Thompson’s Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner with oxy-foaming action is formulated to remove dirt, mildew, and other stains from a variety of outside surfaces including wood and composite decks, concrete, masonry, and even some fabrics.

The powerful oxygen cleaner contains no bleach, making it gentle on surfaces. Apply with a pump up sprayer or watering can and then allow 5-10 minutes for the cleaner to soak. Scrub the surface with a stiff brush, then rinse it off with a hose. Thompson’s Exterior Cleaner is available at The Home Depot.

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When designing an outdoor kitchen for your home, be sure to provide a way to vent the smoke from the grill out of enclosed areas.

Cabinets for an outdoor kitchen should be made from materials that resist the elements—such as pressure treated wood or plastic—even if they will be covered by a roof. Perma-Panel cabinets from Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens are made from a polymer material.

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In the second of our two-part series, we complete the process of adding a 500-square-foot sunroom, two porches, a covered deck, and a swimming pool to this house with a beautiful view overlooking Mobile Bay on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Since the home is located on the water in an area prone to hurricanes, we’ve taken extra precautions to beef up the construction above and beyond the stringent building codes put in place following Hurricane Katrina.

Impact Resistant Windows

On Room with a View, Part 1, we poured the foundation, framed up the addition, and installed ImpactGard impact resistant windows from JELD-WEN Window & Doors to prevent wind damage from hurricanes. ImpactGard laminated glass is composed of an interlayer of plastic sandwiched between two sheets of glass, allowing it to stand up to high winds and impact from flying debris.

HVAC System

Once the addition had been framed up, the wiring was roughed in for the electrical and home entertainment systems. Ductwork for the heating and cooling system was installed, and the old compressor replaced with a larger unit to handle the extra load.

Insulation

To reduce air infiltration, holes and cracks in the walls were filled with foam, then cellulose insulation was sprayed in the walls. The insulation is made from 85% recycled newspapers with an adhesive added to allow it to adhere to the wall cavity. Once it was dry, a power roller was used to remove any excess insulation, which could then be scooped up and reused.

Trim

An ached entrance was added between the existing house and sunroom to mirror the arches on the porch.

After the drywall had been hung, the various trim moldings were installed. Care was taken to match the beads and bevels used on the custom made JELD-WEN windows with other moldings in the room.

Flooring

The pine floors in the sunroom were carefully spliced into the flooring of the existing house. The new floor included an intricate inlaid pattern of contrasting wood.

Stucco

The exterior of the addition was covered with cement backer board, followed by a base coat of stucco. Fiberglass mesh was embedded in the stucco to reinforce seams and detail moldings. A second coat of tinted stucco was then applied to the walls of the existing house and addition.

Porches and Deck

The subfloor on the matching screened porches was covered with cement backer board followed by tile. Porcelain tile were used since they aren’t as porous as ceramic. This makes them less likely to absorb water and crack during freezing weather.

The ceilings of the porches and covered deck were covered with v-groove, 1”x 6” pine boards. The wood was given a light stain and coated with a clear finish for a natural look.

The covered deck that connected the addition to the pool was floored with 5/4” pressure treated pine.

Railing and Steps

Pressure treated steps were constructed to provide access from the pool area to the lawn below. Copper caps on the railing posts not only add a decorative touch but prevent rainwater from being absorbed into the end grain of the posts.

Pool

Once the concrete for the pool had set, a coat of plaster was troweled on the sides and bottom to give a smooth, finished appearance. A stone waterfall, cascading from the jetted soaking tub into the main pool, added a distinctive design element.

To keep the pool area free from unwanted leaves and insects, a custom built, aluminum framework—made by City Funrooms of Pensacola, Florida—was erected over the entire pool and covered with durable screening.

Pool House

A pool house was added to provide and a bathroom and changing facilities without having to go into the house. The privacy fence for the outside shower was made from a dense tropical wood called ipê which is naturally resistant to rot and decay.

