How to repair a driveway pothole

You can make a permanent pothole repair in your driveway with a pothole patch. I've had great results from Henry products. I like how easy this Henry pothole patch is to work with. I've used bagged pothole patch that came out in chucks and was difficult to spread.
You can fill holes in 2" layers, tamping each 2" layer before applying more product. You can spread the pothole patch with a trowel, rake or shove. You want to fill the hole 1 1/2" above the finished surface before tamping.

How to fill Driveway Cracks

To fill driveway cracks, I like a product that you can gun into the cracks. I've used many products over the years and have good luck with Henry products. This driveway crack filler is easy to use. It can be applied in 50 degrees or warmer and only takes 24 hours to cure.

You can fill cracks up to 1/2" wide and 1" deep. If the hole is deeper, just fill with sand to about an inch.

You don't want rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours.

Easy to use Electrical Tester for Homeowners

I show how to use an electrical tester to check the cicuit for power.
Every homeowner should have is a good quality non-contact electrical tester. It will safely let you know if there is electric in the circuit you are working on.

Foaming Root Killer Prevents Clogs and Damage to your Main Drain

You can find Roebic Foaming Root Killer in most hardware stores. It doesn't contain copper, so it is recommended in all states. There may be some local restrictions, so just ask your hardware store.

Trees are constantly looking for water and nutrients, so your main drain is an easy source. The roots can be as small as hair and easily fit in the joints of your main drain. When they come in contact with water and waste in your drain, they quickly grow, clogging your drain. Tree roots can also break and damage drain pipes, costing you hundreds in repairs.

A routine every homeowner should have is adding a root killer once or twice a year to the main drain. Tree roots grow the most in the spring and fall, so that is the best time to apply a root killer.

For this foaming root killer, you would want to wear rubber gloves and goggles. Pour the entire bottle into the closest toilet to the main drain on the 1st floor. Flush immediately. Let the tank fill up and flush again to push the product about 50 feet. If you need to go further, a second bottle will treat about 75 feet. Do not use the plumbing for about 6 hours.

If you have a longer distance, you would need to use a non foaming style.
Do this once or twice a year to prevent clogs and damage to your drain pipes.

The best time to fertilize your lawn

Your lawn will benefit from a fertilizer at any time, but fall is the most important time to put down the correct fertilizer.

During spring and summer, all plants and grass are busy developing top growth. As grass and plants take in fertilizer with high nitrogen content, it is used to develop stems, foliage, flowers and fruit.
 As winter approaches, available food and nutrients are diverted to the roots. It is now important to provide plants with fertilizers with higher potassium content. This chemical improves tolerance to the cold and enhances root development.

 As temperatures cool off, plants start to slow stem growth and thicken cell walls to protect themselves from winter.

 Most lawn experts, like Zac Reicher, Professor of turf grass at Purdue University, believe a fall fertilizer is the most important application of the year. His research shows it is important for plants to take up nitrogen and potassium and store the energy for maximum root growth for the next spring. His research shows that a spring application of fertilizer will never compensate for a missed application in fall.

Putting down a winterizer is the key to having a great looking and healthy lawn next year.

How to replace a toilet wax ring

I show the steps to replace the wax ring on a toilet with a non wax toilet gasket.
In this project I share a couple troubleshooting tips and the steps to fix a leaking toilet.
I have been using the Sani Seal toilet gasket and really like the features. It will spring back if you have to reseat the toilet, it has a lifetime warranty, it will fit a wide range of toilet flanges, it will move with a toilet if it rocks slightly and it fits non level drains. I have never had a leak with this style gasket.

Epoxy for repairs around the house

For repairs around the house, a 2 part epoxy does a great job on a wide range of materials

Prevent Tree Roots in Sewer

Once or twice a year you should use a root killer in your drain line. Tree roots can do major damage to your main drain. Tree roots can break older drain pipe causing thousands of dollars in repairs.
Tree roots searching for water are as fine as hair, working their way into the connections in drain pipe. Inside the pipe, they have a great source of water and nutrients. Once they find the water source they will grow and expand, damaging pipe and causing a blockage.
By applying a root killer once or twice a year, you can keep drain lines open and root free.

Gutter cleaning from the ground without a ladder

The Vertalok gutter cleaning system makes cleaning the gutters easy from the ground. The system comes with a variety of fittings to allow you to scoop, brush, paddle and wash debris from your gutters without having to climb on a ladder.

How to Kill Grubs in Your Lawn

The best way to kill grubs in your lawn, along with other lawn pests is with beneficial nematodes.
These microscopic grub killing worms are harmless to humans, animals, plants and earthworms. Beneficial nematodes can be used against a wide variety of grubs and other soil pests like fly larvae, flea beetles, cutworms, weevils, cockroaches, fleas and about 200 other pests.

