Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Carpenter Bees - Millie Davenport

Hi, I am Millie Davenport, a horticulture Extension agent with the Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center. Today well talk about carpenter bees. Today we are in the South Carolina Botanical Garden and we are going to look at carpenter bee damage. That is one thing that you are often going to see in your landscape whether it be on your siding, or fences, trellises, anything made of wood in your landscape you are likely to see carpenter bees coming in to invade in April and May. Carpenter bees look very similar to bumble bees. With your bumble bees, they have more yellow on their abdomen. Now, however, the carpenter bee, one way youre definitely going to know it is a carpenter bee is that it has a very dark, shiny, black abdomen on the back section. The male, however, has a white head, so you can definitely tell which is male and which is female. The good news is that carpenter bees are not very aggressive. The male doesnt even have a stinger. He is very territorial however and he may even come up and buzz you. But you will definitely see the white on his face and you will know its a male and not to fear. The female however, she does have a stinger, but since they are solitary insects, they are not social like honey bees. They have no reason to really defend themselves and sting you unless you really mess with them a lot. So, thats the good news. However, the bad news is that they do cause a considerable amount of damage to wood. The female will actually create ...

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

!±8± Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

Obviously, the main difference between semigloss versus flat paint is the level of reflectiveness. Semigloss paint gives a shiny finish that reflects any available light. This often makes it a better choice for interior paint than exterior. Depending on your area and the amount of shade around the house, direct sunlight may reflect too much for semigloss paint to be appropriate outside.

The reflective nature of semigloss paint will emphasize any scratches or dings in the walls, making flat paint a better choice in older homes with some damage and wear. Flat paints can be very useful in painting over areas in new drywall construction where the taping is not sanded as smoothly as it should be. Joints where a porous compound was used for bonding may also be a good candidate for flat paint versus semiglossy. These areas of new construction can be primed later on and a new coat of glossy paint can be applied once all of the imperfections have been smoothed out.

Semigloss paint is also less durable than flat because minor scratches can be enough to mar the entire wall's appearance. This may be something to consider if you have pets or small children that will be bumping into the walls. Unfortunately, flat paint is harder to clean, which may make the tradeoff about even. Flat paint is more porous, which allows dirt to stick far better than it would on a glossy surface.

The answer to this may be a compromise somewhere in the middle. Eggshell paints are now available that give you a little bit of a glossy finish without becoming as bright as a semigloss paint. This offers more stain protection than a flat paint while still being forgiving enough to use in damaged or high-traffic areas of your home. Eggshell paint is often a good choice for exterior uses where you want a touch of shine without it becoming blinding in the midday sun.

Glossy and semigloss paint is generally not a good idea for ceilings as they will reflect the room's light back down toward the occupants. If you


Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

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Friday, December 16, 2011

5GAL Canyon BRN Stain

!±8±5GAL Canyon BRN Stain

Brand : Duckback
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Post Date : Dec 16, 2011 14:52:36
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Superdeck, 5 Gallon, Canyon Brown, Oil Exterior Transparent Stain For Decking Or Siding, VOC 250, Stain & Sealer In 1 Coat.

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wont Back Down - Eminem feat. P!nk (Chipmunked Version)

CLICK HERE FOR LYRICS Original Song: "Wont Back Down" by Eminem feat. P!nk (or Pink) This is the Chipmunked Version LYRICS [Pink] You can send the alarm you can call out your guards you can fence in your yard you can pull all your cards but I won't back down oh no I wont back down Oh no, [Eminem] Cadillacs Devilles brain dead rims yeah stupid wheels girl I'm too for real lose a tooth and nail try to fight it try to deny it stupid you will feel what I do I do it well shooting from the hip, yeah boy shoot to kill half a (?) on my death bed screaming F that yeah super ill baby what the deal we can chill split half a pill and a happy meal f-ck a stank slut I cut my toes off and step on the reciept before I foot the bill listen garden tool don't me introduce you to my power tool you know the f-cking drill how you douche bags feel knowing ya disposable summers eve (?) shady's got the mass appeal baby crate the sh-t cause it's your God-damn jam you said that you want your punchlines a little more compact well shaty I'm that man these other cats aint metaphorically where I'm at man I gave Bruce Wayne a valium and said sonny your f-ckin ass down I'm ready for combat-man get it combatman nah, aint nobody whose as bomb and as nuts learns to like (?) cat scans cause they f-cking dope (?) hunny I flaunt that ass swear to God man these mobs can't dance Marsh' show 'em how it's done spazz like a God Damn Tas' yeah [Chorus] [Eminem Verse 2] Gotta shake that ass like a Donkey with ...

