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How To Use A Gas Powered Post Hole Digger (Video)

April 17, 2012 By Peter Leave a Comment

Holding the gas powered post hole digger we rented for the afternoon.

Holding the gas powered post hole digger we rented for the afternoon.

A few years ago we had a big wind storm and it blew done a few panels of our old cedar fence. I purchased new cedar panels and 4×4 fence posts.

I used a clam shell post hole digger to dig the post holes. It worked fine, but I was happy that I only had to dig a few fence post holes.

If you are only digging a few holes, I can recommend using this tool. If you are digging more than that I recommend you get something with a bit of power.

Last summer I helped a friend build his deck and the project called for a lot of posts. I was really happy when he rented the gas powered post hole digger in the picture above. It took two of us to run it and we sweated a bit, but it was a lot quicker than using the clam shell tool. Using this powered version we were able to dig all of the post holes in an afternoon.

Here’s the video I created of how to use a post hole digger.

Here are the two tips in the video that I learned using the post hole digger in the afternoon:

The first thing I learned, is that you want to keep the auger clean of dirt and debris. We found that the best way to do this is to move the post digger up and down as it is running. This pulls the dirt out of the hole and it will automatically spread the dirt at the top of the hole.

The second thing I learned, is that if you are working in an area with large rocks, the auger may not have enough power or the space to remove them. In this case you need to stop the post hole digger, pull it out of the hole and remove rocks by hand or using a shovel.

If you have any questions or informationon digging post holes that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Decks, How To, Tools, Videos

Deck Design Programs for the Ultimate Outdoor Room

February 11, 2012 By Peter Leave a Comment

Having fun designing a new deck using deck design software.

Like patios, decks may be constructed to form an outdoor room, extending the inside of your home into your backyard.

But decks are undoubtedly even more versatile than patios because they can be build in just about any environment however steep or rocky.

Of course a deck is a solid structure, and you’re going to need some sort of plans to work from both for setting out and for the building process.

The good news is that whether you want to build your own deck or call someone in to do it for you, there are plenty of free deck design programs that will help you create exactly what you want. Not only will they give you details of the materials you need to buy, but they will usually give you visuals that show exactly what your new deck will look like when it’s complete.

Software that Allows you to Design Your Own Deck

Look no further than the World Wide Web for a multitude of free design-a-deck software options. Similar, but usually a lot less complicated than the software used by professional landscapers, architects and designers, free deck design software will normally allow you to choose the size, shape and even the color (and sometimes wood or other material) of the deck of your dreams. You can add different levels as well as stairs, railings and other features, until you are happy with what you have created.

Of course you are probably thinking, “Free – nothing comes free nowadays”. But there are various reasons that companies have set up web sites that offer free software for garden and other structures, including the fact that many sell the materials required to build the design you have chosen. Others will provide you with a checklist of what you need, plus a materials list, tips of how to put the deck together, and then suggest several reliable retailers in your area. Most will be working on a commission basis, getting a kickback of some sort from the supplier. This is not a bad thing because it’s also their reputation on the line.

Generally you will be required to register with the web site offering the free software. This means, of course, that you are going to be included in their database and can expect to get news, product information and so on from them in the future. This should be an advantage if you are into home improvement. However you will almost always be given an easy option to stop receiving mail.

There is also software that you can buy, that is not linked specifically to any company. These programs will usually enable you to create both 2D and 3D home deck design plans. I’ve got one of these and it was pretty cheap to buy, and not difficult to learn to use.

If you do decide to buy a program, it’s a good idea to search the Internet for reputable review sites which point out the advantages and any disadvantages of different programs. Alternatively go into a real store where staff members are able to show you how the different types of software work … or otherwise do a short study course before you get started.

Deck Design Programs Used by Designers:

Perhaps the greatest advantage of allowing a professional designer to design a deck for you is that they already have examples of work they have completed using their deck design programs. Most also have the experience to create a virtual image of your backyard using a digital photograph of the property. So instead of looking at a deck in a nebulous location, you are able to visualize exactly what the deck will look like in your own outdoor space.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Decks, Design, How To

Selling Your Home Out Of Season? A Great Deck Makes A Difference

October 25, 2011 By Peter Leave a Comment

(ARA) – In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of trying to sell a house when there’s snow on the ground and the trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes throughout the year.

While winter may not be the optimum season to showcase your landscaping, there is one improvement you can make that will help you boost your home’s outdoor appeal no matter what the season: a deck.
Deck post lights on composite deck.

The deck post lights nicely cap the white deck rails.

