Home Improvement and Repairs Spring 2022

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IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIRS

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR

U.S. $7.95 CAN $9.95

DECKS & PORCHES ISSUE #16 MARCH/APRIL 2022

HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

INSIDE SPRING LAWN CARE: WELCOMING BACK THE GREEN SEASON LIVE EDGE WOOD SLABS FOR HOME DÉCOR WESTERN STYLE WOOD TRIM FROM LIVE EDGE LUMBER OUTSTANDING BUILDING PRODUCTS FROM IBS 2022

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HOM OME IMPROV OVEMENT AND REPA AIRS

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ISSUE #16 MAR RCH/APRIL 2022

HomeImprrovementAndRepairs.com

INSIDE WN CARE: WELC COMING BACK THE GREEN SEASON ¢ SPRING LAAW ¢ LIVE EDGE WOOD SLABS FOR HOME DÉCOR ¢ WESTERN STYLE WOOD TRRIM FROM LIVE EDGE LUMBER ¢ OUTSTTAANDING BUILDING PRODUCTS FROM IBS 2022

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TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR DECKS & PORCHES

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LETTER FROM MATT WEBER START SMART • 2022 BEST OF IBS AWARDS • DEAL BREAKERS FOR HOME BUYERS • NEWS WIRE • 5 SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME • GUIDE TO WINDOW LOCKS FOR HOME SECURITY • ASK MATT SKILL SET WOOD TRIM FROM LIVE EDGE LUMBER LIVING ON THE EDGE LIVE EDGE WOOD SLABS FOR HOME DÉCOR SPRING LAWN CARE WELCOMING BACK THE GREEN SEASON

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SKILL LEVEL

SKILL LEVEL

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MODERATE

KNOW YOUR SKILL LEVEL: LEVEL 1 EVEN FIRST-TIMERS CAN PULL THIS OFF LEVEL 2 WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS AND A LITTLE RESEARCH, YOU CAN DO THE JOB LEVEL 3 THESE CHALLENGING PROJECTS ARE FOR EXPERIENCED DIY’ERS LEVEL 4 DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE JOB, THE EQUIPMENT OR SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED, IT’S BEST TO CALL A PRO

Home Improvement and Repairs | The Spring Issue

SKILL LEVEL

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LETTER FROM MATT WEBER

It feels like an understatement to say we live in turbulent times. The economy is struggling, energy prices are sky-high, war has broken out overseas, and it’s difficult to know what to count on.

How do you plan for the future, if inflation outpaces your wage gains, and your money simply doesn’t buy as many groceries as it once did?

That’s bad news if you’re shopping for a house but a silver lining if, like most Home Improvement and Repairs readers, you are a homeowner.

Congratulations! Your house has increased in value. There’s an old adage about a house being someone’s single biggest investment, and that may prove to be truer than ever.

the house foundation to the rooftop, conducting routine inspections and completing those boring tasks such as caulking and painting, cleaning off mold and mildew, removing rust, and sealing doors and windows.

Maintenance chores aren’t always interesting to read about, but they’re certainly important

THERE HAS BEEN A 20 PERCENT RISE IN HOUSING PRICES RELATIVE TO THE OVERALL INFLATION RATE SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC. A contracting dollar can make it tough for folks to pursue the American dream of owning a home, especially as mortgage rates climb and housing affordability drops. In fact, there has been a 20 percent rise in housing prices relative to the overall inflation rate since the onset of the pandemic.

PUBLISHER JEREMY HOLLINGSWORTH jeremy@HIRpub.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATT WEBER matt@HIRpub.com

It’s a good time to reassess your home in light of its increasing value and do what it takes to protect the investment. Our magazine covers a lot of cosmetic upgrades and improvements, but that shouldn’t overshadow the need for fundamental maintenance. You should always keep a close eye on everything from

ADVISORY BOARD JIM BUTTERS RANDY STEPHENSEN DUSTIN SCHWAIGER RICHARD HAMILTON CHIP LOVELADY MARK CLEMENT

to your home. Spend some time protecting your biggest investment, and your work is bound to pay off in the future.

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTERS CARTER SWIFT TOM MATTHEWS COPY EDITOR DIANE WEBER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR WESLEY GLASSCO wesley@HIRpub.com

AD DESIGN/COORDINATION SPECIALIZED MEDIA SERVICES, INC. ads@HIRpub.com PRODUCTION MANAGER SHANNA QUIGLEY ONLINE/SOCIAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT GLORIA BERRIO

Home Improvement & Repairs is published by Pine Mountain Media Group LLC, 130 Inverness Plaza, Suite 226, Birmingham, AL 35242. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission. The editorial content is intended to explain and simplify home-improvement tasks. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change. We assume no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.

PINE MOUNTAIN MEDIA GROUP LLC

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STARTSMART 2022 BEST OF IBS AWARDS

EACH YEAR, THE NAHB INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS’ SHOW® (IBS) RECOGNIZES THE OUTSTANDING BUILDING PRODUCTS FROM EXHIBITING COMPANIES IN EIGHT CATEGORIES WITH THE 2022 BEST OF IBS AWARDS. WITH OVER 200 ENTRIES IN EIGHT CATEGORIES, 24 INDUSTRY AND MEDIA JUDGES CONSIDERED THE PRODUCTS' INNOVATION, FUNCTIONALITY, DESIGN AND USER-FRIENDLINESS TO MAKE THIS LIST OF WINNERS.

1 EVOLVE STONE

MFG: Evolve Stone WEB: evolvestone.com INFO: Evolve Stone won Best in Show as well as Most Innovative Building Material Product.

This first-of-its-kind nailable stone veneer product is the only mortarless, color-throughout stone veneer that installs up to 10X faster and is a fraction of the weight compared to the competition. It looks and feels like real stone and installs with the ease of a finish nailer. No mortar or hardware is required. It’s moisture-impermeable compared to competitors' products, which can hold moisture against the structure.