Landscaping

A retaining wall made from pressure treated wood was built to stabilize the steep slope below the pool. Ground cover and flowers were planted to make the area attractive and low maintenance while sod was put down on the rest of the area.

The completed addition and pool really enhance the look and functionality of the house. With a reinforced foundation, beefed up framing, and impact resistant windows, the room with a view should stand up to whatever Mother Nature dishes out.

For more information, go to Room with a View.

Other Tips from This Episode

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Whether it’s cooking on the grill, planting a garden, or simply relaxing in a hammock under a shade tree, homeowner’s love their yards. Here are some tips and cool products to help you get the most out of the great outdoors at your home.

Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen is perfect for entertaining in your backyard. If your grill will be used under a covered area, include a power vent hood or other method for venting the smoke.

The cabinets for an outdoor kitchen should be built to resist the elements. This could be custom cabinets, using treated lumber and plywood, or ones made from a weatherproof material such as the polymer based Perma-Panel cabinets from Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens.

Choosing a Grill

Appliances and grills for outdoor kitchens are usually made from stainless steel to make them weatherproof as well. While most grills today are gas fired, cooking with hardwoods—like hickory, pecan, or oak—can produce better results. Using starter sticks, rather than lighter fluid, to light a wood or charcoal fire can improve the taste of the food.

The insulating qualities of ceramic charcoal cookers, like the Big Green Egg, allow them to be used as a conventional grill or as a smoker oven for slow cooking.

Grill Maintenance

Use a wire brush to clean the cooking grate after each use. Once a year, disassemble the grill and clean it thoroughly.

• Remove cooking grates, soak in liquid grill cleaner, scrub with a wire brush, and rinse.
• Take out the ceramic plates or briquettes and clean them with a wire brush.
• Remove the burners and use a wire brush to take off residue and rust.
• Clean out the burner holes by inserting a toothpick into each hole.
• Use a wet/dry vac to vacuum out the inside of the grill.
• Reassemble all the grill components.
• Light the grill and leave it on for a few minutes to burn off any remaining residue.

Keeping Cool

Shade is essential for summer backyard activities. Popular options include:

• Shade arbor: An outdoor arbor covered with vines makes a cool retreat on a hot summer day. Watch our video on How to Build a Backyard Arbor Swing to find out more.
• Extended Roof: Extending the roof of your house to cover a patio works well, though it can be an expensive option.
• Awning: A retractable awning, such as those from SunSetter, is a great way to create shade when and where you need it.


DIY Misting System.

• Misting System: Outdoor misters keep you cool by spraying a fine mist of water in the air. Since cooling occurs when the water evaporates, misting systems work best in climates with low humidity. Misting systems are available as inexpensive DIY Outdoor Cooling Kits as well as portable misting umbrellas that hook to a garden hose.
• Water Feature: The soothing sound of falling water from a fountain or waterfall can make your yard feel like an oasis during a summer heat wave. Premade water features are available, or you can build your own custom water feature for your backyard.

Outdoor Sound System

Speaker disguised as a rock.

A custom outdoor sound system with hidden speakers, like those from BSUN Media, can add a touch of class to your outdoor environment. Use weatherproof speakers dispersed around the yard, alternating between the left and right channel. Speakers can be disguised as rocks or other natural features to blend in with the outdoor environment.

Mosquitoes

ThermaCELL Patio Lantern.

Mosquitoes are not only annoying, they can carry serious diseases such as the West Nile virus. While spray on repellents work, they can be messy to use, have an odor, and bring strong chemicals in direct contact with your skin.

To keep mosquitoes from ruining your time outdoors, consider an area mosquito repellent like those from ThermaCELL. They are available as a patio lantern or appliance. Simply insert the butane cartridge and repellent pad, then turn it on. They provide a 15’x 15’ odorless, mosquito free zone that can keep your outdoor activities bug free for hours.

