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

Building Moxie

Blogger | Baltimore, MD http://www.buildingmoxie.com
183 Followers 314Likes 1620 Shares
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About Me:

Building Moxie is the do-it-together blog dedicated to Home + Improvement. Posts by jb @BuildingMoxie. find me on Google Plus @ https://plus.google.com/u/0/1074091736385806.... hi.

Favorite area of home improvement:

All.


Recent Activity


Kathe With An E (Kathe)
  • Building Moxie
    Followed 1 person on May 16, 2013
  • Don't let this happen to you & your family – fortunately there were only a couple of scrapes caused by this mess & some soiled...
  • The parts & pieces of a deck  - Jargon
  • 1 - Talk about an obvious split issue – with that wood is a natural material that does expand, contract, & crack so don't freak out about ever crack
  • 1 - Make sure you check for signs of rot. It is best to probe with a screwdriver... If it sinks in easy you do have an issue. This spot just looks bad, wood is still solid
  • 1 – Bonus: Two other major warning signs that you might have issues: the deck is attached to a cantilever & instead of using hangers they used a 2×2 ribbon board which can...
  • 1 – Bonus: Lead to messes like this
  • 2 - Even though this was flashed, you can still see the issues caused with the ribbon board & a few small flashing errors
  • 3 –  Wow what a mess - fasteners pulled out, railing to small, to big of openings...
  • 7 – just a reminder that BBQ grills & siding don't mix to well
  • Misc. Bonus – while one would think that just because it looks like it was done properly...
  • Misc. Bonus – doesn't mean that it was. (No anchor or footing)
  • See 8 more photos

Checking Out Your Deck

Ahhh schools almost out, the summertime weather is almost here & for many of us that means spending some enjoyable time out on our decks. As no one wants a pleasant memory turning into a ...»
nightmare, we are proud to join with NADRA & many other deck professionals across the country in recognizing May as National Deck Safety Month.

1. Check for split or decaying wood

See Pictures (1)... Be careful of painted surfaces as they can hide a multitude of sins. If you see paint that looks like it is bubbled or peeling as that is a sure sign of issues.

2. Check the flashing

See Pictures (2)... While one would hope that there is flashing directing water away from the house, that isn't always the case & even if it does have it, it needs to be done right

3. Check for loose, missing, or corroded fasteners

See Picture (3)... Corrosion is a sure sign that the fastener is about to go & that the wood maybe rotting in that area.

4. Check your railings & balusters

See Picture (3)... These railings should all be firmly in place & not easily move. The top should be at least 36" tall (we prefer 42") with no openings larger than 4". While most people might not have a 4" ball handy, you can use a ½ gallon jug of mil or juice which is a little under 4"wide

5. Check your stairs

Going back to our first picture (1), if you have an "open riser" the opening should not be bigger than 4″. You should also check the balusters, railing aka guard, and any additional handrails are secured properly. Finally you should make sure there are no plantings or other issues blocking or growing up through the stairs – yeah they had three strikes on that one.

6. Cleanliness is next to...

Make sure you are keeping your deck cleaned off & maintained. Piles of leaves not only trap moisture but provide food for microorganisms to grow & thrive (even on composite decks).

7. Grills, Fire Pits, Chimneys...

See Picture 7... Fire & heat doesn't mix to well with decks & houses – while they can add to an enjoyable atmosphere be sure to use caution and follow the manufacturers directions (especially on clearances).

8. Lighting & Electrical

A well lit deck is safe deck at night – so check those bulbs & any electrical running to it to prevent shocks &/or fire hazards

9. Outdoor Furniture & Seating

Make sure you give it a good once over so there are no issues. Be careful placing seats near the edges of the deck (especially ones without railings)

10. Look up

While trees are great at providing shade, the last thing you want it is a dead branch falling down during the middle of a dinner party or a sick tree being blown over during a storm wiping out your deck

For more tips & to see the original article; http://blog.sls-construction.com/2013/a-visu...

30 Minutes Easy
SLS Construction Solutions
SLS Construction Solutions Cullman, AL
1 Comment | Post Comment | 502 Views
  • Building Moxie
    Liked on May 14, 2013
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  • Around the House
Melissa at Renovating 519 Primitive Style
  • Building Moxie
    Followed 1 person on May 13, 2013
  • Rain Barrel.
  • selection of barrels at local conservancy Blue Water Baltimore.
  • prepping for overseeding, a slope downhill of the rain barrel.
  • Half round gutters corrugated downspout.
  • rain barrel screened from the road.
  • parts that came with EarthMinded's rain barrel kit.
  • pressure treated 4x4s treated further with copper-based wood preservative.
  • leveling and setting the base (outside edge 24" apart).
  • leveling and marking the downspout for the barrel's diverter cut in.
  • a look at the rain barrel's diverter.
  • hose cut brought tight and leveled.
  • A scrap piece of hose was fitted with hose repair menders ... perfect for watering nearby.
  • See 9 more photos

Installing a (Manufactured) Rain Harvesting Barrel

I installed half round gutters and corrugated downspouts on my house recently ... (I have an old house and I wanted to maintain this look). As I was doing this, and since I knew I had ...»
some nearby yard work planned, I incorporated a rain barrel.