Evolve Stone is also extremely durable, which reduces breakage during shipping and installation. No heavy-duty staging or scaffolding is needed, nor is there a need for engineered tie-backs, grade beams, or stone ledges. Evolve Stone installs structurally under vinyl siding guidelines.

Read our magazine online at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

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2 SWIDGET 20/40/60 CONTROL SWITCH MFG: Swidget WEB: www.swidget.com INFO: Winner of Best Kitchen & Bath Product, the Swidget 20/40/60 Control Switch is a modular Smart Home enabled timer switch that can be wired for single-pole or dry contact applications. When your home is equipped with Swidget wiring devices, configuring your spaces is as easy as 1-2-3. Simply install the desired insert type in the wiring device, and pair it to the app to get real-time monitoring and control over your domain. Move and change devices as your life evolves, without worrying if your home can keep up with technology. Many of the Swidget Inserts can be used on their own, like a nightlight or USB charger, or they can connect to an ever-growing number of systems via Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or ZigBee protocols, allowing you to control and monitor the switch. Inserts are safely and easily installed/removed from the body of the Swidget 20/40/60 Control Switch without the use of any tools.

3 SPAN GEN 2 SMART PANEL MFG: SPAN WEB: www.span.io/panel INFO: SPAN reinvented the hundred-year old electric panel and won both Best Energy Efficient Product and Best Home Technology Product. It replaces your existing electric panel and lets you control every circuit in your home right from your phone. Furthermore, when paired with SPAN, a home battery can back up your entire home rather than only a fraction of it. SPAN makes this as easy as using a drag-and-drop app. Outage at night? Power your bedrooms.

Outage in the morning? Power your kitchen and office. Need to get away from the outage? Power an Electric Vehicle.

Every circuit is now a connected circuit. Turn them on and off, from home or away.

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4 TIMBERLINE SOLAR MFG: GAF Energy WEB: www.gaf.energy INFO: GAF Energy launched Timberline Solar, winner of Most Innovative Construction Tool. Timberline Solar is the only roof system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials.

This new system incorporates the world’s first nailable solar shingle, the Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™ (ES), which will be assembled domestically at GAF Energy’s manufacturing and R&D facility in San Jose, California.

Timberline Solar is reliable, durable, cost-effective, and easy to install. The ES boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a 1/4 inch and integrates with traditional shingles to create a sleek and attractive look.

5 PANOLOCK MFG: PanoLock WEB: www.enduraproducts.com/panolock INFO: Winner of Best Window & Door Product, PanoLock is a one-of-a-kind, multi-point lock that works with off-the-shelf hardware to provide superior home security at an affordable price. The lock installs along the edge of the door with three locking points. It works with most handsets, whether knob, lever or thumb-press via an innovative plug-nplay latch and deadbolt adapters, which mate with multiple brands and styles. PanoLock compatible brands include: Schlage, Kwikset, Gatehouse, Baldwin, Brinks, and Defiant.

Read our magazine online at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

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6 MURPHY FLUSH PANTRY DOOR MFG: Murphy Doors WEB: murphydoor.com INFO: Winner of Best Indoor Product, the Flush Pantry Door from Murphy Doors provides the perfect spot for grocery, errand, and chore lists AND you'll gain up to 20 cubic ft. of storage space in previously wasted space.

The flush-mount Pantry Door is available in 6 wood selections, 36 finishes, and paint-grade options to perfectly complement your décor.

It installs like a regular door.

7 BARRETTE DECORATIVE SCREEN PANELS MFG: Barrette Outdoor Living WEB: www.barretteoutdoorliving.com INFO: Winner of Best Outdoor Product, the Decorative Screen Panels from Barrette Outdoor Living offer an attractive way to customize an indoor or outdoor setting. Enhance a room, patio, garden, or add a stylish solution for under a deck. Panels can also be installed up to three high in the aluminum frame kit, creating a divider screen for increased privacy wherever it is needed.The panels resist warping, rot, twisting, splitting, discoloration and scratching, and can be used as decorative infill in select railing products. The low-maintenance, impactresistant material ensures stability in extreme climates. Made in the USA and backed with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

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> HONORABLE MENTION: CAMO CLIPDRIVE MFG: Camo Fasteners WEB: www.camofasteners.com INFO: Target screws easily from a standing position and drive CAMO clips up to 5X faster using the CAMO ClipDRIVE, an IBS finalist for Most Innovative Construction Tool. This contractor-grade tool is designed to give you the best experience fastening grooved decking.

For exclusive use with CAMO Universal Deck Clips on grooved decking, the tool attaches to your drill and features a height-adjustable handle. The weighted nose easily targets the screw head to speed up decking installation.

SNEAK PEEK: MONSTER PIVOT DOOR SYSTEM COMING IN 2022 Simpson Door Company is taking customization and efficiency to new heights in 2022 with its Monster Pivot Door System. The oversized doors can be custom-made to span up to 12 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide to create a showstopping entrance. A contemporary alternative to traditional assemblies, the company’s latest offering makes it possible to marry the sought-after look and functionality of an oversized door on a pivot hinge with the simplicity of a ready-to-install system.

Featuring a no-fuss option that takes the guesswork out of the installation process, the Monster Pivot Door System comes with high-performance hardware that makes it easy for home builders to purchase and install a truly one-of-a-kind door. Like anything from Simpson Door Company, the Monster Pivot Door System can be customized to accommodate a range of design aesthetics.

Read our magazine online at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

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STARTSMART DEAL BREAKERS FOR HOME BUYERS Planning on selling a house anytime soon? Take note of the new HomeAdvisor Inc. survey results of nearly 2,000 American homeowners, all of whom have bought their homes within the past five years. There are several deal-breakers that will cause buyers to pass on a property.

