Sadiq Gill - Tool Rental Outlets Come In Handy For Contractors

Sitting behind a desk all day or performing some type of “white collar” function for a living is not for everyone. There are many among us who are more interested in building things, fixing things or getting things to work right. A good number of these individuals end up taking the knowledge and skills they develop in a particular area over time and turning them into a profession. In lieu of going to work for an established business, many of these handy folks opt for the autonomy of working for themselves as contractors.

But tools are expensive. At least initially, tool rental outlets can often be a lifesaver for the contractor.

A Tool for Every Season … and Skillset

The larger tool rental companies are usually quite capable of accommodating most contractor needs. Although there are those who specialize in some specific trade, some contractors are more generalized in their offerings and may only occasionally be required to use certain equipment to tackle a job.

In cases where it is not necessarily practical for a contractor to own items such as large generators, brick saws, scaffolding or concrete mixers, tool rental establishments make life a little easier. Landscaping contractors are especially appreciative of tool and equipment rental outlets when a particular job calls for a device that may not be in their repertoire, such as a log splitter or stump grinder.

When a mower refuses to start, when a drywall specialist breaks his last nail gun or when a plumbing contractor searches frantically for his 2-inch pipe cutter but it’s nowhere to be found, the local tool rental store can often ease the anxieties of these hard-working people. From an aerator rental to Bobcat rental, most contracting essentials can be covered by tool and equipment rental outlets. These businesses offer convenience to the contractor by furnishing them with cost-effective solutions. They also act as a “safety net” when contractors find themselves in a pinch.

Sadiq Gill - Plan Now To Have The Best Lawn Ever!

By Sadiq Gill

A healthy, verdant lawn requires year-round care. Even before the ground thaws, you can start caring for your lawn so that it stays beautiful all year and into next as well. Here’s how (and when) to do it:

• Don’t neglect lawn in fall and winter. Make sure you fertilize and aerate the soil in the fall. During the winter, keep your lawn free of debris, leaves, branches, etc., as these things can invite pests and disease.
• Mow frequently. Start mowing your lawn in the spring, after the grass reaches about 3-4 inches in height. Frequent mowing forces the lawn to grow thick and helps keep out weeds. Make sure mower blades are kept sharp, and consider using a mulching mower to fertilize as you mow.
• Mow properly. When mowing, be sure that the mower is set for the right height (don’t go too short, as this will expose the grass’s roots to the elements), and don’t mow the lawn when wet or the roots will become compacted.
• Dethatch your lawn in late spring. This “wakes up” your lawn after a long winter, allowing the soil to breathe and permitting nitrogen exchange with the atmosphere. Spring dethatching is especially important for dense lawns. Fertilize after spring dethatching for optimal results.
• Don’t overwater. Watering your lawn too frequently wastes water, results in thatch buildup, and encourages shallow roots. Water your lawn deeply but infrequently.
• Look out for summer problems. Some of these include pests and weeds. Applying natural pest-control and weed-control products during the summer as needed can help address these problems. Brown patches are another summer lawn problem, but they are easier to prevent (with good year-round lawn maintenance) than to cure.
• Rent lawn and garden tools. Lawn and garden tools such as mowers, dethatchers, and aerators are essential for proper lawn care. Renting these tools can make your life a whole lot easier and eliminate the hassle of tool maintenance. It also makes financial sense in many cases – for example, why buy a dethatcher when you only need to use it once a year?

Sadiq Gill - How To Build A Raised Garden Bed

By Sadiq Gill

For casual and serious gardeners alike, raised garden beds offer several important advantages:

• Their raised height makes maintenance easier.
•  The bed sides help keep out weeds and grass.
• The soil in the beds drains quickly so that it doesn’t become waterlogged.
•  The soil warms earlier in spring.
• The soil doesn’t become compacted because you don’t step on the growing area.

You can construct a raised garden bed from a number of materials, including lumber (rot-resistant cedar or redwood is best), concrete blocks, sandbags, or logs. For a funky look, you can even use an old bed frame or old wooden boat. If you’re growing edible plants, avoid using creosote-treated railroad ties or chemical-treated wood. If you use wood treated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), use an air-and-water-permeable landscape fabric screen to prevent soil contact.

Follow the below steps to construct a simple 4x8-foot raised garden bed out of lumber.

1. Gather: three 2x12 boards (8 ft. long), one 2x4 board (8 ft. long), and 21/2-inch galvanized deck screws (28 screws).
2. Cut one of the 2x12 boards in half to make two 4-ft. lengths for the end pieces.
3. Cut the 2x4 board into one 4-ft. piece for the center brace and four 1-ft. lengths for corner supports.
4. Drill pilot holes, and attach one of the sideboards (one of the two uncut boards) with three screws, evenly spaced.
5. Position one of the corner supports in the angle between the boards, attaching it to the sideboard with three screws; repeat for the three remaining corners.
6. Use a square to position the center brace at a right angle to the sides. Attach the center brace, joining the two sides at their mid-points.

