Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

10 Surefire Ways to Avoid Common DIY Home Improvement Mistakes

June 11, 2024   Matt

10 Surefire Ways to Avoid Common DIY Home Improvement Mistakes

Ask people who have completed do-it-yourself projects and they’ll tell you that the projects took at least twice and much time and three times the money they thought they would. The basic reason is that DIYers usually make a lot of mistakes that end up making home improvement projects more expensive and time-consuming.

Here are 10 surefire ways to avoid the top DIY home improvement mistakes in the future and ensure success.

1. Take out the required permits — it’s amazing how many DIYers skip this step. Sure, it takes time, and it means you have to deal with the government, but it’s actually in your best interest to make sure get the required home improvement permits. The folks in the permitting office will make sure the project is done correctly and that you stay safe in the process. Also, for some projects, you’ll need proof that you have a permit or your insurance company won’t cover the improvement. You’ll probably need a permit for any project larger than wallpapering and painting. If you’re unsure, call your local building department and ask.

2. Have all the tools and materials you need available before you start your project — starting a job without the necessary tools and supplies will slow down the job and delay your progress. And make sure you buy quality tools. They’re a wise investment.

3. Prepare the job site for material deliveries — when your suppliers deliver materials, you’ll want to make sure the job site is ready to accept them. You don’t want your materials exposed to the weather while you are working and you want to have a storage area to prevent theft.

4. Don’t skimp on materials — for example, don’t use 1/4-inch drywall for building walls. Use at at least 5/8-inch; and 3/4-inch works well for a good sound barrier. Use 3/4-inch plywood for sub-floors. It creates a much stronger floor.

5. Prepare the walls for painting — clean the walls, sand them and patch any holes before you paint. Use a coat of primer or stain blocker if you’re trying to cover over oil-based paint, stains or peeling paint, or if you’re painting a lighter color over a darker color.

6. Use the correct paint — use flat paint ceilings. Interior paints should have at least an eggshell or satin finish so you can scrub it. For outdoor decks, use a linseed-oil-based stain to drive the pigment into the wood and preserve it.

7. Keep safe while working — you don’t want to end up in the emergency room. Wear safety goggles when using power tools or working with drywall or wood. Wear a hard hat when you’re working under other people on scaffolding, and open some windows when you’re painting or staining, or stripping old finishes off of floors or walls. Don’t wear loose, hanging clothing, especially when using power tools. Wear gloves when carrying wood, metal and rock, or when hammering, and wear a nail or tool pouch to prevent damage to your floors, feet, and pets.

8. Measure twice and cut once — probably the most important rule of any project. If you’re going to make a mistake, make it too long. You can always make something shorter. You can’t make it longer.

9. Know the limits of your abilities — you’re not going to be good at everything. If you don’t have a lot of experience at plumbing or electrical work, for instance, don’t attempt those projects.

10. Don’t start to learn how to do a project on your own house — If you want to learn how to do a project, offer your assistance to a friend who is an experienced DIYer or a contractor. And if you have any question about what you’re doing, make sure you stop and ask.

You probably won’t eliminate all of your DIY home improvement mistakes, but you can surely reduce them with these 10 tips.

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How To Get Affordable Homeowner’s Insurance In Iowa

June 06, 2024   Matt

How To Get Affordable Homeowner’s Insurance In Iowa

Your home is probably your largest investment and your most priceless asset and because it is you probably have homeowner’s insurance to protect your pride and joy.

But whether you have homeowner’s insurance because you want to protect your home and its contents or whether it’s because your lender insists that you purchase insurance, the simple fact remains that you still want to get affordable homeowner’s insurance here in Iowa.

The good news is, you can – and the steps you need to take to lower your monthly payments are within reach of almost any homeowner.

Start with your credit score. If you want the best rates possible on your homeowner’s insurance you can start by keeping your credit in excellent shape. Surprisingly the size of your monthly premium payment is based in part on your credit score – the better your credit score the lower your homeowner’s insurance payment.

Don’t smoke. Smoker’s pay more for homeowner’s insurance than non-smokers. If you smoked when you first took out your homeowner’s policy but you have since quit, then you need to talk with your agent and see about getting your premium reduced.

A large part of your homeowner’s insurance premium is based upon the level of fire danger to your house. Cut weeds and brush back at least ten feet from any structure on your property to reduce the fire risk – and to reduce your monthly insurance premium.

Motion sensitive outdoor floodlights are a great way to make you home less appealing to burglars but more appealing to your homeowner’s insurance company. Along the same lines you need to trim all bushes away from windows to further discourage burglars.

If you can afford a sprinkler system and/or a home security system that is monitored 24/7 for both fire as well as burglary you may be in line for a reduction in your homeowner’s insurance premiums of as much as 20% to sometimes 30% — but be sure to tell your insurance agent which system you’re planning to install before you sign any contracts.

All exterior doors need a working deadbolt lock and all windows, regardless of which floor they are on, need a working lock – and you need to get in the habit of locking your home securely even if you are only going out for a “minute.”

Upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems in a home more than 10 years old can result in a substantial savings each month on your insurance premium. Be certain to let your agent know any time you make a repair or upgrade to your home.