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Wagner 515010 Paint Crew Plus Paint Sprayer

!±8±Wagner 515010 Paint Crew Plus Paint Sprayer

Brand : Wagner
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Price : $253.57
Post Date : Nov 27, 2011 23:57:24
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The Wagner Paint Crew piston pump paint sprayer delivers the performance, versatility and spray pattern of a pro contractor unit at a fraction of the price. Features pressure control for superior exterior painting results using both thin- and thick-bodied materials. Includes FREE roller arm attachment. It is the ultimate house painting tool! Volts: 120, HP: 1/2, Max. PSI: 2800, Hose Length (ft.): 25, Paint Capacity (gal.): 2.5

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wood Fence Maintenance Tips For Northwest Homeowners

!±8± Wood Fence Maintenance Tips For Northwest Homeowners

Prolonged exposure to rain is one of the biggest threats to a wood fence, and in the Pacific Northwest it's unavoidable. For Northwest homeowners, it pays to be extra-vigilant in the care and maintenance of your fence.

To ensure maximum protection from the elements, follow these five steps:

1. Start Before You Build.

You can begin protecting your cedar fence before it's even installed by taking a few preventive measures.

--Survey the building site and notice any concrete, rocks, tree roots, or other obstructions that get in the way of your fence's planned path.

--The support posts for most wood fences need to be placed eight feet apart. Make sure you can dig a two-foot-deep hole for each post without hitting anything harder than soil.

--When pouring concrete for the posts, use only enough to fill the hole. Excess concrete can be forced upward in freezing temperatures, compromising your fence's stability.

2. Look Out for Problems From Above.

Tree branches, leaves, and other debris from above can damage wood fencing, so make sure you're proactive about addressing these issues.

--Before winter, cut or trim any branches hanging over your fence line. Frozen branches can break off and scrape the wood boards, and some have the potential to cause significant damage.

--Keep horizontal fence rails clear of leaves, acorns, shells or twigs, and clean out any material wedged between the rails and the fence boards. Wet organic matter such as leaves can accelerate rot in your fence, and objects squeezed between the rails and boards can reduce your fence's stability over time.

--Clear off any debris covering up the concrete post supports. You may be tempted to cover them up with dirt, bark dust, or other material, but this will increase the chances of decay weakening the concrete.

3. Inspect Your Wood Fence Regularly.

Get in the habit of checking on your fence whenever the seasons change to nip any problems in the bud.

--Address broken or cracking boards, crooked nails, or splinters as soon as possible.

--Examine the grass that immediately borders your fence and trim any overgrowth to keep it from spreading rot to your fence.

--Check your fence at the end of winter for any knotholes. Wood knots have the potential to contract in warmer weather and fall out. Use a wood filler to fill up any knotholes as soon as possible to prevent insects, birds, or even termites from moving in.

4. Use a Protective Fence Stain.

Consider using a stain that's specially formulated Pacific Northwest fencing materials. If you notice the color of your wood fence is beginning to fade, it's time to apply a new coat of stain. Otherwise, plan to restain your fence every two to three years.

5. Follow Up After Storms.

Check your wood fence after any significant storms or weather events to make sure it's stable and level. An easy way to do this is to run a piece of string along the tops of the fence posts. If the string appears level, your posts are secure. If you begin to notice any dips or rises along the string, check the posts for damage and make necessary repairs before the problem worsens.

By carefully monitoring your fence's condition, you can prevent the weather from doing its worst, avoiding costly repairs in the future.

~Ben Serviss, 2010


Wood Fence Maintenance Tips For Northwest Homeowners

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

How to Make Your Deck Look New Again and Keep it That Way

!±8± How to Make Your Deck Look New Again and Keep it That Way

Your wooden deck or fence is a big investment. Cleaning and sealing it properly will extend its life and make it a source of pride for you and your family. No matter the type of wood, sticking to a scheduled maintenance program will ensure that your deck stays beautiful.

In addition to having your deck professionally cleaned and sealed, you can help protect your investment with some simple tips:

Place flower planters on small cement blocks rather than directly on your deck, where they trap moisture and dirt.

If you have a grill, use a grease catcher. Grease stains can be difficult to remove.

Don't let leaves collect on your deck, because they can leave stains.

Promptly shovel snow from your deck.

If you have a new deck, have it cleaned to kill mildew spores in the wood, remove surface impurities that keep sealers from penetrating, and then protect it with a waterproof sealer.

Don't apply paint or a solid stain to your deck, because they peel and require a lot of maintenance.

Professional cleaning and sealing with the proper products and tools can reduce the need for cleaning and refinishing to every two or three years instead of every year.

Weather and other environmental factors can be devastating to wood. Rain and dew are quickly absorbed by unprotected wood, causing it to soften and swell. When the sun dries the wood, it shrinks. These expansion and contraction cycles cause wood to warp, cup, crack, and gray, leading to premature aging and the need for replacement.