Sadiq Gill - Use YouTube To Help Finish Those DIY Projects

By Sadiq Gill

The Internet is a great tool for DIY-ers. Online, you can find detailed instructions and visual aids to help you complete just about any home improvement project. Videos are especially useful when learning how to do a project, because you can actually see how to carry out tricky steps that may be difficult to visualize from a text description alone.

With a simple Internet search, it is easy to find a YouTube video that pertains to your DIY project.

For example, say you are looking for a video on how to install a hardwood floor. Simply type “How to install a hardwood floor” into a Google search. Then, refine your search results by clicking “Videos” and you will see a list of relevant YouTube videos with titles like “How To Install Hardwood Floors,” “Hardwood Flooring Installation” and “DIY Installing Hardwood Floors.”

Alternatively, you can search from YouTube directly. Go to YouTube.com and do a search for the project you’re working on – for example, you might search “How to use a stump grinder.” You will get thousands of results, but the most relevant ones will appear at the top of the list. Click the “Filters” button that appears before the results to sort videos by criteria like upload date, duration, view count or rating.

Some more tips for finding and using DIY videos: 

• Videos with thousands of views or from a trusted source such as Bob Vila or DIY Network will probably be better than ones with only a couple hundred views.
• Pause the video to take notes and re-watch parts that are confusing to you.
• Watch two or three videos from different sources to get a good overview of the overall project. There is more than one way to complete most projects and you want to find the method that works best for you.
• If you can’t find a good video for your project, try rephrasing your search. For example, if “How to use a Jumping Jack” doesn’t deliver relevant results, try “Using a Jumping Jack compactor.”
• You can also subscribe to free “Channels” on YouTube that will have a collection of videos from a particular user or company, usually with a certain theme (such as DIY).

Sadiq Gill - How To Take Care of Your Home's Deck

By Sadiq Gill
Do It Yourself Blogger

Summer is here and you’ll finally get a chance to make use of your deck. In order to keep it looking nicer longer, you’ll need to take care of it. Here is a checklist of things you can do to make sure your home’s deck is always in great condition.

Check for damage. Each year, it’s a good idea to look for damaged boards on the deck and steps. Look for worn spots or signs of rotting so you can take care of it right away.

Check the structure. Look for signs of insect or animal damage, such as chewed boards or brittle wood. If you see signs of animal or insect damage, consider installing a barrier or hiring a pest-control professional.

Look for loose nails. If you see loose nails, screws, or bolts, there is a possibility your deck boards could come loose. Get any loose hardware back in place, or replace them if needed.

Clean up. Clean your deck at least once a year to prevent mold, dirt, grime, and mildew from building up over time. Not only will this minimize possible damage, but it will also make your deck look new. Even if your deck is vinyl, it should be washed each year. Between cleanings, use a leaf blower to keep your deck free of debris.

Stain or seal. It’s a good idea to re-stain or re-seal your deck each year to save it from one of the biggest damagers: water.

Do your research. If you have a wood deck, find out the specific care instructions for the type of wood on your deck.

By taking care of your deck and completing preventative maintenance each year, your deck will maintain its value and serve as an enjoyable place for your friends and family to gather each summer.

Why You Might Want To Use An Aerator For Your Lawn

By Sadiq Gill
Do It Yourself Blogger

A lawn aerator might not be a common gardening tool you’ve heard of, but using one can have great benefits.

An aerator puts holes in the ground, which helps water get deeper into the soil, and it also prevents the soil from getting compacted, which can keep oxygen and insects from helping lawn growth.

There are different types of aerators, one with spikes and one with hollow spikes called a “core” aerator. A spike aerator puts holes in the ground, but also promotes soil compaction because it pushes soil around to make the holes. The core aerator, on the other hand, actually removes the soil that gets pushed into the metal tubes.

There are also powered aerators, which are especially nice for large yards or fields. Manual aerators are much less expensive, but move slower. Typically, you can effectively aerate your lawn in the same amount of time it takes to mow.

Aerating your lawn also takes some planning because the time of year and how often makes a big difference.

Aerate in late spring or early summer if you have Bahia, Bermuda, Buffalo, Centipede, St. Augustine, or Zoysia grass. Aerate in the fall is you have Creeping Bentgrass, Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, rough bluegrass, or Rygrass.

Different soils are also a factor in aeration. Clay soil should be aerated at least once per year, while sandy soil can be aerated every other year.

Some additional aerating tips include: aerate before reseeding or fertilizing your lawn, take care of weeds prior to aeration, if a lawn is just planted it’s a good idea to wait at least a year before aerating.

Aerate when the soil is moist, but not soaking wet because the aerator will get clogged. Also, do no aerate during periods of high heat or drought.

Follow these tips for easy aeration and a healthy, green lawn to boot.