Outdoors
Dry Creek Bed Vs. French Drain: What Are The Major Differences?
If not corrected early, drainage issues can lead to severe problems such as damage to your landscape plants, lawn damage, root rot, or even ruin your property’s foundation. Despite the many drainage systems available for correcting drainage problems, dry creek beds and French drains remain the most popular solutions.
What To Do With Snake Holes In The Yard? (Find Out Now!)
Snakes can be scary, especially if you don’t know if they’re venomous or not. If you start to notice snake holes in your yard, take action quickly. Figure out what these holes are, and then do your research to determine the best options for you.
Garage Door Won't Close After Power Outage? (Fix It Now!)
Power outages are always frustrating for the homeowner. However, they can also cause more than just inconvenience. When the power surges, it can leave your garage stuck open and your belongings vulnerable.
Why Does My Compost Smell Like Sewage?
Not only is composting great for the environment, it’s also a rewarding process. Nothing feels better than reducing your carbon footprint at home. However, it can be alarming and discouraging when your compost pile smells foul. So, why does my compost smell like sewage?
Metal Vs. Wood Fence Posts: Which One Is Better?
If you’re building or replacing a fence, then you’ll want to choose materials that are built to last! Metal and wood are the two most common options for fence posts. But which is the better choice, and which has the best value?
Can You Put Patio Furniture on Grass?
The best part of your home may be the patio and enjoying the outside on cool summer days. You can decorate your patio however you like and buy versatile patio furniture to complement your style. But what if you don’t have a suitable patio? Can you put patio furniture on your grass?
How To Keep Gravel In Place In A Driveway (Do This!)
Gravel driveways look great and can add a rustic touch to any home. In areas known for high snowfall or rainfall, they also can add an extra layer of grip. This makes them great for places that have inclement weather, as well as farmhouses. Of course, there is a pretty annoying side effect that you have to deal with: keeping the gravel in your driveway in place.
Can You Add Bleach To A Pool? (Find Out Now!)
When you first become a pool owner, the first thing that becomes apparent is that you are going to need a lesson in chemistry. There are so many chemicals that you are going to have to get acquainted with. You might already know that you’re going to need some form of chlorine, but did you ever wonder why people are talking about bleach? Is that even meant for pools?
Garage Door Won't Close In Sunlight? (We Have A Fix)
Garage doors are a convenient way to enter and exit your home. The sensors work to lift and lower the garage door. However, they also work as a protective mechanism to prevent injury to things under the garage door.
How Many Square Feet Are In A Pallet Of Grass? (Find Out Now!)
Your property needs a facelift, starting with the landscape. Meanwhile, you’re struggling to decide which type of grass to install. Then you see that grasses come in different-sized pallets. So, now what? First, measure your property. Next, find out how many square feet are in a pallet of grass.
How To Find A Buried Sprinkler Head (Step-by-Step Guide)
Having a sprinkler system makes it easier to keep your lawn beautiful. But, when they go underground and do not come back up, they are not doing much good. What happens when you cannot find a sprinkler head that has gone underground?
Where To Plant Trees To Save On Air Conditioning
There’s no denying that energy costs are out of control, getting higher and higher year after year. Utility costs tend to rise right along with the rising outdoor temperatures. Therefore, it’s not surprising that people want to reduce the heat entering their homes so that they can lower their bills. A popular method is planting trees to save on air conditioning. But this only works if you know where to plant them.
Is A Composite Deck Worth The Money?
The deck on your home is the perfect spot to kick back and relax with your loved ones. If you own a home, you may want to consider a composite deck. With so many different lumber options, prices can vary quite a bit. There are many things to consider when asking yourself if a composite deck is worth it.
How To Clean An Outdoor Rug
Outdoor living spaces are a fabulous way to expand your home and provide a restful retreat or extra entertaining area. Laying a rug on your grass or patio helps define zones and transform spaces into more of a room. Of course, it’s still outside, which means it’s prone to more dirt and grime, so how do you clean an outdoor rug?
How To Break The Bead On A Lawnmower Tire
Typically, when there is a problem with your lawnmower, the issue is with the blades, the cutting deck, or something electrical. However, flat tires can also happen, and when they do, you need to replace them. One of the most crucial elements of changing a tire is breaking the bead.