Green Lawn Care

To make taking care of your lawn easier and more eco-friendly consider:

• Robotic Lawn Mower: Battery powered, rechargeable unmanned mowers, such as the LawnBott can cut 3,000 sq. ft. or more on a single charge. When the battery needs recharging, the mower automatically returns to the charging station, recharges itself, and resumes cutting.
• Eco-Friendly String Trimmer: The Lehr Eco Trimmer has an efficient four-stroke engine that runs on propane. It produces zero emissions and is much quieter than gas powered trimmers. Since there’s no gas tank to fill, it helps reduce the 100,000 gallons of gasoline that are spilled every year filling gas powered engines.

Other Tips from This Episode

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Eco-friendly aspects of the landscaping for this green home include:

• Native Plants: Since they occur naturally in the area, native plants are better suited to the local environment and more resistant to disease. This allows them to require less water, pesticides, and fertilizer.
• Permeable Patio: The flagstone patio has a permeable base of reclaimed, crushed concrete to allow it to serve as a natural drainage area for the backyard. Clumps of mondo grass were planted between the stones to further increase absorbency.
• Irrigation: The SmartLine irrigation system from Weathermatic employs water saving sprinkler heads and a built-in weather station to monitor the moisture in the air and reduce unnecessary watering.

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This outside planter is made entirely from pressure treated pine, so it will last for years. The sides are 17¾” wide on the front and 20¾” wide on the side, and the planter with mitered top measures a total of 24¾” high. It’s easy to build and is perfect for a patio, deck or porch. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Tools:

• Tape measure and pencil
• Square
• Hammer
• Safety glasses
• Circular saw, miter saw, or handsaw
• Drill/driver (drill bits, countersink, screwdriver bits)

Materials:

• 3 – 2” x 4” x 10’ pressure treated pine
• 6 – 1” x 4” x 8’ pressure treated pine
• Landscape fabric
• Corrosion resistant deck screws and nails

Cutting List:

• Legs: 8 – 1½” x 3½” x 24”
• Top and bottom inner frames, front: 4 – 1½” x 3½” x 11½”
• Top and bottom inner frames, sides: 4 – 1½” x 3½” x 17½”
• Mitered top, front: 2 – ¾” x 3½” x 18½”
• Mitered top, sides: 2 – ¾” x 3½” x 21½”
• Front and side boards: 12 – ¾” x 3½” x 20½”
• Top and bottom rails: 8 – ¾” x 3½” x 10½”
• Bottom: 4 – ¾” x 3½” x 17½”

Building the Planter

Follow these steps-by-step instructions to make the patio planter.

Measure the legs and cut to length, making sure both end are square.

Nail or screw the legs together at a right angle, using a scrap as support.

Measure and cut the pieces for the two inner frames. Assemble the inner frames, so that the outside dimensions of each frame measure 14½” x 17½”.

Attach the 1” x 4” bottom pieces to the bottom the inner frame. Screw the legs to the frame, supporting it with scrap, so the frame is 3½” from one end of the legs.

Turn the planter over, and attach the other frame flush with the end of the legs. Next, attach the front and side boards to the top and bottom frames so they’re flush with the ends of the frames.

Attach the top and bottom rails so they are flush with the top and bottom front and side boards.

Miter the four top pieces so the inside of the miter is flush with the inside of the inner frame and attach to the top of the planter.

Drill several holes in the bottom to allow for drainage, line the planter with landscape fabric, fill with potting soil and plant.

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Cleaning and repairing the outside of your home doesn’t have to be a spring project, though it is nice to get outside and enjoy the warm weather after a long, cold winter spent inside. Here are some often neglected outdoor maintenance projects you might want to consider tackling.

Clean Exterior

A pressure washer can make quick work of cleaning the outside of your home, but be careful since the extremely high pressure can damage wood and other softer materials.

While scrubbing is not necessary with a pressure washer, adding detergent to the reservoir on the machine serves to loosen stubborn dirt and get the job done faster. Be sure to use a cleaner that is made for pressure washers and intended for the type of surface you’re cleaning. Cleaners are available for specific applications such as siding, decks, and masonry surfaces.

