Landscape and other questions
1. Has anyone tried that rubber mulch? Or has anyone heard of any problems with animals and rubber mulch. So far I don't have any rock eaters or issues like that. 2. Has anyone ever built a pergola? (here's what it is: http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11614339/Pergola.jpg) If so, was it hard and do you still like it or would you rather have had something else? 3. It seems like the timer on my dryer is stuck. You can hear the clicking like it's coutning down but it's not moving or shutting off. Does it need some sort of maintenance or is this a repair that is going to make me have chest pain? |
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| 1 and 2, no idea, 3, sounds like you may need a new timer, which is an inexpensive part and relatively easy to install, or if you have an appliance repair person do it it won't cost too much in labor time. |
| I am going with Willowsprite answer. |
Maxmm wrote: I'm being lazy and putting 3 questions in one post.
1. Has anyone tried that rubber mulch? Or has anyone heard of any problems with animals and rubber mulch. So far I don't have any rock eaters or issues like that. 2. Has anyone ever built a pergola? (here's what it is: http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11614339/Pergola.jpg) If so, was it hard and do you still like it or would you rather have had something else? 3. It seems like the timer on my dryer is stuck. You can hear the clicking like it's coutning down but it's not moving or shutting off. Does it need some sort of maintenance or is this a repair that is going to make me have chest pain? 1. If you have a chewer, don't use it. If your dog is smart and just wants something to play with, he will figure out how to get it off the base of the tree. Have you considered a rock dry bed at the base of the tree? 2. I've built several pergola's (for me and customers) and I like them very much. I prefer to use vines to cover/soften them. I recommend a grape vine (generally table grapes) to folks in my area. The vine is beautiful in the winter, leaves are pretty and offer shade in the summer, and the family enjoys watching the grapes mature. Of course the bonus, picking a bunch of grapes that will be eaten. No worries about grapes with dogs as you trim the vine and allow the grapes to grow only on the top. I've also used climbing hydranga (plant one at each footing) and wisteria (great place to have it as you can keep it under control). 3. Timers are easy to replace. Couple of wires and you are done. If you are handy, you don't need a repair guy. |
| So any words of wisdom where pergolas are concerned? Any pitfalls or dumb, been there done that mistakes that I should be watching out for? I'm planning a larger pergola and figured I would set the posts in concrete and have everything pre drilled and assemble it in place, not assemble it on the ground and lift it. Sound reasonable? |
| We have the rubber mulch and we love it. It looks great and there is virtually no maintenance. In the front of our house we didn't even put down anything underneath and very few weeds grow through. Our dogs don't chew stuff so it's not an issue. On a recommendation scale of one to 10, I give it a 10. I'd take a picture for you but it's covered in snow right now.
The pergola has been an ongoing argument in our house for the last few months. I want one, he doesn't. We just a built a garage and tore out half of our existing patio so we're planning on tearing out the rest and building a huge deck that wraps around the whole back of the house. I want to add a pergola and James sees it serving so purpose other than more work and more money. I can't possibly seeing it being anymore difficult than the deck itself. I think the most annoying part is sinking the posts. As for the timer, I would smack the dryer on the side until it worked. I'm not saying it would work, but it's what I'd do. Then, when it was extra broken, I'd ask James to fix it. |
ButtersStotch wrote: As for the timer, I would smack the dryer on the side until it worked. I'm not saying it would work, but it's what I'd do. Then, when it was extra broken, I'd ask James to fix it.
ROFL, love your attitude  |
Quote: We have the rubber mulch and we love it. It looks great and there is virtually no maintenance. In the front of our house we didn't even put down anything underneath and very few weeds grow through. Our dogs don't chew stuff so it's not an issue. On a recommendation scale of one to 10, I give it a 10.
I though about using it under the back porch so the dogs could have access to that area again. (right now it is only dirt under there anad they decided to excavate the foundation - husband has no sense of humor) what do you think? 2. we had a pergola at our old house - husband dragged his feet I insisted (we had it built when a deck was added). it was cedar and very nice to sit under on the deck in the summer, looked very pretty with lights and snow in th ewinter. we have both said we would like to put one in our new yard - yes he is a convert. |
Quote: As for the timer, I would smack the dryer on the side until it worked. I'm not saying it would work, but it's what I'd do. Then, when it was extra broken, I'd ask James to fix it.
If the dryer works, why sweat it. Get a $5 timer, but it around your neck and when it bings, go get your clothes. #1, if your kids chew, then you'll have a hard time finding anything short of cobble stones. Otherwise, the rubber lasts forever, does get dusty so hopefully it rains there to clean it off. #2. I adore our gazebo. It's well built, not slapped together. It has withstood major winds > 100 mph with only the roof shingles taking a powder. It is 8 sided, post in concrete, full roof with roofing shingles. We put 1/2 lattice on 4 side, 1 slide open, the other 3 have full lattice. Maintenance has been a coat of stain/sealer...name escapes me...every other year. Only problem when wild animal tore through the lattice...coyote we think. Still a mystery. We did have rabbits living underneath so maybe coyote was looking for the trap door to the cellar???? If I had to do again, I'd put 2 more panels of full lattice for privacy, but then it would be hotter inside. And yes it gets hot. The ones I later designed for clients had electricity for a fan in the ceiling and lights. Personally I'd like to have a chaise out there for naps..........just never gotten around to it. |
Maxmm wrote: So any words of wisdom where pergolas are concerned? Any pitfalls or dumb, been there done that mistakes that I should be watching out for?
Make sure you know the frost depth for your area and then make the post holes 6-10 inches deeper. |
Sheeps over Aces wrote: Make sure you know the frost depth for your area and then make the post holes 6-10 inches deeper. Make sure you know the frost depth for your area, and tell someone else to dig 15 inches deeper. |
| 1. nope
2. Yes, we've built several. I love them. I have no idea how you could possibly assemble it on the ground and lift it up - it is way too heavy. 3. Google the dryer model and you can probably find directions on how to do the repair, even how to be sure that is the problem. |
| the gazebo becomes the focal point in your yard. So don't skimp, make it fit it's new role. Do you need a gazebo? Will you use it? Are you outside a lot now and need more room?
I ruled out the grapes and such because of wasps. Ours is in the orchard and even still have a problem with wasp nests up at the ceiling. One squirt with a spray knocks them out....which I hate because the wasps do help control bugs in the orchard. Still I have wanted some extra nice flowering thing on the 'zeber', just haven't gotten anything. Friend had one built at same time, just tore her's down since her husband can no longer physcially get outside to use it and she can no longer maintain it....wood treatments. In it's hayday it was the support for several beautiful old world climbing roses, simply beautiful. The gazebo overlooked her fish pond, rose garden and bird feeding area.......lovely, lovely. In our area we did not need a building permit since it is less than 144 square feet and is considered "semi permanent." The postas are set in concrete, the deck is raised one stop above the ground for air circulation under the deck (and home to wild bunnies, LOL). Material is redwood. We thought about pressure treated but decided to stay with redwood. Overall height is about 10 feet tall at peak of roof. Still no weather vane on top, I wanted a flying pig, husband refused. So nothing. Now a sheepdog vane...........hmmm. |
| I have not used the rubber for land scaping, but we do use it in the museum for children. None of our dogs have any intrest in eating it, but they love to sleep on it. It is form fitting and soft. If it is swallowed will pass through them. It does not decay, stain, and it will not swcratch floors of cut carpeting. |
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