HomeAdditionPlus.com Monthly Newsletter

Home Improvement News for the DIY Homeowner

May 2009            Edition: 0041

HomeAdditionPlus.com May, 2009 Newsletter

In this issue of my newsletter I focus on a variety of exterior home projects. Over the past month I have been taking advantage of the warmer and drier weather by working, writing and filming a number of outdoor projects.

First on my list was the re-installation of a new mailbox post and mailbox.  In last month’s issue I reported the installation of new mailbox post. I decided to use a prefabricated cedar post instead of the traditional pressure treated one. About 2 weeks after installing it, the cedar post literally split into two, as if it exploded.  It was not hit. The post had a long vertical crack in it, as did all the others I observed when I was purchasing it. I assumed it was more of an aesthetic issue than a structural issue. I was wrong. So I found myself removing the cedar post and replacing it with a traditional pressure treated post once again.  If you are installing a new mailbox post, see my article on "Installing a New Mailbox Post and Mailbox", however go with the pressure treated post instead.

Also, in preparation for opening the pool I decided to dress up the wooden frame structure that surrounds my pool pump. I used a deck cleaner, stain, and a couple of new solar lights to turn a rather ugly frame structure into something that I might say now looks rather charming. In the process of dressing up this wooden frame structure I filmed three brief videos on the process. See my new videos on "Applying a Deck Cleaner", "Using Krylon’s new Exterior Wood Stain", and "Installing Deck Post Solar Lights" to get some ideas on how you too can enhance the beauty of your deck or other small exterior wood items.

I also tackled the garden over the past month. In particular, I was busy preparing the soil for planting. As part of the soil preparation process, I filmed a short video on the importance of "Applying Organic Compost Material in the Garden".  Check it out if your garden soil is sandy and rocky.

In addition, I recently installed a new glass slider door off of our kitchen. In the process of staining it my wife ran into a dilemma on how to reach a portion of the fixed glass door to fully stain it. The front moveable door blocked full access to the fixed door panel. See my article on "Removing Glass Sliding Doors" to learn how to get full access to both door panels.

With the warm weather about to hit us, I decided to take a look at air conditioning systems. In the process I learned a little about high velocity air conditioning systems.  These types of systems are great for open concept homes or homes with high cathedral ceilings. See my article on "High Velocity Air Conditioning Systems" to see if this type of system may be right for your home.

Finally, for an interior home repair project, I wrote an article on "How to Repair Squeaky Stairs". If you have stairs in your home, you probably have a squeak in it somewhere. This article provides detailed instructions on a variety of ways to remove the squeaks.
 

As always, if you have any specific home improvement questions or would like to see specific new home improvement related content send your questions to me at mark@homeadditionplus.com.

Again, good luck with your DIY home improvement projects and the spring days!

Mark J. Donovan

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