Proper drainage can protect your yard and home from soil erosion and eventually foundation damage. There are several ways to steer rainwater away from your home, but dry wells and French drains are the most popular. So, what is the difference between a dry well and a French drain?

As tempting as it may be, you can overcrowd your koi pond if you put too many plants in it. Ideally, you should leave at least 40% to 50% of the surface and substrate free of plants. The pond will be hard for the koi to navigate if over 60% of the pond features plants.

People don’t always realize this when they’re bathing, but pools require a lot of electricity to make things work. Pools have to have that current running so that their vacuums work, so that things are heated, and so their pumps work. They tend to put a lot of stress on breakers. Sometimes, it may be too much for older breakers. That’s why you should know what size breaker you need for a typical pool pump.

A concrete patio can complement your home and serve as a relaxing leisure space. Many builder-owners looking to add value and character to their home’s exterior opt to put in a concrete patio. We all know that concrete patios are nice extensions of a home, but how much does one cost?

Pressure washers are fabulous tools. They make short work of cleaning patios, driveways, house exteriors, outdoor furniture, fences, and many other items. Pressure washing is also an easy fix to costly alternatives such as painting or refinishing.

In search of a way to improve your home, don’t overlook how beneficial adding a wooden fence can be. Wooden fences improve your home security and they also add a familiar element of design that is very appealing. You can improve that wooden fence even further by adding a wooden gate.

Choosing the right type of house comes down to personal taste, space needs, and availability. The market is flooded with every type of home you could imagine, but split-level and bi-level houses are among the most common. So, what is the difference between split-level and bi-level houses?

If you own a sprinkler system, you’re already likely aware that it must be turned off during the winter. Leaving it on could potentially cause damage to the piping caused by freezing water. Shutting down the system will preserve and protect it for ideal performance next season.

When it comes to keeping a lawn happy and healthy, your lawnmower is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you can own. And given the costs involved in getting a quality mower, it only makes sense that you would want to protect it and keep it in working order.

Riding lawnmowers may cost a bit more but will ultimately result in greater convenience particularly for larger plots of land. Like your standard push mowers, riding mowers come with a variety of components that can ultimately break down and stop working properly.

Often, we don’t notice how loud our garage doors can be until we try to close them late at night. It’s never ideal to wake the neighbors when you come home late. Not to mention your kids who have finally gone to bed. 

It’s no secret that garage floors get dirty quite quickly. Dirt, dust, rust, debris, oil, and grease stains are common in any garage, and they can be tough to get rid of. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to clean a garage floor.

There are many reasons why you may want to use artificial grass on your property. It is a low-maintenance way to keep your lawn looking great all year round, and with it you won’t have to deal with any upkeep costs. In many cases, artificial grass is used to replace natural lawns, but it is also possible to use artificial grass over old patios or unused driveways to create new and beautiful spaces.

Adding a deck to your home can make for an attractive hangout space and can even improve the value of your home. If you already have a concrete surface located in the backyard, you have a foundation that is sturdy and reliable to build your decking on.

If you’ve just purchased a home, it’s highly likely that you have a single-car garage. More than 79% of American homes come with an attached or detached single-car garage. While many park their cars in single-car garages, these spaces can also double as extra storage for your home. 

you want to make your lawnmower even more versatile and hard-working, mounting a ball hitch can be a great idea. However, before you begin, you need to know how to install it.

If you need to have wood waterproofed, then chances are you’ve applied Thompson’s Water Seal to it. This waterproofing stain is known for being one of the best in the home improvement world when it comes to keeping your materials looking great. Of course, many of us want to make our projects look even better with a fresh coat of paint. But, is this actually doable?

When looking for ways to protect your home, there are a lot of different things to think about. Your driveway is something that gets used every day but isn’t often taken into consideration with regards to protection. By covering your asphalt driveway with a seal coating, you can help keep it in good condition.

Lawnmowers rely on numerous components working in unison in order to deliver the performance expected of them. If even one of those components is not working properly, you may encounter issues while trying to maintain your yard.

Above ground pools are one of the most popular add-ons for backyards, and it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out why. Pools rule! And above ground pools are the most affordable type. Traditionally, these are put on a grassy part of your backyard ontop of sand. But, what if you want to put it on something like concrete?

No longer just for cars, garages have become multi-faceted in their usage. They are part storage, part workshop, part exercise room, and the list goes on.

