Who wouldn’t love lush greenery, flowers, and a natural lawn in their backyard? But what happens when your garden doesn’t have any grass, not even a little?

There’s also a chance your backyard simply can’t grow quality grass, or you don’t have the time to maintain a green lawn since you’re always busy.

This void can be filled with artificial grass, and the best part is that you can buy it and install it all by yourself. It only takes a little bit of your time, and then you can have a lush green lawn for the rest of the year, and you don’t ever have to worry about upkeep or repairs!

That’s a win-win situation if you ask us.

Easy DIY Methods To Install Your Fake Grass

Having a lush green yard is an important part of the quintessential American dream. You can realize your dream by installing synthetic grass. It’s quick and easy.

Follow the steps below to install artificial grass in your backyard. If you need a visual guide, watch this DIY tutorial to learn how to install fake grass.

Remove Your Present Turf

It’s time to say goodbye to your existing lawn that has only caused exorbitant water bills, patchy grass, costly maintenance, etc. and go artificial.

To ensure your new artificial turf sits still and looks attractive, you need to excavate your existing lawn.  Start by cleaning your base. Remove rocks, debris, and other waste that can get in the way of grass installation.

Excavate the soil with your shovel and dig up to 70mm deep – that’s where you’ll place your fake turf.

Create The Base For Your Synthetic Turf

When you’re done with excavation, get your rake and start leveling the base. Keep one thing in mind: it should be smooth.

It’s better if you use crushed rock as your base for the fake turf. You can find them easily at your nearby hardware store.

Make sure to equally spread its base and use your rake to set the sub-base flat. After that, use a vibrating plate to compact your base. Check the depth of your sub-base; it should be around 15mm.

Arrange The Turf

Bingo! You’ve completed half the installation process.  As soon as you’re done with the base, it’s time to position your artificial turf.

Unroll your fake turf and leave it for a couple of hours to adjust and flatten.

Use a sharp cutting knife to cut the turf. And make sure you cut clean, as it’ll help you in accurate joining later.

Proper Joining Of Pieces

Do you know what makes artificial grass look real? It’s the correct joining of the divided pieces.

Keep your divided turf pieces close, but not so close that they overlap and touch – a few millimeters gap between each section should be more than adequate.

Roll out the turf tape onto the total length of your fake turf to seamlessly join the separated pieces – leave it for 30 minutes.

If you want to ensure it’s in place, walk over it a few times.

Next, trim any pieces that are jutting out or look out of place. Use a new cutting knife, and not with the one you’ve used to cut the turf.

Secure Your Turf’s Perimeter

You’re almost finished! There’s only one thing left: making sure your new artificial turf stays intact.

Grab some flat nails and start hammering them in on all sides of your turf – make sure you go some 25cm down.

Fill Your Turf With Sand

It’s the little things that add to the natural look. To make your turf appear natural, you’ll need about 12kg sand.

Carefully scatter the sand across your fake grass. If you’re finding it hard with hands, use a rake or a seed dropper to get it right and give your artificial grass an unbelievably natural look.

 

Installing fake grass is easy, affordable, and a more convenient option than growing it out season after season. This is a set-it-and-forget-it solution, so no wonder thousands of homes and offices across the United States choose it.

And now you can have it too. Just follow this guide to DIY your artificial grass installation.

Photo credit: christopher babcock/Shutterstock

It’s no secret that air conditioners need regular maintenance to deliver optimal performance. However, most of us forget all about that until the sun is at its hottest, and we are left struggling in the hot weather.

If you want to make sure that you don’t lose your cool at such trying times, learn to identify the most common problems for air conditioners and fix them yourself. This way, you’ll at least be able to keep the AC running until a technician shows up.

We’ve highlighted the most common ways to get your AC up and running in case of an issue.

Common AC DIY Repairs

We’ve seen it happen all too often: an upset homeowner calls us to fix an AC problem – an issue they could have easily remedied by themselves!

Besides, DIY-ing can also help save money and restore some comfort to your home or office.

Try the following troubleshooting tips when your AC starts acting up:

Check The Breaker

If the AC doesn’t switch on, the breaker may have tripped. This is quite a common occurrence that happens when a couple of appliances operate on the same breaker.

