Landscaping: If you are renewing old beds or making new ones, to help control weeds use a landscpe fabric. Like everything else, the fabric will break down over time. A 20 year fabric will control weeds for a long time as long as it is installed correctly. If you plan on using an organic mulch, keep in mind that this too will break down and give weeds something to root in. Also, some mulches have been known to harbor things like thistles and other spikey weeds. Just be prepared to weed even after all the work, but the process should be much easier. The only maintenance free garden is a dead one, now get out there and enjoy the weather!
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Senario: You have this awesome piece of trim that you just pulled off the wall and you want to reuse it. The problem is the nails are stuck in it. How do you get them out? "Duh, simple.", right.....maybe not. Instead of knocking the nails out from back to front, pull them the rest of the way through the board. If you go the "traditional" route there is a chance that this piece of trim will be damaged and that means filler and trying to match stain or paint. A good pair of pliers should give you enough grip to pull the nails straight on through.
I had the opportunity to go out and look at a deck that was damaged by fire today, for the purposes of fixing it. This deck was constructed of a treated wood frame and a composite shell. What is "composite" anyway? It is a combination of recycled wood, dust or fibers, and a plastic or some kind, like PVC. When I thought of "composite", I knew it was a recycled product and normally maintenance free, that's part of the draw. I thought that this product was somewhat superior to wood, it ought to be for the price. After looking at the deck today, I'm not so sure. The fire started on an outside corner and spread to the entire underside of the deck, driven by wind. All of the joists were burnt and the flooring charred. Though the top of the decking wasn't affected, I'm not sure of the structural integrity of it after being burned on the bottom and subjected to intense heat. This got me wondering what the fire rating of composite decking was. After some research most of the decking available locally has a fire rating of "C". That is the same as wood, but unlike wood this has a plastic in it. A plastic fire seems to be a little harder to put out and not to mention the smoke and toxic fumes released when burned. The house the deck is attached to definitely has smoke damage from the burning composite. My hope is that others would not falsely assume that because this product is a "composite" that it is somehow more fire resistant than regular wood. The ease of use and low maintenance make this a good product, but the same care should be taken as with traditional materials and the cost of replacement taken into consideration.  Installing drywall can be a challenge, the bad part is you're only half done when the drywall is hung. Mudding and taping are next. I find it easier and faster, in most cases, to use the self adhesive grid tape on the flat joints and either corner beads or paper tape in the corners. Using the grid tape allows you to get the "glue" step and first coat all in one. If your joints are tight and even, you may only need two coats instead of three. After that all you need to do is sand, prime, and paint. Property Serv LLC can handle these and other remodel projects for you and estimates are Free! Give us a call to set up an appointment today. Have a happy project.
Well in the past week the last window went in the back porch (finally), the kitchen window has been framed in and installed, the kitchen is 99% drywalled, and the living room now has drywall up on one wall of the two we exposed. I have removed the old linoleum and luan from the kitchen floor as well. Mudding and taping will begin probably tomorrow. I'll get new pics up soon.
I had a job this morning and I did get some items for the RE Store. I will get pics and descriptions and ty to have things up by tonight. Payments should be able to be made with Paypal or when an item is picked up. Keep your eyes open and check back often to see what's available and what has been taken.
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AuthorCraig Jones, owner of Property Serv LLC. My goal is to better educate the homeowner and to make Richmond a better place to live. Archives
October 2013
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