The most common deal-breakers are: • Exterior issues, such as damaged or discolored siding • Weatherproofing issues in an area of the house • A significant number of repairs needed • Noticeable flaws in the foundation • Cracked walls or ceilings However, homebuyers are not turning away homes just because they need some work. The following reasons were the least likely to dissuade buyers: • Home being in a fire zone • Lead paint or the presence of radon • Yard or landscaping issues You can remodel a home and hire local lawn care professionals to fix outdated landscaping. But at what cost?

Price was the most important factor for homebuyers, and the size of the home was nearly as important. Yet, over 60% of responders said they’d go over budget. In fact, one in four were willing to go over budget by more than $100,000.

Learn more at HomeAdvisor.com.

NEWSWIRE

LEADING CONSTRUCTION TRADE SHOWS TO BE HELD AT THE SAME TIME IN LAS VEGAS Three of the leading trade shows will take place at the same time in 2023, furthering the offering of what attendees can see next year. The National Hardware Show® (NHS), NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS) at Design & Construction Week® will be held in Las Vegas, NV January 31 to February 2.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the National Hardware Show (NHS) will be in Las Vegas during the same time that Design & Construction Week takes place,” says NAHB CEO Jerry Howard. “NHS creates synergy with the International Builders’ Show and NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Show. Co-locating NHS with IBS and KBIS will allow attendees to explore additional products and opportunities to grow their businesses and maintain a competitive edge in the market.”

For more information on the National Hardware Show, visit www.nationalhardwareshow.com.

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5 SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME Spring cleaning is a time to get organized, but don’t forget to take steps to combat unwanted pests. Follow these handy tips from Aptive Environmental, one of the leading pest control companies in North America.

“Home should be a haven, and a place where families can spend time together. Aptive’s expertise in pest control can play a big part in helping people enjoy their homes,” says Aptive’s CEO and Co-Founder, Vess Pearson.

• Get rid of any unwanted boxes. After the holiday season, many empty boxes can quickly pile up. This can become an easy shelter for roaches, spiders, crickets and silverfish. To deter pests from invading your home or garage, get rid of any unwanted shipping or gift boxes.

• Tackle areas in the home that are usually forgotten. Overlooked places such as air filters, vents, and ceilings should be cleaned regularly to prevent any unwanted bugs like dust mites and spiders.

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• Keep the kitchen clean and organized. Spring is the perfect time to reorganize. Use chip clips and sealable food containers, choose waste bins with lids, and regularly clean the trash can. Having a clean, organized area and food sealed can prevent infestations.

• Don’t forget to clean outside. Prune branches and shrubs to ensure they are not touching the side of the house or roof. Remove any leaves and debris from areas near the home, including the gutters, windows, walkway, deck and patio. Pests like to linger in the yard during the warmer months, so it is important to start the season with a clean environment.

• Hire a professional. An expert with extensive training can take care of pests with a service designed to treat and prevent an infestation. Service professionals can provide you with custom pest-management solutions for your home. Learn more at www.GoAptive.com.

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> GUIDE TO WINDOW LOCKS FOR HOME SECURITY Crime is on the rise in most major cities, and home security is a hot topic. Windows can be vulnerable entryways for burglars and are just as important to secure as your doors. Here is a quick guide to the types of window locks to consider for home security.

Lock and Key: Window locks do not allow key access from the outside. With no lock to pick, an intruder will be forced to find another means of entry.

Although you can find key locks attached directly to windows, most are coupled with another variation of lock. For example, the folding latch lock is a common key combination available on casement windows.

Smart Technology: Smart locks are a new and innovative way forward when it comes to home security.

With a smart lock on your window or glass door, you will require a smart panel or an app on your phone to open your windows, along with a security code that you set. Although these locks come with their own challenges, such as how to open a window during a power outage, this secure system has many other benefits for home security. For example, a smart window lock can be connected to other security features in your home, send you a message when a window has been opened, set off an alarm, record CCTV, and even call the police.

es come with the added benefit of a key lock, so you can lock it from the inside. This is a secure option when it comes to window latches, although other latch options are available.

Latches such as the swivel latch simply clasp together, holding a window closed. The strength of these types of latches can vary greatly, depending on quality of design and how well they have been secured to the window.

A Note on Window Glass: A burglar is not afraid of a little noise. Do not think that they won't throw a rock through the glass if it will give them entry. Consider stronger glass or impact windows to discourage this type of forced entry.

(Source: David Davidof, Quickly Locksmith Miami).

Window Pins: A window pin lock is not a very secure option but does have its uses.

Window pins work in a similar way to door chains. They allow the window to open, but only so far. One part connects to the window frame and the other part connects to the sash. The cable or chain between them prevents the window from opening very far. How far it opens will depend on the length of the chain or wire. Although this is an effective option for letting air into the home, with the right tools an intruder can use that gap to cut the chain or cable, making it ineffective for security.

Folding Latches: A good folding latch on a window brings the two sashes together and folds the latch down. This then holds the window firmly closed. Many folding latch-

Read our magazine online at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

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STARTSMART ASK MATT QUESTION: A local landscaper recommended we install a “dry creek bed” to help with drainage in our yard. How does that work?

ANSWER: A dry creek bed made of stone can provide a natural drainage solution. By redirecting the flow of water during rainy weather, the creek bed can protect your house foundation and prevent excess water from pooling in low spots on your property. A dry creek bed is a shallow trench lined with landscape fabric and filled with boulders and stones of various sizes. With a little planning, it can also serve as an attractive, organic landscape feature that needs little maintenance. Arrange the bed in a curving course down the slope of the yard. Line the edges of the trench with the heaviest stones, using the flattest shapes for capstones along the borders. Incorporate plants along the sides for more decorative appeal. Slope the soil at the edges toward the bottom of the trench and line the creek bed with smaller rocks. Remember that it is illegal to channel the water into the street or onto someone else’s property, so aim for a zone within your property lines where the water can pool and soak into the soil.