The hike in power usage trips the breaker, and the Air Conditioner won’t power up.

So, check the breakers in your house — notice if any switch is off and turn it back on.

Adjust The Thermostat

The central AC may be working fine, but someone may have messed with thermostat settings, putting them on a higher temperature. That’s why your home may not be cooling up appropriately. Check the thermostat, adjust it, and turn it off and on again if the need be.

Please ensure that the thermostat is set at a temperature lesser then what is the room’s actual temperature, and the AC will provide cold air at the right time, every time.

Replace Your Filters

A clogged, dusty filter can keep your AC from performing optimally. Here is how to identify and fix this issue:

• Open the front housing and inspect the filter
• If you see it clogged up with dirt, it’s time to clean or replace it
• If your unit has a permanent filter —wash and dry it before inserting it back
• If your unit requires new filters, and dusting them off won’t work, replace them
• If all else is up to the mark, cold air will start flowing through again

De-Ice The Unit

If you use your AC around the clock, it can start accumulating ice as humidity in the air collects and freezes within. This can compromise the airflow, making it difficult for the AC to cool the air sufficiently.

Shut the unit off and let it thaw out completely – this may take a whole day.

Once the ice has melted, use a dry towel to soak up any condensation that may have pooled around it.

Restart your air conditioner; it should be in perfect working order now.

Cleanup Thoroughly

It is highly likely that the AC is just dirty, and you need to clean off the accumulated dust and debris instead of running repairs.

Start with the outdoor unit, thoroughly but diligently clean the fan blades, and drive away any debris or other contaminates.

The same goes for internal condenser fins; they need to be kept in top shape. To clean them, first remove the filters and wash them, then use brushes purposed for condenser fin cleaning to brush off the grime.

Check For Freon Leak

If your AC is clean and at the right setting, but it doesn’t blow cold air, the refrigerant might be leaking.

This can not only cause you physical discomfort but also result in high power bills.

To diagnose if your AC has a Freon leak, take off the cover and examine the condenser. If the coils are dark or wet, there may be a leak.

But that’s all you can do about a leak. The next step would be to call an expert AC technician who can fix this issue for you.

Still Need Help With Your AC Troubles?

If you’ve tried the tips mentioned above but are still having problems with your air conditioner, it’s essential to get in touch with a qualified AC technician stat.

In fact, it is advisable to call a reputable HVAC service company in your area – they’ll send over a professional who can diagnose and repair your air conditioning system in no time.

Photo credit: Wstockstudio/Shutterstock

A perfectly kept garden is an excellent addition to any household — it’s a sight for sore eyes, raises property value, and lets you farm your own produce.

Gardening is an excellent hobby and keeps you on your feet, so it also has several benefits for your mental and physical health.

However, it takes a lot of hard work and effort to keep a garden looking healthy and well- maintained all year-round – it requires constant care, time, effort, and doesn’t come cheap.

Make sure you follow these tips to keep your garden looking good no matter what time of the year.

Our Top Tips For A Beautiful Garden

To help you have a beautiful and healthy garden, we have jotted down a few tips for adequate upkeep, follow them to have a lush garden all four seasons and beyond.