After some research (through which I learned there is no shortage of techniques for making rain barrels nor in the shear number of rain barrels now on the market), I chose a 60 gallon rain barrel made by a company called EarthMinded. I picked it because 1) it looked good 2) it was comparatively large 3) it looked easy to install and 4) it could be bought through a local conservancy that subsidized the barrels bringing their cost down.

With rain barrels (like real estate) location location location is everything. Screened (at least partially) from the road, I set the barrel just downhill of last year's Vinca planting and just uphill from a bit of grass I intended to overseed (I completed this this past weekend and plan to post on it). I purchased 2 bags of pea gravel, used scrap (ground-contact-rated) 4x4s (further treated) and a spare piece of blue stone. Together, this/these provided a solid, level and elevated base (all very important).

Assembling and installing the barrel was a snap (Earthminded's instructions were excellent) BUT I did have to request beforehand a kit that would work with my new round downspouts.

I may write more about this project on my blog in the coming weeks but for now if you have questions, don't be afraid to ping me. Thanks for reading. ~jb

2-3 Hours 130 Moderate
Building Moxie
Building Moxie Baltimore, MD
18 Comments | Post Comment | 5004 Views
  • Building Moxie
    Commented on May 10, 2013
    the instructions with barrel were really good. Like Ikea instructions but with words. ha!
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  • We're super-excited to be hosting a Hometalk Meetup with Donna from Funky Junk Interiors at our annual Spring Market in Leesburg, VA! 

For more details about the market:  http://www.luckettstore.com/events/50-spring-market
  • Funky Junk Donna will be here for a Meetup on 5/19!  For more information about Donna and her blog:  http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • Lucketts Spring Market May 18 & 19 2013.  We're hosting a Hometalk Meetup on Sunday, 5/19 too!
  • See 6 more photos

Hometalk gets Funky Junked at Lucketts!

We are super-excited to be joined by Donna from Funky Junk Interiors and Karen, The Graphics Fairy at The Lucketts Spring Market, this year on Sunday, May 19th! ...»

The Lucketts Spring Market is a signature event for The Old Lucketts Store and takes place May 18th and 19th. We have over 170 fantastic dealers lined up this year from all over the country. Many vendors have been featured in your favorite books and magazines, including Country Homes, Country Living, and Romantic Homes.

We will have killer antique and vintage items for you and your home, including furniture, lamps, home accessories, collectibles, and lots and lots of Funky Junk! Expect a day of food, fun, and great deals. We won't disappoint!!!

#HTLucketts

Gates will open at 10am and stay open until 5pm each day.

42350 Lucketts Road Leesburg, Virgina

7
The Old Lucketts Store
The Old Lucketts Store Leesburg, VA
13 Comments | Post Comment | 2593 Views
  • Building Moxie
    Liked on May 08, 2013
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No. 29 Design
  • Building Moxie
    Followed 1 person on May 06, 2013
Kelle Arvay
  • Building Moxie
    Followed 1 person on Apr 30, 2013

Landscaping: Landscaping

Latest project I did for a friend. any suggestions on how to properly ensure that the grass surrounding does thrive and come back thicker I really just need suggestions on GREAT grass ...»
seed. Pennington perhaps? #RuizLandscapeDesign

Gabriel R
Gabriel R Berwyn, IL
4 Comments | Post Comment | 191 Views
  • Building Moxie
    Commented on Apr 26, 2013
    Great advice SLS Construction Solutions ...»
    and I will say I am somewhat biased to Pennington. I feel a mulch-type product would be perfect for the construction related patches you need to make on the right (no soil prep or fertilization required). On establishing - just keep these products moist, which depending on where you live will amount to watering once a day or once every other day. on the left you are looking at overseeding which as SLS said amounts to aerating, picking the right grass seed and type (a high traffic type might be appropriate here) and watering. moist at first but later going for a somewhat regular saturation of the root system. You visit my site for more info on Pennington and growing grass. Good luck and a good looking walk by the way.

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  • Creative Garden/Yards...
  • Our new-to-us grill, all cleaned up and pretty. 1
  • All these parts needed was a little spray paint to look as good as new.
  • The frame also needed some paint.
  • We love this wood sideboard. A little powerwashing took off the grime.
  • Here she is outfitted with a new grill deck.
  • See 2 more photos

How to Rehab a Classic Grill

We needed a new grill, but when we found an old Weber at a thrift store we fell in love with her classic good looks and figured she just needed a little love (in the form of paint, ...»
power-washing, and a new grill deck). For less than $150, we've got a great, high-quality grill. Full details on how we transformed her on the blog. #OutdoorProjects

Rita and Cane
Rita and Cane Gresham, OR
9 Comments | Post Comment | 4413 Views
  • Building Moxie
    Commented on Apr 25, 2013
    super cool topic. I find that owning a grill definitely requires regular (but fairly ...»
    uncomplicated) maintenance ... why not just take it one step further and do a complete gut/remodel. hats off.

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Cassi Rasmussen
  • Building Moxie
    Followed 1 person on Apr 22, 2013
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