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text Result Tune Your Lawn Mower For Better Performance

The engine purrs as fuel mixes with plug-provided sparks, firing a machine that can be the worst nightmare of ... your front lawn? You're not cruising the strip like a teenager, your cutting strips in the grass around your home. Keep the mower maintained and it'll run like a high-performance machine. Here are a few simple tips:

Replace the air filter - Breathing fresh air will help the engine run smoother, giving you better fuel efficiency. Use only a suitable replacement filter of the same shape and size.

Maintain the mower's spark - ... plugs, that is. Check them for wear, damage, overheating, etc. and replace when necessary; typically once a year, at the beginning of the season.

Keep the blade sharp - A sharp blade makes short-order of long grass and keeps your efficiency level high, keeping you from having to go over areas more than once. You can do it yourself with a blade sharpener that fits into your drill or you can bring it to your local Ace store (many Ace stores offer blade sharpening, call yours to find out).

Change the oil - Dirty oil is full of impurities that gum up engine parts. Follow manufacturer's instructions for the mower unit to empty old oil (into a container, not into the street!) and replace with new. Determine first whether your mower is a two-stage (gas and oil premixed together) or a four-stage (separate spots for gas and oil, usually an SAE 30).

Keep it clean - Aside from having pride in your "maven of the mow," keeping the mower clean helps prevent dirt and grime from sullying the mower's operation. It also gives you an opportunity to check some of the other maintenance items, like the blade's sharpness and the status of the sparkplugs.

Credit: Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

text Result What's the best way to clean my deck before re-staining?

Remove everything from your deck and sweep off all dirt and debris. Check all structural elements for damage. Replace any damaged boards, tighten any lose boards or screws and fix any nail pops.

There are the variety of deck cleaning products available. Some are detergents, others are bleaches, and still others are chemical solutions designed to react with certain woods. Whatever cleaner you choose, read and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Many cleaners can be easily applied with a pump-style garden sprayer following the manufacturer's instructions. It's advisable to test in a small, less visible spot first before cleaning the entire deck.

Sometimes lightly watering down the deck can assist you in applying and spreading the cleaning solution. Many solutions should not be allowed to dry on the wood so periodic spraying/misting may be required. Depending on how dirty your deck is you may see results immediately. But many cleaning compounds require a few minutes to work before you see results.

Depending on the cleaner you select and the amount of algae on your deck, you can use a stiff brush with a long handle (typically a synthetic bristle brush since many cleaning solutions will deteriorate a natural bristle brush) and a regular garden hose or you can use a pressure washer.

Once you've cleaned your deck well, let it dry for 12 to 24 hours and you're ready to sand. Using a pole sander makes this job much easier and saves your knees. Use 120 to 150 grit sandpaper and sand in the direction of the wood grain. Most likely you won't need to sand your spindles or railings because vertical surfaces don't wear as fast. When the sanding is finished, use a leaf blower, broom or wet/dry vac to thoroughly remove the dust, and your deck is ready for staining. You should stain or seal it as quickly as possible after you have sanded to protect it from the elements.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

text Result What is the best way to apply ice melt?

Once you have your melting agent selected, you need the right tool to get it on the ground. Uneven distribution can cause areas with too much ice melt, which can lead to puddling and leaks into your yard, so it's best to use a broadcast spreader.

Broadcast spreaders cover a wide area, so you're out in the cold for less time. The ice melt loads into the top and is funneled through a sprayer in the bottom. There's no better way to get a fast, even spread on your driveway.

But for sidewalks and other narrower spaces, we recommend a hand-held spreader, which have a smaller broadcast radius and more direction control.

text Result Do I need to wait before I stain and seal a newly built deck constructed with pressure-treated lumber?

Not necessarily. Some manufactures make products that can be applied immediately to a new pressure-treated deck to prevent sun and weather damage. In addition pressure-treated lumber is not waterproof so applying a good sealer will slow the rate of water absorption and protect the surface. Talk to your local Westlake Hardware associate about the product best suited for your specific needs.

text Result Ladders, leaf blowers and dirt. What’s not to love about gutter cleaning?

Making sure the gutters are clear and working properly is important. And a good excuse to pull out some fun toys.

Up (above the gutter)
Ladder placement: on level ground at a 75° angle. That’s about a 4:1 ratio of height vs. distance to the wall. Trust us on this.

In (at gutter level)
Got a light leaf blower? Let ‘er rip. If not, grab your ick-blocking gloves and pick out the big stuff by hand. A bucket up high will make cleanup down below easier.

Down (move gutter wand up and place this copy nearby)
It’s wand time. Hook up your hose and spray away. Which end you begin at depends on how much gunk is in there. A lot? Start at the downspout and move out from there.

Clear
Downspouts clogged? If the wand doesn’t clear it, a plumbing snake will. Pay special attention to the curves. That’s where junk collects.

Guide (near splashblock)
Ok, the water’s flowing again. Keep it going with extensions and splashblocks so it exits 4-6 feet from your house. That’ll keep the foundation dry.

Block (near gutter insert)
Gutter cleaning’s a blast, right? But you might want to do it faster next time. So install inserts or guards in those squeaky-clean gutters. Just be sure to choose for your climate and types of trees.

text Result I have a tarp that I want to tie down. What should I use?

Kits are sold that include tarp clamps and elastic cords. For tarps that don’t have built-in grommets, they work very well. That said, installing grommets in a tarp with a grommet tool and then using those grommets with elastic cords is a much better and more permanent solution.

text Result I need to attach my grill to my deck to deter it from being stolen. What do you recommend?

Aircraft cable is a good choice. You can swage both ends and use it with a padlock. It's more attractive than a heavy chain, and it can be used on many things - such as outdoor furniture.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

text Result What are the ideal weather conditions for staining my deck?

For best results, the general rule is that the temperature should be between 50° and 90° with low winds and no rain in the forecast within 24 hours. If it's too windy your stain may dry too quickly. And avoid staining in the direct sun. Read the manufacturers recommendation on the package and check your local forecast.

text Result I need some joist hangers. What do I look for?

The most important factor is to make sure you buy the right joist hanger that fits the dimension of lumber are you using.

text Result How can I tell if I need to strip my deck before re-staining or re-sealing?

If your deck was previously coated with a solid stain, use a putty knife or sharp blade to lightly cut a small "X" in several spots on your deck (in high and low-traffic areas), but be careful to not cut into the wood. Then cover those "X" marks with duct tape and rub down firmly. Quickly peel up the tape. If there are flakes of your stain on the tape, then you will need to strip your deck before restraining.

If your deck was previously coated with a semi-transparent stain or sealer, clean it well and let it air dry for at least four hours. Then from a standing position pour a small amount of water on the decking in high traffic areas as well as lesser-used areas. If the water beads up (breaks up into tiny drops) and just sits there, then too much sealer is present and you will need to strip it. If the water remains in a puddle and begins to absorb into the wood within 10 minutes then the coating has worn off enough that youcan re-stain or re-seal.

Check your railings as well since coatings on vertical surfaces last much longer than those on your horizontal deck boards.

text Result I want to tear down an old shed in the backyard. What should I use?

First, be careful in any demolition project. Wear goggles, gloves and a hardhat. If the structure has insulation, is covered in old paint or the building materials are extremely dry, also wear a respirator. Once you’re ready to begin the process, a wrecking bar or crow bar is probably best as your primary tool. They come in different lengths, and you may want more than one length depending on your project.