DIY Project: Maintaining an Asphalt Driveway

Guest article from topgradepaving.com.

Photo by pexels.

Maintaining an asphalt driveway is an essential task for any homeowner looking to preserve their property’s curb appeal and longevity. While it may seem daunting, with the right knowledge and tools, you can take on the task yourself. This blog post will guide you through the key steps of maintaining an asphalt driveway, helping you keep it in top shape for years to come.

Understanding Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt is a popular material for driveways due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to withstand varying weather conditions. However, like any other surface, it requires regular maintenance to prevent wear and tear, which can lead to cracks, potholes, and other issues. By taking a proactive approach, you can extend the life of your driveway and avoid costly repairs.

1. Regular Inspection

The first step in maintaining your asphalt driveway is regular inspection. Ideally, you should inspect your driveway at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall. Look for any cracks, potholes, or areas where the surface is starting to break down. Pay special attention to the edges, where damage often starts, as well as any areas where water might pool.

2. Cleaning the Driveway

Keeping your asphalt driveway clean is crucial. Dirt, debris, and stains not only detract from the appearance of your driveway but can also contribute to its deterioration. Sweep the driveway regularly to remove leaves, dirt, and other debris.

For stains like oil or gasoline, which can weaken the asphalt, use a detergent or a specialized cleaner. Apply the cleaner to the stain, scrub with a stiff brush, and rinse thoroughly with water. For tougher stains, you may need to repeat the process. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the asphalt.

3. Sealing Cracks

Cracks are the most common issue with asphalt driveways. Left unchecked, they can expand and lead to more severe damage, such as potholes. Fortunately, sealing cracks is a relatively simple task that can be done with a few basic tools.

Start by cleaning the crack with a wire brush or a pressure washer to remove any debris. Allow the crack to dry completely. Next, use a crack filler, which is readily available at most hardware stores. For smaller cracks, a liquid crack filler will do the job, while larger cracks may require a patching compound. Apply the filler or patch, smooth it out with a trowel, and let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Patching Potholes

Potholes are a more severe form of damage that requires immediate attention. If left unrepaired, they can worsen and lead to further damage to your driveway.

To repair a pothole, start by cleaning out any loose debris and dirt. Use a chisel or a cold chisel to remove any loose asphalt from the edges of the pothole. Once cleaned, fill the hole with a cold asphalt patch mix, available at hardware stores. Compact the patch with a tamper or a heavy object, ensuring it is level with the surrounding surface. Allow the patch to cure according to the product’s instructions.

5. Applying a Sealcoat

Sealcoating is one of the most effective ways to protect your asphalt driveway and extend its lifespan. A sealcoat acts as a protective layer, shielding the asphalt from the sun’s UV rays, water, oil, and other damaging elements.

Before applying a sealcoat, clean the driveway thoroughly and ensure that all cracks and potholes have been repaired. Choose a day with mild weather conditions, as extreme temperatures can affect the sealant’s curing process.

Apply the sealcoat using a squeegee or a specialized applicator. Work in small sections, starting from one end of the driveway and moving toward the other. Ensure an even application, and avoid applying too thickly, as this can cause the sealant to crack. Once applied, allow the sealcoat to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours before using the driveway.

6. Managing Drainage

Proper drainage is crucial for maintaining an asphalt driveway. Water pooling on the surface can seep into the asphalt, leading to cracks and potholes. Ensure that your driveway slopes away from your home and that there are no areas where water can collect.

If you notice water pooling on your driveway, consider adding a drainage solution, such as a French drain or a channel drain, to redirect the water away from the surface.

Maintaining an asphalt driveway doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With regular inspections, prompt repairs, and protective measures like sealcoating, you can keep your driveway in excellent condition for years. By investing a little time and effort, you’ll not only enhance your home’s curb appeal but also save money by avoiding costly repairs down the road. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to tackle your driveway maintenance with confidence!

Canada Greener Homes Grants

Guest article provided by: simplythebestmovers.ca

Canada Greener Homes grant is an incentive for you to make your home more energy-efficient. Buildings make up for 18% of Canada’s greenhouse emissions and the government is offering incentives to decrease this figure. The Canada Green Homes grants offer property owners the chance to reduce the harm that their property causes to the environment in return for a grant. Making your home more energy efficient will also reduce the costs required to maintain and run your property. This makes this scheme an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving cash in the process. 

