Questions tagged [backyard]
The backyard tag has no usage guidance.
106
questions
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Moving a bottomless metal shed
I have this shed I want to move about 10 meters from its current location in my backyard. This shed is metal, without a floor, sitting on paving stones which appear to have been cemented together.
...
- 815
1
vote
1
answer
67
views
How to find which zone on Rain Bird sprinkler system is for backyard?
When we did pavers in the backyard, contractor simply capped off sprinklers and did pavers. That means, if sprinklers are running in the backyard, I cannot see it.
We have Rain Bird ESP-RZX sprinkler ...
- 185
1
vote
2
answers
127
views
Fence post on concrete slab
I'm looking to build a fence around my backyard, which already has a concrete slab laid where I want to place the fence.
Would anchoring a fence post there be structurally safe? I think the slab is ...
- 55
0
votes
1
answer
290
views
I laid my back patio flush with the back door. I know this isn’t right, now what do I do?
I paid a family friend to lay a concrete patio attached to my back door. He laid it too high. Specifically flush with the back door. I know now this can be a big water issue but can’t imagine how to ...
0
votes
1
answer
92
views
Drainage issue in the yard
Below is drawing of our yard sloping (depicted by arrows along the lines) and what I'd like to do to fix the drainage issue.
During the rain, water comes from our neighbors as well as from street ...
- 291
0
votes
2
answers
137
views
Large Ant population in yard - problematic? [closed]
I have a significant portion of my back yard (1 acre) that is VERY sandy soil.
In that area, there are a lot of ants, and between the beginning of summer and the end of summer, they make so many ant ...
- 443
33
votes
5
answers
8k
views
How should I remove a swimming pool from my back yard?
Our house had a nice cedar pergola in the backyard, about 20'x16', whose posts began to rot at the base. It was covered in grape vine... Nice for shade but not for a falling down pergola. Needless to ...
- 749
2
votes
1
answer
82
views
Addition cement slab
Should an addition of cement slab be attached to house foundation?? I do not know any information about this pretty new at all this planning on getting a 18x30
- 21
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the purpose of flanged plugs?
What is the purpose of putting a flange on a plug like this (from yard equipment)? Help me understand.
It’s not like it’s waterproof.
It seems to me it only serves to keep you from plugging it into a ...
- 729
1
vote
1
answer
956
views
How do I fix a wooden fence that has shifted and won't close?
There's no visible sag so I don't even know what part to adjust, or how. It used to fit but in the past few weeks has become misaligned so that it won't close. Nothing seems loose or moveable
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
Pebbles and paver installation for side walk
I am trying to improve my side-walk which basically goes to my backyard. Its roughly 30ft length by 4ft width. I want to install pebbles and pavers in the middle to make it look clean. I have no ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Pergola Material for Desert Climate
I'm building a roughly 12'x12' pergola on a concrete slab in my backyard in Las Vegas. Planning on attaching to house via ledger board. 6x6 posts will be set on metal post bases attached to concrete ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
98
views
How to remove EZ Sand that is sticking to pavers?
We hired an inexperienced guy to do the pavers and he poured EZ Sand in pavers joints but didn’t do a good job of cleaning the residue that is on pavers surface.
How to fix this? Google says, do a ...
- 185
0
votes
0
answers
39
views
How can I prevent water pooling in my backyard
There is one area in my backyard where the water stands for a little while when it rains. This area is where my deck ends. Any ideas how to avoid this water pooling?
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
349
views
Finished grade in my yard is pure clay. How much topsoil should I add?
Ever since we moved into our home, the backyard grading has needed work. It basically slopes right into the back of the house. I put in a small trench a few feet away from the foundation to divert ...
- 96
1
vote
0
answers
92
views
water pooling in concrete slab
We recently had our concrete patio and driveway completed. We have direct the water flow to the grass but the water drains out really slow and is pooling in the area. how do we solve the issue?
The ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
76
views
Use Korky Fill Valve to fill a tank in yard
I'm trying to create a system in my yard to automatically fill my pet tortoises dishes with water. My current plan is to have a bucket half submerged in the ground, and fill water up to surface level. ...