After 1 to 3 years of continuous sun exposure, unprotected wood will begin to gray, which indicates wood fiber degradation and the beginning of structural damage. Like sunburned skin, the grayed surface layer is permanently damaged. In cedar and redwood, this graying can occur within 30 days.

Weather is even harder on decks than on other types of wooden structures. This is because decks are horizontal and allow water to pool on their surface; the moisture attracts pollen and fungal spores, which cause discoloration. Decks are also subject to 50 percent more sunlight than structures with vertical surfaces and have to handle foot traffic.

Some people believe that wood has to "age" before it can be sealed, but this isn't true. The day that you finish installing your deck or other wood structure is the day you need to protect it from premature aging and expensive repairs. Proper cleaning of the wood before staining will ensure that it is able to absorb the wood sealer.

Others believe that pressure-treated wood is weatherproofed, but it isn't. Pressure-treated wood has been injected with a chemical that protects it against rot and wood-eating insects such as termites. But this process does nothing to protect the surface of the wood against weather. In fact, pressure treatment actually makes the wood even more porous and vulnerable.

Look to professionals to protect your investment against the ravages of the weather. We are your metro roof and deck staining specialists!


How to Make Your Deck Look New Again and Keep it That Way

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Saturday, November 5, 2011

How to Make Your Wood Fence Last

!±8± How to Make Your Wood Fence Last

When properly cared for, a quality wood fence can last for decades, but without adequate maintenance it can quickly deteriorate, especially in the Pacific Northwest's wet weather conditions. If you want a wood fence that can accompany you through the years while retaining its vitality and youthful appearance, take these key steps to get the most life out of your fence.

1. Use quality materials. Ensuring your fence's long life span begins with the fencing materials you use to build it. Although cedar is the most popular Northwest material for wood fence panels, a cedar fence actually has two other important parts that require different types of wood. These include the posts and the supporting rails.

Posts: Structurally, the posts are the most important part of your fence. They hold the fence upright and anchor it in place on the ground. Because they're in contact with the ground, wood fence posts require extra protection against moisture and rotting, which is why all fence posts should be constructed from pressure treated wood.

Rails: Rails are another structurally important element, as they hold the fence boards in place. Because they do not come in contact with the ground, they don't need to be made from pressure treated wood; in fact, pressure treated wood rails tend to twist and cause problems. Cedar, on the other hand, is too soft to use for rails. Choose a harder wood, such as Hem-Fir.

2. Apply stain properly. Upon building your wood fence, let the wood set for at least a few days in warm, sunny weather to allow any moisture to evaporate before staining. This will help ensure the stain penetrates properly. If you built your fence in the winter, it's acceptable to wait until spring to apply the first coat of stain.

After your fence is dry all the way through, then you can begin the process of staining. When applying the stain, you can use either a regular brush or a power sprayer. The power sprayer is useful for large-scale jobs, while the brush is handy for hammering out the fine details. The power sprayer should be fit with a tip that is compatible with stain, as stain is thinner than paint and doesn't require the same amount of pressure.

3. Perform regular fence inspections. In order to extend the life of your wood fence as much as possible, it's important to be proactive about addressing any problems or repairs. A good guideline is to check on your fence every time the seasons change, as well as after any major storms or long rains. Things to look for include:

-- Broken boards, cracks, splinters, rotting wood and popped nails. Repair these as soon as possible to prevent them from growing into larger problems.
-- Rotting posts. Grab the top of each post and try pushing it in all directions. A sturdy post shouldn't budge.
-- Knotholes, particularly at the end of winter. Fill these in promptly, as they can invite pests to move in.
-- Pest infestations, especially termites. If action is not taken quickly, these can spread to your home.
-- Leaves and other organic matter built up on rails or wedged between boards. Keep your fence free of such debris, which can accelerate rot.
-- Dirt, mold or mildew. Remove these by hosing, pressure washing or scrubbing your fence.
-- Tree branches hanging over your fence. Frozen branches can break off and damage your fence in the winter. Fall is a good time to trim back any encroaching branches.
-- Grass or other plant matter around the bottom of your fence and on the concrete post supports. Keep grass trimmed back and keep the concrete supports clear of debris to avoid weakening and rot.

4. Reapply stain every few years. The actual time between stain applications can vary depending on the wood, the environmental conditions and the quality of the initial stain job. Re-stain your fence if you notice the color fade, the wood begin to crack or any other indication that the protection is waning.

If you follow these tips, then you'll have a better chance of seeing your wood fence live out its full life span in excellent condition.

~Ben Anton, 2010


How to Make Your Wood Fence Last

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