When To Pull Brisket Off The Smoker

Perfecting a smoked brisket can take a lifetime. The right smoker, wood, cut of meat and the cook all play a role in making this succulent barbecued delicacy. If you are just starting out in the realm of meat smoking, you will want to know all the ins and outs involved. Perhaps the most important tip you will want to know is the perfect time to pull your brisket off the smoker.

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How To Winterize An Inground Saltwater Pool

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.

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Can I Use A Sand Filter With A Saltwater Pool System?

Saltwater pools are more popular than ever before, and rightfully so. They offer a more eco-friendly alternative to bleach for your pool’s sanitation, and also make you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean. Though saltwater pools are hip and trendy AF, there are a lot of questions to ask about how to filter them. I mean, can a regular sand filter work?

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What Is The Correct Weed Eater Oil To Gas Ratio?

A Weed Eater can be an effective tool in the battle against overgrowth in your yard. Weed Eater makes an effective line of lawncare tools that can help you keep your yard looking the way that you want it to all year round.

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Can You Use A Chiminea On A Wood Deck?

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.

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How To Start A Riding Lawnmower With A Screwdriver (and Hotwire)

You’re all set to mow your lawn, but when you come out to your riding lawnmower, you notice that the key is missing. Or worse, you try the key, and it breaks off in the ignition switch. You need to cut the grass ASAP, so you can’t afford to wait for a replacement part. What do you do? Fortunately, you can start your lawnmower with a screwdriver.

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Are 3 Stage Snow Blowers Worth It? (Find Out Now!)

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.

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Can Grass Be Cut When It's Wet?

Mowing the lawn is an important, but often dreaded activity. As the summer heat increases, this chore can become hot, sweaty, and altogether exhausting. So, there may come a time when you have procrastinated longer than you should have, and find yourself needing to mow the lawn in the immediate future. But if the immediate future calls for rain, you might find yourself wondering if you can cut the grass when it is still wet.

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How To Dry Herbs From Y​​our Garden For Later Use

Nothing beats fresh herbs when you are looking for a way to boost the flavor and freshness of a dish. Herbs from your garden are arguably the freshest ingredients of all, but for those living in a seasonal climate, an herb garden has a shelf life. While you can’t always grow fresh herbs throughout the year, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to dry and preserve your delicious home-grown ingredients for later use.

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Can You Use Play Sand For Pavers? (Find Out Now!)

Although you might assume that sand is sand, this is actually not the case. When it comes to choosing the right sand for your project, the type of sand that you choose can make a major difference. Sand is a crucial component to creating durable and visually appealing paver patios and pathways. Not only will selecting the right type of sand make installation of the pavers easier, it will also ensure that your project is built to last.

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Can You Put A Shed On Paving Slabs? (Find Out Now!)

Sheds have become backyard staples for a variety of reasons. In the shed you can store gardening tools and equipment, like trowels, shears, hoes, spades, shovels, and a lawnmower. In the shed is also where bags of mulch and other items not suitable for indoor storage can be put, like gas, pesticides, and herbicides.

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Does An Inground Pool Increase Property Taxes?

Having an inground pool can be an awesome feeling, but will an inground pool increase property taxes? It is a question you have to ask yourself anytime you make home improvements. With this informational guide, you will have that answer.

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Are Propane Heaters Safe In Garages? (Find Out Now!)

If you’ve turned a section of your garage into a woodworking shop, your own personal mechanic workshop, a man cave, or some other sort of hobby center, you likely want to keep it warm and cozy during the winter months. After all, those drafty garage doors, concrete flooring, and little to no insulation are why garages are often among the coldest spaces in a home.

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Can You Convert Any Propane Fire Pit To Natural Gas?

Propane fire pits are accessible, easy to use, and cost-effective. However, it can be tempting to convert one to natural gas because you can easily connect to your home’s line. So, can you convert any propane fire pit to natural gas?