If mold or mildew is present, spray it with a product such as SporiCLEAN or Concrobium. A mixture of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water can also be effective on mold on nonporous surfaces. Wear protective clothing and rubber gloves when working with bleach or other harmful chemicals, and cover or wet down any plants or grass with water before applying. Allow the bleach mixture to remain on for 10 – 15 minutes, then wash it off with a hose or pressure washer.

Repair Driveway

Driveways and sidewalks need periodic maintenance, too.

• Start by removing any grass or weeds that are encroaching on the driveway or growing in cracks.
• Follow this by a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime.
• Next, patch any cracks or holes in concrete surfaces with a concrete resurfacer.
• Worn asphalt drives can be restored by applying a coat of latex asphalt sealer to make them look good as new.

Clean Deck

Wood decks take a lot of abuse from the elements, and they need a good cleaning from time to time to look their best.

• Start by applying a specially formulated deck cleaner in a pump up sprayer.
• Once it has had time to work, clean the deck with a pressure washer—being careful not to damage the wood—or a long handled scrub brush.
• Rinse the deck, and allow it to dry.
• If refinishing is needed, apply a sealer or stain with a pump up sprayer, going over it with a brush to smooth it out.
• Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before using the deck.

Clean and Repair Screens

Window screens can be cleaned by soaking them in a child’s wading pool filled with soapy water, followed by a gentle scrubbing with a soft scrub brush on a flat surface. As a final step, rinse the screen with a garden hose using a fine spray setting to keep from damaging the screen.

To repair small holes in screens, flatten the fibers out and brush on several coats of clear fingernail polish for a seamless repair. Large tears or holes are best fixed by removing the rubber spline from the screen frame and installing a new piece of screen using a screen spline roller tool.

Repair Roof

Spring is also a good time to examine your roof to see if winter snow and ice have caused any problems that need attention.

• Look for torn or missing shingles that might need replacement or repair.
• Pay particular attention to flashing around chimneys, plumbing vents, and other openings that are prone to leaks. Seal any gaps with roofing cement.
• Cover exposed nail heads with a dab roofing cement.
• Remove leaves, sticks, or other debris that has built up in valleys and against chimneys, porches, or dormers.

Ready the Grill

Whether its charcoal or gas, spring is a good time to get the grill ready for action.

• Use a wire brush and degreasing detergent to clean the wire racks and inside of the grill and remove any rust that has formed over the winter.
• Inspect burners on gas grills for deterioration from rust, and clean the surface. Make sure the holes in the burners aren’t clogged. If necessary, use a small piece of wire to clean them out.
• If the outside of the grill needs painting, prepare it first by lightly sanding the surface and washing it thoroughly to remove all grease. Once it’s totally dry, coat it with a high heat spray paint (often called barbecue and stove enamel).

Clean and Repair Gutters

Gutters are an often overlooked project that needs special attention in the spring. To clean and repair them:

• Make a homemade gutter scoop by cutting down a narrow plastic container such as an antifreeze jug, and use it to remove the bulk of the debris.
• Rinse out gutters without leaving the ground, by making a U-shaped gutter spray wand from ½” or ¾” PVC pipe and couplings. Glue a cap to one end of the pipe with several small holes drilled in it, then use two 90° elbow fittings to create the proper shape, with a threaded adaptor on the other end attached to a garden hose.
• Downspouts have a tendency to clog, so check them by running water through them, and use a plumber’s snake to unclog if needed.
• Check for leaks at gutter joints. When dry, repair gutter leaks from inside the gutter with gutter sealant.

Clean Windows

Spring pollen and dirt can work a number on your windows, so take the time to wash them down and clean them once the pollen has settled.

• Work in the shade to keep the cleaner from drying out too quickly.
• A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water makes a great natural window cleaner.
• Use crumpled up newspaper, rather than paper towels, to clean and dry your windows.

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Foundation Problems

You would think that having the slab already poured would make building the addition easier, but changes in the building codes over the years now require more concrete to support the walls. To comply with the changes, new footings were dug around the perimeter of the slab, wooden forms set in place, and a new foundation poured to support the exterior walls.

