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Chad (center) and his roommates
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What happens when a real estate agent has the most tragic landscape on his block? The neighbors smile with the irony of it all and turn their heads when they drive by. Chad Rooney is a young self-starter who's busy building a real-estate business; he has neglected his landscape to the point that the neighbors have started complaining. With a house full of roommates and the arrival of DIY's Jason Cameron, the Desperate Landscapes team begins to free this modern house from its old-fashioned mess.
Project No. 1: Pressure-wash the houseJason uses a pressure washer to clean the dirt off Chad's house. This pressure washer is great for jobs around the house: It weighs only about 45 pounds so it's quite portable. This model offers 1800 psi, which is mid-range on the power scale, but it suits his needs. The detergent tank makes cleaning the house a lot easier. The pressure washer costs just over $200, or you can rent one for about $50 to 75 a day. Caution:
Don't use a pressure washer if you think your house is painted with lead paint (painted before 1979). Check out epa.gov for more information about lead paint.
Don't use a pressure washer on hardboard siding or stucco because you can ruin them. Pressure-washing tips: Work from the top down.
Hold the wand at a 45-degree angle and move across the house from side to side.
Don't direct the water up because it can get up under the siding and ruin it.
Rinse off with clear water from a hose.
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C
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Project No. 2: Build plantersJason builds contemporary-looking planters for the landscape. They're 48 inches tall; they're wider at the top than at the bottom and have a false bottom (figure A). Cut wood to size. We used pressure-treated plywood.
Cut 45-degree angles on all sides.
Use wood glue in corners.
Follow with 2" deck screws.
To give the planter extra strength, attach 2x2s in the inner corners.
Jason uses 2x2s to create a slight ledge to put a false bottom in the planter (figure B). The false bottom saves money on potting soil because he won't have to fill the planter completely.Project No. 3: Attach hose reel to planter This is a creative solution to a common problem by attaching the hose reel to the planter (figure C). The hose reel was sitting in the middle of Chad's yard. By attaching it to the planter, it will be concealed. Hold hose reel up to container. Mark holes on container.
Pre-drill holes for deck screws or bolts. For a heavy hose reel, use bolts.
Insert screws. Project No. 4: Paint garage We painted Chad's garage a darker color to give definition to the house.
The door is in good condition. It doesn't need a lot of prep work. If your door has peeling paint or looks a little beat up, give it a good sanding first to help the paint adhere.
Latex paint is our paint of choice. You want to avoid oil-based paint on a steel door because you could end up with bubbles in the finish.
Jason likes to use rollers and brushes on garage doors — rollers for the big areas and brushes to get into the nooks and crannies.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Landscape Makeover for a Modern Home |
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