Wood decks built with CCA treated lumber should be cleaned and sealed to keep the chemicals from being washed out of them and into the soil. Power washing can destroy a deck by shredding the soft wood on top. Oxygen bleach cleaners are non toxic and clean wood beautifully. Seal your wood decks with a synthetic resin sealer which has no oils to feed the growth of mildew or algae.
A patio of flagstone makes a colorful patio design. Patios and flagstone patios remain solid if proper patio installation is applied.
Liquid siding and liquid stucco coatings claim they can be sprayed on your home. Before you believe the claims about their long-lasting, permanent results, consider the Federal Trade Commission's standing on these products as well as several user opinions. Think long and hard before you sign a contract to have these products applied to your home!
Screened in porches with removable screens are excellent alternatives to hot, open-air decks. The new system has Velcro strips for adding and removing the screens. These porches can be built free standing but must be wind resistant, so use metal framing connectors to lock it to a deck or concrete patio.
Asphalt driveways are only as good as the base beneath them. You need to know how thick the gravel base should be for the traffic your driveway will handle. The width of the base is very important also. Asphalt thickness is determined by a good base.
Hanging a hammock is simple but requires care. Enjoy the hammock experience by using correct hardware so that it never detaches itself from the trees. Hammock stands can eliminate the need for trees, concrete, hardware and posts.
Steel beams or columns will supply more support to a taller deck than wood can. These columns are easy to work with and connect simply under the deck. Making connections to the concrete piers is also an easy task. Painting the steel before installation will help with rust prevention.
Repair of stucco is not very hard. Matching stucco finishes and stucco colors is hard. Stucco repair will take a bit of practice to get the right look.
Outdoor rooms create extra living space. Decks, a patio, an outdoor living room, garden rooms - even outdoor kitchens are possible. An outdoor room helps families who've outgrown their homes with additional outdoor living space to enjoy.
Concrete overlays to repair sidewalk and driveway surfaces will fare well when several guidelines are met. Only place overlays over a sound slab. Apply overlays in optimal weather. Cement paint and bonding agents should be used. Curing compounds must be applied when the finish is complete.
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