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Consumer Products, Services & Information

Bob Richardson

2003-05-01 12:08:00

Question: I want to build a brick patio. Can you guide me through the process?

Answer:  Building a brick patio can be an easy home improvement project with proper planning and the right tools and materials.  The following is a list of tools, supplies and the process:

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Consumer Products, Services & Information

Bob Richardson

2003-04-01 11:23:00

Question: Does aerating and verticutting and power raking do the same thing for a yard?

Answer:  No.  Aerating, verticutting and power raking are three completely different projects done with three different machines.Verticutting is done with a verticutter, or vertislicer.  Verticutters have solid vertical knife blades on two inch spacing that cuts the grass and grooves the soil in existing yards.  It is recommended that you go across the yard in two different directions to create a perfect seed bed for overseeding.  The verticutter is available with or without a seed box to accommodate all uses, and sometimes is referred to as an ‘overseeder’.Power raking is done with a machine called of course a ‘power rake’.  It looks similar to a verticutter but has different blades.  Power rake blades swing on a mandrel and are made to remove thatch build-up in your yard.  The process is similar to ‘scalping’ but differs in that it removes all the dead thatch since the blades rake the grass down to the dirt.  This can be done on Bermuda and Zoysia grasses to thin them out.  Some people will also use this on Fescue grasses before seeding.  One drawback is getting rid of the the thatch after you power rake your lawn.  A power rake also works well to break up clods after roto-tilling a new yard.Aerating is done with (you guessed it) an aerator and is good to use on all types of lawns.  An aerator removes cores of grass and sod usually 3/4” in diameter.  The purpose of aerating is to loosen tightly compacted soil.  This will allow the roots to go deeper.  It also allows fertilizer and water to do a better job of reaching the roots.  You end up with a lot less run-off when you water too.All three of these machines are gasoline powered.  It takes about as long to do any of these projects as it does to mow.  These machines are usually available for rent at most rental center, and some lawn and garden centers.

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Consumer Products, Services & Information

Bob Richardson

2003-02-01 15:14:00

Question: Why should I rent when I can borrow at lower rates?

Answer:  Your question is one that many people ask themselves but very rarely ask anyone in the rental industry.  Besides the obvious... ‘it costs less to rent’, there are three other factors involved.Renting lets you always get the latest model of equipment.  Renting eliminates the need for service personnel.Renting reduces the amount of storage needed.You can rent lots of equipment that you may only need once, such as a tile saw or ceiling sprayer or a concrete saw.  These are all relatively expensive and the chance that you would use them more than once is minimal.However, the most important part of renting is the sense of accomplishment that you get when you accomplish a task on your own.  When your friends say "that XYZ looks great" you get to pause, look him in the eye and say "Thanks, I did it myself".

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Consumer Products, Services & Information

Walter Carol Anderson

2001-09-01 11:30:00

Question:  What kind of finish would you recommend for salad bowls so they look good and are still safe and nontoxic?

Answer:  If your first thought was to use vegetable oils, we'd like for you to reconsider.  Vegetable oils contain ingredients that may create a culture for bacteria to build up, they also tend to become gummy.Mineral oil is nontoxic inert oil that is light textured and will not build up an excessive coating over time.  It will not stain the wood, however spices and food may discolor the surface over time, especially if the wood becomes dry.  Remember; do not soak the bowls in water.  To clean, use a wet cloth or non-abrasive pad in warm sudsy water and scrub the entire surface until free of food.  After allowing the surface to air dry completely, apply another coat of mineral oil.  Wood items should not be put into the microwave, conventional oven or direct sunlight. There are a number of products on the market for finishing salad bowls and other wood products for the purpose of food preparation.  The finish contains Food and Drug Administration regulated ingredients for use in contact with food. If you have an older bowl that needs to be refinished, use a non-abrasive scrub pad, lemon juice, and pumice dust to scrub off the oil that has built up.  When you are satisfied that you have taken the bowl down to the wood, rinse off the cleaning agents.  Apply a coat of mineral oil to the bowl and allow it to soak into the wood. Whatever product you decide to use be sure and read the label completely before using.