One of the most important steps to properly executing masonry repairs is matching the mortar of the pre-existing structure. The following are four things that should be noted and factored into the mortar matching process to find the appropriate mortar:
The three major types of mortar are known as Type N, Type S, and Type M mortar.
The first consideration that should be taken into account is whether the original mortar was Type N, Type S, or Type M mortar.…
Living in a climate that receives a lot of rainfall can come with some challenges since it can be difficult to keep the rainwater from wreaking havoc on your yard. If you want to keep your landscape looking great and avoid large areas of pooled up water, you’ll need to design the yard with this goal in mind. When making plans for diverting rainwater away from your home and plants that you want to protect, consider the difference that well done paving can have for your property.…
Homeowners are becoming more concerned about their utility costs and adding more green features to their homes. This can include energy improvements like new LED lighting or automation. It can also include solutions like rain collection and grey water reuse to reduce water consumption. If you want to add rain collection to your home, combining it with grey water recycling can give you more from these green plumbing improvements. Here are some of the solutions you may want to consider to improve your home with rain collection and grey water recycling:…
Does your shingle roof seem to be nearing the end of its lifespan? Maybe you’ve noticed a lot of granules coming off the shingles, or perhaps some of the shingles have begun to chip off or blow off completely. Replacing a roof is not cheap, and in some cases, you may need to try and squeeze another year or two out of that worn roof before investing in a new one.…
If your yard seems cold and uninviting, you may just need to soften it in order to transform it into a space you’ll love to spend time in. But how can you soften things up, especially when hardscape is involved? Here are 5 ways to do it on any budget.
Replace Sterile Concrete. An aging, cracked concrete patio can be a stark and uninteresting part of your landscape design. Dump the traditional pale square or rectangle shape and opt for a more flowing, curved design that has a warmer and more natural feeling.…
Your oil burning furnace is an essential device for keeping your house comfortable. Unfortunately, there are many new homeowners that may not have much experience with this type of heating system. If this applies to you, learning the answers to the following questions will help you to better care for your home’s oil burning furnace.
How Do You Maintain An Oil-Burning Furnace?
While oil-burning furnaces are normally extremely reliable, it should be noted that they will require regular maintenance to keep them functioning.…
Over time, your driveway can develop a series of small cracks that can reduce its visual appeal and even result in eventual structural damage. It’s a smart idea to address these cracks promptly; if left unattended, they’ll likely grow to the point at which you’ll need a major repair job. You should plan to hire a driveway contractor to deal with any larger cracks, but if the cracks in your driveway are still in their early stages, it’s worthwhile to buy a sealing supply kit at a local home improvement store, read the instructions carefully and tackle the project by yourself.…
If you have a large property you want to fence in, one of the first things you will want to do is mark the property line. This is what you will measure off of for the installation of your fence. There are some things that you will want to consider before digging any holes for posts, such as whether or not there are any easements that you need to obey. Here are some tips to help you mark off a large fence and avoid future problems after installation:…
Approximately 90 percent of new, commercial, single-storey and approximately 70 percent of new, commercial multi-storey buildings are being made using steel framing. Even a growing number of residential builders are choosing steel over timber when putting up new homes. It’s easy to see why. Steel framing is durable, affordable and can be recycled. However, these aren’t the only reasons for choosing steel over other building materials.
Advantages of choosing steel framing for your next building project…
Asbestos is a mineral product that has commonly been used in construction materials for decades. Today, its use has been banned in much of the world, but if you have an older home, asbestos can still be found in some of the older materials, such as tile, siding and home insulation. Here are some of the things that can be done to deal with asbestos materials if you find them during your home renovations:…
