November 17th, 2008 — Create, Handy Man, Maintain, Project, Walls
If you have a problem with drainage, or you would like to keep a hill where it belongs, a retaining wall is the perfect solution. There are many different options and materials that you can use when you need to build a retaining wall. Let’s look at some of the most popular solutions that are currently available.
Rock Wall –
This is probably the most common solution when you need to build a retaining wall quickly. This method is inexpensive and installation can usually be done on your own, even if you don’t have much experience. You can use regular rocks, bricks or any combination there of to build this type of wall. If you are looking for an organic solution for a retaining wall, this is a very good choice and one that will hold up for many years to come.
The main downside with a rock retaining wall is that it will tend to crumble if it is not maintained or if the force of the earth behind it is too strong. However, with care and by selecting the right kind of rocks, you can ensure that your rock wall will be able to withstand the test of time.
Metal Wall –
This is a solution that is commonly used if there is a great deal of earth that you need to keep from eroding. Commercial buildings and sites will typically use this type of wall simply because it is among the cheapest to install and maintenance is minimal. It can be used for homes as well, particularly when the situation calls for a very strong measure.
Metal walls should be made of weather resistant metal that will not corrode or discolor over time. Otherwise, the effect may be less than welcoming and may devalue your property, or at the very least, reduce the overall curb appeal.
Wood Wall –
This option works well for small areas that need to be retained. However, there is an issue with warping, especially in areas that get a lot of snow or rainfall. For those looking for a quick and easy solution, this is one that fits the bill. Most people that need to create a retaining wall on their own will use wood and with good results.
PVC Wall –
This is a newer material that is being used with great success by many contractors. It doesn’t have the same issues as wood, stone or metal and can be very durable. However, this type of material is not well suited for areas that are very cold, since PVC can crack on impact.
Before you build your retaining wall, it’s a great idea to get at least a consultation from a professional contractor to see what options will work best for you. This will save you time and money, especially if you find out that a specific type of retaining wall is not suited for your area. Most contractors will offer a free consultation or at least a low cost one that you can take advantage of.
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November 12th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man, Project
If you’d like to get the whole family involved in your next DIY project, this book by Eric Stromer is the best place to start. Repairing and renovating your home can be a great bonding exercise with your spouse or children and this book actually makes most of the projects a lot of fun to complete. The overall tone of the book is aimed towards family, and although it can be a bit “cutesy” in spots, don’t let the language throw you off. It’s well worth the read and contains some terrific projects the entire family can enjoy.
The whole book is around 200 pages and it is not an intimidating read at all. If you like a book that makes it very easy to understand the task at hand and doesn’t try to impress you with overblown terminology and difficult wording, this is the perfect solution. Each one of the projects contained is easy enough that a family with little DIY experience can take them on and not end up with a total disaster.
There are about six different sections in the book and each one contains around four projects. You’ll be able to pick the ones that you want to try first, and they are all quite functional, so while you’re having fun you’ll actually be adding to the value of your home, which is a nice bonus. You’ll get a complete list of necessary tools for each project and this is great if you don’t have everything you need on hand. You can pretty much take the book with you to the hardware store and use it as a shopping list.
While the main downside of the book is the lack of color photography, the plans are well illustrated and easy to read. If a lack of color is the only thing lacking in this book, that’s a pretty small complaint. It would have been nice to see some before and after shots, especially so that the family could get an idea of the scope of a project, but overall, this doesn’t really hurt the book’s value all that much.
Each step you’ll need to take in a project is numbered, which is great if you’re trying to assign specific tasks to your kids or loved ones. The instructions are very easy to follow and broken down so well that everything seems easier than it really is. Keep this in mind before you get in over your head. We recommend starting with the smallest projects first until you’re positive that the whole family can tackle the other projects and still have fun.
This book has all of the main ingredients necessary for success - an engaging writing style, materials lists, step by step instructions that are incredibly easy to follow and well thought out diagrams. While color photos would have been nice, this book is still well worth the money. If you’ve got a family and you’d like to involve them in the process of fixing up the home, this is definitely the perfect book.
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