If you live in an old home you might have noticed rotten wood in certain parts of your home. This problem can crop up anywhere, like in door frames or stairs. If it’s a big problem, your best bet would be to replace the wood completely. If it’s only a small patch, there is a way to fix it easily. Keep reading for instructions!

Step #1:

The first thing you need to do is to remove the rotten wood. You can use a sharp tool like the sharp end of a hammer.

Step #2:

Fill the area with High Performance Wood Filler. If there is a lot of work to be done, you can also use a two-part auto body polyester like Bondo, which is less expensive. The High Performance Wood Filler with strengthen the wood fibers. Once you apply it, you have around 10-15 minutes of time to work with it before it begins to harden. If you’re doing vertical repairs, the polyester can sag. To prevent this, build a form and line it with plastic sheeting. Press the form against the filler and attach it using screws. Take the form off when the filler hardens. Another way to do this is to wait until the filler hardens to a soap consistency and then carve it using a putty knife, or shape it using a rasp. Most wood repairs will require 2 layers of filler.

Step #3:

To finish off the repair, sand and prime the area before painting.

Photos: This Old House, Family Handyman, Home Depot, Fine Art America.

We’re trying to use less chemicals in our home these days, and sometimes all you need are basic things you can find around your house! To make these stains you probably have everything you need already!

The stain you’re going for depends all on the ingredients you use in your homemade wood stain. Copper, vinegar, and coffee are some of the ingredients in these wood stains. Here are our favorites!

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Steel Wool

This stain is perfect for those who want a ‘grey weathered look’, and all you need is steel wool and apple cider vinegar. Soak the steel wool in the vinegar and allow it to sit for at least 24 hours.

2. White Vinegar, Pennies, and Hydrogen Peroxide

These ingredients produce a beautiful green-blue shade. Make sure the pennies are from the 1960s! If you can’t find any pennies from the 60s, you can always use copper wire.

3. White Vinegar, Coffee Grounds, Tea, and Steel Wool

This mixture creates a beautiful, worn, rich color. This is great if you want a warmer stain on your wood.

How to Use:

Always leave the mixtures to sit for at least 24 hours. If you want a richer stain, allow it to sit for up to 1 week. Apply the stain with a paintbrush, and don’t forget to seal your project!

Photos: DIY Network, 500 SQ, One Fine Gardener, Upcycled Treasures, Kindred PDX.

This tiered hanging planter can be made in a day, and with basic woodworking tools. What’s great about this planter is when you water the top plant, the runoff from the previous pot drips into the plants below. All you need to do is place a little dish or bucket underneath to catch any excess water, and it makes watering all 4 plants a breeze!

What you will need:

– scrap wood

– jigsaw

– terracotta pots

– rope

– 3/8″ boring bit

– paintbrush and paint

– drill

– plants

– metal ring

Step 1:

Measure the plank of wood and mark it to create a square with 3/4″ to 1″ of space around your pot.

Step 2:

Trace the lip of the pot onto the wood. Trace a circle within the circumference of the one you drew but spaced 1/4″ from the outer circle. You can also use a circular template that’s 1/4″ inches smaller that the radius of the pot to do the same thing. You’ll end up with 2 concentric circles. One has a radius of 1/4″ smaller than the first. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 3:

Clamp the first piece of wood to a stable surface. Drill a hole into the center of the circles with the 3/8″ boring bit. This will provide space for the jigsaw blade to enter the wood so you can begin cutting. Work slowly and in sections. Use the jigsaw to cut out the shape of the inner circle. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 4:

When you’ve cut out the inner circles, clamp a single square down to a piece of scrap wood. Using a ruler, make a dot in the 4 corners of the squares, 1/2″ in from each side. Use the 3/8″ boring bit to drill holes through the wood at the 4 corner marks. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 5:

If you like, you can paint the sides of your squares. You can also paint your rope if you want a different color. Only paint the 2 cut edges on each square, and position the squares on the ropes so that the unpainted and painted edges alternate when it’s hanging.

Step 6:

It’s now time to hang your squares! Space your plants 12″ apart (choose more or less depending on the size of your plants). Cut 4 lengths of rope and tie them together in a knot 6″ from the top. Use the 6″ rope strands to secure the ropes to the metal ring.

Step 7:

Hang the ring and slide the first wood square onto all 4 strands, about 12″ from the top knot. Tie a knot directly underneath the wood square on all 4 ropes. Place the plant into the opening, making sure it’s level.

Step 8:

Repeat step 7 with the remaining 3 squares. After the last square is on and the knots are tied underneath, cut off any extra rope.

Finished! Find a sunny spot for your new planter and fill the squares with your plants.

Photos and idea: Design Sponge.

We’ve all heard stories that you shouldn’t wash your wooden deck with a power washer. If done improperly, a power washer can actually etch the wood and ruin your deck. With these helpful tips, your deck will look good as new, and with a power washer, can be done in the blink of an eye.

How to Choose the Right Pressure and Tip for Your Deck

Power washers are versatile and they can be used for almost any task. They have different pressure ratings and tip styles depending on what you need to use them for. To clean wood, use the following pressure and tip selections:

1. Make sure you use a low pressure as possible, while still effectively cleaning your deck.

2. Soft wood like cedar or pine needs to be cleaned at about 500 psi. Harder woods may go higher, but never use more than 1200-1500 psi.

3. Preferably, you should use a fan tip or a rotating tip.

4. Start the water pressure by depressing the trigger away from people and windows, and at least 24 inches away from your wooden deck. Feather the water pressure into the range of 12-18 inches from your deck.

5. Never get closer than 12 inches from your wooden deck (unless it’s at a low pressure).

6. Before washing your entire deck, test the pressure and effectiveness in an inconspicuous area.

Washing Technique

1. Set your pressure first to 600 psi to see if it will be effective on your deck. Increase pressure as needed to clean the deck properly without damaging the wood surface.

2. Engage the power washer trigger away from the deck and lower the wand to 12 inches from the surface. Use a sweeping motion to clean the deck. Keep a consistent distance as you sweep.

3. Work with the grain of the wood by spraying lengthwise with the deck boards. You want to get an even clean without any cleaning edges visible.

If you are unable to wash your own deck or do not have the power tools, consider hiring a professional. One of our favorite Long Island power washing companies is Beyond Maids inc. at 74 Newark st. Lindenhurst NY 11757 call 631-774-2685.

Raised Wood Fibres

Sometimes during power washing, raised wood fibres can appear and create a rough surface. You can fix this by sanding the area smooth. Make sure you check for raised fibres around handrails, as they can give you splinters.

Photos: PRT Landscaping, Grime Blaster, A Glass Act.