1. Gardening is an art that requires planning, time, and patience. So plan efficiently — make a list of vegetables and fruits you would like to grow, then conduct some research on what items from your list are easy to grow. Then you can purchase and plant away.
2. Avoid planting in rows unless the required crop profile requires it to be planted in a linear manner such as corn. This will significantly raise the garden’s aesthetic appeal.
3. For a cleaner look, use raised beds; not only are the plants easier to manage, but you get enough space to move without damaging the vegetation freely. You also have the option of using different soil types for different plants.
4. Ensure proper placement – taller plants should be at the back, medium-sized in the middle, and the smallest go right in front. This layout ensures that everything is perfectly visible.
5. Like humans, vegetation can also be disease-ridden, and infections can spread to the rest of your plant life and ruin your beautiful garden. Hence, only bring home healthy plants, when at the store, check for aphids, fungus, the health of the roots, and discolored leaves.
6. If water bills are through the roof in your area or you don’t have adequate water supply to start with. You can still have a healthy garden by selecting plants that don’t require as much water, such as kale and pepper.
7. Some plants are resistant to many diseases, so it’s best to check plant profiles before buying them like squash plants are known to catch fungus. In contrast, other plants cannot be infected with it. The good news is that most planters mention vulnerabilities right on the box.
8. Use different colored fruit and vegetable plants to get a colorful and visually appealing garden. You can use plants such as eggplants, tomatoes, pumpkins, white squash, yellow peppers, to name a few.
9. To conserve water, keep the soil moist, prevent irregular weed growth, etc. — place the plants close to each other. Remember, venerable plants should be kept at afar.
10. Water plants early morning, or in the evening – since there is no scorching sun – most of the water will be used as evaporation will be minimal. Also, if you are away a lot, create an automatic irrigation system that controls water flow in a pre-assigned manner.
11. Use 10 to 15 liters of water per square meter, and not anymore.
12. Plant flowers to enhance the aesthetics and the aroma, beautiful flowers will impress onlookers and make your stay in your patio or backyard more meaningful. Also, having a flower border around produce can safeguard your fruits and vegetables from pests and other infestations.
13. Stay on top of the weed situation — not only are they bad to look at, but they quickly grow and take over your garden.
14. Trim weeds as soon as you see them. Use a weeding trowel to remove them from the root.
15. Remember, temperatures of up to 26-degree Celsius is ideal for your garden and all crops within to grow, whereas a heat over 30-degree Celsius in unfavorable. So if the place in question has sweltering weather, it would be best not to shorten the grass too much – five to six centimeters will be an ideal length – to shield the soil from the direct sun so it would remain mois.t
16. Ensure that the soil is in top-shape since healthy plants require hale and hearty soil to grow. So you can put natural mulch or compost to the soil to increase nutrient intake.
17. Remove dead stems, plants and flowers, as they keep the healthy ones from growing properly.
18. Surround your garden with synthetic grass, it’s a protection layer against many common issues such as irregular weed growth, plus it is impressive to look at.

Key Takeaway

If you follow the steps mentioned here, managing your garden won’t be a hassle, nor will it burn a hole in your pocket. So, plant away for a healthy and beautiful looking garden, and depend on it as your source of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of buying expensive produce from the store.

Photo credit: Andrey tiyk/Shutterstock

Any homeowner wants a patio that looks extravagant, that too without having to spend a penny.

While an elegant patio is necessarily an expensive venture, it does require an eye for design and aesthetic to acquire the most appeal. You can easily convert any forgotten backyard into an elegant spot where you can enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

That’s why I’ve compiled these best DIY backyard project ideas to help you frame your patio and transform it to add to your home’s appeal.

1.     Stone Path

A backyard without a stone path is like a body without a soul. You might call that a dramatic analogy, but that’s just how crucial a stone path is to a backyard.

Are you wondering why?

Well for one, a stone path protects your grass. Do you remember intentionally trekking over your garden? Neither do we, but that’s how many times you’ve run over your grass. A stone path allows you and your guests to move through various parts of your garden without having to step on the grass itself.

Secondly, a stone path allows you to traipse through high grasses without destroying your garden, which lets you truly experience the outdoors.

2.     A Fire Pit To Cozy Things Up

A fire pit may sound like a naïve idea, but adding one to your backyard can s the mood, and make the atmosphere more homely. Who needs to go to the woods to build a campfire when you can do it at home?

Whether you buy it from a nearby store or craft yourself it yourself, a fire pit adds charm and appeal to your backyard. All you need are marshmallows and some cocoa before having your friends over.

3.     Adirondack Chairs For Added Comfort

Whenever I need to relax, I find there’s no better spot than my Adirondack chair in the backyard. It makes my backyard so much more soothing and peaceful.

If you’re looking to make your garden elegant and tranquil, Adirondack chairs are a must-have!

Coupled with some warm blankets, an afternoon nap in your personal outdoors never seemed so serene. These backyard chairs withstand harsh weathers too, which makes them a great addition to any backyard.

4.     Add Pops Of Color

Matching a modern-day barn isn’t an easy task, but you can come up with a stylish festive by using a colorful lantern collage across your backyard.

You can start off with chicken wires to form the structure’s basis. Proceed to attach your lanterns with the shipping tape.

When you do this, make sure to mix and match different lantern by their size and colors, so you get the best match for your desired aesthetic. Join the parts with the glue leaving no gaps in-between.