Garage Door Lights Won't Turn Off? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
You can Garage doors regularly malfunction. Components of the door can sometimes become jammed or fail to operate as they should. If your garage door light isn’t turning off, use this as a guide, as it can quickly wear down the light’s battery.
How To Keep Animals Out Of Your Vegetable Garden
A vegetable garden will struggle to thrive if it is constantly under attack by animals and pests. Of course, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and groundhogs will find your vegetable garden enticing. That doesn’t mean you are doomed to have animals eat your vegetables. We have compiled several tips on how to keep animals out of your vegetable garden.
Is 2 Feet Deep Enough for Fence Posts? (Find Out Now!)
Building a fence is a great way to add some added privacy to your home. If you live in a rural area, you can also use a fence to create a pasture for all your pets. It’s essential to know how to build a fence properly to ensure it’s durability.
Why Does My Leaf Blower Bog Down At Full Throttle?
It can get discouraging when you hit the throttle on the leaf blower, and it bogs down. When starting a job, you look forward to the result of a clean yard. There are a few things you can do to fix and prevent a leaf blower from stalling.
Top Vegetable Garden Mistakes To Avoid This Spring
Spring looms like a faint light on the horizon that grows stronger every day, and this brightening light serves as a friendly reminder that gardening season will soon be upon us. When planting a vegetable garden, planning in the late winter and early spring can make all the difference in yielding a bountiful crop of vegetables in the summer. To ensure you are taking care of all your needs in advance, it is important to know all the common vegetable garden mistakes you should avoid this spring.
What To Plant Along Fence Line (Here's What You Can Do)
Whether you’re trying to hide an ugly fence line or want to add beauty to your landscape, there are a ton of good things to plant along your fence. Planting the right things along your fence line requires planning and forethought. Simply throwing some trees or plants into the ground isn’t going to be enough.
How To Prepare Your Grill After Winter
With the dawn of spring comes so many activities we know and love. There is the start of a new gardening season, time spent in nature, and all sorts of backyard enjoyment. One of the most iconic backyard activities is barbecuing. But after a long winter spent outside, the odds are your grill needs some attention. In fact, it is important that you take steps to clean and prepare your grill thoroughly once winter ends.
What's The Average Cost to Tear Down a Garage?
Whether your garage is run-down, too pricey to repair, or you want to remove it and build a new one, demolition may be the best route to go. Tearing down a garage is considered a partial demolition, which may be necessary for homeowners who are carrying out a major home remodel. While garages are still highly sought after among homebuyers and can actually increase the value of your property, there are plenty of instances when your home may be better off without the eyesore of a dilapidated garage.
What Bugs Are Good For Your Garden?
Whether you like bugs or not, some of them are good for your garden. The average homeowner doesn’t like having to navigate a sea of insects and arachnids while doing yard work. However, it’s unavoidable, and many of them are more beneficial than you may think. So, what bugs are good for your garden?
Are Copper Grill Mats Safe? (Find Out Before Your Next Barbeque!)
Copper grill mats are becoming more popular by the day, especially when it is the season to fire up the pit. When items are hot on the market and make people’s lives easier, they jump to the markets. Copper grill mats are made for all grill grates and can withstand up to 500 degrees.
Cheapest Way to Cover Dirt in Backyard
Plain dirt is the perfect opportunity to infuse charm and character into your backyard. The possibilities are endless and there is no reason that you have to spend thousands of dollars. So, what is the cheapest way to cover dirt in a backyard?
Do You Need A Permit To Build A Fence In Florida? (Find Out Now!)
Building a fence can be a huge project to undertake and takes a lot of planning, but many Florida homeowners choose to have fences. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a fencing company, there is some considerable preparation involved. One of the biggest obstacles to deal with is whether or not you need a permit to build a fence in Florida.
How To Bypass The Safety Switch On A John Deere Lawnmower
Your modern John Deere lawnmower has three safety switches that safeguard against a variety of situations. One protects breaking, another manages cutting blades or other accessories, and the final switch guards against operation without an operator. The latter of which is referred to as the seat safety switch, and kills the engine or keeps it from starting unless the rider is sitting in the seat.
Best Plants For Allergies And Asthma
Whether it be a collection of houseplants or an outdoor garden, plants can trigger allergies and asthma. Most plants produce pollen and many of them even release spores that can irritate some people. Understandably, many homeowners with allergies and/or asthma, want to know the best plants to have.
Pool Pump Loses Pressure After A Few Minutes?