When potential buyers visit your home in winter, they might not be able to envision how green and lovely your backyard will look come spring. But they will be able to see with their own eyes the square footage that a deck adds to the home’s living space.

Decks, patios, sunrooms and porches have always been popular with home buyers, but real estate agents say that too often those spaces are neglected or not used to their best advantage. Yet outdoor improvements like a deck can significantly enhance your home’s value and appeal. In fact, at the time of resale, a deck will recoup, on average, about 73 percent of the original cost of building it, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report.

“Anything that adds living space adds value, and the least expensive way to gain space is to build a deck or turn the one you have into an outdoor room by staging it so that it flows seamlessly with the rest of the house,” says Mary Beth Harrison of The Harrison Group, a Dallas-based real estate agency. “A great deck can set your home apart from others with the same interior floor plan or square footage, and deck additions typically add value when it comes time to sell.”

The cooler temperatures of fall and early winter make the season a great time to add a deck to your home. Or, if you already have a deck, you can enhance its appeal by adding simple touches and accessories.

A bonus space – for example, a tiny deck or rarely used balcony off a master bedroom – can be transformed into a romantic getaway by staging it with cozy, cushioned seating and a raised firepit. You can safeguard your deck and add designer style with Latitudes deck stones, 16-inch interlocking square tiles made of natural slate or granite. Deck stones can provide an effective fire barrier that’s an asset under firepits or grills, or when used to create an outdoor kitchen.

Lighting is another way to boost appeal. LED deck lighting kits, like those offered by Deckorators, are both practical and visually appealing. Adding lighting to a deck can be an important safety feature, and also helps create a warm, welcoming mood for evening entertaining. There is also a wide range of outdoor lighting fixutres available for a variety of applications.

Another improvement that speaks to both safety and visual appeal are deck railings. Decorative railings with ornate balusters, post cap and postcovers can give virtually any wood or composite lumber deck a distinctive look for a modest investment.

“More than ever before, people look at their decks as outdoor entertainment areas,” says Chris Fox of Universal Forest Products, producers of Latitudes Composite decking and Railing and Deckorators, a leader in decking railing systems and deck accessories. “For some, it’s a kitchen; for others, a living room. Decks can be party spaces or quiet retreats. With so many different types of deck materials, lighting, rail systems and decorative accents, it’s possible to turn a plain deck into a great outdoor space.”

“Potential home buyers always react positively to nice decks that look like a great place to hang out,” says Harrison. “From a buyer’s perspective, if all else is equal, it’s true that the home with the best deck wins.”

Filed Under: Blog, Decks, How To, Outdoor Lighting

How I Finally Painted The Wood Posts And Fascia On Our Deck

September 13, 2011 By Peter Leave a Comment

We finished building our second story deck late last year and then the rain started. We finished the wood posts using a primed fascia material so it was not a necessity to paint them right away. My plan was to find a sunny day in the winter to paint them, but then I found out that it is best to paint outdoors when it is warmer.

Spring was the next season up and it was too wet, or maybe I was getting good at proscrasinating. I wanted to make sure they were painted before the fall rain started and a few weeks ago I finally found, er made the time and painted the wood deck posts and fascia.

Selecting the Paint and Brushes:

The first thing to decide was the color and brand of the paint. We looked at a few different colors and we decided to match the trim on the house. I did not have an old can of the paint available so we took a small sample off of the garage door, but it was too small for them to be able to process. Since that didn’t work we got a few color swatches for Behr paint and match it to the trim. In the end this worked ut very well.

Since the posts and fascia are large I went with a 4″ wide brush. I also had to paint some tight areas and cut the edges and for that I used a 1″ wide brush.

Tip 1: It took two days to finish the painting and instead of using new brushes the second day or cleaning the brushes after the first day, I wrapped them tightly in aluminum foil. This kept the oxygen away from the paint and it did not harden over night.

Preparing to Paint the Fascia

As you can see from the photo below, the metal railing posts are mounted on the front of the fascia. This is due to the local building code and I like it a lot better than mounting the railing posts to the deck floor. This saves space on our deck and since we have a vinyl deck we did not screw into the vinyl flooring to mount the rail. The downside to this mounting technique is that I had to cover the mounting hardware with tape so I did not paint over it. And it also took a lot longer to paint because I had to paint around the mounting hardware.

Painting Deck Posts

Before painting the fascia, I taped the deck posts and soffit.

Tip 2: Paint the fascia before you attach the deck railing posts. This will save you a lot of time because you will not have to paint around the deck railing hardware.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Decks, How To
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