Wood decks look great when coated with a film forming sealant ... for about a minute. They tend to peel from exposure to the elements. Strip these films off and clean your deck. Oxygen bleach will clean without causing all the damage that chlorine bleach will. Apply a synthetic water repellent. It will not feed the growth of mildew and algae and will look great ... for years.
Home hurricane protection can come from simple metal connectors. Connect your roof trusses all the way down to the foundation. Read about these metal connectors.
Building bridges to cross a stream, ditch, or ravine is a practical project. But building a bridge requires you know how high the water can get! Bridge construction is not as hard as you may think, and garden bridges in your backyard can be enchanting.
Garages are often built too small for all the stuff that needs to be stored in them. A dream garage size has an interior size of 32 feet wide by 26 feet deep with 12 foot high walls. Here are some suggestions to build your dream garage.
Borate chemicals are highly toxic to wood boring insects, like termites and fungi but are safe for humans and animals. They come in powdery mixes and can be applied to existing wood. Make sure the one you buy is marked as a wood preservative.
Filtering the air inside your home is very important. Today's newer homes are so tight, little outside air enters that might otherwise help to improve air quality. There are many different filter options, but I love my rinsable electrostatic air filter.
A steam shower or steam bath will relax and soothe. Steam showers and steam baths require moderate skills to install.
Whole house fans move lots of air quickly. They can even provide a breeze through your rooms. Air conditioning should be used when the attic fan cannot provide comfort.
A walk through inspection checklist may make your builder uncomfortable. A complete list made as you walk through the new home of every problem or defect as well as everything that is in perfect condition will be worth its weight in gold.
Lead paint is in tens of millions of older homes in the USA. This lead-based paint is an enormous hidden health hazard. Toxic lead poison dust can be created by scraping or sanding this paint. Proper lead paint removal is extremely expensive. Covering it with lead-free paint is often the best choice. If a contractor is going to work on or around painted surfaces in your home, you likely will need to sign a lead paint disclosure form.
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