How Much Can You Save?

There are a wide variety of grants that you can avail of to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

  • Canada Greener Homes Grants offers 700,000 homeowners up to C$5,000 to retrofit their homes with energy-efficient technology. 
  • They are also offering EnerGuide evaluations that are worth up to C$600. This will allow homeowners to plan the retrofitting of their homes. This allows for an accurate financial plan as well as a clear indication of what improvements are needed to effectively reduce property emissions. 
  • This means that homeowners can avail of an amount up to C$ 5,600 to retrofit their homes with modern and efficient technology. 

Other Benefits

The money that you save is not the only benefit of the Canada Greener Homes Grants. 

  • The Canada Greener Homes Grants offers recruitment and training of EnerGuide energy advisors. This will create a high number of jobs to meet the high demand created by the grant. This will give the economy a boost as well as provide citizens with a new career opportunity. 
  • Another massive benefit to the Canada Greener Homes Grants is the money that you can save. You can save thousands on the cost of the retrofitting but that is not where the savings finish. As your home will run more efficiently, less energy will be required to power it. This means that you will use less electricity and fuel. Over a long period, this will add up to considerable savings on your electric and utility bills. This makes the Canada Greener Homes Grants a highly cost-effective way to improve your home.
  • The Canada Greener Homes Grants are an amazing way to reduce your carbon footprint. Your home will account for a large proportion of the emissions that you cause. When you use the grants to reduce your household emissions, you will effectively reduce your emissions. This will reduce your carbon footprint and ensure that you are doing your part to reduce the impact that we have on the environment.  Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint is to dispose of your items the right way. Learn how to do that in Simply The Best Movers blogpost.

Eligibility

Only one person per household is eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grants. Residents from different areas of Canada can apply either directly through their provincial programs or other online avenues. There are two minimum requirements that qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Grants. These requirements are:

  1. Proof of homeownership. This proof will be taken from the property tax bill number. This number can be found on your municipal property documents. 
  2. Proof of primary address. The other documentation that is required for the grant is to prove the home is your primary residence. To confirm this, you can use a government ID or driver’s license. You can also use a utility bill to prove your address. 

There are also additional grounds for eligibility for the grant. Indigenous organizations and governments can also avail of the grant. Organizations such as band councils and land claim organizations can make use of the grant. This is a great opportunity for indigenous communities to retrofit their homes. Housing management bodies and other representatives of indigenous groups can also avail of the project. These groups must first have a formal agreement with indigenous governments or organizations.  This allows the Canada Greener Homes Grants to access all communities within the diverse nation. 

These applications can be used to register multiple homes for the grant. To qualify for grants for this purpose applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. They must be owned by the applicant.
  2. The property must be occupied by an indigenous family or families. 

How to Apply

To apply for the grant, you just register your details and apply for an EnerGuide evaluation. If you live in Quebec or Nova Scotia, you will need to apply for the grant directly through their provincial guide to book an evaluation. If you live in any other provinces in Canada, you can apply directly through the Canada Greener Homes Grant Initiative website. This makes the grant accessible and easy to apply for. See below for the 4 steps needed to apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grants. 

  1. Register for your EnerGuide evaluation with the appropriate municipal body or on the Canada Greener Homes Grant Initiative website. 
  2. Design and install your retrofits for your home. You will need to document your plans to keep track of spending for later.
  3. You will then need to book your post-retrofit evaluation. Then if all goes to plan you will apply for reimbursement. 
  4. Finally, you will then confirm and receive your reimbursement for your retrofitting.

If you are thinking about undertaking a retrofit on your home, it is worth considering the Canada Greener Homes Grants. These grants will allow you to reduce your carbon emissions and help the government meet their climate goals while also saving money in running costs after the work has been completed. 

And should you choose to install new energy-efficient appliances, or even move to a greener home, Simply the Best Movers are there for you. Contact us today for more information or fill out our online form and we’ll provide a free quote as well as one of our top moving and removal services so that you can get started with this project!

An Easy Guide to Start Composting At Home

Composting not only reduces trash in landfills, but also improves your backyard at home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow.” That means bigger produce, prettier flowers, and a healthier garden can come at no extra cost to you once you start saving your family’s scraps and turning them into “plant food.”

