Aug 16
Climbing frame, paddling pool, garden slide? Kids love them but they do take their toll on your lawn!
Believe it or not, after publishing our latest project on repairing a damaged lawn we had an email from a couple who told us they have a large lawn which is their pride and joy…..So much so in fact, that the kids are not allowed on it!
Make the most of your lawn this summer
We are not recommending that as the best way to keep your lawn looking good (although it obviously works!) as we have several tips and tricks to keep your lawn in good shape on our project page. If you follow the advice there, then you will not go far wrong………………….and here is another tip.
If you want some advice on making the most out of your lawn, nip down to your local golf club early in the morning and ask if you can have a word with one of the green-keepers. If anyone, anywhere knows anything about grass, it is these guys.
Usually, like any good tradesman (if not too busy) they are happy to share their knowledge and, coming from a green-keeper, you can be sure it is solid advice.
Not a bad excuse for some of you to pop out for a sneaky round of golf either eh?! Tomorrow we will be talking about laying turf for a new lawn.
Jul 28
Restore your deck to top condition
Summer is here, the timber decking however is probably still a little under the weather with the constant monsoons we have been enduring. Time for a clean up befor the BBQ comes out and the Pimms gets decanted…………..Or whatever it is you do with a mixture of alcohol and vegetables!
The first thing to do when cleaning a timber deck is to wash it down thoroughly and this is best done with a power washer. If you don’t own a power washer you can hire one for the day (or even sometimes for half a day) from your local tool hire shop.
Follow the DIY Doctor project on using a power washer to get the best results from your cleaning.
Having washed the deck down you can apply any number of products to enhance and preserve it. Our personal favourite is shown in the image above (Click on this image if you would like to buy some) and gets right into the grain bringing out the beauty of the wood as close to the original condition as age will allow.
Staining a deck will enhance the timber colour
You can also colour the deck if it is a little faded and our recommendation for this is the range of colours from Cuprinol which stain, rather than paint, the deck. The difference being that stain soaks into the grain to give the timber it’s ,colour while paint, although soaking in a little, does so purely for adhesion to the surface. The colour element sits on the top of the timber. Again, click on the image if you would like to buy the stain.
Timber decks fade almost without our knowing and when we have spent a day restoring them it is always amazing to see how faded and grimy they had become. A rejuvenated deck will help you enjoy those lovely summer afternoons and evenings even more. For more information see our project on How to Stain Decking.
Jul 15
We have added some more new projects this week – and have already had some great feedback from you.
New garden projects include building sleeper steps and flagstone steps, plus fitting a shed lock and installing an outdoor socket.
Staying with the security theme, we’ve a new project on fitting a safe to store those valuable items found inside the house.
As part of our commitment to bring you, our users, what you are asking for, we have a survey that we would love you to complete. Click through here to be taken to our survey page.
It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes and as a Thank You, every survey completed will be entered into a prize draw to win £150 of Screwfix vouchers!
Jul 12
Recent research by insurance company Aviva has revealed that the number of theft and burglaries increase during the months of July and August.
With the school summer break almost upon us, many families are getting ready to go on their annual holidays.
Whether you are planning a week away or just the odd away day, there are several things to consider to help protect your home and gardens.
security cable
Theft of garden equipment from sheds and outbuildings increases by almost 50 per cent in the summer, so it makes sense to ensure that expensive garden equipment is secured somehow. Just a simple measures such as fitting a latch on the gate is a good start, plus a padlock on the shed door – even locking several items together will deter most opportunistic thieves. Have a look at our home and garden security project for more tips.
Installing an exterior light with a motion sensor is a great idea too.
Portable items such as the kids bikes and even the garden furniture should be put away if possible.
Make sure the windows and doors of your house are closed and locked too. Valuable items should also be hidden or placed in a safe if you have one and not left in plain sight – if the burglar can see nothing worth breaking in for he just may pass on by.
Make sure your home insurance is current. If you are taking an extended holiday check to see that you are still covered. Some insurance may not cover you if you are away for periods of more than 30 days.
Let your neighbours know if you are away so they can keep an eye out for anything unusual.
Have a final check round before you leave – and then relax and enjoy your holiday!
Jul 06
As summer progresses, there are plenty of jobs in the garden that need constant attention. Mowing the lawn becomes part of the summer ritual as it is usually done on a weekly basis.
Many of these outdoor jobs involve the use of electrical equipment – lawn mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers being the most common items in regular use.
Here are some simple rules to follow to ensure you don’t become a shocking summer statistic!
- Never use electrical equipment in wet or damp conditions
- Always use a socket fitted with an RCD – and check it regularly!
- Wear appropriate footwear – sandals will not offer any protection to your feet
- Wear safety goggles and gloves when using a strimmer to protect your eyes and hands
- Check cables and connectors are sound and not damaged before use
- Ensure cables are kept away from the area you are working in to avoid damage
- Extension cables should be fully unwound to prevent overheating
The most important piece of advice is to ensure any electrical equipment is unplugged before attempting any cleaning or repairs. This may sound obvious, but the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) reports that this accounts for 13% of all electrical accidents.
After use, ensure your garden equipment is clean and stored in a dry environment.
This will prolong both it’s life and potentially yours too!
