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  • Desperate Landscape: Cleanup on Carolina Avenue
    		•
    Overhauling the landscape and sprucing up the entryway make a big difference in the curb appeal of this home.
    From "Desperate Landscapes"
    episode DDSL-204


    (Continued from page 1)

    PHOTO

    Figure B
    Project 2: Remove English ivy

    English ivy has taken over much of Bob's front yard. Jason plans to leave some of it as a groundcover, but some ivy needs to be removed to make way for new plants (figure B).

    Tips for removing ivy:

  • Wear gloves when removing ivy. Ivy can cause skin irritation in sensitive people.
  • Be sure to dig out all the roots.
  • Some gardeners recommend painting the handles of small tools a bright color so they don't get lost in a big bed of ivy.
    Note: English ivy is considered a noxious weed in some states.

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    Project 3: Paint porch

    Bob's porch — the rails, columns and even the floor — are in desperate need of a paint job (figures C and D).

    Photo

    Figure C
    		Photo

    Figure D

    PHOTO

    Figure E
    Tips for painting a porch:

  • Clean the porch thoroughly before painting.
  • If the paint is chipping and in bad condition, scrape and sand before painting.
  • Use a porch-or-floor paint for the floor. Regular paint will not hold up to foot traffic.
  • Use quality 3/8- to 1/2-inch-nap roller covers to deliver more paint to the floor surface (figure E).
  • After the paint dries, consider installing a runner in high-traffic areas to protect the paint.

    PHOTO

    Figure F
    PHOTO

    Figure G
    Project 4: Repair brick walkway

    Some of the bricks in Bob's walkway are uneven and pose a tripping hazard. Jason has simple tips for straightening them out:

  • Use a flat-head screwdriver or pry bar to remove loose pavers (figure F).
  • Add coarse sand in the spot where the brick used to be.
  • Tamp down the sand and replace the pavers (figure G).
  • Make sure the brick is level.
  • Once all pavers are in place, put some sand on top of the brick and sweep it to help further lock the brick in place (figures H and I).

    Photo

    Figure H
    		Photo

    Figure I

    PHOTO

    Figure J
    PHOTO

    Figure K
    Project 5: Refinish door

    Bob has a gorgeous solid-wood front door, but it needs to be refinished, and that involves sanding and staining.

    Steps for refinishing a door:

  • Remove door by removing hinge pins (figure J).
  • Lay door on a flat surface, such as two sawhorses.
  • Use a palm sander with fine grit to give the door a light sanding (figure K).
  • Keep the palm sander moving. If you leave it too long in one spot, you'll damage the wood.
  • Safety note: Wear safety glasses when using a palm sander. A dust mask might be necessary as well.
  • After sanding, wipe with a tack cloth to remove all dust.
  • Follow with a pre-conditioner that will help the wood absorb the stain more evenly.
  • Next, use a stain (figure L). For this project, Jason chose a color called "Early American" because it matches the style of the house.
  • After the stain dries, finish with a varnish to protect the wood.
  • Mount the finished door (figure M)

    Photo

    Figure L
    		Photo

    Figure M



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  • RELATED PROJECTS:
  		• Porch Repair
  		• 1915 Row-House Restoration: Front Porch Repair
  		• Treat Ivy With Caution
  		• Desperate Landscape: Victorian, Victorious

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  		• Desperate Landscape: Cleanup on Carolina Avenue
    		•