You have finally decided to bite the bullet and install that long-awaited irrigation system in your lawn. You are ready to order your materials and the supply house salesman throws you a curve. Do you want SDR21 or Schedule 40 pipe?  What is the difference, and how do you tell?

Primer bulbs are key components of most new gasoline lawnmower engines. The small plastic bulb plays a vital role in getting the fuel to the carburetor. You may notice that your lawnmower primer bulb has a hole.

While many variables affect when you should stop mowing your lawn for the year, there are some rules of thumb you can follow. Generally, you should stop mowing your lawn once the weather consistently dips below 45 degrees. A week of temperatures below 40 degrees almost guarantees you are done mowing for the year.

Stains and sealers are very similar when it comes to protecting wooden surfaces, but there are some unique differences in terms of application, appearance, and overall protection. Many people will choose between one or the other, but some decide to use both. In this article, we’re going to figure out if you can apply specifically a Thompson water seal over wood that has already been stained.

When you first get to an indoor pool, chances are that you already remember feeling the floor underneath your feet. Flooring tends to come in one of two “flavors:” tile and poured concrete. If you have a tile floor in your pool room, then you probably will have that tile expand into the pool itself. Making a tiled pool is no small matter, and if you’re ready to begin, it’s crucial to know the type of grout to use.

Having your own private pool on your property is an amazing bonus, and likely makes you one of the most popular neighbors on the block in the summertime. Maintaining a pool, however, can be a bit costly when you use a professional cleaning service. This is why many pool owners try their best to treat and clean pools without the help of professionals. But sometimes regular pool maintenance is not enough, and your pool can look dirty or stained. When you notice your pool tile is starting to stain, how do you clean it?

If you’re thinking about building an outdoor kitchen, a drop-in grill will make for a great addition to your space. However, they come with a pretty hefty price tag, typically ranging between $1,000 and $2,500.

Both soft touch holly and boxwoods are common choices for homeowners looking to liven up their landscape. For many homeowners, however, it can be quite difficult determining the difference between the two.

Proper lawn maintenance often requires using a variety of tools. A lawnmower on its own may not be enough to keep your yard well-manicured. For many homeowners, the usage of a tool such as a string trimmer is also necessary.

Many homes feature garages, holding everything from cars and trucks to workshops and boxes of unidentified objects. A garage door becomes necessary to keep your garage secure and make it easy for vehicle access. Different types of garage door springs make it possible for your door to open and close smoothly.

In recent years, our society has been on a march towards the “chemicals are bad” style of life. Saltwater pools’ popularity are a sign of it, really. The thing is, saltwater pools are not exactly easy to care for. That’s why people like to have chlorine pools. Though rare, you’ll hear of saltwater pool owners who want to convert their gig into chlorine. Is that even a thing?

Picture it: you buy a new home or a plot of land, and it’s time to make your own. Adding a beautiful paver patio or walkway is the perfect addition to any yard or garden. There are several different ways to get the job done. 

As the weather gets cooler, it’s time for many people to start taking care of basic pool maintenance and repairs. Many people assume that in-ground pools need to be drained during the winter months, but the opposite is actually true. 

Pollinator gardens have risen in popularity over the last several years. Homeowners, gardeners, and conservationists alike have realized how important it is to nurture an ecosystem with pollinators. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with what to put in a pollinator garden.

When revamping your home by adding outdoor living space, you’ll need to choose the best materials for the job. In the realm of heavy-duty lumber, pressure-treated wood is standard for decks, patios, and garden spaces.

Although a lawnmower is not likely the most expensive machine you have, it can be relatively costly to repair it. One of the priciest repairs is a broken or bent crankshaft. Unfortunately, it may be better to replace the whole mower instead of fixing it if that does happen.

Trekking through the snow in the middle of winter to get to your jacuzzi tub isn’t everyone’s idea of “relaxing.” To avoid this, many people are asking themselves- Can I put a  hot tub in my garage?

Lawnmowers are complicated machines, which means that they require continuous maintenance and care. Unfortunately, many owners don’t pay enough attention to the various components inside a lawnmower engine, so many of them get neglected. One element that needs extra care is the lawnmower spindle. It’s important to grease the spindles regularly so that they stay in good condition.

All new Toro mowers are auto choke which means typically, to start it, all you need to do is pull and hold the handlebar bail lever, then yank on the pull cord. Despite the fact that Toro builds great machines, but in the event, you pull your Toro Recycler 22 out of the garage and it won’t start, you are going to need to know how to fix it.