Follow our easy steps and you’ll be amazed at the change in your garden — and the amount of garbage you throw away will drastically drop, too.

Why should I compost?

It’s one of the most effective ways to minimize the amount of garbage your family sends to the landfill. Around 30% of what we throw away are food scraps and yard waste, says the EPA. Not only does this reduce methane gas, which is a major factor in global warming, but composting also controls trash can odor. And the biggest payoff? You’ll be left with a rich fertilizer you can use in your own garden or donate to your favorite cause.

How can I set up a composting bin or pile?

Choose an outdoor space for your compost — you need at least 3 square feet of space — and a bin. A closed bin is a good choice if you’re worried about the way your compost pile will look (or smell)! You can easily make a container, order one online (like FCMP Outdoor’s best-seller), or buy one at your local hardware or gardening store. Look for a bin that’s about 3 feet in diameter and not much taller than your waist. Use chicken wire or fencing to protect your bin from animals such as raccoons (or even the neighbor’s dog).

What can I compost?

You can add almost anything from your kitchen and garden — some surprising organic material includes egg shells, cut flowers, coffee grounds (and paper filters), old newspapers, tea and tea bags, hair (from pets and your own hair brush!), toothpicks, and even matches.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

The trick is to aim for equal amounts of “green” waste and “brown” waste to keep your compost healthy. “Green” waste includes moist matter like fruits and vegetables and “brown” waste is dry matter can be items like wood shavings, dry leaves, or even old newspapers. Maintaining a balance is important is because “brown” materials are rich in carbon, feeding the organisms that break down the scraps and “green” materials supply nitrogen — key for building the cell structure of your new soil.

Your compost also needs oxygen and moisture. Without air, your pile will start to rot and smell. Moisture helps break everything down; sprinkle the compost with water every now and then, unless your scraps are wet enough on their own. With the right mixture, your compost should smell like nothing but earthy dirt.This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Is there anything I can’t compost?

While they are compostable, dairy or animal products (even animal bones) will start to smell and attract pests, so toss those in your old-school garbage can. The same goes for fats, oils, and pet waste. Also, if you have a disease or insect ridden plant, don’t add it to the pile – it could contaminate your compost, making it unusable.

How long does composting take?

Over a few weeks, your food scraps will turn into soil. Turn your mixture over every week or two with a shovel or garden fork to mix it up. If you’re not seeing progress after a few weeks, add more “green” material and make sure you’re keeping the pile moist. If it’s smelly and wet, add more “brown” material and turn the compost more frequently. Also, break apart any big materials (like branches) to keep air flowing. Your compost is ready when it looks and smells like soil!

How can I use my compost?

Incorporate it into your garden beds or sprinkle it on top. Remember, compost is not a replacement for your soil, but rather acts as a natural fertilizer to nurture your soil and plants, so add it a couple of times a year for best results.

Can I compost inside my home?

How to compost at home

Absolutely. Whether you’re in an apartment or a house without a backyard, you can set up a mini collection station right in your kitchen so you don’t have to trash food scraps. Experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute share their tips and tricks for making composting work no matter where you live:

1. Get a compost bin with a tight-fitting lid.

Whether you opt for a plastic bin or a stainless steel version, make sure it comes with a lid. Some plastic versions may absorb smells, explains Laurie Jennings, GH Institute director, which is why she uses an old stainless steel ice bucket with a matching lid on her countertop to collect compostable material.

2. Line your compost bin with biodegradable bags.

While it’s tempting to want to reuse plastic bags from the grocery store, these aren’t biodegradable and can defeat the purpose of your composting. Jennings swears by BioBag’s compostable bags (available in 3- and 13-gallon sizes) even after trying a number of more expensive brands.

3. Store full compost bags in your freezer.

You’ll want to replace the bag regularly so weeks-old scraps don’t start to stink up your space. Once your bin is at capacity, secure the bag, and place it in the freezer (yes, really!). This will make scraps easier to transport, eliminate any odor, halt active decomposition, and buy you some time before you’re able to get rid of them.

4. Find a local collection service or drop-off location.

If you don’t have a garden in which compost your scraps, see if your community offers collection services. Contact your local municipality or visit CompostNow‘s site which lists participating services around the country — some even provide at-home starter kits and regular curbside pickup. The rules all depend on where you live. If you bring your own waste to a transfer station, check with them too: Many have designated compost areas.