YOUR FAVORITE NON-SCRATCH SCRAPER TOOL JUST GOT ®

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Remove stickers, tape,caulk, putty, grime & more!

Available in original 2-packs, 5-packs and new wide blade 3-packs

Find us at www.scrigit-scraper.com, local hardware stores, and Amazon!

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QUESTION: How can I kill kudzu?

ANSWER: Follow the kudzu vines down to the ground until you find the nodes/crown. Use a handsaw to cut the vines as close to the crown as possible and treat it with herbicide.

Treat within 5-10 minutes, otherwise, the wound will dry and the herbicide will not be absorbed. Use a high concentrate (between 18-50%) glyphosate-based herbicide solution.

An indicator dye will help keep track of what areas have been treated.

Be sure not to spray the herbicide anywhere but on the woody stem.

Repeat applications may be necessary.

H Need more info? Visit Matt’s blog at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com.

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SKILL SET

By Carter Swift

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WOOD TRIM FROM LIVE EDGE LUMBER

Wood lovers might love the unique “Old West” accents that Randy Stephenson of Cropwell, Alabama, made from rough-cut lumber for a cowboy-theme room at his home.

By incorporating the exposed wood grain and natural live edges into the baseboards, ceiling molding, and door and window casing, he gave the room an old-timey feel which he enhanced with a pair of batwing-style saloon doors.

"My wife Donna came up with the design of the room," explains Stephenson. "She is the brains, and I'm just the grunt."

Enclosing a closet, the saloon doors were comprised of edge-joined boards enclosed by a four-piece rail-and-stile frame. To give the doors their batwing shape, the top rails were constructed with a mirrored swoop on each

Home Improvement and Repairs | The Spring Issue

side, which Stephenson cut from solid pine with a jigsaw.

The door panels were made of individual rough-cut boards, and Stephenson first trued their edges on a table saw to ensure a tight fit to the joints. A feather-board makes a handy table saw accessory that applies pressure across the work-piece and against the fence, so the board is held in place and the cut-line maintains alignment with the blade.

To assemble the doors, Stephenson first used a router to cut dadoes (grooves) along the inner edges of the rails and stiles, which encased the panel edges like a picture frame and concealed the end joints. To fasten the panels, wood glue was applied to all mating faces of the corner joints, and the entire construction was clamped together, then strengthened with trim-head screws.

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SKILL SET Tool Tip: Quality trim-head screws such as the Fine Screws from U2 Fasteners have self-drilling tips and aggressive threads that draw joints tightly together. When countersunk, the small screw heads leave a tiny hole similar to a nail head, which is easy to conceal with wood filler. H

Editor's Note: Randy Stephenson is a professional remodeling contractor in central Alabama, who can be reached by email at handyrandyco@yahoo.com.

For the tightest fit between the edge-joined boards, Randy Stephenson first squared up the sides of the 1x boards using a table saw and feather-board accessory to maintain cutting accuracy. Once the sides were true, the edges were joined to assemble the door panels and wall paneling.

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WOOD TRIM FROM LIVE EDGE LUMBER

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The top rails of the batwing saloon doors each had a mirror-image decorative swoop cut with a jigsaw from solid 2x12 boards.

Stephenson routed a dado along the inside center of the 2x rails and stiles to conceal the end-joints of the door panels. He then cut the stiles and rails of the door frames to length.

The frames and door panels were assembled with clamps and fastened using wood glue and trim-head screws.

Read our magazine online at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com

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SKILL SET

HOW TO CUT BOARDS TRUE AND SQUARE USING A TABLE SAW Rough-sawn lumber often needs to be squared up to construct everything from doors, trim, wall cladding, and flooring to tables, countertops and window shutters. Even if one face is left with its natural live-edge shape as a decorative accent, the opposite edge should be squared with straight, true corners if the board is to join correctly to any other workpiece. Avid woodworkers might use a jointer to square board edges, but a table saw can also get the job done.

1. Decide whether at least one long edge of your board is straight and flat. If it is, then align the straight edge with the table saw’s rip fence.

Make sure the blade is set to 90-degrees, then push the workpiece into the blade to cut off the rough side, removing only enough material to straighten the board’s edge.

If neither edge of your workpiece is straight, you must create a straight edge using your table saw.

2. Select a scrap piece of 3/4-inch plywood that is 1- to 2-inches wider than the width of your board and is at least as long as your board. Make sure the plywood has one straight edge. This edge will ride against the table saw’s rip fence while the plywood serves as a sled for ripping the workpiece edge straight. (Ripping is cutting a board lengthwise in the same direction as the grain.)

3. Position the workpiece on the plywood sled so the edge to be ripped is facing the table saw blade, and the straight edge of the plywood is flush with the rip fence. Attach the board to the plywood sled using two wood screws located safely away from the blade.

4. Adjust the rip fence so that the sled/board combination will push through the blade, trimming off any defects while straightening the edge of workpiece.

5. While wearing safety glasses, make the cut and use a push stick to guide the material past the blade.

6. One edge of the board should now be perfectly straight. The workpiece can be flipped around to align the straight edge with the rip fence to square up the opposite side.

7. Repeat the process for all board faces that are out of square.

8. For short workpieces, the square ends of the boards can be aligned snugly against the table saw’s miter gauge and passed through the blade to square the edges. Long workpieces have a tendency to misalign when cross-cut with a table saw. Longer boards will get a more accurate cross-cut from a miter saw or a handheld circular saw guided by a Speed Square.

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LIVING ON THE EDGE LIVE EDGE WOOD SLABS FOR HOME DÉCOR

By Matt Weber

Live edge wood slabs can blend raw beauty with a refined appearance for countertops, shelves, tables and more. The term “live edge” refers to the natural edge that has been left uncut along the bark-side of a wood piece, preserving its unique look and character.

