The start of summer means backyard barbecues, family vacations, and trips to the beach. Unfortunately, not every day of the summer is spent diving into a lake or ocean, and vacations only last so long. So, it’s important to have some activities in your backyard to help you beat the heat in the summer. This is easy if you have a pool, but believe it or not, there are lots of ways to cool off in your backyard when it’s hot outside and you don’t have a pool.

If you’ve turned a section of your garage into a woodworking shop, your own personal mechanic workshop, a man cave, or some other sort of hobby center, you likely want to keep it warm and cozy during the winter months. After all, those drafty garage doors, concrete flooring, and little to no insulation are why garages are often among the coldest spaces in a home.

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.

It can be frightening when it starts to rain and you remember that you have an extension cord outside. Water and electronics don’t mix, so it is rational to worry about your outdoor extension cord. So, can outdoor extension cords get wet?

Your pool is going to be a unique construction that will most likely require a liner. That liner is supposed to stay flush with the walls of your pool. That’s the only way to ensure that your liner protects your pool and keeps water in. So when you see your pool liner pulling away from the corners, it can be very hard to feel safe swimming. You need to get that pool liner back on its track.

Safety is one of the top priorities for nearly everyone around the world. Safety is especially important for parents with small children or who are responsible for people outside of themselves. A huge improvement in household safety came in the 1990s when garage door sensors first started getting used. A garage door sensor is designed to keep you, your family, and your belongings safe and out of harm’s way.

If you have a garden or potted plants, then you know they need a little extra attention from time to time. In addition to watering your plants on a regular and scheduled basis, potted plants and gardens alike need nutrients for them to grow and thrive. These nutrients are often supplied through compost and store-bought fertilizer, but these costs can add up. You will be happy to know that you can add some household waste to potting soil to provide necessary nutrients.

A trench is used to hide drainage systems and to bury utility lines. These can be dug by the homeowner or by a professional company, depending on the depth and size of the trench. Trenches are most often dug in order to hide many utility lines around your property. So before doing any digging, consult with your utility companies so they can come and mark their lines.

Are you planning on building or resurfacing a deck but are unsure about what deck board dimensions will work best for your project? More specifically, are you unsure whether to go with 2×6 or 5/4 decking?

Plumbing improvements have come a long way throughout the years. For the most part, the average person doesn’t really know about them or even think about them, but they exist to help improve the way that our home plumbing works.

Blooming in shades of pink, purple, lilac, and white, vibrant wisteria vines and trees are beautiful flowering plants that are perfect for the nostalgic gardener. Their heavy, dangling clusters of flowers and twisted branches fill garden landscapes with fragrance and color. Wisteria grows up to an astounding 12 feet in a single growing season, making it very quick and easy to train the vine up a pergola or arbor.

Citrus trees are fantastic additions to your property. The blossoms smell fragrant and lovely in the breeze, and the fruit allows you to enjoy sweet, tangy, or sour fruit in abundance. But citrus thrives in warm climates and often dies off in a freeze. But if you live in an area where the temperatures dip below freezing every now and then, you might wonder if there are any citrus trees that can survive annual frosty conditions.

Because lawnmowers are intricate pieces of machinery, they require upkeep and regular maintenance. One element that has to withstand a lot of wear and tear is the clutch. This component is what drives the mower blades. So, if you have a faulty PTO clutch, it will likely need to be replaced.

One thing that is on the want list for almost any gardener or plant enthusiast is a greenhouse. Among the popular styles of home and backyard greenhouses is the gothic arch design. Many gardeners considering their first greenhouse wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of building or buying a gothic arc greenhouse.

If your garage door begins to have issues closing, there is usually a simple fix. Although this can be frustrating, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue without contacting a repairman.

Dogs might be man’s best friened, but that doesn’t mean they’re friendly towards gardens. A dog that has a penchant for digging can uproot flower beds and also cause his own escape. If your pup keeps trying to dig under your fence, you need to make sure that he knocks it off. But, how can you prevent a dog from digging?

As summer winds down, you may be looking for one final project to enjoy the last of the warm days in your backyard. Maybe you want to introduce more plant life in an interesting way. Or maybe you want to create a defined outdoor space to entertain friends and family.