Make sure that you have installed the required number of smoke and fire detectors for your size home and make certain each one of them is working properly. Don’t forget to change the batteries in your detectors at least twice each year.

Finally, purchase a fire extinguisher specially designed for kitchen fires and mount it where it can be easily reached in case of a fire.

You’ve now done most everything you can to reduce the size of your monthly homeowner’s insurance bill. Now it’s time to go online and find at least 3 different websites that let you quickly and easily compare homeowner’s insurance policies and prices side-by-side.

Be sure to take the time to make your comparisons on at least 3 different websites; that way you can be certain that you are seeing price quotes from every insurance company writing homeowner’s policies in Iowa and you can rest easy knowing that you have gotten the most affordable homeowner’s insurance that you could possibly find.

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Your Home Is Your Sanctuary

June 01, 2024   Matt

Your Home Is Your Sanctuary

Home is sanctuary. It is a place that conjures the powerful feeling of belongingness where rest and renewal happens. Here we expect tranquility and peace. We expect protection from the outside world we participate in. Thus, we invest our life-savings, our talents, ourselves to make it as relaxing, soothing and calming as possible.

For others, home serves as a showcase of stature and success. It is where we entertain friends. It is an extension of one’s identity and an avenue to display one’s taste in design and art.

Whatever the motivation is in investing or choosing a home to live in, we must be ready to face details upon details of considerations before making decisions that would usually cost us an arm and a leg. A small detail left out could mean huge, hard-earned money easily out the window. Fulfilling though it may be to set up our own home, we need guidance and lots of advice in the one thousand and one aspects we have to look into.

The first consideration is, of course, actually getting a home. Shall you rent or buy? If you rent, what should you do first? How do you go about it? Who do you talk to? What do you talk about? What are the legalities?

If you buy, how do you get the best deal? What is it you should know? Is there a tried and proven method of going about buying a home? What are the recommendations in buying a home in the U.K., or overseas?

The next consideration is the aesthetics that make the home pleasant to be in. What kind of furniture would suit your lifestyle? What are the choices? What are the pros and cons? What is the in thing, the trends? What could make your home attractive? There are a lot of choices from gardens to awnings, to setting up water features like a small, attractive fountain or waterfall or even just an indoor or outdoor pond for that relaxing Zen effect.

Undeniably, in the 21st century, another consideration is the advent of the internet and the personal computer (PC) as a permanent fixture in almost every home. The cocooning trend of working at home makes the choice of computer furnishings and lay-out a major factor. What are the choices and how do you go about it? Here, the issues are no longer limited to just the aesthetic. More important to consider are the issues on health and ergonomics.

Of course, who would not agree that the use of space is another primary consideration? A special portion is devoted on possible uses of the loft to increase precious space in this shrinking world. Presented is a treasure of creative ideas considering both functionality and aesthetics.

Equally important are the unseen aspects of home that if left unattended can cause much discomfort and a big hole in the pocket. These are the hidden details of plumbing, the sewage system as well as the new trend of underfloor heating. Moreover, the kitchen and bathroom considerations can very well determine not only one’s functionality but also your home’s resale value.

We understand that setting up a home can be a daunting task. We have organized these details in a simple fashion so that they are less intimidating and somehow more manageable. We present to you tried and proven techniques as well as steps that are easy to follow.

We acknowledge that the decisions you make in setting up your home are very crucial. They impact on costs, time, effort and quality of life. Your home could either be a great investment or a heavy burden. The information we offer could spell the big difference.

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The Incredible History of San Francisco

May 27, 2024   Matt

The Incredible History of San Francisco

I grew up watching cowboy movies and tales of the old Wild West on weekend television with my dad. I can’t help but think of those old black and white movies whenever I think of San Francisco or California in general. Whenever I think of visiting San Francisco there is a part of me that visualizes the San Francisco of old, long before the earthquake of 1906, or not so long before actually.

If you share my vision of a Wild West San Francisco or just wonder what it would have been like to walk down the streets of old, then perhaps one of these museums will help give you a taste of the good ole west without the outhouses (the one thing I never really could wrap my mind around). Even if you can handle a world without indoor plumbing, the idea of enjoying the greatest of the past while still experiencing the comforts of modern existence is quite appealing to me.

That being said, the first Museum on my list is an outdoor museum known as The Gold Rush Trail. To walk The Gold Rush Trail is literally to follow in the footsteps of history. Even though it isn’t a museum that is filled with relics of the past, if you close your eyes and listen intently perhaps you can hear the ghosts of yesterday as they tell you the story of how this fair city began and what it has become today.

The next point of interest is The Society of California Pioneers. The society offers not only a museum but a library as well that are both open to the public and feature programs that focus on California. If you need snapshots of the vibrant history of California as well as San Francisco this is a good place to begin your search. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the museum check out the library and see if they have something that will quench your thirst for historical knowledge.

