Soundproofing isn’t something most homeowners think of on a regular basis. Even business owners don’t generally have to consider soundproofing a room if they are in a quieter office environment.

You never know what can happen, though. A new, noisy neighbor can pop up at any time. The kids may develop an obsession with loud musical instruments. An airport may change it’s flight path. If this happens, you may need to soundproof one or more of the rooms in your home.

Here are five things you should know as you prepare to soundproof parts of your home: [Read more…]

When you are preparing to travel cross country, there is more to the process than just booking hotel rooms and planning stops. In fact, having your car ready to make the trip is going to be vital. The last thing you will want to do is to break down in the middle of nowhere and to be left helpless.

This means that one of the first things you will want to do is to ensure that your vehicle has been inspected for maintenance. During this time, you will want to have the oil changed, fluids topped off and your tires rotated and filled, and your engine checked out.

Any filters, hoses and other items that need to be changed should be done at this time. That way, you reduce the number of risks that you will end up encountering. [Read more…]

First impressions are critical, whether of people, homes or gardens. Lawns are major features in gardens. When looked after well, they can be beautiful. If neglected, they make the rest of the garden and the house attached to it, look dreadful.

There is usually only one chance to impress a prospective buyer. A buyer’s eye will automatically focus on the lawn and how it enhances the property.

The secret is to have as uniform a surface as possible in terms of grass height, density and color. It also has to be able to resist a certain amount of traffic over it from adults, children and pets. [Read more…]

Working at a greenhouse for many years allowed me to see amazing things happen during the life span of hostas (and thousands of other plants). It also gave me the chance to meet some creatures I wish I had never encountered – slugs.

No one invited slugs to the party; they’re gross, inconsiderate, and never leave things how they found them. You may not see them much (slugs are most active at night) but they aren’t exactly careful about covering their tracks.

A slug’s trail is almost unmistakable – slimy when fresh, a shimmery film when dry. What they leave behind isn’t even as bad as what they take away: they leave foliage with more holes than Swiss cheese, decimating every plant they happen to encounter. [Read more…]

Temperatures are rising, summer is rolling in, and those with some extra cash lying around may be eager to purchase their very own swimming pool. Although pools are a fun way to cool off and relax, they often require a lot of maintenance and money to remain in pristine condition.

Knowing the right products and common issues helps owners make the smartest and most cost-efficient decisions. Here are three tips every pool owner should pay attention to: [Read more…]