hand. Then you can use a water hose to wash out all of the dirt and grime. As you’re washing the gutters out, check the water flow in the downspout to make sure that the water is flowing freely.
If the downspout is stopped up, you may be able to flush it out with the water hose if you have good pressure. But, if the water hose don’t clear the spout, you’ll have to remove the screws and brace to take it loose to clean it.
Once you’ve gotten the downspout loose, you may be able to shake it as you’re running the water hose through it to jar the debris loose. If that doesn’t work you’ll probably need to use an auger to loosen the dead leaves from the downspout.
After you’ve got the downspout completely cleaned out and the water runs freely, check it for any damage. You will also need to make sure that you scrape the old adhesive off while it’s still apart.
When reattaching the spout you need to apply a silicone sealant around the top portion to hold the two pieces in place and make it water tight. You want to apply a solid line of the sealant all the way around the entire spout.
Replace all of the screws and any braces that may have been holding the downspout on to the gutter. Follow the directions for drying time on the sealant and then spray water into the gutters to check for any leaks.
Small leaks in your gutter can be temporarily repaired with roofing cement. You will need to clean as much of the rust off as you can and then spread the cement over the hole with a putty knife.
The roofing cement isn’t a permanent solution, but it may add another year or two the the life of your gutters. Larger holes will have to be repaired by replacing the whole gutter or that section of it.
The trees in your yard can provide you with a nice shady place to sit. They can also have an effect on your cooling bills during the summer when they are close to your house.
But, they trees have a big impact on the total look of your landscaping! Taking care of the trees in your yard is just as important as taking care of your bushes and plants!
Pruning is a very important step to make the trees in your yard attractive! By pruning you can give the desired shape to your trees and also help keep the trees height under control!
The best time of the year to do any shaping of your trees is in the spring when all the new growth is just starting. Only minimal or necessary pruning should be done through the summer. Pruning done through summer months will help to encourage new growth.
The only pruning that should really be done in the fall, is to clear the tree of dead limbs and such. Trees that have a lot of sap shouldn’t be pruned during the winter months. The only trees that do well when pruned in the winter are deciduous trees.
Sometimes you can’t pick the season to trim your trees. Limbs that are growing into or over power lines may need to be pruned immediately. And, limbs that over hang your roof can cause the roof to rot and eventually leak and should be cut when necessary.
Before doing any pruning, take a good look at the trees shape from all sides. If there are parts of the tree that need to be cut out, then you may not be able to get the exact shape that you want.
You need to check for broken limbs, limbs that cross over each other and crowded limbs. Other things to look for are low growing limbs and limbs that are too close to the trunk of the tree.
Using the proper tools to prune your trees will not only make the job easier, it can protect the health of your tree. Handsaws can be used for the larger limbs and pruning shears can be used for smaller branches. But, what ever tool you use should be sharp so that the cuts are straight and not all jagged!
Sharp tools will help ensure that the trees bark remains undamaged. Damaging the trees bark can cause the limb to die and if the damage is bad enough, it can kill some whole trees!
There are a few tricks to help avoid tearing the trees bark when cutting larger limbs. You should make a cut at both the top and bottom of the limb about 1/4 – 1/2 inch apart. Make the two cuts just offset from each other leaving the main center of the limb uncut.
Once you’ve gotten the two cuts made, then go back and finish cutting the limb off. For heavier limbs, you can tie a rope around the limb and fasten it to a higher branch. This will keep the limb from just suddenly falling and jerking the bark loose!
Most professionals use to apply tree paint to cover the newly exposed area. But, even professionals have realized that the tree will heal faster if it’s left to heal naturally!
Another very important factor to consider when doing your own pruning, is the structures or items near your tree. What seems like a small limb high up in a tree, may be larger than you think and destroy something if it falls on it!