Parrish Construction

Archive for the ‘DIY Home Improvements’ Category

Q: Now that the weather is warm, I’m planning to do some DIY yard improvements. Anything I should watch out for?

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Landscaping | No Comments »

A: Call Before you Dig! If you love to work in your yard and are planning on planting a tree, digging post holes for a fence, or any other major digging, be safe and avoid costly fines. Dial 811 BEFORE ...

Your “Winter’s Coming” Checklist

Thursday, September 15th, 2011 Posted in Advice to Clients, Disaster-Fire, DIY Home Improvements, Freezing Temp. Problems, Frozen Pipes, Handyman/Small Jobs, Heating/Cooling, Home maintenance, Insulation, Money-Saving Tips, Plumbing, Safety Hazards, Seasonal Considerations, Timely Home Upgrades, Waterproofing, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

Conserve and Protect: that’s what winterizing is about.  Homes can take a beating in our cold Colorado winters, and so can your heating bill. After some education and practice, winterizing will become as natural a rhythm to a homeowner as is flying south ...

Q- Do I need to have a professional file my building permit?

Friday, July 15th, 2011 Posted in Architecture, Blueprints, Building Codes/Regulations, Building Permits, Construction Process, DIY Home Improvements, Getting Started | No Comments »

A- No. You can file a permit application yourself and you may be allowed to work on your building within certain limitations, but you may still be required to hire a licensed contractor or subcontractors. You should check with the ...

Q—The brick planter box on our house has a white, chalky stain on it. We have tried scrubbing it off, but it keeps coming back. What causes it, and what can be done about it?

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Freezing Temp. Problems, Historic Homes, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Spring, Waterproofing, Winter | 1 Comment »

A—The white stain is called efflorescence, and is caused by salts that have been transported from within the brick and mortar by moisture in the brick, and deposited on the surface by evaporation. The stains are cosmetic, and not harmful. ...

Q—Our redwood decks that were beautiful when new have become stained, almost black. Is there any way to restore the original color? Should we use a sealer or finish to protect the redwood?

Sunday, June 19th, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Summer, Waterproofing | No Comments »

A—The stains on your redwood are most likely caused by a combination of dirt, mildew, iron stains, and the reddish-brown tannins that occur naturally in redwood. There are several options for cleaning that can result in dramatic improvement. Many old-timers swear ...

Q—We’re building a new fence and will be digging post holes soon. How can we find out if there are any buried utilities in the way?

Saturday, June 18th, 2011 Posted in Building Permits, Disaster-Fire, DIY Home Improvements, Electrical, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Flooding, Insurance- Home, Landscaping, Plumbing, Safety Hazards, Summer | No Comments »

A—Anyone who damages an underground utility such as electric lines, cable television, telephone, sewer, gas, or water lines is liable for damages. Fortunately, you can protect yourself by making a single telephone call to an organization which will notify all ...

Q: Last spring I had a flood in my basement from a broken water pipe. The plumber said it was caused by a frozen yard faucet. Why did it wait until spring to leak?

Thursday, March 17th, 2011 Posted in Advice to Clients, Basements, DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Flood, Flooding, Handyman/Small Jobs, Insurance- Home, Money-Saving Tips, Safety Hazards, Spring, Timely Home Upgrades, Winter | No Comments »

A: “Frost proof” sillcocks are designed with a long extension tube to allow the water valve to shut off deep inside the wall where the heat of the house will keep the water from freezing. If the garden hose is ...

Q- It’s Fall and will start to freeze soon at night. What can I do to prevent frozen pipes?

Saturday, October 9th, 2010 Posted in Advice to Clients, Basements, DIY Home Improvements, Energy-Saving Tips, Fall, FAQ, Flooding, Freezing Temp. Problems, Frozen Pipes, Heating/Cooling, Insulation, Plumbing, Spring, Timely Home Upgrades, Ventilation, Winter, YouTube Videos/"Larry on the Level" | No Comments »

A--As we all settle in for the upcoming Winter, it is worthwhile to consider one aspect of the new season that is not pleasant—frozen water pipes. Whether you are new to our climate or a “seasoned” veteran, a review of ...

Q– Is there anything I should be doing in the fall to maintain the exterior of my home to prepare?

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Fall, FAQ, Flooding, Handyman/Small Jobs, Safety Hazards, Seasonal Considerations | No Comments »

A—Public Service Bulletin—if you haven’t already done so, remember to clean your gutters and downspouts now that the leaves have fallen. This can prevent damage to siding and foundations caused by overflowing gutters dumping water next to the house. And ...

Yogi Berra—Construction Guru

Thursday, July 15th, 2010 Posted in Design-Build, DIY Home Improvements, Getting Started, Money-Saving Tips, Remodeling Concerns, Remodels/Additions | 1 Comment »

“ I never said most of the things I said.”   I recently stumbled across a list of quotes from America’s favorite folksy philosopher, Yogi Berra. Yogi was a pretty good ball player, to be sure, but is equally famous for ...
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