Once you introduce the nematodes into your lawn, they actively search out lawn pests and enter their body. The nematode releases a toxic bacterium that kills the pest and then feeds on the insect.

When you purchase nematodes, they should be kept in a refrigerator until you are ready to disperse. The nematodes are microscopic and usually come in a container with millions inside.

You can spread the nematodes into your lawn with a hose end sprayer, a watering can or pump sprayer.

Water your lawn well before you introduce the nematodes. It must be overcast or dust when they are applied. Strong sunlight will kill nematodes.

If you are using a hose end sprayer, it will take 5 to 10 minutes to disperse into a 2,500 square foot lawn.

Nematodes need moisture to move into the soil. It is important to water your lawn every day for at least a week after an application.

These nematodes are from the Environment Factor.

How to Wire a Double Switch. 2 Single Pole Switches.

I show how to wire a double switch. I have 2 single pole switches in one box. One switch to a bath light and one switch to the fan.

Refrigerator Odor Remover

To eliminate refrigerator odors, I found an excellent product that uses charcoal from bamboo. It's called Moso Natural air purifying bag.

 Bamboo charcoal is more effective than baking soda for refrigerators and it lasts 2 years.
The bag is safe around food, pets and kids, there are no chemicals, just all natural bamboo charcoal.
To keep the charcoal working, you just place it in sunlight once every month or so for an hour. After 2 years of absorbing odors, you can cut open the bag and put the charcoal in your garden to stimulate plant growth.

Get rid of weeds without chemicals

An easy way to get rid of weeds without chemicals is with a propane torch. I use the Weed Dragon. You can pick this up at your local hardware store, or they can order it for you.
It uses intense heat to destroy the cells in the leaves that produce food. After a second of heat, the plant will die.

It is an easy way to eliminate weeds in hard to get places, like under a chain link fence and around landscaping material. The torch is also excellent in the winter to remove ice quickly.

Add ladybugs to your garden to get rid of aphids and pests

Most species of adult ladybugs are considered beneficial insects for gardeners and farmers.  An adult ladybug and larvae will remove aphids, whiteflies, lace bugs, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, grape root worms and the larvae of most other insects. Over its life, a ladybug can consume up to 5,000 aphids or soft bodied insects. Ladybugs will also consume pollen and nectar.

You can attract ladybugs into your garden by providing small flowering plants like bugleweed, butterfly weed, cilantro, dandelion, dill, fennel, oregano and thyme.

You can also purchase ladybugs to release into the garden or your farm. If you purchase ladybugs, you need to release them immediately, or store them in a refrigerator for 1 to 3 weeks. Purchase ladybugs from companies that ship next day with food and water in the packaging.

I purchase mine from a company called the Environmental Factor. They ship overnight
 and provide food, water and a cooling pack inside the packaging. This is what you are looking for in a ladybug provider. You can purchase online from Home Depot and Amazon. Environmental Factor supplies the ladybugs for both.

Before releasing the ladybugs into your garden, mist the plants to provide a source of water. You can also mix a few tablespoons of sugar into a spray bottle filled with warm water. This will dramatically increase the amount of ladybugs that will stay in the area and start to reproduce.

Release the ladybugs at sundown, because they rest and don't fly at night. You can spread out the release over the leaves of the plants. If ladybugs fall to the ground, they will climb up the plants to the leaves.

Easy way to keep raccoons out of your garbage.

A device to deter raccoons and keep animals away from your garbage cans and garden is the Sonic Shield from Bird B Gone. This little pest deterrent can be mounted on patios, decks, balconies and in the yard.

The Sonic Shield has a motion detector to set off a barking dog sound along with a flashing light during the day. At night you can set it to just the strobe light.
It is run on 4 AA batteries and designed to be left outside.

Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn is Fall

Your lawn will benefit from a fertilizer at any time, but fall is the most important time to put down the correct fertilizer.
During spring and summer, all plants and grass are busy developing top growth. As grass and plants take in fertilizer with high nitrogen content, it is used to develop stems, foliage, flowers and fruit.

As winter approaches, available food and nutrients are diverted to the roots. It is now important to provide plants with fertilizers with higher potassium content. This chemical improves tolerance to the cold and enhances root development.

As temperatures cool off, plants start to slow stem growth and thicken cell walls to protect themselves from winter.

Most lawn experts, like Zac Reicher, Professor of turf grass at Purdue University, believe a fall fertilizer is the most important application of the year. His research shows it is important for plants to take up nitrogen and potassium and store the energy for maximum root growth for the next spring. His research shows that a spring application of fertilizer will never compensate for a missed application in fall.
Putting down a winterizer is the key to having a great looking and healthy lawn next year.
 
You have to think of your lawn as millions of tiny plants. A good fertilizer is like giving them a dose of vitamins and nutrients. So for the best looking grass on your block, start this fall with a high quality winterizer.

What are ladybugs?

