Gutters require regular maintenance and upkeep and should be checked at the end of fall and the beginning of summer and sometimes more often depending on nearby foliage as well as the weather.
We've gathered some sources that should help you maintain your gutters throughout the year as well as assist you in choosing and installing new gutters.
Back in March we introduced Biopaver, a living pavement solution which some architects have reproduced by filling 12-inch holes in the concrete with turf. There are now more advanced options that use recycled plastic and virtually make your driveway disappear under a lawn. If grass isn't your thing you can still build an efficient driveway that reduces runoff or re-create that New York style cobblestone street.
Expert Village has a series of home do-it-yourself videos that are available on their website and also through Youtube.com. Here's a simple fix for a leaking or broken garden hose using a coupler.
A recent storm blew some roof shingles off our friend's house in Denver. To avoid water damage those shingles need to be replaced before the next storm. This isn't an expensive or time-consuming project but it can be dangerous as he needs to balance at the edge of his two-story roof to replace some of these shingles. The following sites have step-by-step instructions for shingle replacement as well as precautions when working up high.
If you're tired of the dust and maintenance of a gravel driveway you may want to consider paving your driveway. Concrete can stain and leave unsightly tire tracks but it requires hardly any maintenance and rarely cracks if done correctly; Brick or stone is typically the most aesthetically pleasing option but is very expensive; Asphalt paving is the most affordable option and requires minimal maintenance but you may not like the look of a black top.
If you live in a cold climate you may also wish to consider a heated driveway which may save your back from shoveling snow after every storm.
An attic that isn't ventilated can act like a sauna and get extremely hot. An easy way to resolve this is by adding soffit vents. These vents should be installed underneath the eaves of your house and will cross-circulate the air in your attic by bringing in fresh air and allowing heated air to escape through gable or ridge vents. By adding soffit vents you will save more in air-conditioning costs and make trekking into your attic more bearable.
We love burning candles and settling into an evening at home. But now our walls are paying for it as they've gone from a bright white to a yellowish/gray hue. This is a problem as we love our white walls even more than our candles but we still want to enjoy our mood setting light. eHow recommends using a soot sponge as well as a cleaning solution of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
May 14, 2006 | Comments ()
