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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Clay B

Chesapeake, VA
39 Followers 126Likes 339 Shares
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Featured Photos

About Me:

I worked for Building Material suppliers for over 20 years, managed a "real" hardware store that had everything. I love working around my home, and yard work. I've successfully staged two homes for re-sale, that both sold in 1 week. I hope to get into home staging consulting in the near future.

Favorite area of home improvement:

Yard work.


Recent Activity


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  • Clay B
    Followed 7 topics on Apr 29, 2013
  • Mailbox garden shed

Garden mailbox toolshed

Had this old package sized mailbox so decided to repurpose it into a mini shed out at my vegie garden. Now everything I need is right at my fingertips and everything stays dry and clean! So many people ask me why there is a mailbox out in my garden!
Julee S
Julee S Bangor, MI
48 Comments | Post Comment | 20490 Views
  • Clay B
    Liked on Apr 22, 2013
  • Share 100K
  • Like 154
  • Clip 118
Clipped to:
  • outside
  • Landscaping

Hose Reel solution for yard and garden,outdoor faucet extension/remote

Got tired of the cheap plastic hose reels that don't last. Plus my dumb house builder, put the water spigots behind the AC units(real smart). So I built this to make the water much more ...»
accessible. I mounted an aluminum hose reel, up high, so no bending down, just a simple crank type. Plus used HD washing machine hoses (stainless steel 5/8" braided, not the typical 3/8"), with ball type spigots with quick disconnects from Lee Valley; so now I just leave the spigots behind the AC units on all the time; when winter comes, just remove hoses and shut off water. Also added copper post tops. Features 2-tap water spigots, and 2-well water spigots. Plus room for expansion, and to hang things on back and sides. Came out nice. The 2 upright posts ,are cemented in; the bottom cross members serve 2-fuctions, 1) were part of the overall design, 2) to hold in place/level while concrete dried. Plus I put Treated 4x4's around the entire area with pea-gravel. Was always muddy here(not much sun). Just have to stain a a few weeks. I drilled many holes and spaces around the perimeter for drainage; as I wanted to ensure the area doesn't fill up with water in heavy rains. (Note: I had one of those watered powered hose reels before, never really worked, you would need much higher than average water pressure to make these work properly; so I went back to simplicity- less problems I hope.) The reel was about $80, with the wood, hardware and plumbing etc, total cost about $400 (already had the hose and water timer).

Clay B
Clay B Chesapeake, VA on Apr 15, 2013
1 Comment | Post Comment | 819 Views
  • Miriam I
    Miriam I on Apr 15, 2013
    Great solution! I'm impressed!
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Clipped to:
  • Outdoor Living
  • For the Garden
  • Outdoor Life

Home Maintenance & Repairs: 15 yr old kitchen window has lost it's seal.Condensation apparent between the two panes.Any fixes, or buy new?

Jeanne F
Jeanne F Centralia, IL
6 Comments | Post Comment | 202 Views
  • Clay B
    Commented on Apr 09, 2013
    I would start with the manufacturer of the window. Often, the manufacturer will give you a new ...»
    sash free of charge. Andersen has a 20 year warranty, but most often, gives a free replacement anyway. First, look over the window for a manufacturer (A/W is Andersen). Key places to look; WIndow Lock and/or hardware/hinges. Look in corners of glass, often a slight etching on glass with manufacture logo or something. Look on metal band in-between the glass (the metal band that separates the inside and outside glass, sometimes it's there (might be tiny but look all around the entire perimeter of this. Write down any numbers/letter you see, and where you found them. Then measure, most companies want the glass size, the width and height of the visible glass; then measure the entire sash for verification. Often, with all this info, even if the window is not under warranty, these numbers/measurements is all that needed to order a new sash with the glass already in it; which is usually easy to replace. If you determine the manufacture, contact them to find out what to do, or where to order etc. Also note what the sash/window is made of, wood, wood with vinyl outside etc. Be sure to ask how to remove the sash and replace if needed, if you don't already know. Many double hungs, you just tilt in 90 degrees, tilt one side back up about 6 inches to disengage the pins that hold it in, and remove sash, then do the opposite to re-install.

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Commented on a photo from:

Old glory isn't going anywhere now!

Jeff C
Jeff C Broadview Heights, OH
1 Comment | Comment on this photo
  • Clay B
    Commented on Apr 04, 2013
    Funny, I just posted a question about this on another user/photo. I like the lag screw/lag ...»
    shield. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time, but have been worried about the flag loosening over time; as I want mount it over my front door, and leave it up all the time (I keep the front light on via dusk/dawn feature).

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  • Example of a proper masonry bit
  • Drilling into mortar is safer and more easily repairable if you make a mistake.
  • Plastic anchors make it easier to insert screws for hanging.
  • Masonry art
  • See 1 more photo

Properly drilling into brick

Before you begin your project, its important to ensure you have the proper equipment. A lightweight electric drill will not be strong enough to handle the stress of drilling into your ...»
masonry. Instead, invest in a more heavy-duty drill with a hammer feature. This allows the drill bit to break up the masonry.

