Author: Automaton

It’s estimated that 11.6 million homes are heated by wooden fireplaces. Fireplaces and chimneys need regular maintenance to keep them working properly and to keep your family safe. Family Handyman YouTube channel describes how you can do a fireplace and chimney inspection. If you have a glass firescreen, look for any defects in the glass. Video Source Make sure they open and close smoothly. Make sure the sparkscreen moves smoothly when you open and close it. Fireplaces should have a grate for the logs to sit on. If you do not have a grate, get one. Check the hearth for cracks, especially in between the bricks, after vacuuming it. Make sure that any carpets, furniture, wooden flooring, or anything else that can catch fire is at least 16 inches away from the fireplace. Next, check the fire box for creosote build-up. If not removed by a chimney sweep, the creosote can cause a fire. The damper door should open easily and close completely. Check the flue for cracks or creosote build-up. Finally, go outside and look up at the chimney to see if any bricks or flashing are missing. You may need to get up on the roof to check and see if the cap is on, and that the chimney is free of debris. Check for black residue between the bricks which indicates that creosote is seeping through. If there are black marks, call a chimney sweep.

Your gutters should be cleaned at least once a year to remove anything that blocks the flow of water away from your roof. Seals often need replacing every one to five years, or they cause leaks. The Home Depot lists the best ways to maintain your all-important gutters. If you have mobility issues, you should not be standing on a ladder. You are better off hiring a service that offers gutter cleaning maintenance programs that clean your gutters annually. This will save you money in the long run. Video Source If you have a ladder and are healthy, then you can clean your gutters yourself. Make sure your ladder is on level ground. Use two buckets. Place tools you may need in one and debris from the gutters in the other. Hook the buckets on your ladder. Be sure to wear work gloves. Use a trowel, gutter scoop, or your hands to remove the debris. Next, remove and clean the downspout strainers. Finally, give your gutters a good flush with a hose. Check for leaks. If you find any, repair them with a sealant. Also, check that water is flowing freely out of your downspout. If there is hardly any water coming out when you rinse the gutters, you have a clog. Turn the hose on full blast to dislodge it. If the clog does not come out, call a professional.

There are a number of ways to improve the curb appeal of your home, including installing an attractive fence around your property. A good fence not only protects your home and property, but it can also beautify your property and provide some privacy for your family. Cedar fence installation is very common as the wood is both attractive and durable, making it great for fencing needs. In this YouTube video, you will see what options are available and how to design and install a quality cedar fence on your own property. Video Source Whether you have a small city lot or a big plot of land, putting up a fence can go a long way in improving the appeal and overall value of your land. These additions add value directly to your property and this video does a good job at explaining how to maximize this with your fence installation. From start to finish, you will see what it is like to install a fence yourself. If this is something that is of interest to you, or you want to learn more about fence installation basics, be sure to check out this video and see what creative fencing ideas you can come up with!.

This video shows a construction scaffolder teaching viewers how to install a three-tier scaffolding system to enable them to install one on their own. This allows you to do your own windows, siding, soffit, and fascia, just to name a few. It can be slightly dangerous, so it is best to know all the details of building scaffolding. Video Source This is a two-person operation. You start with the first stage, which is the feet. You will need four leveling feet and a leveling block (brick, concrete). Use a level to ensure the scaffolding is level. There are a few main components to scaffolding. First, there are ‘ladders’ at either end with pin-and-scissor locks on both sides to create stability. Once you connect them to all four corners and get it level, your scaffold is strong. Your scaffold should have a safety catch so it cannot be knocked over. When you are building the higher stages, you want to climb the ladder from the inside. So when someone is handing you the side ladders for the top levels, they should hand it to you from the sides and not the front. Be sure to watch the video for more details.

Flooring designs are a big part of home design. Flooring designs change just like other home decor styles do. This video reveals some of the most popular home design trends in flooring. Video Source Anyone that is looking for some ideas for flooring can benefit from watching this video. The information contained in this video can help you decide which flooring option is going to be right for your home. You may be surprised to learn that some of the most popular trends in flooring like hardwood flooring have come to an end. You may be further surprised to learn which type of flooring is moving into the realm of the most popular type of flooring. This video is chockful of information about flooring options that are set to be very popular in the coming year. Learn which flooring types are easiest to maintain and how they can transform your space. This quick video will put you right on track to choosing the perfect on-trend flooring for your home. Sit back and learn all you need to know about the latest flooring trends. .