If you live in an apartment or in a city without collection, you likely have to put in a little extra effort to donate your compost, but it’s worth it, explains Birnur Aral, Ph.D., director of the Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Lab, who is a home-composter in a community that doesn’t have a collection program.

“Every few weeks I bring my scraps to my daughter’s college where they have built a composting bin,” she says. “In the summer, I bring bags to my local farmer’s market and give them to a neighbor who sells produce and uses the compost at her farm upstate.” It’s a little way to give back.

Originally sourced on: goodhousekeeping.com

18 Unbelievably Cheap But Awesome DIY Home Decor Projects

Everybody wants to have a beautifully decorated home. Imagine impressing family and friends with your exquisite décor and have them wondering how you did it. Adding your own personal touch to your décor can make your house feel even more like home.

Unfortunately, the costs of decorating a home can be expensive. The houses you see on TV and in magazines costs thousands of dollars to decorate.

You want a beautiful place to call your own, but you don’t want to go bankrupt in the process. However, you are embarrassed to have company over because of the way your home looks! Luckily, there is a solution.

We have gathered the 18 best DIY home decor projects and put them into this simple lists. These projects are easy, affordable, and most importantly look fantastic. These projects will make the most inexperienced home decorator into an expert, or make an expert look even more creative.

You have been thinking about adding some new flair to your home for years.

With these affordable projects you now have no excuse. Save your money for more important things, and decorate your home beautifully on a budget!

1. Chalkboard Wall paint

Put a chalkboard anywhere you can paint. Works great for kitchens and kids rooms. These paints are also magnetic, giving you more opportunities to be creative.

2. Wine Cork Necklace Rack

Turn a few spare wine corks into a stylish way to display your jewelry. Finally. put all of those wine corks lying around to good use!

3. Floating Bookshelf

Create a floating bookshelf out of books themselves. Creates an eye catching illusion that will appeal to your friends and family.

4. Gold Flower Pots

Give your home a luxury look by spray painting ordinary flower pots a metallic gold. Can bring an exquisite design to any home or apartment.

5. Moroccan Dream Stencil

Using just a piece of cardboard, you can give any wall a decorative Moroccan theme. Best of all, you can change the theme just by painting over it. No tearing down pesky wallpaper!

6. DIY Nightstand

Turn an old table into this unique and useful nightstand. Take an old table, cut it in half, paint it your favorite color, and put it up against your wall.

7. White Feather Chandelier

This easy DIY chandelier can give a unique and exquisite look to your kitchen or dining room.

8. Personalized Handwritten Canvas

Make boring walls more personal by writing out your favorite quotes, expressions, and song lyrics on a blank canvas and hanging it up. Give your home some of your personal expression.

9. Simple Custom Shelves

All you need are some hobby lobby brackets and a piece of wood. The best thing about this project is that you can choose any style of wood you want. You can also paint it any color.

10. Curtain Headboard

Simply place a curtain rod behind your bed and choose your favorite curtains. Looks extremely comfortable!

11. Mosaic CD Mirror

Take a mirror and place broken CD’s around the frame. You can use different types of CD’s to get the appearance of different colors. Looks incredible!

12. Mantel Decoration Piece

Using a base board and metal signs from any hobby store, you can create this elegant decorative piece for your mantel. Great for holiday parties!

13. Antique Style Table

This one might be a little too easy. All you need is a shelf and a paintbrush. Turn any floating shelf into a beautiful antique style table.

14. Frame Shelf

Find some old frames and attach wood around the edges. This creates a shelf where you can display anything in a cool, unique way!

15. Furry Desk Chair

Turn any boring old office chair into a stylish pottery barn style chair. Super cozy!

16. Reading Nook

Turn a curved curtain rod and some cheap curtains into a stylish and comfortable reading nook!

17. Door Mat Wall Art

You dont need to be an artists to make your own original piece. Just take a few thin, stained boards and buy a cheap doormat, and some spray paint and go to work.

18. Hallway Signs

Using some cheap decorative brackets and some hobby lobby wood, you too can create these beautiful hallway signs!

Originally published on: DIYcozyhome.com

10 ways to renovate sustainably

From sun tunnels to wood burners, here are a some small-scale, energy saving ideas for sustainable renovation, inspired by some of Britain’s superhomes

green roof

1. Flooring

Reclaimed wooden boards have obvious eco-credentials and the added benefit of being pre-seasoned, so they won’t warp once they have been installed. Scaffold boards are robust and relatively easy to source, with a characterful patina that works well on floors as well as feature walls.

