Carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes us on a house call to help a homeowner create shade in her backyard. The pair work together to create a sunny corner of the pool with a shade sail and a clever yet simple post-mounting design that doesn’t require drilling into the pool’s concrete apron.
Next, we meet a pair of brothers who have landscaping in their blood. As fourth-generation Atlanta landscapers, brothers Donald Jordan and David Jones run Jordan’s Legacy Landscaping, creating beautiful landscapes and yards for their customers, just like their great-grandfather did many years before.
Finally, Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner solve her cracking walkway issues. After explaining how to control cracking with expansion joints, Mark and the homeowner work together to remove the damaged area, prepare the site, and pour a new concrete pad that will blend in with the rest of the walkway.
How to Install a Shade Sail
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner add more shade to her sunny pool area by installing a shade sail.
Where to find it?
To make the portable posts, Nathan uses 3 4×4” cedar posts spanning 8’ long. For the base of the portable post, Nathan opts to use half-barrel planters. After placing the posts in the center of each barrel, Nathan uses a level to ensure it’s plumb. To weigh down each portable post, Nathan fills ¾ of the barrels full with crushed stone and tops them off with river rock for a more decorative look.
To mount the shade sail, Nathan pre-drills holes and attaches 3/8” x 5” eye bolt fasteners to the top of each cedar post. He then attaches each end of the sail to each post with a ¼ x 2-3/8” carabiner.
Celebrating Atlanta Landscapers
Brothers and fourth-generation landscapers Donald Jordan and David Jones work together daily, celebrating their love for landscaping and family tradition.
How to Repair a Concrete Sidewalk
Mason Mark McCullough explains how and why frost causes damage to walkways and all hardscaping.
Where to find it?
To demo the damaged walkway section, begin by making cuts on either side of the crack using a circular saw with a masonry-grade blade. Use a HEPA vac to reduce dust. Once the straight breaks are established, use sledgehammers to break up loose pieces. Use shovels and a pickaxe to remove rocks.
To reestablish the base, add a layer of gravel and hand-tamp it firmly into the ground until it reaches a level. This will help with drainage and will absorb the pressure of a rock being pushed to the surface by frost.
To create the forms, use precut 2x4s. Jam one end of the 2×4 into the edge of the existing concrete using a hammer. By aligning the 2x4s with the existing concrete, it creates a leveled pitch for the form.
Drive in a stake on the outer side of each 2×4 for extra support. Lay down wire mesh on top of the gravel to help resist cracking.
Use a concrete premix and add water. Mix in a wheelbarrow with shovels until the desired consistency is achieved. Once the concrete mix is poured, use a 2×4 to screed the concrete to a smooth and level finish.
To remove air bubbles, use a magnesium float. Sponge off excess moisture using a masonry sponge.
Original Air Date: Mar 27, 2023, Season 22; Ep. 17 23:42
Products and services from this episode
- Landscape contractors: Jordan’s Legacy Landscaping