Everyone enjoys a fire on a cool fall evening. If you have a screened porch that is a focal point in your home, you may have considered putting a fire table or fire pit in your screened space. The question of safety always comes to mind when you consider putting a fire table on your screened porch.

If you are a pool owner, you know that there are numerous different maintenance tasks to keep up with in order to ensure that your swimming pool remains clean and functional. One of these important maintenance tasks that helps keep your pool’s filter system in proper working order is known as backwashing.

A garage can be a great addition to your home and property for many reasons. To begin with, it can boost the value of your property and home. It also provides protection for your vehicles. That alone pays dividends, such as promoting longer vehicle life or eliminating the need to shovel snow off the car. Garages also create more space and room. Many homeowners who want to build a garage also ask how big of a garage can I build on my property?

For the most part, the door to our garage does its job, and we think nothing more of it. But when it suddenly stops after only opening a few inches, it can create more than a few questions. Namely, “Why is this happening, and how do I fix it?”

For many, Winter approaching means spending time with family, snuggled around a warm fire outdoors. Fire pits are becoming a popular outdoor fixture for new homes. The best part is, you can make fire bricks and a fire pit with a little skill and some tools. 

After you’ve bought a brand-new hot tub for your backyard space, your next most important decision is to decide where you’re going to put it. Not only must the location be sturdy enough to support the hot tub, but you also want to ensure that it looks appealing and complements your landscaping to create a tranquil, outdoor sanctuary.

There are many reasons why you may want to use artificial grass on your property. It is a low-maintenance way to keep your lawn looking great all year round, and with it you won’t have to deal with any upkeep costs. In many cases, artificial grass is used to replace natural lawns, but it is also possible to use artificial grass over old patios or unused driveways to create new and beautiful spaces.

It can take up to 100 days for tomato plants to bear fruit. The timeline depends on factors such as sunlight exposure and your watering habits. Germination, the first stage, takes up to 8 days before tomato plants stay in the early growth phase for 4-5 weeks.

A garage can take up a decent portion of your home’s square footage. Typically, people use this space to protect their vehicles or for additional storage. However, you may find yourself wanting to make better use out of this extra room. This begs the question: Can you turn your garage into a permanent living space? We have the answer.

One of the best ways to transform your yard into a comfortable and attractive hangout space is to install a new deck. The size and shape of your deck will depend on your specific yard, but one thing remains true… You’re going to need a lot of wood.

In search of a way to improve your home, don’t overlook how beneficial adding a wooden fence can be. Wooden fences improve your home security and they also add a familiar element of design that is very appealing. You can improve that wooden fence even further by adding a wooden gate.

Mulching is a great way to improve the health and appearance of your garden. Putting mulch over your rocks can be a quick fix for sprucing up your yard, but is it a good idea?

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.

The gas cap on your lawnmower may seem like an inconsequential piece of equipment, but it actually plays a vital role. It helps to prevent gas leakage, saving you money on fuel costs and preventing the emission of dangerous gas fumes from permeating the air.

Pressure washers are fabulous tools. They make short work of cleaning patios, driveways, house exteriors, outdoor furniture, fences, and many other items. Pressure washing is also an easy fix to costly alternatives such as painting or refinishing.

Over the years, technology has consistently advanced and made life more convenient in many ways. One such technological advancement is the Clicker universal wireless garage door entry system. With this keyless entry device, you and your family can have convenient, secure access to your home and garage.

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.

Greenhouses allow us to continue growing our plants no matter the time of year. We are no longer beholden to the whims of Mother Nature because we can control the conditions for our crops.

Your trusted and reliable Briggs and Stratton engine is showing signs of trouble.  You have noticed gas leaking around the air filter.  You begin to wonder if it is time to replace that old engine with a new one.

Whether you’re a farmer or just a homeowner who takes pride in their garden, you likely have a reasonable fear of floods. Flooding creates dangerous road conditions, kills plants, and can quickly erode the soil in your garden. So, can plants survive flooding?

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that over 500,000 people receive treatment for ladder-related injuries per year. 97% of these injuries occur at a private residence and around 300 of them are fatal.

It is hard to resist the urge to get in the pool right after you add chlorine. There is nothing like the smell of chlorine that makes you want to spend a day in the sun and water. So, how long after putting chlorine in a pool can you swim?