Maintaining a pool is never easy—at least, when it comes to the tedium and actually keeping on top of it. At times, you might even have your tools fail you while you’re trying to work on the upkeep. Keeping things working smoothly can be difficult, especially if you noticed that your pool pump loses pressure after a few minutes of work. What causes this to happen, anyway?
How To A Vacuum Intex Pool Without Skimmer (Step-by-Step Guide)
A swimming pool is one of the most common items in a home owner’s wishlist. Thanks to Intex’s assortment of above ground pools, having a backyard pool is more affordable and convenient. To make the most out of your Intex above ground pool, it needs to be cleaned and maintained.
Garden Gifts Every Mother Deserves
May is synonymous with rebirth. The ground has thawed and spring blooms explode in a celebration of color, welcoming the longer days and warm weather. May is also home to a significant holiday – Mother’s Day. And while most mothers tend to love any gift they receive from their children, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when shopping for a gift for Mom. But the good news is, Mother’s Day could not come at a better time because May is the perfect time to buy your mom an amazing gardening gift that she can use right away.
Is It Better To Break A Lease Or Get Evicted?
There is nothing worse than being stuck with a bad lease or landlord. Whether you’re struggling to pay rent or want to move somewhere else, sometimes the only option is to break the lease or get evicted. So, is it better to break a lease or get evicted?
How To Build A Smokeless Fire Pit (Step-by-Step Guide)
Fire pits are a part of enjoying fall, and they’re a hugely popular backyard fixture for almost every home. Unfortunately, heavy smoke can be an issue when you’re trying to build up a nice fire. If you’re not a fan of smoke, building a smokeless fire pit might be the best way to get the heat you want without having clouds of smoke blowing in your face.
What To Do With Wood Chips From A Chipper? (Do These 6 Things!)
The pieces of wood leftover after you finished working on your latest project can still be put to good use. Leftover planks or sheets of wood can be set aside and utilized easily. Even irregular pieces of wood can still be used.
Garage Door Is Loud When It's Cold Outside? (We Have A Fix)
Often, we don’t notice how loud our garage doors can be until we try to close them late at night. It’s never ideal to wake the neighbors when you come home late. Not to mention your kids who have finally gone to bed.
How Much Does A Swim Spa Cost?
Adding a relaxing element to your home is as easy as putting in a swim spa or pool. Swim spas are similar to a pool, but also hold many characteristics of a hot tub. Because of that, many builder-owners set their eyes on a swim spa to boost their home’s value.
Genie Garage Door Light Won't Turn Off? (We Have a Fix!)
We use them every day and typically many times a day. That also means we usually take them for granted. Then one day (and commonly with garage doors) without warning, they stop working or stop working correctly. Sometimes they won’t open. Sometimes the garage door won’t close or close all the way. And sometimes the genie garage door light won’t turn off.
Musty Smell In The Garage? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Most of us have experienced this situation: we enter our garage (or someone else’s) and are met with a dank, musty smell. While not the most offensive odor, musty garage smells are unpleasant and maybe a little embarrassing. They leave us not wanting to linger too long after parking our car. Why do so many of our garages smell musty?
How To Adjust Sprinkler Heads Without A Key (Do This!)
Whether you have a residential or commercial sprinkler system, the adjustment procedure will depend on the specific sprinkler heads you have. There are many different types of sprinkler heads, each with slightly different instructions for adjusting their spray pattern.
Rubber Mulch Vs. Wood Mulch Playground: Which One Is Better?
As a mom of two, I’ve taken my boys to many a playground. Sometimes they come home with wood stuck to their socks. Other times, they have bits of rubber in their shoes.
Travertine Vs. Brick Pavers: Which One Is Better
One of the most important aspects of any home renovation or new home build is the landscaping. Whether you have a long walkway, a decorative driveway, a massive pool deck, or a small back porch, you’ll want to carefully consider what materials to use to make your landscaping stand out on the block. When it comes to outdoor design and decorating, travertine and brick are popular materials for both their visual appeal and practicality.
How To Finish Cornhole Boards (Step By Step Guide)
Cornhole is a summertime favorite. Friends and family come together to grill, enjoy the sun, and play this summer classic. Buying cornhole boards is an easy thing to do and you can even find some that are customizable with a favorite sports team or design. Others want to create their own cornhole boards.
Can You Open A Garage Door With A Broken Spring? (Find Out Now!)