May is synonymous with rebirth. The ground has thawed and spring blooms explode in a celebration of color, welcoming the longer days and warm weather. May is also home to a significant holiday – Mother’s Day. And while most mothers tend to love any gift they receive from their children, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when shopping for a gift for Mom. But the good news is, Mother’s Day could not come at a better time because May is the perfect time to buy your mom an amazing gardening gift that she can use right away.

Briggs and Stratton are one of the leading names in lawnmowers, and they earned their reputation. As great as their mowers are, problems can still occur, and they can be quite frustrating. With that said, what causes oil to come out of the carburetor on your Briggs and Stratton mower?

People do not realize how important it is to have a level yard until they actually have a project that requires a little stability. Whether it’s installing a pool or getting a more reliable driveway, there will be times when you need to grade a yard. One of the most popular tools to grade a yard is a Bobcat. But, how do you do this with this drivable beast?

Lawnmowers are a necessary investment for a homeowner or lawn care professional. They can save you a fortune compared to hiring a service, but mowers themselves are quite expensive. So, what are the most expensive lawnmowers?

Have you ever seen a large PVC pipe sticking out of the ground in your yard, and wondered what is that? Chances are you may have had to mow around one. We’re going to tell you exactly what those are, and how you can help make them less obvious.

Poulan makes a popular line of chainsaws that do-it-yourself types and landscaping aficionados have come to depend on for years. Chainsaws can make for a highly versatile tool depending on what you use it for and how it is cared for.

One thing that is on the want list for almost any gardener or plant enthusiast is a greenhouse. Among the popular styles of home and backyard greenhouses is the gothic arch design. Many gardeners considering their first greenhouse wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of building or buying a gothic arc greenhouse.

Garage heaters are a lifesaver if you want to protect your vehicle when you live in a cold climate. They can be pricey to install, however, and the average garage heater costs $2,600 to install. Whether it be the type of gas or the size of your garage, let’s take a look at how much it costs to install a garage heater.

When you think of plants that cause bad allergic reactions, there is a good chance the first plant you think of is poison ivy. Poison ivy exists in many wooded areas, popping up in late spring, and continuing to grow until the first frost.

It can take up to 100 days for tomato plants to bear fruit. The timeline depends on factors such as sunlight exposure and your watering habits. Germination, the first stage, takes up to 8 days before tomato plants stay in the early growth phase for 4-5 weeks.

Are you one of those people that love to spend time outside and wish you could do it all year round? The winter months can be a bummer for outdoor lovers, especially in places with cold climates. There are a few options to generate heat outdoors, such as fire pits or patio heaters.

Maintaining a pool is never easy—at least, when it comes to the tedium and actually keeping on top of it. At times, you might even have your tools fail you while you’re trying to work on the upkeep. Keeping things working smoothly can be difficult, especially if you noticed that your pool pump loses pressure after a few minutes of work. What causes this to happen, anyway?

Pressure washers are handy tools to have around your home and garden. Many people use a pressure washer to clean their vehicle, wash the siding on their home, or clear leaves and debris from their deck. Whatever their uses, pressure washers can do a great job. However, there are times when you need a little more cleaning power. You might wonder if it is safe to put dish soap in your pressure washer.

The cactus plant is known for being a staple of desert environments, but it also deserves a spot inside your home. The cactus plant can provide some fresh air of its own and its unique appearance is also a welcome sight.

Having a patio umbrella is a fantastic way to be able to enjoy the outdoors without getting too much sun. Whether you have it over a table, shading a spot in the pool, or just sitting on the deck, a patio umbrella can make summer a much more enjoyable experience.

Fire pits are becoming more popular additions to backyard settings. It’s not difficult to see why given how they double as spectacular centerpieces and sources of ambient warmth. Cozying up on some lounge furniture close to a fire pit on a cool fall evening sounds like a dream.

Chrysanthemums, a.k.a. mums are a wonderful, vibrant choice for a fall garden. Many gardeners love them because they are strong, hardy plants who thrive even when slightly neglected.

Few homeowners rejoice at the sight of snakes in and around their house. Snakes are scary and potentially dangerous, depending on where you live, the type of snakes, and whether you have pets. You are in luck if you are struggling with how to keep snakes away from your house.

Between their appearance and dietary habits, carnivorous plants are endlessly fascinating. Mostly known as vicious bug predators in tropical areas, carnivorous plants have proven they can grow in many environments, inside or outside. So, what are the best carnivorous plants for indoors?