Nothing is as annoying as going to water your plants and finding out that deer have been nibbling on them. This can hinder plant growth and will continue to happen until you address the problem. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to keep deer away from plants.

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?

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.

You might not know it, but there is a good chance you have several items in your produce drawer or kitchen pantry that you can plant in a new vegetable garden. Several species easily sprout new life from existing plants. Potatoes that have grown eyes can be cut into several pieces that give birth to new potato plants, and in turn new potatoes.

Traeger is among the biggest names when it comes to wood pellet grills. They are reliable and efficient, but many homeowners look for an alternative that is either better or more affordable. So, what are the best Traeger alternatives?

With a vibrant pink/purple color, the Rhododendron blooms brightly across the world. These bushes provide magnificent pop of color wherever they spring up. But when they become distressed, it can rob them of their natural beauty. The key is determining the problem.

Intex pools are one of the most affordable types of pools on the market. They’re above-ground pools that are durable and at the same time,  relatively easy to maintain. However, they tend to have one major snag. Sometimes, they end up being uneven. When this happens, you need to know what to do…and if you’re at risk of something worse.

Picture this. You’re at a BBQ. You are grilling with propane, but you don’t remember the last time you paid Hank Hill a call. You know you want to get those burgers sizzling, but you aren’t too sure how much gas is left in your tank. What can you do? How can you tell how much propane is left in your tank, anyway?

For the most part, the door to our garage does its job, and we think nothing more of it. But when it suddenly stops after only opening a few inches, it can create more than a few questions. Namely, “Why is this happening, and how do I fix it?”

When it comes to gardening, we all want a landscape that not only looks beautiful but is also well taken care of. Mulch— no matter what kind— is necessary for a garden to flourish. Many gardeners are looking to lava rocks for their aesthetic and practical appeal.

It seems like just about every other year, a new way of grilling gets invented. We’ve seen air fryers, George Foreman grills, and now, people are talking up infrared grills. Infrared grills are known for cutting down on burns, being great at searing meat, and also don’t involve many of the problems that traditional grills have. But are they all they’re cracked up to be? Not quite…

Dogwoods, from the genus Cornus, consist of a large group of flowering trees and shrubs. These plants are wildly popular because they provide interest year-round – with blooms early in the spring, berries in the summer, and stunning fall colors.

If you are installing a fence or other structure, you’re going to need a post hole digger. A post hole digger provides your fence structural integrity.

Snowblowers are starting to become a requirement once more in our country, especially since fall is quickly coming to a close. Unfortunately, during those times of the year where snowblowers don’t see action, you might start to see more wear and tear due to neglect. While it usually isn’t that bad, sometimes it can cause your gas to leak from the primer bulb. So, how can you fix this?

A patio area can completely transform your outdoor space. It can turn a boring backyard that you hardly use into a hub of activity. Maybe you really want to build a patio but are on a very strict budget. If this is the case, then you will want to know the least expensive way you can make your patio dream come true. 

When I first started writing for Upgraded Home, one of my first articles was about “she sheds.” She sheds are sheds that are made to be a woman’s lounge area in the garden. When you are making your own little shed hideaway, you need to make sure to use the right materials. This includes choosing the right kind of plywood for your shed floor. But, what should you use for flooring?

A greenhouses gives homeowners the chance to nurture plants and let them thrive year-round. The prospect of building a greenhouse is enough to get any green-thumbed homeowner excited. So, how much does it cost to build a greenhouse?

When I was younger, I quickly realized that I don’t want to have a front lawn simply because I didn’t want to mow the lawn. When I heard about artificial grass, I was pretty thrilled.

If you have a fertile outdoor space but don’t seem to have a green thumb, you might think planting anything outside is a lost cause. While it is true that some plants need quite a bit of attention and upkeep, there are also tons of plants that require almost no care at all.

When your lawnmower fails to perform, it causes more complications than just a little frustration. Being unable to keep your lawn and landscape in tip-top shape can be a major problem for some homeowners. For many who use a riding mower, a mower that bogs down is more than a nuisance.

Although most homeowners hire a professional to build their deck, some may choose to DIY it. Whether you are speaking with a contractor or looking for materials at a lumber store, you want to know what you’re talking about. Even if you’re well-versed in the subject, it is not uncommon to have basic deck construction questions about the design, planning, or installation process.