Since the old slab wasn’t completely flat or level, a new layer of concrete was poured on top of it as well. Once the concrete had set, the framing for the addition could begin. The first step was bolting pressure treated wall plates to the slab. Next, the walls were framed up on the ground before being lifted into position.

Framing for a Hurricane

Since the house was located in an area prone to hurricanes, additional straps and bolts were required to secure the walls to the slab in order to resist high winds. With the walls in place, plywood sheathing was attached to the outside to add support to the structure. To increase wind resistance, local building codes even specify the number of nails required to attach each piece of sheathing.

Finally it’s time to raise the rafters, which are supported by a center ridge board that ties into the main roof of the house. Additional metal hurricane straps were used to join the rafters to the walls.

Metal Roofing

When the framing was complete, the rafters were decked with plywood to add even more strength to the structure and provide a firm foundation for the roofing. After the decking had been covered with roof wrap, sheets of metal roofing were cut to length and screwed to it. Metal roofing provides more resistance to high winds than traditional asphalt shingles and can last several times longer.

Ventless Gas Fireplace

The homeowners selected a ventless gas fireplace, since it costs less to install and doesn’t waste any heat. Ventless units can raise safety concerns, however, since any carbon monoxide produced from the combustion process remains in the room. Some states—including California and Massachusetts—do not allow the use of ventless models, so check your local building codes before considering one. Also, be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, regardless of whether you have a fireplace or not.

Porch and Decking

While the insulation was being installed and drywall hung inside, the brick walls were going up outside. Another important detail when building an addition is to make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation. This prevents rainwater from pooling next to the walls which can damage the foundation over time.

Once the proper grade had been established, work began on the pressure treated wood porch and deck surrounding the addition. Having the deck in place made it easier to install the porch ceiling, which consisted of 1/2″ plywood followed by 1/4” beadboard paneling to give a decorative look.

Finished Addition

The floor in the family room was covered with a prefinished, engineered hardwood to match the floor in the rest of the house. After the molding had been installed and a final coat of paint applied, the new family room was complete. It has lots of windows to let in light, and the gas fireplace can warm up the coldest day.

A widescreen television—with a built-in, ceiling mounted sound system—makes it a great place to watch the big game. Outside, the sun deck and covered porch provide a perfect place for relaxing.

Other Tips from This Episode

Related posts:

• (694) Room with a View, Part 1
• (695) Room with a View, Part 2

Pressure treated lumber is wood, like pine or fir, that has been injected with a preservative in order to make it last longer on outdoor projects like fencing or decks.

When cutting thick pieces of wood, such as fence posts, the preservative may not have soaked all the way to the center of the lumber.

After cutting the piece to length, use a brush to coat the end grain with an additional dose of preservative to make sure it won’t rot.

Another approach that works even better is to stand the post up in a bucket of preservative and let it soak overnight.

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“What causes the water in an outdoor fountain to look foamy? I have a concrete fountain in my garden, and the water appears full of foam or suds. Any advice?”
-Judy

Foam is a common problem in both outdoor and indoor fountains, usually caused by an excess of proteins and other organic compounds left behind by bacteria, plants, or animals. The compounds form a slick layer on the surface, which is then churned up into foam by the splashing water. Here are some ways to reduce the formation of foam in your garden fountain:

• Change the water in your fountain regularly to keep it fresh.
• Move your fountain out of direct sunlight – the sunlight increases evaporation, which increases the amount of material left behind in the water.
• If possible, use distilled water in your fountain to discourage mineral accumulation, algae, and bacteria.
• If the foam persists, you can also try products such as Jungle Laboratories No More Foam for Fountains or Crystal Clear Foam B Gone. These nontoxic additives help to dissolve the substances that cause the foam buildup.
• Clean your fountain with a scrub brush and water, or with a fountain cleaner, every couple of months. Never use regular soap or bleach – not only can these products harm the birds and creatures who may drink from your fountain, but they can also soak into porous concrete or stone and create foam of their own.

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