Are you wondering, “Is Portland cement waterproof?” Well, you’ve come to the right place because we have the answer you’re looking for. Portland cement, the most common cement in general use worldwide, is not waterproof on its own.

Because your lawnmower’s engine is relatively complex, it can sometimes encounter problems. One particular issue with gas-powered mowers is that oil can start leaking into the exhaust. If this does happen, you have to correct the problem ASAP.

There are many parts of the world that consider lotus flowers to be sacred. They are known for both their exceptional beauty and religious significance – particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and various Eastern cultures. Often referred to as the Flower of Life, the lotus is commonly associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Zero-turn mowers are enjoyable and can make cutting the yard fun. The mower operates on a hydro transmission that works the right and left sides of the mower separately. Gravely mowers are one of those zero-turns that have been around for over 100 years.

Using any type of gas-powered equipment should be done with caution. A leaf blower is no exception to this rule. It’s important to know the type of gas required so you don’t damage the leaf blower or injure yourself.

When you pull out the pressure washer and find out the hose is not long enough, there are different options. There are also warnings for some things that you should not do if you find yourself in this situation. You should first know the size of your hose in length and diameter.

Every now and then, you’ll need to make repairs on hard-to-reach spots of your home. Among the toughest spots to address is the roof as even getting up there can be a challenge. That’s especially true if you have a sloped roof.

Adding a shed to your yard is an excellent way to get more out of the space. It’ll give you a place to store your gear and can add to the overall aesthetic of your backyard area.

As you’re driving down a residential street or freeway, you don’t typically consider the smooth, durable surface underneath your tires. Though, believe it or not, there’s much more to asphalt pavement than meets the eye. Aside from being one of the most widely used paving material in the world, there are numerous types of asphalt out there that can be tailored to different situations.

If you want a lush, green, gorgeous lawn, you need plenty of water to fuel it. For those who love their yard, there isn’t much worse than turning on your sprinkler system in the middle of the summer only to discover that there is no water coming out.

Creating pathways outside your home can inspire both practical and whimsical journeys, depending on how they are designed. No matter what your vision, the odds are there will be a point you realize one of your outdoor walkways could use some additional lighting. As you prepare to purchase pathway lights for your home, you are bound to ask yourself how many pathway lights you need, and how much space you should leave between each of them.

As summer winds down, you may be looking for one final project to enjoy the last of the warm days in your backyard. Maybe you want to introduce more plant life in an interesting way. Or maybe you want to create a defined outdoor space to entertain friends and family.

Is your pool filled with cracks and discolorations? Do you miss the days when your pool’s finish was smooth and beautiful? If so, it might be time to resurface your pool. But before you hire professionals or get working on the project yourself, do you need a permit?

It’s a tough time of the year when you have to say goodbye to your swimming pool until the spring or summer. Closing a pool can be intimidating and difficult because of how much can go wrong if you skip a step. Because of that, many homeowners struggle with how to winterize an inground saltwater pool.

The key to success when planting vegetables in the early spring is knowing what species to plant. Some species do quite well in the cool shoulder seasons of early spring and late fall, while others will shrivel up and die. Only plant species that are proven to thrive in the early spring where you live. Consult with your local garden store for advice, and follow care instructions closely.

When you install a driveway, it’s normal to expect it to sink a bit. This is especially true if you live in a swampy area or if you’re in a fairly new development. Lifting, on the other hand, would throw most of us for a loop. If you’re like many other homeowners, you probably are wondering what would make a concrete driveway lift up.

With winter right around the corner, it’s almost time to start taking on the piles of snow that inevitably collect on your driveway.  A light flurry or dusting of snow is thin enough to be shoveled away by hand. However, when you start to get into ankle- or even waist-deep snow, you need a powerful snow blower in your tool collection.

If you are familiar with pop up emitters, you have probably heard horror stories about them freezing. This freezing can potentially cause backup issues in your downspout, which might damage them. So how can you prevent your pop up emitter from freezing?

Outdoor lights can make your home’s exterior look incredible. They’re also popular for holidays and great for summertime gatherings. But can outdoor lights get wet? And if not, how do you protect exterior lighting from the weather?

Flowering plants and trees can have a considerable impact on your landscaping and overall curb appeal. Crape Myrtle trees are very popular, but with many different varieties, it can be difficult to know which to choose. Between the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle and Dynamite Crape Myrtle, which is the best for your lawn?