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Quarry block sunken firepit
I want to put limestone blocks 2x2x5’ for seats in a 10x12, 4’ deep fireplace area, I rented a digger and dig a good amount and plan to put 6” of bass or minus then the blocks around the pit.. will it ...
1
vote
1
answer
57
views
How can I fix this fountain and prevent it from happening again?
I bought a fountain recently and since it's been below freezing I put it outside empty. Well, it fell over in the first high wind day. Now the statue part has cracked off the base, and part of the bit ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
171
views
Attaching Pergola posts to lumber on ground
I'm a new homeowner with DIY enthusiasm to improve the outdoor living space. Recently completed build my fence now planning to do a pergola first and then add deck to it so we can enjoy some outdoor ...
- 103
1
vote
3
answers
78
views
What are our options for a base under a raised garden bed?
In the backyard we currently have a small patio and a lot of lawn. We also have a toolshed, which seems to be sinking into the earth because there's no real foundation underneath it. We want to invest ...
- 123
16
votes
2
answers
5k
views
What is this stake in my yard and can I remove it?
My child has been swinging in our front yard (NC, US) and worn away the grass, revealing this metallic stake (* See photo, note the acorn top for scale*):
I gently tried to pull it up, but it is ...
- 325
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
Cleanup broken glass and debris
I had the back half acre of my lot cleared of brush and saplings. There was an old shed that the previous owners left to rot. It had fallen to the ground and there is now a lot of broken glass and ...
- 566
-1
votes
1
answer
139
views
Screen door track replacement
I need to replace the twin plastic tracks (see pic below) guiding the tops of two sliding mesh screen doors attached to the back entrance of my house. The tracks are plastic and come in one piece, but ...
-1
votes
1
answer
11k
views
Landscape + drainage along fence line
I am on a corner lot and my backyard receives water runoff from my neighbor behind me and my neighbor beside me. I have a french drain installed where the backyards come together and didn't have much ...
1
vote
1
answer
259
views
Glass materials for patio cover
I found this picture and interested in knowing what glass materials being used for the patio cover. Is it just fixed single pane glass (from local home improvement store)? And if so, how do I attach ...
- 1,752
0
votes
0
answers
65
views
How to determine the severity or size of a hole in yard?
I found a hole in my yard. This area has three common features that could cause that, a sink hole from an underground stream, prairie dogs, which are everywhere in the neighborhood, or an abandoned ...
- 897
0
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Best way to fill gaps between lumber and masonry or rocks
We have built 4x4 retaining walls around existing rocks and concrete that we were unable to get rid of. The idea was - and is - use something fill the gaps between the lumber and the rocks / cements. ...
- 257
1
vote
0
answers
201
views
5 Post Pergola Design - How big to make the beams and rafters?
I'm building a new deck and pergola in my backyard. The deck is pretty much done, and the pergola posts are in. I'm now I'm trying to decide how to finish up the pergola.
Deck is roughly 12 feet wide ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Curb water shut off access pipe too high
After removing a tree, the grade on the front of my property changed, exposing the water cut off access pipe (not sure what it's actually called). How should I go about cutting it down. Is it a DIY ...
- 1,210
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
What is this 4-1/2 inch Vertical metal pipe doing in my garden?
This 4 1/2 inch vertical metal pipe is sticking up a foot out of my garden.
The previous owner of the property didn't know what it was for. It has 2 hose clamps on it and a cap with a square nipple.
...
- 13
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
External sewage pipe damaged
I recently had some tree service done to my yard by a contractor, which required them to drive heavy machinery through the lawn. It was pointed out to me that they drove over and damaged an external &...
- 305
-1
votes
1
answer
127
views
Fire pit or chiminea or outdoor stove? [closed]
In an indoor setting, a wood burner is far, far more efficient than an open fire.
What about outdoors in a patio or courtyard? I have a large amount of low grade firewood and I'd like an outdoor fire ...
- 276
0
votes
2
answers
5k
views
ground level deck drainage suggestions?
