Show Notes: Granite, Concrete and Hinges? – On the House
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Show Notes: Granite, Concrete and Hinges?

By on June 18, 2016

“It’s summertime, and the living is easy”, at least that’s what the song says. There is always work to do when it’s time to get the  yard, patio or deck ready for outdoor living. James and Morris have some ideas to renew your concrete patio, seasonal yard care, grnaite and much more this week.

 

Lives Of The Rich And Famous!

 Hugh Hefner, who once starred on reality show “The Girls Next Door,” has now sold his beloved Playboy Mansion to the boy next door.

The 20,000-square-foot home has been sold for an undisclosed amount to Daren Metropoulos, the principal at Metropoulos & Co., a private equity firm that owns Hostess Brands, according to USA Today.

Metropoulos is actually Hefner’s neighbor, having purchased the house next door from Hef in 2009 for $18 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The mansion, located in the ritzy Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles, was put on the market for $200 million in January.

As part of the deal, the 90-year-old Hef will be allowed to live in the mansion for the rest of his life.

The Playboy mag mogul has lived there since the company bought the mansion 45 years ago for just over $1 million.

The stately home was built in 1927 and sits on five acres. Amenities include 29 rooms, a game house, home theater, wine cellar and a swimming pool with a cave-like grotto.

Although the home comes with a rare zoo license, ABC News says it is unknown whether the grounds’ year-round fireworks permit comes with the deed.

 

Renew Your Concrete Patio

 Get a new look with stain in two days

Concrete stains are a quick, inexpensive way to transform an uninteresting concrete slab into an elegant patio that’s vibrant with rich color.

Concrete stain is a fast, simple way to turn your dull gray patio into a lively, colorful surface that will make your outdoor space more inviting. The stain is nearly foolproof to apply—just wet the concrete and spray on the stain. If you’re not happy with the result, you can go back and apply a second or third coat to enhance the color.

You can do this project in a weekend. Prep the concrete and apply the stain on Saturday, then seal it on Sunday. If you decide to add a second coat of stain, you’ll need another day.

The stains are available at home centers in the paint section—the color is added just as with paint. One gallon covers 200 to 400 sq. ft. A gallon of sealer also covers 200 to 400 sq. ft.

The color you choose may look slightly different after it’s applied. Each patio will accept the stain a little bit differently. However, the color will be close to what you see in the brochure.

The stain is semi-transparent. It won’t completely cover the surface as paint would. You’ll see the concrete through the stain, especially if you’re using a light color.

For directions on “how to” visit Family Handyman

http://www.familyhandyman.com/patio/renew-your-concrete-patio/view-all

 

Tips For Summer Yard Maintenance

 When the landscape is in full bloom, use these DIY yard care tips to keep it neat.

 Check your trees for dead hanging limbs that you might need to cut away. Thunderstorms are frequent during the summer and tree limbs can do a great deal of damage. Also, prune any plants that might interfere with your AC condenser and trim bushes that might be too close to the house.

 Trim any bushes. If left untrimmed, they can trap moisture and they invite termites. Keeping bushes trimmed can also eliminate potential hiding places for burglars or other unwanted visitors.

 Vines come from the ground and grow on the house. Creepy crawlies come from the ground, too, and they can use those vines to get into your house. Vines also trap moisture against the house and they can eat away the mortar in between your bricks, jeopardizing the stability of your exterior walls.

 So, while vines might be pretty they are not good for your house and you should trim them back regularly. If you really want to keep the vines hanging around, here’s a tip — install a garden trellis next to your house. They come in a variety of sizes and they keep vines away from your foundation.

 http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/landscaping/tips-for-summer-yard-maintenance

 

Tips For Selecting Granite No One Will Tell You

Granite showrooms are the perfect place to marvel at mother nature’s handiwork. But as you look at the stone, look a little closer for stones inherent imperfections.

 When you’re at the warehouse picking the stone for your countertop, be sure to check for the quality. Make sure the warehouse is well illuminated for anyone to note these points with a naked eye.

 Special points to be considered are:

 Cracks: Hairline cracks are often found in cheaper granite. Sometimes the cracks might just look like veins in the pattern, but if observed, are usually weak surface. There’s always a possibility for such countertops to break during installation!

Inconsistent Coloring: Grains, patterns, colors make granite eye-catching. Although, the stones inherit some blemishes; make sure the patterns are constant throughout. This would give the countertops a consistent flow.

Pits: Granite contains holes known as pits. Feel the surface with your hand and observe the holes in the light. The lesser the pits the better the quality of granite is!

Your first granite choice is usually the best choice!

Hire the best fabricator, he can make or break your granite!

 Once your final granite selection has been made, look at several different slabs for consistency with the fabricator.  Make sure to point out any dark/light spots or any pattern that you would like to exclude when they install the granite in your kitchen.

http://thestonecobblers.com/2011/02/how-to-choose-the-right-granite-for-your-kitchen/

 

 Help For Painted Door Hinges

 The secret to restoring metal’s gleam is simple: A long, hot, sudsy soak in a crockpot. This method, advocated by Brad Kittel, owner of Discovery Architectural Antiques, in Gonzales, Texas, uses nothing more than water, a bit of liquid detergent, and heat to break the paint bond. More often than not, you can slide all the cooked paint layers off with your fingers. A scrubbing with a nylon brush removes the stubborn bits. (Wire brushes or power tools are much too aggressive for this kind of work.)

A beeswax furniture polish after stripping or a nonabrasive polish like Flitz or Maas can restore the sheen to solid brass or thickly plated hardware. And the next time the door needs painting, do yourself a favor—take the hardware off before the painter shows up.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20055784,00.html

 

 

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