Expert Advice on Home Improvement

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. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

When designing an outdoor kitchen for your home, be sure to use weather resistant materials and provide a way to vent the smoke from the grill out of enclosed areas. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

This eco-friendly home makes use of green landscaping techniques, including native plants, a permeable flagstone patio to allow it to absorb the runoff from the roof, and a water saving irrigation system. Watch the video to learn more. Watch this video.

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. But 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. Watch this video to see how to use preservative to treat the end grain of lumber. Watch this video.

For this project, we converted an existing carport into an outdoor living space complete with wet bar, mini fridge, and built-in stainless steel grill. The counter of the cooking area was covered in marble tiles while the concrete slab was cleaned, scored, and stained to match the floor inside. Watch this video.

An attractive deck can add to the value of your home. The best deck is one that looks good and is easy to maintain. Though they cost than wood, composite decks require less maintenance, hold up to the elements better, and increase the resale value of your home more than wood decks. Watch this video.

The joints between patio pavers are usually filled with sand, which has a tendency to wash out of the cracks over time. PowerLoc Jointing Sand from Quikrete is a polymer based product that prevents it from washing out or cracking. Simply pour it out and sweep the jointing sand diagonally into the cracks with a push broom. To lock it in place, mist the surface down with water from a sprayer, going over it three times within an hour, and let dry. Watch this video.

Since wood decks receive constant abuse from the elements, they require periodic cleaning and refinishing to protect them and keep them looking their best. Watch this video.

To make a composite deck look like new again, try cleaning it with a product specifically designed for composite decks like Corte-Clean. This eco-friendly product removes everything from mold and mildew to grease and barbecue stains, all without harmful chemicals or bleach. After mixing the concentrated liquid with warm water, spray it on and let it sit for 10 to 45 minutes. Scrub the surface if necessary then hose it off. Watch this video.

Building steps used to require complicated measurements and difficult angled cuts, but the precut pressure treated stringers available at home centers today have made the job much easier. Allow for a stringer at each end of the steps and at 16” intervals in between. Use corrosion resistant screws and nails to assemble the steps. Watch this video.