SELECTING A SLAB You probably won’t find wood slabs at a “big box” home center. Local sawmills and lumber yards can supply them, but a kiln-dried slab will best reduce shrinking and swelling of the wood, so you might need to purchase from a hardwood supplier. You’ll also find many slab suppliers online and on social-media marketplaces.

The required thickness of your slab will depend on how it will be used. Thicker slabs usually look more natural. Tables and countertops should be 3 to 4 inches thick, but shelving can be as thin as 1 to 2 inches, depending on how they’re fastened

Available from sawmills, lumber yards, and hardwood suppliers, live-edge slabs retain the natural outer edge of the tree on at least one side. The cherry slabs shown were purchased from City Hardwoods of Birmingham, Alabama.

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Home Improvement and Repairs | The Spring Issue

to the wall. Ask your lumber supplier to cut the slab, and choose as flat of a workpiece as possible, because slabs are often too large to fit into a planer.

You’ll find a huge assortment of wood species available as slabs, and they vary greatly in appearance and price. Keep in mind that a hardwood species will better withstand scratches and dents than a softwood variety. Choices include Sweet/Red Gum, Eastern Red Cedar, Cypress, Sassafras, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Red Oak, Poplar, White Oak and other species.

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SKILL LEVEL

2 MODERATE

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LIVING ON THE EDGE

FLOATING SHELVES Shelves can be installed in many ways, but metal hardware will help when anchoring “floating” slabs to a wall so no fasteners are visible.

Live Edge shelves will need to have the opposite edge cut straight to mount flush against a wall.

The Floating Shelf Brackets shown in this article are sold by SemiExact.com and each consists of a 1/4-in. steel bracket that is screwed into the wall studs. To carry the shelves, 6-in. steel rods bolted to the bracket will slide into holes drilled into the back of the wood slab, which conceals the hardware when the shelf is pushed flush to the wall. The slabs should be at least 1-1/2 in. thick if using this method of installation.

The installation process is fairly simple, but it’s important to use the right tools. The rods are 5/8-in. diameter, and a lot of power is required to drill a 5/8-in. hole 6 inches deep into hardwood, as shown with the solid cherry shelves shown here. An entry-level cordless drill might not cut it, so I recommend using a high-torque drill with a side handle. A 5/8-in. auger bit or spiral bit will do the best job of making accurate holes.

You’ll need to align the metal bracket along the lengthwise center-line of the rear shelf edge.

Once in place, mark the holes for the steel rods.

Note that the holes drilled in the wood must be perfectly square to the bracket and aligned with the rod locations, or the wood will bind against the metal and resist sliding over the rods. For this reason, avoid trying to drill the holes free-handed. Using a drill press would be ideal, but the length of drill bit plus the depth of the shelf (10-1/2”) means only a large, floormodel drill press will have the capacity to drill the shelf edge. Most people don’t have that tool at their disposal, but you can use a homemade “guide block” as an alternative.

You can strip off the bark and sand the wood smooth, or preserve the bark and the rough surface texture for a more rugged appearance.

The shelf brackets we installed are sold by SemiExact.com in lengths from 10 to 78 inches.

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To drill the shelves for the hardware, it’s important to arrange a stable work surface and to clamp the shelves securely in place.

A chalk-line can help mark the mid-point along the rear of the shelf slabs.

Avoid drilling the slabs with the plunge-type accessory that guides a drill-chuck down to the workpiece along parallel bars. We tried that method, but the torque was too much for the 1/4-inch drive of the accessory chuck, and it broke before we completed two holes.

You can, however, use one of those dual-bar drill guides or a small drill press to fashion your own “guide block” with which to drill your shelves. To do so, first drill a 5/8-in. hole at 90-degrees through a square block of hardwood that is a couple of inches thick. Then, screw or clamp the hardwood block to the rear edge of the shelf and use the 5/8-in. hole as a sleeve to guide your drill bit in a perfectly square trajectory through the back of the shelf.

The only downfall of this method is that with repeat use, the guide hole will wear around the edge and lose its accuracy, requiring you to drill new guide holes.

After drilling the rod holes a little more than 6 inches deep, work the bit along the inside of the holes to widen them slightly and create extra clearance to fit the shelves. You can also flare out the openings with a step bit to help the rods slide inside more easily.

Be sure to test-fit the brackets onto the backs of the shelves before mounting them to the walls, because it will be much easier to make any necessary adjustments from your workbench. For the tightest fit against the wall, use a router to create a recess in the shelf as deep as your bracket to hide the hardware.

Center the metal bracket and mark the holes for the metal rods.

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LIVING ON THE EDGE To drill the 6” deep 5/8” diameter holes in hardwood, we recommend using a high-torque drill with a side handle. An auger or spiral bit will work best.

To keep the drill bit at a 90-degree angle, we first drilled a 5/8” hole in a scrap hardwood block and screwed it to the shelf. The 5/8-in. hole serves as a sleeve to guide the drill bit into the shelf back.

You’ll need to remove the guide block to finish drilling the last couple of inches deep.

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After prepping the shelves for installation, sand the surface, clean it thoroughly, and apply your finish of choice. You can strip all bark from the live edge and sand it smooth, or leave some bark and even add distressed texture for more rustic appeal. Apply a durable clear-coat to the wood finish to protect the surface from moisture damage or stains.

When hanging the shelves, you’ll get the strongest hold by mounting the Floating Shelf Brackets into wall studs. Use a stud finder to find the solid framing. Otherwise, use the appropriate wall anchors or screws (i.e., drywall, masonry, concrete).

For stud mounting, carefully level the bracket at your desired height and drive 3-in. wood

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If you plan to make a lot of floating shelves, we recommend using the metal V-Drillguide from Big Gator Tools. It matches eight different bit sizes—up to 5/8 inch—and its durable steel construction won’t wear out from repeat use.

A step bit provides a handy way to flare out the mouths of the holes for an easier fit over the rods.