Cork is another renewable material that works well underfoot. The same tree can be harvested for cork for more than 200 years, and every harvested cork tree fixates between three to five times more carbon. Like carpet, it has excellent thermal and acoustic properties, is soft and springy with the added benefit of being waterproof and wipeable.

2. Eco-friendly paint

The market for eco-friendly paint has grown significantly and DIYers are now spoilt for choice when shopping for low- or no-VOC paints (paints without chemical ingredients that evaporate into the atmosphere when the paint is drying). These perform equally well as conventional paint, offering great colour, coverage and durability without any of the harmful added solvents. Click here for a list of natural paint suppliers.

paint

3. Recycled surfaces

If you are replacing your kitchen, consider installing a recycled worksurface. Manufacturers such as GlassEco and Designfinger offer bespoke surfaces and splashbacks that transform waste products such as glass and concrete into contemporary, functional worktops. Similarly, the Eco Friendly Tile Company manufactures carbon neutral porcelain tiles made from recycled television screens and car windscreens while the US-based company, Eco Friendly Flooring has a stylish line of recycled aluminium and cement tiles for walls and floors.

4. Natural lighting

Carefully positioned mirrors and reflective surfaces will encourage light to bounce around a pokey room, but if you have a windowless room that relies entirely on artificial light, consider installing a sun tunnel. These are discreet ceiling portholes that channel light from the roof, spreading diffuse daylight throughout the room.

5. LED lighting

Artificial lighting accounts for around 15% of the average domestic energy bill, but that figure could easily be reduced if you switched your lighting system from incandescent bulbs (which convert only 10% of electrical energy into light – the rest is wasted as heat) to LEDs. These require a comparably low amount of power, and are a much more sustainable source of artificial light. They work best with track and recessed lighting, and can last for up to 22 years.

LED

6. Draught-proofing

About one fifth of the home’s heating is lost through the windows, according to research conducted by English Heritage, with most of the warm air sneaking out through gaps in the frames rather than the glass. Effective drought-proofing can reduce heat loss by up to 86%. Download English Heritage’s guide to draught-proofing sash windows here (pdf). Letterboxes and open fireplaces also contribute to heat loss. Draught-proof your front door with an energy efficient Eco Flap, and inflate a chimney balloon to keep warm air in, and sooty draughts out.

7. Green roofing

You can insulate your home and increase the biodiversity of your garden at the same time by installing a small-scale green roof. Green roofs not only create a mini microclimate, but they protect your roofing membrane from exposure to the elements and help bring down energy costs – soil is a very effective insulant when dry. Drab flat garage roofs and even shed roofs can be transformed into wildlife havens, too. See Living roofs’ DIY guide to green roofs (£11.65).

8. Low-flow bathroom appliances

Your toilet consumes more water than any other household appliance – up to 30% of the total water used in the home – with some guzzling more than 13 litres of water per flush. If your bathroom is due an upgrade then consider replacing your bog with a low-flow model. Even if you already have a low-flow model, you can reduce water consumption even more by installing a dual-flush (one button for liquid, another for solid waste), from as little as £15. A low-flow shower head will also help make sure less water spirals down your plughole each morning.

9. Fireplaces

Burning wood is a sustainable way to heat your home, provided you do it properly. Open fireplaces are only about 20-25% efficient compared to modern wood-burning stoves, which can run at 80% efficiency. If you have the space, a wood-fuelled stove with a back boiler could heat your living room and provide domestic hot water and boil the kettle at the same time. See the Energy Saving Trust’s guide to the pros and cons of installing a wood-burner.

Fireplace

10. Reclaimed furniture

Lastly, once your sustainable walls, windows, floors and fittings are in place, it makes sense to fill your space with reclaimed furniture otherwise destined for landfill. Ebay aside, there are countless online emporiums to scour, each with their own line in industrial, rustic and retro chic. If you’re not a fan of the vintage aesthetic, upcycling is still very much a possibility. The latest wave of upcyclers deconstruct and repurpose Ikea stalwarts – browse their hacks here before the Swedish lawyers catch up with them …

Article originally published on: theguardian.com