The Museum of the City of San Francisco is next on my list of places that offer a glimpse into the past of this phenomenal city. If you haven’t found what you are looking for on your first two stops, then perhaps this museum will provide the answers, or simply the moment in time, that you are seeking. This is by far my favorite for learning about the history of San Francisco specifically. With exhibits dedicated to events such as the Gold Rush, the earthquake of 1906, and the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, there is no doubt that you are getting the history of this city, not the state, and not the country. I think there is a lot to be said about history and how it always seems to have such a profound effect upon the future. If you are able to visit this museum I would certainly recommend it above most others in the area for an authentically San Francisco ambiance at the very least.

The history of any city is a vital ingredient in what makes that city the success or failure that it has become. Not only do the events in a cities history have a significant impact on the future of a city, but also the people of a city. It is the people of any city that recover, rebuild, and remain or pack up and leave. Isn’t it incredible that we have the opportunity to learn about these great people?

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The Best Plants for Your Landscaping Project

May 17, 2024   Matt

The Best Plants for Your Landscaping Project

When you deal with plants, information is necessary to ensure that they are right for your landscape, your geographical area, the season suitable for planting, and the proper care that needs to be implemented, and etc. Without this knowledge, you can not assume that the investment is justified..

One practical suggestion is to consider planting an herb garden. Herbs are good for landscaping. The bonus will be herbs are both practical and can be used in cooking. Other options are available but you must you must carefully consider the plants to insure that they are appropriate for your needs.

One consideration that you should not dwell a great deal is the decorative appeal of the plants. You may be attracted to their color, size, and flowers but they may not be appropriate. Select plants that will do well in your area so that do well and provide the desired effect. Take note of the following factors in choosing plants:

• Site and soil conditions. Remember plants have environmental requirements. You need to be aware of your particular conditions and consider the following: exposure to light and wind, soil conditions and structures nearby. If you fail to check on these very important factors, chances are, the plantings will not do good as well as you expected.

• Size and type selection. If you desire a certain plant because of its size and type, you should be aware that they must be handled, planted, and cared for in the proper way. There are three types of ornamental plants: those that are called ball and burlap (B&B), bare root and container grown. If the plants are container grown or ball and burlap plants, you must handle with care and remove the container around the root ball leaving as much soil as possible around the roots. The pot should be totally or the burlap partially removed. Bare root plants, which are smaller in size, are only available in spring and should be planted immediately after purchase.
• Climatic considerations are very important because the plants survival is highly dependent on temperature, etc. Carefully check the plants you are choosing for your landscape and make certain the climates in your area is suitable.
• Prevent pests. There are plants that can resist certain pests. Be sure to choose these plants for your landscape especially if you have identified the pests that are a problem in your area.
• Start healthy. Choose plants from a reputable nursery that you know have been properly cared for. Be aware – do not purchase damaged in plants.

Landscaping is a big investment so as choosing the plants that goes with it. Proper selection and care is needed.

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Simple Strategies On How To Efficiently Improve Your House

May 12, 2024   Matt

Simple Strategies On How To Efficiently Improve Your House

I guess you could say I’ve been involved in-home improvement projects quite often in my life. At this very minute my husband is finishing the drywall in our living room, and will soon be painting it. While it’s great to see the finished product, the process can be very messy.

Building a rock climbing wall on an outside or inside wall of ones home can be a great improvement. Not only will it be a unique feature for ones home but it will also be able to be used for a fun exercise and will be sure to be a hit with the family.

If your home is an older house there’s a good chance you might have outdated PVC windows, which are difficult to maintain and often yellow with age. Replacing the PVC with modern plate glass can make a significant difference in the look of the house. Glass windows will also allow more natural sunlight into your home, creating a more open, inviting atmosphere.

Don’t throw out paintbrushes and rollers each time you use them! They can be cleaned and reused as long as you take care of them. Paint pans can be cleaned by letting them dry and then peeling off the paint. Don’t waste your money on pan liners as cleaning the pan itself is simple.

Put in an outdoor motion detector for your outside lighting. This way the lights will only be on when they are activated and not all day or all night unnecessarily. Most people don’t need their outside lights other than when they come home or leave after dark.

This tip might seem like it is common sense, but you’d be shocked at just how many people do not shut off the main water supply before attempting plumbing repairs. You might cut off the water to a direct outlet, like the sink or toilet, but as long as the main is still online you could end up flooding your home.

Improving your home’s curb appeal can be as easy as replacing a mailbox. A new, more modern mailbox can make your home feel upgraded. The project can often be completed in less than two hours. Just be sure to follow any Home Owners’ Association guidelines when picking your mailbox out.

If your carpet has lots of unsightly dents from moving furniture around during a home improvement project, use a fork to fluff the carpet fibers back to their original shape. The tines are the ideal size for re-plumping fibers that have been flattened by the heavy legs of your sofa or coffee table.

Put a skirt on your bathroom sink! Tired of seeing those tired old pipes every time you go into your bathroom? Buy a pretty piece of fabric from the sewing center, cut it to size, and hem around all four edges. Run a cord through the top hem and gather the curtain so it hangs daintily in place.

We have a home which is over 100 years old and updating it has been an ongoing process over the past five years. We have a new dining room, two new bathrooms and half of a new kitchen. Recently, my husband installed four new windows and put new siding on half of the house. I can’t wait for the whole thing to be done!

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