When bolting the rods to the bracket, you might find it helpful to leave the rods slightly loose, which allows a degree of movement that can help when sliding the slabs over the rods.

Before mounting to the wall, you should test-fit the hardware on the shelves and make any necessary adjustments.

Mark the studs, align the mounting holes, and carefully level the shelf hardware.

When hanging multiple shelves, I prefer to mark the studs with vertical strips of painter’s tape.

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When driving screws close to a mounting rod, a bit extender can be helpful to keep the screw aligned with the wall studs.

To hang the shelves, align the rods with the mounting holes and slide the slabs in place. screws through the holes provided in the hardware into the solid wall framing. Repeat this for each shelf bracket. Slide the slabs onto the bracket rods and enjoy your new shelves.

LIVE EDGE COFFEE TABLE Table construction is another trending application for live-edge slabs. The slab alone can serve as the table top. You can build a wooden leg support structure, or reduce your labor and give the table an industrial touch

This vertical shelf application can be used with virtually any number and size of shelves that match the hardware, and the wood can be finished in wide assortment of colors and finishes to suit your home’s décor.

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This coffee table was made from a slab of poplar purchased from Rustic Lodge Works of Cullman, Alabama.

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My first step was to cut the ends square, although I left a live edge along both long sides.

On this project, I sanded off the tree bark but left the natural shape intact.

Finish to your preference. For the table, I used a combination of teak oil and a semi-transparent gray wood stain.

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Use a square and tape measure to carefully position the legs on the underside of the table.

Mark the fastener holes and predrill pilot holes to avoid risk of splitting the wood.

Place a level on the legs in each direction to make sure your table will have a level surface when upright. Correct any minor problems by inserting shims between the table and the legs before screwing the legs in place.

Fasten the hardware in place. On this project, I used quarter-inch lag screws.

Make sure your drill bit and fasteners are not long enough penetrate the top surface of your table.

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by attaching prefabricated metal legs, as shown on this coffee table.

The U-shaped metal legs from DIYhairpinlegs.com fasten directly onto the underside of the slab. With the table top upside-down, use a tape measure to position the legs where you’d like them, typically centered on the bulk of the slab and parallel to each other.

Mark the legs’ mounting holes with a pencil.

Predrill the fastener holes to avoid splitting the wood. On this table, I used 1/4-in. lag screws to attach the metal legs.

Before final assembly, move the table to a very level work surface.

Position a bubble level across the bottoms of the legs in each direction to make sure the table will sit flat when upright. Slight deviations in the slab thickness or construction of the legs can cause problems. If you see any issues, insert shims as needed between the slab and the metal legs until you achieve level in each direction. Drive the fasteners through the mounting holes in the hardware. Make

sure all fasteners are cinched down tight and the legs are secure before turning your table upright for use.

H

The final step was to apply a clear Polycrylic finish to protect the wood from water and stains.

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TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR

DECKS & PORCHES As the seasons change and folks spend more time outdoors, deck and porch construction ramp up to meet the demand. Here’s a look at materials and tools to consider for your next backyard home-improvement project.

DECKORATORS MINERAL-BASED COMPOSITE (MBC) DECKING AND CLADDING Deckorators patented mineral-based composite technology provides the deck industry’s best strength-to-weight ratio with boards that have virtually no thermal expansion or contraction.

Featuring a fiber-like structure similar to wood, MBC decking is stronger and 35% lighter than traditional composites, similar in weight to PVC. It's powerful, stable, doesn't absorb moisture and is warranted for installation in the ground or water. The MBC boards can also be used as exterior cladding. As cladding, it provides style and structural integrity with stain- and fade-resistant cap stock, backed by a 50-year structural warranty. Deckorators MBC decking lines— Voyage, Vault and picture frame boards — can be installed as wall cladding in horizontal, vertical and angled applications. Each line offers its own unique color, variegation and texture. www.deckorators.com

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RAILING KITS FOR DECORATIVE SCREEN PANELS Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc., now offers kits that allow for the company’s Decorative Screen Panels (DSPs) to be used as infills with select aluminum and vinyl railing products. The kits present a customizable, code-compliant, semi-private infill option for the RDI Collection Finyl Line Vinyl Railing, Avalon Aluminum Railing and Privacy Rail. Homeowners can also use DSPs under decks in place of traditional lattice or as an interior or exterior wall hanging. Decorative Screen Panels sold separately. www.barretteoutdoorliving.com

PROWOOD DURACOLOR LUMBER ProWood color-treated lumber allows the unique, natural beauty of the wood to remain visible. It's the look you want without the work of staining.

ProWood Color Treated doesn't use a topical finish or stain that quickly fades away. The lumber employs in-solution colorant that penetrates the wood during the pressure-treating process.

It also features a natural tint that allows the wood's characteristics to remain visible. With Color-Treated lumber, decks, railings, lattice and timbers look better longer, backed by the industry's first two-year color assurance limited warranty against fading. www.prowoodlumber.com

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RYOBI 18V ONE+ POWER SCRUBBER ATTACHMENTS With attachments soft enough for delicate surfaces like glass and stainless steel to abrasive brushes that can scrub dirt and grime off decks, brick, concrete, and rusted metal, RYOBI has a scrubbing solution to fit your needs. With hex shank compatible options available for the P4400 4V Compact Scrubber as well as larger heads perfect for the P4500 and P4510 18V ONE+ cordless scrubbers, harness the power to do more with RYOBI cleaning solutions. Available exclusively at Home Depot. www.homedepot.com

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SCREENEZE SNAPTRACK The original ScreenEze is a two-part, no-spline, self-stretching system that allows for large screen-porch panels and easy repair. The base secures to the post/column and the cap, when pressed on, secures and stretches the screen fabric. For the DIY installer, the new SnapTrack System uses the same ScreenEze technology but has some notable differences. SnapTrack installs to the face of your post/column. The aluminum base is a “T” shape and the screws are hidden under the vinyl cap. www.screeneze.com

PCA PRODUCTS SCREEN DOOR SOLUTIONS Are you tired of your screen door sagging, warping and splitting at the edges? PCA Products claims to have “the last screen door you’ll buy”— manufactured to withstand over 740 lbs. with a heavy aluminum frame, corner keys, and a self-locking screen system. With over 70 styles, 6 colors to choose from, each hand-built screen door is powdercoated to withstand weather and be virtually maintenance-free.