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12 Different Types of Wisteria (with Photos)

Blooming in shades of pink, purple, lilac, and white, vibrant wisteria vines and trees are beautiful flowering plants that are perfect for the nostalgic gardener. Their heavy, dangling clusters of flowers and twisted branches fill garden landscapes with fragrance and color. Wisteria grows up to an astounding 12 feet in a single growing season, making it very quick and easy to train the vine up a pergola or arbor.

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Household Waste That Can Add Nutrients To Potting Soil

If you have a garden or potted plants, then you know they need a little extra attention from time to time. In addition to watering your plants on a regular and scheduled basis, potted plants and gardens alike need nutrients for them to grow and thrive. These nutrients are often supplied through compost and store-bought fertilizer, but these costs can add up. You will be happy to know that you can add some household waste to potting soil to provide necessary nutrients.

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How To Prepare For A Drought

A drought is a nightmare for homeowners and communities, especially when they aren’t prepared. Droughts can disrupt the ecosystem, harm animals, and kill your garden and lawn that you worked hard to grow. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to prepare for a drought.

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Garage Door Is Loud When It's Cold Outside? (We Have A Fix)

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. 

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Is Solar Pool Heating Worth It? (Find Out Now!)

When you have a pool of your own, water temperature matters quite a bit. You don’t want it to be too cold, but you might still want it to give you some feeling of refreshment. If you want to have a warmer pool, you might have considered getting solar pool heating for it. It’s definitely an option, but that doesn’t always mean it’s right for you. You might even be wondering whether it’s even worth the price tag…

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How To Clone A Remote Gate Opener (Quickly & Easily!)

Remote controls are supposed to make our lives easier. For the most part, they do accomplish that job. Being able to control various objects by just pressing a few buttons is undeniably convenient.

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Fiberon Vs. Trex Composite Deck: Which One Is Better?

A deck can be one of the most exciting, beautiful, and social spaces in your home. It can host barbecues, playtime for kids, parties for the whole family, and quiet nights watching the sunset. Composite decking made by brands like Trex and Fiberon has many benefits, but when comparing Fiberon vs. Trex, which is better?

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Best Plants To Keep Bugs Away

Your garden will never be able to thrive if bugs continually eat your plants. Pests can also make it difficult to enjoy time outside and perform yard work. So, what are the best plants to keep bugs away?

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Too Much Oil In Your Lawn Mower? (We Have a Fix)

Your lawn mower needs oil to provide ample lubrication, prevent overheating, and generally work efficiently. However, what happens if you put too much oil into your lawnmower?

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Craftsman Leaf Blower Won't Start? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Craftsman is one of the most trusted names in the world for power tools and outdoor tools. They have developed a reputation for creating some of the best, most reliable tools out there regardless of your need.

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How To A Vacuum Intex Pool Without Skimmer (Step-by-Step Guide)

A swimming pool is one of the most common items in a home owner’s wishlist. Thanks to Intex’s assortment of above ground pools, having a backyard pool is more affordable and convenient. To make the most out of your Intex above ground pool, it needs to be cleaned and maintained.

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Liquid Pool Cover Vs. Solar Blanket: What Are The Major Differences?

It’s currently the best time for a pool day in my neighborhood. We all love to splash and play in the sun, but it’s important to realize how much water can evaporate during these hot days of the year. Conserving water is a smart (and earth-friendly) way to avoid higher bills. Having a cover that helps keep water in your pool, therefore, is a must.

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When And How To Use A Pole Saw Versus A Pole Pruner

Does your home have lots of tall trees? Or maybe you have tall shrubs or even high-climbing vines that tend to grow out of control. Regardless of exactly what type of hard-to-reach plant life you have in your yard, it is bound to become difficult and even frustrating to maintain your home’s landscaping once you can no longer reach the plants. This is where pole saws and pole pruners come in handy. But what exactly are pole saws and pole pruners, and when is it a good idea to use one over the other?

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Can You Put A Fire Table In A Screened Porch? (Find Out Now!)

Everyone enjoys a fire on a cool fall evening. If you have a screened porch that is a focal point in your home, you may have considered putting a fire table or fire pit in your screened space. The question of safety always comes to mind when you consider putting a fire table on your screened porch.