I am Looking for ideas to keep water from pooling under a new ground-level deck.
The frame in the photo was dug 8-10inches below the ground. I'm using composite decking so I need minimum 6 inches ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
121
views
Easy platform for a small metal frame pool
Recently I have been thinking about purchasing a small metal frame pool, something simple that can be taken down during the fall/winter seasons. The issue I have is my entire backyard is on a slight ...
14
votes
10
answers
46k
views
How do I limit the water flowing through my neighbor's fence into my yard?
Our neighbors yard is elevated and they water their yard a lot. The water flows over into our vegetable garden and floods it. I would like to add a barrier. Some ideas have been slim pavers with a ...
- 765
2
votes
3
answers
162
views
Would a vernal pond (as either a retention basin or a infiltration basin) be a viable solution for this drainage issue?
So my backyard is showing some heavy pooling issues. I am in Southern Maine, USA
The lowest point (picture 1) is, unfortunately pretty close to the garage pier foundation, and when the water pools it ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
109
views
What are these things that appeared in my backyard and front lawn?
These things appeared all around my house. It was done while I was away. I live in The Woodlands, TX
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
108
views
What can be done to mitigate risk to property from large trees other than removal?
There are 3 oak trees that need to be removed as they pose risks
to personal safety and property during windstorm. The last windstorm (dec. 2019, AK) produced 120 m/h gusts. The quote is $6k due to ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
302
views
what size should gas grill burner flames be
i have a charbroil 'red' grill. it used to get very hot. now I hold my hand over cooking surface for 5 to 10 seconds. not good.
yes i tried to reset the regulator based on most internet suggestions
...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
64
views
How to weather protect plywood fence?
My handyman guy used the wrong lumber to make this fence gate. It just regular plywood used for subfloor:
It's too late now to take it down. But it looks OK so I want to see if there is a way to ...
- 1,752
2
votes
2
answers
170
views
Should I leave a treeline to mitigate flooding in my backyard?
I have a 1942 colonial near Hartford, CT. It is a corner lot, and one of the streets I am on recently experienced a flash flood. Our house stayed dry, but we saw water up to three feet in the street ...
-1
votes
1
answer
39
views
Replacing a tennis net
How do you replace a tennis net? Is it simple enough that it's worth doing myself, or should someone else be paid to do it?
- 109
1
vote
2
answers
146
views
Should an irrigation manifold/valve box be situated in the yard (centipede) or landscaping (pine straw)? [closed]
In fixing a broken irrigation system, the manifold and all valves have been disconnected and will be relocated in at least some way. The previous setup used round access portals and was neglected for ...
- 442
1
vote
2
answers
210
views
How do I build a fence with zero experience?
I've never built a fence or have never done any outdoor construction. I'm pretty handy and do most of my interior maintenance. I have a total of 780 feet where I need to put up a fence. I'm still ...
0
votes
1
answer
96
views
Protection from an asbestos wall
The trapezoid-shaped wall in the back of the picture is a wall that my neighbor built between his backyard and mine:
Apparently, it is made from asbestos, which might be unhealthy.
In order to ...
0
votes
1
answer
62
views
How to manage water runoff on flat roof of accessory dwelling unit
I am planning to build a new accessory dwelling unit (granny flat) in my backyard. I really like this design from https://node.eco/
However how do I manage the flat roof water run off? Is it just ...
- 1,752
-1
votes
5
answers
19k
views
How to bind pebbles in-between pavers?
I have roughly 700 square feet of pebbles and pavers in my back yard, and the issue I'm having is that when I step on the pebbles, they move all over the place. I'd like to apply some kind of binding ...
- 247
-2
votes
2
answers
120
views
Rat trouble please help me [closed]
I found Norway rats in basement first I sealed off them coming in for the dog food but I smell them I see holes in my yard they have I think killing my wild birds that are use to living by my porch on ...
1
vote
1
answer
83
views
Drainage area for a French drain
I have a muddy backyard that has minimal slope toward the back property line, and I'm considering installing a French drain to improve the situation. Is there a general rule as to how much area a ...
- 803