These decorative screen doors are made in the USA using materials that withstand the harshest environments and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. www.pcaproducts.com

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FORTRESS BUILDING PRODUCTS STEEL PERGOLAS Fortress pergolas combine steel’s unmatched weatherability and low maintenance qualities with a modern aesthetic. Highly versatile, Fortress pergolas can be configured in infinite ways and can be employed across any type of outdoor surface to define usable space. Fortress pergolas sidestep issues associated with moisture absorption, one of the most common reasons for decomposition in standard wood pergolas. The sleek structural steel is dual-layer protected against fire, corrosion, twisting, insects and rot. Customers can select from two freestanding pergola styles available for download.

Each style can be assembled in countless configurations to accommodate ever-expanding backyard functions. Customers that have worked with wood or framed a wall with steel studs and track will feel at home constructing a steel pergola system. No specialized tools are required. The assembly is backed by a 25-year limited manufacturer warranty. fortressbp.com/pergolas

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TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR DECKS & PORCHES

YELLAWOOD TREATED STAIR COMPONENTS Few things rival the frustration of cutting step stringers from a 2x12. Why waste time calculating the rise and run of each step when it’s already been done for you? With YellaWood pre-cut, pressuretreated step stringers, just take a few quick measurements and do some simple math, and the job is practically done. Need some ready-to-install stair treads? Yellawood also offers bullnose step treads with a grooved surface to provide improved traction, while V-channels on the bottom help minimize cupping. The single bullnose edge gives your step a routed look without the headache of routing each step on site. www.yellawood.com

DECKWISE DECK BOARD ROUTER BIT Traditional square-edge boards usually require deck screws for installation, but the DeckWise Router Bit is a 4-wing slot cutter specifically designed to create a perfectly symmetrical groove in the boards to accept Deckwise Ipe Clip Hidden Deck Fasteners. The 4-wing design provides a smooth cut for creating slots and grooves in decking material including exotic hardwoods, thermally treated softwoods, and composites. The bit fits most standard router devices. www.deckwise.com

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TREX UNIVERSAL FASTENER INSTALLATION TOOL Trex Universal Fasteners are self-gapping hardware that attach two grooved deck boards together so no screw heads are visible on the walking surface. Trex’s new Universal Fastener Installation Tool features a nose cone to ensure you hit the head of the screw every time, a handle that allows for both pushing and pulling, and a handy bit holder in the bottom. www.trex.com

FOOTINGPAD For decks, post-frame buildings, and other post-supported structures, FootingPad structural post foundations are engineered to meet or exceed the load capacity of concrete, while being lightweight and easy to handle. Compared to concrete—which is heavy, requires mixing and curing time, and is prone to cracking—FootingPad footings are easy to handle, guaranteed to perform, and allow you to complete projects faster. Footings work by spreading the load of a structure over a larger soil surface area. If overloaded, soil will give way and the footing sinks. This is true for footings made of any material, including concrete. FootingPad footings are guaranteed to exceed the load capacity of all soil types when using the correct size for your application. A 10- and 12-in. FootingPad will support a 4×4 or larger post, and a 16-in. FootingPad will support a 6×6 or larger post. (Allowable loads are determined by the type of supporting soil.) The product is made up of a proprietary blend of polypropylene and fiberglass and is impervious to the elements. footingpad.com

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SPRING LAWN CARE

By Valerie Smith

With spring approaching, warmer weather signals plants to come out of dormancy and start flourishing again. Pretty soon, your lawn and garden will be full of color and activity! If you have a warm season lawn, your turfgrass will come out of dormancy and if you have a cool season lawn, snow in your area will start to melt and you’ll enjoy a greener environment.

SPRING MOWING The timing for the first mow of the spring for your mature, established turfgrass varies depending on the area you live in. Grasses come out of dormancy differently depending on the environment and temperatures your area encounters. For example, if you live in South Florida, your grass may have never entered dormancy at all during the winter. Many homeowners who live in South Florida will mow their lawn every other week during the winter—oftentimes starting in September and resuming a regular, weekly mowing schedule again in mid-March.

Generally speaking, mid-March is about the time for you to begin your regimen for spring green-up and mowing. Mowing heights vary for each grass type, but for all of them, never remove more than a third of the leaf blade at any time.

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The first mow of the spring should not take place while warm season grass is dormant.

Mowing heights differ per each grass type in the spring, however. Lastly, a good tip for spring is to make sure your lawn mower blades are sharpened so that the mower blades neatly slice through the grass in place of ripping them.

If the grass blades aren’t cut neatly, the mower is ripping them and opens the grass up to possibility of disease. Performing regular maintenance on your mower is good practice for the end of the mowing season or before spring takes place.

SPRING FERTILIZATION Spring is one of the most important times of the year to use a fertilizer. Warm season grasses are coming out of dormancy, so you will want to promote healthy roots and the return of green leaf blades.

Be careful when making your first fertilizer application of the year, though. A lot of homeowners see their grass green-up and immediately pull out the fertilizer and lawnmower. We advise that you typically wait until the last frost has hit.

If you fertilize your lawn and another frost hits, your grass will go right back into dormancy, and you’ll have a harder time getting it to green up again. This does more harm than good.

The date of the last frost varies from location to location. In the Florida Panhandle, for example, grass doesn’t ever go truly dormant and reaches its full green-up in early February (depending on how cold the winter was). Even then, you won’t want to apply fertilizer until after Easter once the last frost has passed. Refer to the Farmer’s Almanac to figure out the last frost date for your area in 2022.