You will also need to purchase a masonry drill bit. These bits have harder cutting tips made of tougher materials than their standard counterparts. The tips of masonry bits are also shaped differently, more like an arrow, than other drill bits. You can also tell that you are using a masonry bit because the tip will be slightly larger than the rest of the bit. You will also need a screwdriver bit, plastic anchors and safety glasses.

It is also important to consider where in your wall you will drill. There are two options when drilling into a brick wall: either directly into the brick itself or into the mortar between bricks. We recommend drilling into the mortar instead of the brick for a few reasons. Drilling directly into brick is more difficult than drilling into mortar and runs the risk of damaging the brick. It is also easier to repair mortar if you drill into the wrong location or decide to remove your decorative item.

Use a marker to make a point on the mortar indicating where you need to drill. This will depend on the object you are hanging. Using your masonry bit, start to drill into the mortar. Go slowly. Drilling too quickly may lead to an unnecessary mistake or may cause the bit to overheat.

Once you have drilled your hole, insert your plastic anchor. You should be able to slide them in with your hand or tap them in gently with a hammer. Once your anchor is in place, remove your masonry bit and replace it with the screwdriver bit. Drill a screw into the anchor as you would into an interior wall, ensuring you leave enough of the screw exposed to hang your object. As you screw into the plastic anchor, the anchor will expand and grab onto the edges of the masonry. This ensures your object will be hung securely.

Easy
PineHallBrick
PineHallBrick Winston Salem, NC
2 Comments | Post Comment | 621 Views
  • Clay B
    Commented on Apr 04, 2013
    I've been wanting to mount a flag pole holder and American Flag to my brick front. But I'm ...»
    afraid the wind blowing the flag will loosen and damage the mortar/brick over time. Am I worried for no reason? I'm sure I'll have to drill into both the mortar and brick due to the screw hole locations. I keep a light on out front, and planned on leaving the flag out all the time. I wanted to mount it over the front door, and under the center window of the house. Any thoughts or tips?

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Clipped to:
  • Household Tricks
  • DIY/Home

Brackets - thought worth sharing for all the DIY'ers

Found these cool brackets to make my workbench, can even be used for a desk. Says they hold up to 1000 lbs per pair; that ought to do it! Thought I would use these for my workbench top, then build a roll-away cart/table thing to slide underneath. I've ordered them (29" x 24" size) & will post pic's of my completed project later on. Will also need to use strong fasteners to screw into the studs. Says the brackets have 1/4" mounting holes, any screw type suggestions for me? ...»

FYI: Found this link to purchase: http://www.jonesmetalmolding.com/store/shop/...

Clay B
Clay B Chesapeake, VA on Apr 04, 2013
Post Comment | 189 Views
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Clipped to:
  • DIY/CRAFTY
  • Our pergola and firepit area that my husband built has been a wonderful addition to our backyard.  He even built me a beautiful potting bench with the leftover lumber.

Our outdoor seating area

Michelle B
Michelle B Cantonment, FL
6 Comments | Post Comment | 1176 Views
  • Clay B
    Commented on Mar 29, 2013
    It's beautiful. Is this safe, fire under wood? I have no idea, but just a consideration. My ...»
    city code says fire pit must be 50ft from any structure.

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Clipped to:
  • I <3 DIY
  • Dream Yard
  • Think about your budget, space, and surroundings when you are sizing your deck.

What Size Deck Should I Have?

The right sized deck can depend on many things, like your budget or what you want to use your deck for. Check out this blog for advice on building a deck that is perfect for you!
Wahoo Decks
Wahoo Decks Gainesville, GA
4 Comments | Post Comment | 219 Views
  • Clay B
    Commented on Mar 29, 2013
    Whether it's a deck or patio; I've always find, make it twice as big as you "think" you need ...»
    (if that's an option). Many people forget to not only to accommodate the furniture and things, you need ample space around those items. A table and chairs, needs room to pull out the chairs, and space for others to get around the back of them, while people are sitting in them. Plus room for the additional items. Additional items are the ones you see later on "ooohhh... wouldn't that look nice our deck", yes, those items.

    Love the photo, and the spiral stairs make great use of the space.

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Clipped to:
  • Deck Inspiration

Does anyone know where I can purchase locally Extra Large pig-skin leather work gloves?

I've been to Lowes', Home Depot, Taylors, Southern States. All have Large, but nothing bigger. Any suggustions?
Clay B
Clay B Chesapeake, VA
6 Comments | Post Comment | 90 Views
  • Clay B
    Commented on Jan 29, 2013
    I found my gloves, but not in VA, found in MA! Go figure. I can re-order on line at Do It ...»
    Best.com. A new Tractor Supply store is set to open in our area, waiting to see if they stock extra large gloves.

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