By the end of it, you’ll only have to tie it up using fish wire and nails – and you’re good to go!

5.     Build Your Pergola

You might find that a pergola is a costly attempt to raise the aesthetic appeal of your backyard.

While that is true to an extent, it can be pretty inexpensive if you build one on your own.

The best part? If you do decide to DIY, it’s a pretty budget-friendly project to take on. Of course, the size and dimensions will differ according to your backyard. However, you can modify the design to fit even the smallest of spaces.

Now that you have some simple DIY backyard project ideas to go on, your dream backyard isn’t too far off. These pocket-friendly ideas should help you spruce things up without breaking the bank while you’re at it.

Photo credit: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Nothing can beat the refreshing effect of freshly brewed coffee as it not only gets you up and moving but also sets your mood for the rest of your day.

But what if you wake up one day and find your coffee maker is not working anymore? That’s the stuff nightmares are made of.

Relax, because there’s an easy way out, and it doesn’t involve missing out on your favorite beverage. You can repair your coffee maker by following some simple yet effective DIY methods.

Easy DIY Ways To Repair Coffee Maker

Repairing your coffee maker is no rocket science. In fact, most coffee maker repairs techniques are easy to apply and involve fundamental tools, such as screwdrivers, multi-meters, etc.

Here are some of the common issues you can face with your coffee maker, alongside simple DIY methods to repair them:

Check The Knobs!

I’ll tell you exactly what my father says every time I ask him to repair my coffee maker: “Did you check the knob?”

If your coffee maker doesn’t turn on, chances are the problem lies with the knob, i.e., the dial.

To test the knob, switch off your unit and remove the cover. Then, if you find your coffee maker’s knob lopsided, adjust it. Or, if it is defective, consider replacing it.

Unscrew the knob and change it with a new one – and your coffee maker is good to go!

Maybe It’s The Broken Power Cord?

If the knob works fine, look into the power cord of your coffee maker. Over time, the wire connection is subject to wear and tear, which may result in inadequate electrical supply.

Much like any other electrical appliance, this is one of the most common issues faced by coffee makers.

To change cords, toss your unit upside down and remove the screws first. The power cord is attached with a clip; if you want a better view of it, pull it out.

Now, after you have detached the power cord, trim the wire where it is connected with the board and rotate it onto your new cable.

Faulty Switches

Another problem that plagues coffee makers is faulty switches. The buttons on the outside don’t synchronize with the internal switches – depriving you of your fine morning espresso.

To set the switch problem straight, take out the carafe and reverse it upside down. Try different power switches within the available connections and attach them back.

Heated Fuses

When you’re tired and fatigued, you simply can’t go on anymore without some rest. The same is with your coffee maker: it stops working if it becomes too hot.

Thermal fuses block your coffee maker’s power flow when overheated, to avoid damage to the core components of the machine.

To replace it, open the unit to get a better view of heated parts, and use a multi-meter to ensure that the fuses are working fine. Replace them if necessary.

Broken Control Board

There might be a minor issue with the control board that is easily fixable if you just look into it calmly.

Let’s walk you through each step.

Your coffee maker’s control board has many components that can break down easily.

To detach the board from the maker, carefully flip the unit and remove screws. You’ll set the board securely in place with screws and a bracket. Disconnect the wire assembly from the board and connect the new one.

Change control board components with the screws and a bracket and reassemble your coffee maker. And you’re done.

A Defective Thermostat

If everything works and your coffee maker continues to act up, the problem may very well lie with a defective thermostat.

Thermostats are small white devices within your maker, attached with a metal clip. Use your screwdriver to remove the clip.

In case thermostat wires are fastened, a new terminal end will be required to connect the new device with the current set of cables. Trim the wires and fold them back in the terminal ends.

Don’t forget to attach the metal clip back to keep the thermostat secure.

 

There you have it – some basic DIY repair techniques to fix coffee maker. So next time you face a problem, don’t let it ruin your morning. All you need are a few tools, and you can go back to enjoying your coffee just the way you like it!  But remember, if these ideas don’t work, it’s best to see your local technician and have them fix your coffee machine.

Photo credit: Aleksandra Suzi/Shutterstock