Having spent my entire adult life working with paints and stains, I've seen many homeowners who end up dissatisfied with their deck staining projects. Either it didn't look as good as they thought that would, or it didn't last as long. Following these steps will help guarantee a great looking, long-lasting result.
Fuel oil and natural gas prices have soared and with them so has the popularity of alternative fuels. Wood stove, pellet stove and fireplace use are all on the rise, and with each of these comes a hidden danger that every dedicated "wood burner" needs to keep in mind...burning wood creates creosote and if left untreated it can cause fires.
If you're applying a sealer to your garage floor, use caution as sealed surfaces will become slippery when wet. A non-skid effect can be achieved by broadcasting silica sand or plastic chips over the surface while the sealer is still wet. Below is an article on making concrete slip resistant from the Concrete Network - Making Concrete Slip Resistant
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If you are like most home owners, you've probably never paid much attention to your chimney crown. A chimney crown serves as a protective covering for the chimney against harsh weather. The crown serves an important role in protecting the chimney, but most people don't realize that the crown also needs to be protected. When left unprotected, a chimney crown will eventually crack and deteriorate.
If you are like most homeowners, your chimney is not something you think about until you have a problem. Because chimneys project above the roof line, they are exposed to more severe weather than any other part of your home. Spending a little time to protect your chimney now may save you thousands of dollars down the road after more serious damage occurs.
FamilyHandyman.com recently featured a how-to article on maintaining your chimney. It shows how to repair your chimney crown and waterproof your chimney. DIY chimney repair can be accomplished in 4 easy steps. Download the full pdf article here. (Reprinted with permission)
Follow these simple steps to clean mold on composite decking (cleaning Trex®). I'm guessing that when you made the decision to build your deck using composite lumber, you paid a little more for your lumber expecting that it would be maintenance free and maintain its beautiful appearance for years to come. If your deck is constructed of older composite decking (installed prior to mid-2000), then you probably know what a big problem unsightly mildew growth has become.
If your garage floor has ever had an existing sealer applied, then follow the steps in this article to help you successfully re-seal your garage floor.
Re-Sealing stamped concrete patios can be accomplished in 5 simple steps. If your stamped concrete patio needs to be re-sealed, and the concrete stain is still in good condition, then applying another coat of sealer will keep it protected and prevent color fading and an uneven appearance.
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of water-soluble salts (usually white) on the surface of masonry. All masonry materials are susceptible to efflorescence. Water-soluble salts that appear in chemical analysis in only a few tenths of one percent are sufficient to cause efflorescence on a masonry surface. The amount of salts and character of the deposits can vary widely, according to the nature of the soluble materials present and atmospheric conditions.
Brick patios create a wonderful area of the home for relaxation and entertainment. Unlike wooden decks, they are considered to be maintenance free. But are they really? The simple answer is no they are not. Although brick patios don't require the annual cleaning and staining that a wood deck often does, patios that are left uncared for can easily turn in to an unattractive area. They can become uneven, faded out and consumed by weeds. The remedy for this problem is simple and quite easy.
The unique characteristics of wood make it suitable for a variety of applications in the building industry: log or timber homes, decks, rough-sawn siding, fences, and shingles. Without protection from sun and moisture, wood "weathers" and deteriorates. Finishes are used to enhance appearance and dimensional stability, and to prevent deterioration.
This step by step guide will walk you through the steps needed to properly stain and seal interior decorative concrete floors. Be sure to follow each of these steps for optimum results.
DEFY Wood Stains add years of life to your wood. Besides protecting your investment and ensuring your wood's beauty and value, it is the the easiest wood care system to maintain. DEFY Wood Stains are designed to protect your wood from damaging UV rays and the elements. Keeping your deck looking good is simple to do and can be done fairly quickly.
Years ago it seems like every deck was constructed out of CCA...pine wood treated with copper chromium arsenic, commonly referred to as pressure treated lumber. Because most of the decks were constructed out of the same type of lumber (CCA), the products that you used to stain them and the way you went about it were all pretty similar. But not today, things have changed.
This step by step guide is for new garage floors or garage floors that have never been sealed. If your garage floor has ever had an existing sealer applied, then read our article on How to Re-Seal Your Garage Floor.