Copper grill mats are becoming more popular by the day, especially when it is the season to fire up the pit. When items are hot on the market and make people’s lives easier, they jump to the markets. Copper grill mats are made for all grill grates and can withstand up to 500 degrees.

If you are a pool owner, you know that there are numerous different maintenance tasks to keep up with in order to ensure that your swimming pool remains clean and functional. One of these important maintenance tasks that helps keep your pool’s filter system in proper working order is known as backwashing.

Many people buying an existing home put a backyard pool as one of their most wanted features. In many instances, the pool may be dated or in need of repairs. Bringing an existing pool back to pristine condition and making it a focal point rather than an eyesore can be challenging.

Pool ownership entails a significant amount of upkeep and effort. However, once you are into the full swing of things, you’ll develop a routine that ensures your pool is always clean and swimmable. Despite your regimen, you can sometimes get into difficulties, such as creating pool foam. But why is your pool foaming in the first place?

When you own a good amount of land, the upkeep can be a little more comprehensive. Mowing a larger lawn can become a little overwhelming with just a push mower at your disposal. Thankfully, there are riding lawn mowers that can make the job a bit easier.

Along with improving security, wood fences can enhance the beauty and value of your property. Just like any other project, it’s important that you have all the necessary tools to get the job done. When you’re building a new wooden fence, the fasteners that you use are vital to both the style and long-term performance. This begs the question: what size wood fence screws should you use?

It is an alarming sound and situation. You have been running your lawnmower over your yard. Suddenly, as you are shutting the Briggs and Stratton engine down, it backfires through the carburetor.

The deck on your home is the perfect spot to kick back and relax with your loved ones. If you own a home, you may want to consider a composite deck. With so many different lumber options, prices can vary quite a bit. There are many things to consider when asking yourself if a composite deck is worth it.

Thompson’s WaterSeal offers a wide variety of deck sealers and stains. Applying sealers and paints to your deck will provide the necessary protection from both moisture and sunlight. The process for using a sealer or stain is not very technical, but can present some challenges.

If you are working on a home garden, then you know there are endless species of plants to choose from and just as many aesthetics you can hope to achieve. You might already have some plants growing in your garden, or perhaps you have a few plants in mind that you want to introduce to your yard. But make sure that before you bring in a new plant to your garden, you are certain it is not invasive, as there are tons of invasive species out there. Some of them you might not even know are invasive until it’s too late.

If your house has gutters, then you must remember they must be cleaned periodically. Failure to keep your gutters clean can result in some very costly repairs. Not only can your gutters get weighed down and break, but your entire roof can suffer.

Whenever the generator is removed from an electrical system, it needs to be polarized prior to reinstallation. Polarization is the process of matching the current flow to the electrical system before connecting the generator. Generators can produce either a positive or negative current, but most electrical systems are designed to accept a current flowing in one direction.

Pellet guns are an affordable and effective option for target practice. They are also good for teaching youth about gun safety and people learning how to use a gun. What they may or may not be, however, is legal in every state, situation, or backyard.

Moving dirt can be a big project. Most people will not have the tools, or equipment, needed for moving a large amount of dirt. There are a few options for getting the job done, some cheap, some not so cheap. It depends on how much dirt, and how far you need to move the dirt.

Finding dry and withering leaves on your favorite plants can be discouraging to any homeowner who takes pride in their garden. Dried-out plants may appear dead and ugly, but that doesn’t always mean that they are. Can dried-out plants be revived?

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.

Pergolas are one of the more popular backyard structures that people want to add to their homes, but let’s face it. They are not “one size fits all” structures. In fact, you actually may need to sketch things out to ensure that the design you want is feasible and will look as good as you want it to in your mind’s eye. That’s where pergola design software picks come into play. Curious about which kit’s right for you?

Are you having issues with starting up your riding mower? When you go to start it, does it crank over but not completely startup? Thankfully, riding mowers aren’t very complicated pieces of equipment, and the owner can quickly resolve most issues. This will help save you money and time on bringing it into a shop. However, if this happens to you, what do you do?

When you shop for a new patio set you will quickly realize it isn’t cheap. Quality outdoor furniture is costly, so you will want to get as many years out of it as time allows. If you live somewhere with harsh winters then you know the cold winter months can wreak havoc on some outdoor furniture, while others are unfazed when spring emerges.

Are you tired of spending your time chopping your wood with an ax? Then you might want to look at getting a log splitter. A log splitter is a tool that is used to cut the wood into a sharpened wedge.