Lawn care is often more complicated than many people realize. There are many invasive plants that look similar to desirable plants that you’d actually want in your lawn. For instance, St. Augustine grass and crabgrass look almost the same, but they are two very different plants.

Although a riding lawnmower can make cutting the grass much easier, these machines are far more complex than a standard push mower. Because of this, you will have to perform routine maintenance on it to ensure that it keeps running smoothly. One component that can wear down over time is the belt. There are two belts inside your lawnmower – one is for the engine (drive belt), and one is for the blades (deck belt).

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?

If you are a dedicated gardener or landscaper, you know the misery of a leaking garden hose. The couplings may be damaged to the point that they may need replacement. In some cases, a puncture or tear requires the removal of a section of the garden hose. What are the best garden hose repair kits for these jobs?

The average homeowner rushes to plant as many flowers as possible during spring and early summer. However, that’s not the only time of the year that plants can take root, bloom, and thrive. So, what are the best flowers to plant in late summer?

You move into a new house, you are sleeping peacefully in your bed, and then ‘CRACK!”. A loud sound like a gunshot pierces through your dreams, shooting you out of bed. No, there aren’t any prowlers on your property or fireworks going off. It’s just your deck, adjusting to the freezing cold temperature.

What do you heat your house with? While many people use natural gas or outdoor propane tanks, some like the variability of space heaters like a kerosene heater.

A neighbor who has experience with chainsaws borrowed yours a couple of weeks ago for some yard work. When he returned the chainsaw, he put it back up on the shelf for you. Now, you plan to do some trimming in the yard, so you haul down the chainsaw. But wait a minute.

You can stop your dog from destroying your plants with both household and store-bought remedies. The key is to make your dog want to avoid eating your plants altogether. Luckily, many of the best ways to stop dogs from eating your plants are easy, such as:

If you need to have wood waterproofed, then chances are you’ve applied Thompson’s Water Seal to it. This waterproofing stain is known for being one of the best in the home improvement world when it comes to keeping your materials looking great. Of course, many of us want to make our projects look even better with a fresh coat of paint. But, is this actually doable?

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.

With winter right around the corner, it’s almost time to start taking on the piles of snow that inevitably collect on your driveway.  A light flurry or dusting of snow is thin enough to be shoveled away by hand. However, when you start to get into ankle- or even waist-deep snow, you need a powerful snow blower in your tool collection.

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?

Oak trees can be beautiful, majestic fixtures in any yard. Huge and lumbering, they can provide ample shade and a great place for the kids to climb in the summer. Having an oak tree can be a welcome addition to any yard.

Very few outdoor experiences are as lovely as spending time surrounding a fire pit. Propane-fueled fire pits make an excellent option for people who want an easily movable fire pit with simple on and off power. It can be difficult to estimate how long a propane tank will last for a fire pit for a night with friends. The last thing you want is to be stranded without any available fuel for your fire pit.

Every home needs a beautiful deck.  A place to cookout with friends or just sit outside and relax. If you want to build your own deck, you need to do it right. The best way to make a perfect deck is to stagger the deck boards.

If you search the internet for the best types of privacy fences, you’ll see two options pop up frequently. These are the shadow box fence and the board on board fence. So what is the difference between them, and which is better?

Craftsman leaf blowers are great during the fall season, especially if you live in a very foresty area. If you have a Craftsman gas blower, you can expect it to be reliable. That’s why people tend to be pretty shocked when their blower suddenly won’t start. Worried that you will need to replace it? Don’t be. There are quite a few simple fixes for this surprisingly common problem.

RVing is an excellent way to get out and see the world. If you plan on staying in one place for a while, you may be interested in hooking up an external propane tank to your RV. Doing so will ensure you never run out of propane in your current location.

A pool pump is the swimming pool’s lifeblood that keeps the water circulating, filtered, and safe to swim in. If it were not for this machine, the swimming pool would be a breeding ground for bacteria. Other contaminants would take over the crystal clear water that the whole family enjoys.

If one of your sprinkler heads is not working anymore or you just need the sprinkler pattern to change, you may be considering changing the head. But can you switch them with a different style sprinkler head or even a different brand? Before you go and buy the wrong thing, make sure you know what you need.