Ladybugs are a form of beetle. They are mostly 1/4" long with a domed back. Commonly the wing covers can be red or orange coved with black spots. Depending on the species though,  many varieties have no spots or can be other colors. The head and legs in most are black. There are over 450 species of ladybugs in North America.

Ladybugs lay their eggs primarily under the leaves of plants that have a source of food. In most cases, they are looking for aphids. The larvae will hatch a few days after being layed. Ladybug larvae look like miniature alligators. Most are black with reddish marking and can look spiky or bumpy. The larvae are usually about 1/4" long. The larvae will grow fast and shed their skin several times for about 2 weeks.  The larvae are voracious and can eat  40 to 80 aphids an day. When they are full grown, they will attach themselves to a leaf and form a pupa. In about 2 weeks, they will become an adult ladybug.

 A ladybug can live one to two years and lay over 1000 eggs. If it is under stress, it will release a bad smelling chemical to deter predators. Its bright colors are a warning that it will not make a good meal. Ladybugs will also play dead and drop lifelessly to the ground if attacked.

Most species of adult ladybugs are considered beneficial insects for gardeners and farmers.  An adult ladybug and larvae will remove aphids, whiteflies, lace bugs, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, grape root worms  and the larvae of most other insects. Over its life, a ladybug can consume up to 5,000 aphids or soft bodied insects. Ladybugs will also consume pollen and nectar.

Legend has it, that the "lady" in ladybug came from farmers in the Middle Ages praying to the Blessed Lady to save their crops plagued by pests. Soon after many prayer meetings, farmers stared seeing ladybugs in their fields and began calling the them lady beetles.

You can attract ladybugs into your garden by providing small flowering plants like bugleweed, butterfly weed, cilantro, dandelion, dill, fennel, oregano and thyme.

You can also purchase ladybugs to release into the garden or your farm. If you purchase ladybugs, you need to release them immediately, or store them in a refrigerator for 1 to 3 weeks. Purchase ladybugs from companies that ship next day with food and water in the packaging.

Before releasing the ladybugs into your garden, mist the plants to provide a source of water. You can also mix a few tablespoons of sugar into a spray bottle filled with warm water. This will dramatically increase the amount of ladybugs that will stay in the area and start to reproduce.

Release the ladybugs at sundown, because they rest and don't fly at night. You can spread out the release over the leaves of the plants. If ladybugs fall to the ground, they will climb up the plants.

The ladybug is considered good luck in almost every culture around the world.

Organic Mouse Repellent

To control and repel mice in the home, you can use an organic solution. Shake Away has a product that is safe to use in the home or anywhere mouse control is needed. The product uses a blend of natural oils that is effective at repelling mice.

Mice have such a sensitive sense of smell that the blend of organic oils is an irritant.
Pet and bird food is the main attractant in most homes, so clean up the area you want to protect and store in containers any food source.

How to Set and Where to Place a Mousetrap

The house mouse is considered one of the most troublesome pests in the U.S. They can contaminate food and food prep areas with their feces, which causes food poisoning.

Mice have a keen sense of hearing and smell. They can jump 13" and slip through a crack the size of a pencil. They can produce 25-50 babies a year.

The number one food source in house for mice is bird seed and pet food.

The first step to eliminate a mouse problem is to remove any source of food or water. Store seed and pet food in air tight containers. The next step is to close off all access into the house. Seal any openings with expanding foam (such as Great Stuff) and steel wool which mice have a difficult time chewing through. You can also use caulk and steel wool to seal the openings. Plastic screen, wood, rubber or any gnaw-able material will not work.

If you have evidence of the mice such as gnaw marks and droppings, this will help guide you to their natural pathways and will help in your placement of traps and poisons.

Snap traps are simple, inexpensive and effective. Traps can be baited with peanut butter, chocolate or dried fruit. Use multiple traps.

Set the trap perpendicular to the wall and point the trigger toward the wall. Don't set the trap parallel to the wall. If the mouse comes from the back side of the trap, it will send it flying off of the trap.
Mice are very cautious, so baiting a trap that is unset will increase success. Set the trap after the bait has been taken once or twice.

Always wear disposable rubber or plastic gloves when dealing with mice.
Disinfect all areas contaminated by the rodents.

Place dead mice in a plastic bag and seal tightly.

Wash your hands thoroughly after any exposure to the rodents.

Garden and Harvesting Bag

A great tool for harvesting and weeding is The Gardener's Hollow Leg. It is a 5 gallon fabric sack that you can wear around your waist.

The bag is made from waterproof, recycled polyester. The bag comes with an adjustable belt that you can attach garden tools to. It allows you to weed, prune and harvest in your garden, hands free.
The bag is excellent for working on a ladder. It is also great for projects like cleaning gutters. The bag will keep your clothes clean and can be worn on either side.

You can pick up The Gardener's Hollow Leg at your local hardware store or find them online.