In this episode:
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada helps a homeowner bring new life to her backyard guest entrance. Understanding that this space receives full sun, Jenn and the homeowner pick out some sun-loving plants that will bloom throughout the year. The two remove the grass, spread compost, plant the new flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees in the ground, and finish it up with a thick layer of mulch to transform the gateway.
Next, mason Mark McCullough teaches host Kevin O’Connor how to clean stains from stone surfaces like limestone and bluestone. After explaining some of the older methods, Mark shows Kevin the procedure for lifting stains from these stones with muriatic acid to bring them back to life.
Finally, general contractor Tom Silva takes us on a road trip to help a homeowner patch holes in the floor left by the previous homeowner. With some of Tom’s decades-old stock, the two set to work cutting and patching a piece into the floor. Then, once installed, Tom shows the homeowner how to finish the patch so it blends in perfectly.
How to Create a Full-Sun Garden
Jenn helps a homeowner convert her side yard into a full sun garden. This side yard is the gated
entrance to the homeowners backyard, but the grass burns up in the summer because of full sun
exposure all day. Jenn installs full sun plants and shows how to care for them.
Where to find it?
To remove the sod, Jenn and the homeowner each use a grub hoe. Once the sod is broken up, Jenn removes the sod from the area with a wheelbarrow. Next, they spread compost over the soil and use a digging fork to incorporate them together, turning the compost over and into the soil.
Once the garden soil was prepped, Jenn and the homeowner plant the plants by digging a hole as deep as the root and twice as wide. Then, adding fertilizer to each hole. Then, carefully removing the plant from its container, gently loosening the roots, and placing it in the hole, keeping the root ball slightly above or at ground level. Finally, topping off with soil loosely and watering well.
How To Clean Hardscape
Mason Mark McCullough shows host Kevin O’Connor how to remove organic stains from hardscape like bluestone and limestone blocks and pavers.
Where to find it?
Mark demonstrates techniques for cleaning up driveways and walkways after the winter. Although
common household items like baking soda and vinegar can handle some hardscape stains, Mark
recommends using a generic masonry detergent, with very low levels of muriatic acid, and a utility scrub brush. Follow the instructions listed on the container to dilute any masonry detergent properly.
There are also masonry cleaners available made to target specific issues such as rust and efflorescence.
Mark says to saturate the entire area with a water hose before applying your cleaning product of choice. This will prevent burning once the cleaning product is applied. Using a utility scrub brush gently scrub, focusing on the heavily soiled stains. Rinse and repeat until desired results are achieved.
How to Fill Pipe Holes in Wooden Floors
Tom Silva helps a homeowner patch holes in their wood floors left over from radiators previously removed.
Where to find it?
Tom plans to cut straight across the two boards with holes to remove them, and then drop one board in to look like two.
A miter saw is used to rip the board to match the width of the existing floorboards. Then, a table saw is used to cut the board to length. Adjusting the blade depth, Tom cuts in a shallow joint line, making sure the rip fence is 4-½” to the right of the blade.
An oscillating saw is used to cut a straight line across the old floorboard. Then, a pry bar and hammer are used to gently pull up the old floor boards. Debris is then cleaned up with a HEPA vacuum.
Tom places the new board into place and face nails it secure using the original floor’s square cut nails. Finally, an orbital sander is used to sand the board smooth. For the finishing touch, a coat of oil-based polyurethane is applied to the floor with a paintbrush.
Original Air Date: May 4, 2023, Season 21; Ep. 21 23:42