People use garages for a variety of purposes, including protecting vehicles, storing household items, serving as an extra room, and more. Whatever the case, it’s important to know how to safely operate your garage door, so no one in your family gets hurt. This includes knowing what to do when a spring breaks and if you can still use the door during that time.
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Can Put In Your Smoker
If you are a fan of Asian cuisine, then you may already know that smoking a hard-boiled egg is a fantastic way to infuse additional flavor into this brunch staple. Smoked eggs are a great protein-rich smoked option for vegetarians, and are an excellent way to take your deviled eggs to exotic new heights.
How To Keep Pipes From Freezing Under A Mobile Home
Manufactured housing is becoming a popular alternative for home buyers. Unless your manufactured home sits on a foundation, the space beneath the home can be problematic. Keeping the pipes from freezing under your mobile home is often challenging.
How To Save Plants From Heavy Rain
It’s no secret that rain is great for plants, but only in small doses. Heavy rain is nice at first, but it can quickly take a toll on your lawn and garden that can be hard to recover from. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to save plants from heavy rain.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Drive Under Garage?
Drive under garages are also sometimes referred to as basement garages. The style is described as when the home is built directly over the garage. For reference, most other garage styles are considered attached garages.
Can You Put A Normal Trampoline In The Ground?
Trampolines are an orthopedic surgeon’s worst nightmare and a kid’s best friend. Can you take your normal trampoline and put it in the ground? Will this make it safer?
Can Patio Furniture Get Wet? (Find Out Now!)
If you live in a wet climate, you may be wondering how to take care of your patio furniture. This type of furniture is designed for outdoor use, so it would be logical to assume it can get wet, right? While this is partially true, it’s not as black and white of a decision as that.
Why Is Oil Coming Out Of My Lawnmower Exhaust?
Because your lawnmower’s engine is relatively complex, it can sometimes encounter problems. One particular issue with gas-powered mowers is that oil can start leaking into the exhaust. If this does happen, you have to correct the problem ASAP.
What Containers To Use When Storing Compost
Making your own compost is a great way to help the environment, while also providing free nutrient-dense soil for plants. While your compost pile takes months to break down and develop into the type of compost that is ready to add to your garden, its benefits are worth the wait. If you have a lot of compost you are excited to use, but aren’t ready to use it quite yet, you will want to find the best way to store compost so you can use it later.
How To Melt Snow Around Your Home Fast
Snow is fun to play in, but it’s horrible when it gets stuck around your home. It sticks to your roof, driveway, deck, and everywhere else. When this happens, it’s important that you remove it immediately to eliminate any potential dangers or risks of ruining your home. But how do you remove the snow?
Centipede Grass Vs St Augustine: Which Grass Is Better?
There are many types of grass, some of which grow better in certain areas. If you find yourself in the middle of choosing between, centipede grass, and St Augustine grass.
How To Clean A Carburetor On A Push Lawnmower
Although a lawnmower is a crucial machine for lawn care and maintenance, many owners don’t take care of their mowers as well as they should. Over time, dirt, debris, and grass can get kicked into the motor, affecting various internal components. One of the most critical pieces is the carburetor (aka carb), which helps make the motor work. You should clean your carb at least once per season to keep it in good condition.
Is White Oak Good For Outdoor Furniture? (Find Out Now!)
Curb appeal is crucial. But functionality is fundamental. So, how do you create a practical yet stylish outdoor space? Many people prefer white oak patio accessories. So, is white oak good for outdoor furniture or not?
7 Biggest Koi Pond Mistakes
As tempting as it may be, you can overcrowd your koi pond if you put too many plants in it. Ideally, you should leave at least 40% to 50% of the surface and substrate free of plants. The pond will be hard for the koi to navigate if over 60% of the pond features plants.
Does An Inground Pool Increase Property Taxes?
Having an inground pool can be an awesome feeling, but will an inground pool increase property taxes? It is a question you have to ask yourself anytime you make home improvements. With this informational guide, you will have that answer.
How To Start A Stihl Leaf Blower (Quickly & Easily!)
Stihl is one of the leading names in power tools and lawn equipment due to its ease of use and quality. Whether it be a weed eater, chainsaw, or leaf blower, the average homeowner can easily use one of Stihl’s tools. However, sometimes getting a leaf blower started can be a hurdle at first, so what should you do?