Remodeling Your Landscape: Handyman Tips

Fence in need of remodeling

Many wood fences and wooden gates will have warping or wear and tear problems over time.  The first handyman tip is to do annual maintenance or remodeling to try to prevent or postpone problems.  make sur that the wood, even cedar and redwood, is sealed at least annually.  Before the wettest season, inspect the wood’s condition and seal it again if necessary.  Remodelingn and handyman experts suggest using a power washer or deck wash product before applyingn a new coat of sealant.  There are clear sealants available or you can choose one with various levels of pigmentation.

A wood fence generally has the boards or slats fastened to the framing with nails, staples, or screws.  After a few years, the fasteners can work their way loose.  Another handyman tip and good remodeling idea is to periodically check for loose boards and tighten things up where needed.

Posts can also work loose if they were not originally set in concrete, as recommended by a good handyman.  Wood posts, whether they are set in concrete or not, can rot and become weak.  If your remodeling plans don’t call for replacing the post, which is really the proper way to fix this, you could temporarily support the wooden post with a steel one.

This handyman tip is to drive a steel post deep enough for it to be stable in the soil.  use wire to tie the wood post to teh steel one for support.  This will hold your fence firm until a more ascetically pleasing and permanent solution fits in your remodeling plans.

(Photo Credit:  www.flickr.com/photos/conquest97/204588199/)

Lawn and Garden Remodeling Outside: Setting a Fence Post

You may be seeing a few signs of spring and start thinking about your spring-time to do list in your lawn and garden.  Here is some remodeling help with setting fence posts.

Fence posts can be set in concrete or directly in the ground.  Setting posts in concrete adds strength.  If you are not using metal, be sure to use treated, or rot-resistent wood.  This is true for all your remodeling projects for your lawn and garden.  Setting the post in a gravel bed will help with water drainage and further prevent wood decay.

Some woods are naturally resistant to decay.  Redwood and cedar have a built-in chemical resistance to rot and are often used in lawn and garden remodeling.  These materials are expensive, so if you are only purchasing them for their rot-resistance properties, you may consider a cheaper option.  Pressure-treated lumber is wood that has been coated with a chemical that prevents rotting and also deters certain wood destroying insects.

Posts you are remodeling that will be bearing weight, such as those for gates or corners in your lawn and garden, should definitely be set in concrete for added strength and stability.

After digging the post hole to the proper depth, set the post and pour the concrete around the post.  Don’t pour the concrete first and then try to push the post into wet concrete.  As the concrete begins to set-up, plumb your post and maintain its position.  Trowel the conrete so that water will run away from the post.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/31500291@N05/2950144111/)

Clover Taking Over!

I’ve recently noticed a problem in my yard: Clover is taking over!

What started in the groundcover around my palm tree has crept into my flower beds, lawn and more. I keep pulling up the clover, but it seems when one is gone, two take its place.

Does anyone have tips on getting rid of clover?

I’d rather not use chemicals, if possible.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jelene/2314601489/