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Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Keeps Shutting Off? (Fix It Now!)

There’s nothing quite like the experience of feasting on properly smoked brisket or ribs. The complex, savory flavor the smoke adds to the meat is something you’ll crave constantly after tasting it once. Going through the long smoking process is worth it just for that flavor.

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Garage Door Won't Close And Light Blinks 10 Times? (Fix It Now!)

A garage door that won’t close can cause frustration as well as leave your home vulnerable. The garage door sensors protect your family and your possessions in your garage and home. If you’re struggling with your garage door, first examine the sensors. 

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Can You Use Non-Pressure Treated Wood Outside?

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.

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How Long Does Patio Heater Gas Last?

A comfortable patio can become an additional living space if you have the right design. A patio heater can provide the necessary warmth on chilly evenings to keep your outdoor plans on track. But it’s important to know how long patio heater gas lasts so you don’t end up out in the cold.

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How To Keep Birds Off Your Porch (10 Ways To Do It!)

Birds are an attractive part of nature’s wildlife. They can provide a little bit of color and vibrance to any setting. But they can also bring with them quite a bit of nuisance and damage. The droppings, the pecking, and the chirping can all be major detriments.

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How To Make Sure Perennials Come Back

Gardeners love to plant as many perennials as possible to make their springtime list of chores even easier. Perennials come back year after year and bloom for months at a time, but this only happens if you take good care of them. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to make sure perennials come back.

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Can You Replace A Garage Door With French Doors?

Changing the garage door is often a big part of the puzzle if you’re converting your garage to a finished space. One switch you might consider is to replace a garage door with French doors. But is that a viable option?

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Garage Floor Cracked And Is Sinking? (Here's What You Can Do)

There is a great sense of security when you park a new car in your garage and close the door behind you. For years, secure garages have been great selling points for homes. A garage’s added security and cleanliness are highly desirable. It may come as a great shock then when your secure garage floor begins to crack and sink.

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Split Vs. Bi-Level House: Pros, Cons & Average Costs

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?

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What Is The Least Expensive Patio Material?

Green spaces are the future of our planet. Therefore, greens spaces and patios are getting more and more popular nowadays. Understanding the least expensive patio material will help you make well-informed decisions. So, you need to know how to invest in green spaces without spending too much money.

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Outdoor Grill Dimensions (with Drawings)

Hosting a barbeque with friends can be fun, but it can become a challenge with the wrong size grill. Many people choose a smaller grill than they need, leaving their friends impatient and hungry. Use this as a guide to select the right size and style outdoor grill for your next barbecue.

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How To Change Drive Belt On Troy Bilt Bronco Riding Mower

Troy Bilt are well known for their highly durable professional riding mowers. One of the most popular of these has been the Bronco. But even the most expertly designed components need replacing at times.

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How Many Hours On A Riding Lawn Mower Is A Lot? (Find Out Now!)

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.

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How To Build Double Shed Doors (Step-by-Step Guide)

In order for a shed to be secure and protected from the elements, it must have heavy-duty doors. Double doors will protect the contents of your shed and give you options for the size of the opening. Building double shed doors is easy with the right planning and tools.

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How Long Will A 40-Pound Bag of Wood Pellets Burn?

Wood pellets are an inexpensive way to heat your home and have become a popular choice, especially in rural areas. When it comes to rural living, sometimes your only choices will be propane or wood pellets. Many people turn to wood pellets as the more inexpensive and cleaner-burning choice.

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How Far Apart Should Pathway Lights Be?

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.

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How Close Can A Pool Be To A Sewer Line? (Find Out Now!)

You want a fantastic pool in your backyard. But the layout of your property may not allow for the design you created. So, what do you do when sewer lines get in the way? And can you install a pool close to the sewage line or not?

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Different Types of Fern Plants (with Photos)

Ferns are considered some of the oldest living plants on the earth and they can be grown outdoors in your garden or indoors as houseplants. They are a leafy type of plant with leaves (fronds) that drape, adding beauty and a touch of drama to any setting. Most indoor varieties are relatively simple to grow and care for. When planted outdoors, ferns are an excellent choice for ground cover in the proper conditions.