You’ll find different options for spring fertilization, including slow-release granular options and liquid fertilizers that can be applied monthly with a hose-end sprayer.

Next, it is important to mention that if you have a warm season lawn, you may start to notice spots of brown or straw-like grass while the rest of your lawn comes out of dormancy.

This is usually a sign of disease. You do not want to apply fertilizer to a lawn with disease, because the nitrogen in the fertilizer will feed the disease and promote its growth. Apply a systemic fungicide first and then wait several weeks before following with a fertilizer application.

SPRING WATERING Dormant, warm season turfgrass doesn’t need much water until the active growing season kicks in and your grass starts to green up.

If you have a dormant, warm season lawn, it is not dead—it’s just “sleeping.” Although dormant grass requires much less water than it would while it is actively growing, it will still need water.

Once your grass starts to green up from winter dormancy, however, you should resume watering your lawn with about one inch of water per week including rainfall.

If you’re a homeowner who lives far enough south, and your warm season grass doesn’t go dormant during the winter, you may continue to

A pre-emergent herbicide should be applied before a weed grows, while a post-emergent herbicide should be applied if you already have weeds in your lawn. Apply a pre-emergent before seeds germinate to prevent them from growing during the cooler months and reduce any time or effort spent removing them.

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Dormant, warm season turfgrass doesn’t need much water until the active growing season kicks in and your grass starts to green up.

water your lawn regularly in the winter. However, if you live in South Florida, for example, you may turn your irrigation off completely during the winter and during the months of June–August, when it rains a lot. The atmosphere in South Florida isn’t usually evaporating much water and the grass isn’t using much during the winter, so frequent irrigation isn’t needed.

The next few tips in this article discuss spring applications for fungicides, herbicides or insecticides. If any of these control products or fertilizers are granular, you will need to water the product in so that your lawn absorbs it. This means that you will already be watering your lawn with the appropriate amount of water during the week of application. The same can be said with any liquid products, as they are either products that attach to the end of your garden hose or require tank-mixing with water.

Pre-emergents should be applied when ground temperatures reach about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact dates for these applications differ depending on the area you live in, but generally speaking, pre-emergents should be applied between March 1st and March 15th in the spring.

Apply post-mergent herbicides in May as needed to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds like white clover, knotweed, spurge and lespedeza. Products containing multiple broadleaf active ingredients like SpeedZone Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf are more effective in controlling broadleaf weeds.

SPRING INSECT CONTROL If your lawn has suffered from insect damage in the past, it is a good idea to apply a broadspectrum insecticide in the spring to prevent the problem from coming back again.

If the insecticide is a granular product, be sure to water it in so that it soaks into your soil.

If it is a liquid product, you will either need to attach it to the end of your garden hose or tankmix it. Some of the most common insects in the springtime are white grub worms, chinch bugs and billbugs.

SPRING WEED CONTROL The most important thing you can do for any weed issues is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. A pre-emergent herbicide prevents weeds from emerging from the surface of the soil, as its name suggests. So, if you know you get a lot of weeds in the summer like crabgrass, goosegrass or sandspurs, applying a pre-emergent to keep them from even appearing may be a good idea for you. It will also save you time, money spent on more product, and effort from pulling the weeds that appear in the future. It’s actually not recommended you use an herbicide in the summer or winter, so pre-emergents in spring can be especially useful for this reason.

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The dead spot in the spring grass is a sign of fungal disease.

Spring Fungus Control As previously mentioned, if you have a warm season lawn, circular brown or yellow spots may start to show up as it comes out of dormancy.

This is a sign of disease, and you may need to make applications of a systemic fungicide.

Even if you don’t have disease in your lawn, it’s still good practice to apply it as a preventive measure to keep disease from taking over— especially if you’ve had disease in the past around the spring time. Systemic fungicide applications should take place before you apply any spring fertilizer because nitrogen can help the fungus spread.

Thatch Control Lastly, if you notice thatch that is thicker than half inch deep, de-thatch in late May. For compact soils, consider aerating in late spring instead.

Thatch is the layer of debris below the grass that accumulates over time. It consists of all kinds of natural matter that eventually forms a semi-solid mat. While a little thatch is fine for the health of grass, it can build up quickly.

Too much thatch creates a barrier that keeps important hydration, nutrients and air from getting into the soil.

In most cases, all that is needed to dethatch a lawn is a dethatching rake that can be purchased at hardware stores. These are usually heavy, short-tined rakes with curved blades that dig into your lawn and pull up thatch. Simply rake the grass vigorously enough so that you are breaking through the thatch layer. Your lawn will look a little beaten up if the job is done properly.

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You can’t “over do” it, but be sure that you aren’t actually raking up the grass or roots in the process of dethatching. Dethatching isn’t necessarily something that needs to be done often or annually—just as needed.

In cases where the soil is too hard and compacted for nutrients, water, or air to absorb, lawn aeration might occasionally be necessary. Lawn aeration punches holes a few inches deep into the sod so that water and nutrients can get into the soil and reach the grass roots. Most lawn care companies offer aeration services, or you can rent a professional aeration machine.

Spring maintenance tips somewhat differ from maintenance practices that take place during the rest of the year because the weather is starting to warm up, and everything starts to turn green again. Although cool season grass doesn’t usually go dormant during the winters, snow in a lot of the areas up north starts to melt and your lawn will receive more sunlight.

It is important to partake in spring maintenance so that you can set your lawn up for success for the rest of the year.

H Editor's Note: This article appears courtesy of Valerie Smith for Sod Solutions, which has helped develop and release more than 20 different turfgrass varieties over the past 27 years including Palmetto and CitraBlue St. Augustine, EMPIRE and Innovation Zoysia, and Celebration, Latitude 36 and NorthBridge Bermudagrass.

Learn more at Sodsolutions.com.

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