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Can You Use Traeger Pellets In A Green Mountain Grill? (Find Out Now!)

With the summer winding down, many are rushing to get in the last sessions with their outdoor grill before the nights get colder. Many barbecuers who want to cook at a steady temperature swear by the pellet grill. The pellet grill is a modern innovation that drops pellets of your hardwood of choice to maintain a specified temperature.

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Fall Yard Cleanup Checklist

Fall is an exciting time of change, and many homeowners look forward to this time of year. However, it can also be a nuisance for your yard between the grass dying and the leaves falling. Every homeowner should start the season on the right foot with a fall yard cleanup checklist.

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What Size Pool Pillow Do I Need? (Find Out Now!)

With shorter days and brisk temperatures upon is, it may be time to prep your pool for the winter. If you own a pool and live in an area that experiences below-freezing temperatures during winter, you are probably very familiar with the process of closing a pool for the season. However, you may not be as familiar with pool air pillows.

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What To Do With Snake Holes In The Yard? (Find Out Now!)

Snakes can be scary, especially if you don’t know if they’re venomous or not. If you start to notice snake holes in your yard, take action quickly. Figure out what these holes are, and then do your research to determine the best options for you. 

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How To Remove A Pulley From A Mower Spindle (6 Easy Steps)

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.

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What Can You Put In A Wood Chipper? (Find Out Now!)

Having a big yard is a great deal of work but can be very rewarding. If you own a wood chipper, it is possible to not only reduce yard waste from branches, brush, and grass, but you can create your own mulch or compost, which can reduce your carbon footprint and help you save money. Many different organic matters are perfectly acceptable to put through a wood chipper.

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The 10 Most Expensive Lawn Mowers

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?

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Lawnmower Leaking Oil Onto The Deck? (We Have A Fix)

When your lawn mower leaks oil onto your deck, you can overwhelm yourself quickly, thinking of all the potential places that could be leaking. For your sanity, your first step will be to calm down and use this guide to help you find a solution. Today, we will give you a step-by-step lawnmower check to prevent oil from leaking onto your deck.

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How To Winterize A Sprinkler System With A Backflow Preventer

Cold weather is on the way. That means it is time to winterize your sprinkler system and backflow preventer. Forgetting to prepare your sprinkler for the off-season can result in cracked pipes. If you aren’t sure how to do it, follow the guide below. We will give you some general guidelines to follow. Winterizing your sprinkler system ensures it will function properly for many years to come. 

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How To Revive Plants After An Overnight Frost

Weather conditions these days are unpredictable. Just as there are record-high temperature records each year, there are also shocking cold snaps in unexpected places. These cold snaps can reach below freezing and happen rather suddenly. So, if there is an overnight frost, and you have left vulnerable plants outside, you will want to know what you can do to keep them alive.

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Garage Door Won't Close Unless You Hold The Button? (Fix It Now!)

If your garage door begins to have issues closing, there is usually a simple fix. Although this can be frustrating, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue without contacting a repairman.

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House Smells Like Gasoline From Garage? (Fix It Now!)

Strange odors in your home can be alarming, especially if it smells like a flammable substance such as gasoline. Gasoline is a part of everyday life for the average homeowner or commuter, but you never expect your house to smell like it. So, why does your house smell like gasoline?

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What Size Propane Tank For A Pool Heater? (Find Out Now!)

Do you have a gas pool heater that you’d like to power using propane? Propane-powered gas pool heaters are great for heating up pools in a short amount of time. They’re especially ideal if you only use your pool occasionally, since they only have to run when you’re using it. But what size propane tank is needed to fuel a gas pool heater?

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Pool Pump GFCI Breaker Keeps Tripping? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Imagine the following moment: you’re in your pool, enjoying the jets. Then, the jets stop working and your pool lights shut off. Your breaker has tripped. You run over, untrip the breaker switch, and get back in. Within a matter of minutes, you can’t enjoy your pool anymore. The breaker tripped again. Your GFCI breaker is supposed to protect your system. So, what’s going on?

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