Questions tagged [outdoor]

For questions generally relating to exterior spaces of property, including yard maintenance, pest and weed control, exterior home maintenance, etc. Questions which deal mainly with gardening and aesthetic landscaping will be migrated to the Gardening and Landscaping SE.

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2 votes
3 answers
9k views

How to widen a chain link

I'm trying raise a swing. A chain is attached to both sides of the swing seat and the topmost links are wider than the others to allow a carabiner to be used to attach the swing to the pole overhead. ...
  • 261
5 votes
1 answer
408 views

Should I apply termite preventative products to pressure treated wood?

There are pressure treated (4"x4") fence posts (set in concrete) nearby to a house. In that area there were previously termites (professionally treated in-ground). This is in a humid region, along the ...
  • 165
7 votes
5 answers
10k views

How can I extract rusted/painted outdoor screws?

We have an outdoor lamppost that is controlled by a switch from inside. Originally the light was burnt out, so we replaced it, and it started working again, but it blew out the light again. So I'm ...
  • 6,341
3 votes
2 answers
161 views

What parts do I need to get this outdoor light working?

I'm sure I need a light bulb of some type, but I do not know what kind or what else I need. I just bought my first house and I am a DIY rookie.
  • 299
2 votes
8 answers
51k views

Can I cut or cover a sewer cleanout pipe in front of my house?

I have a PVC pipe sticking up in front of my house, in a flower-bed area. It's 20 inches high and 5 inches in diameter. As I understand, it is a sewer clean-out pipe. It's rather unsightly and I've ...
  • 2,395
7 votes
2 answers
20k views

What kind of paint should be used on an outdoor concrete walkway?

I have an outdoor walkway that was freshly painted just before I bought my house two years ago. Two winters have worn down the paint and now it needs another coat or the exposed concrete will crumble. ...
  • 223
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Dealing with tar on old railway sleepers

In my garden there is a wall that was been constructed from old wooden railway sleepers. Several of these seem to be leaking tar which has then coated them, and in warm weather the tar becomes almost ...
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can I protect a hose and wire in a high-traffic area?

It's about 20' from my RV to the water supply and electric receptacle. This is a high-traffic area, and having foot (and car!) traffic on the hose and wire seem like a bad idea. Ideally, I'd run ...
  • 11.6k
7 votes
1 answer
262 views

Selecting a sliding patio door

I live in the Boulder Colorado area where we have hot intense sunny summer days, and below zero freezing winter nights. We are planning to install a sliding patio door in a south facing full sun area. ...
  • 71
7 votes
4 answers
27k views

what is the best way to restore teak outdoor furniture?

What is the best way to restore outdoor teak furniture to the original or better looking color? Teak is so beautiful when it has not been weathered. But after a few years in the rain and sun, it ...
  • 6,201
1 vote
5 answers
24k views

How to power 12V LEDs from a 12V AC power supply

I have a 12V power supply that I am using to power some lights in my garden. I want to also power (in parallel) a set of 12V LED lights which (of course) require a 12V DC supply. Is there a simple ...
11 votes
5 answers
23k views

What type of ethernet cable do I need for outdoor use?

I want to run about 100 meters of Ethernet cable out my attic and down a drainpipe. The cable will be exposed to the elements, and attached to a gigabit switch (indoors) at both ends. What kind of ...
  • 1,079
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Cut or split chain

Bought some chain to help make swing set accessories lower to the ground... but can't figure out what to do to make short pieces of chain from the one big long chain I got at the store. And when I do ...
  • 143
4 votes
3 answers
17k views

Is it "OK" to have my pool heater and pump share a circuit?

I replaced a rusted out millivolt natural gas pool heater with a new model, but forgot to note that it needs an electrical connection as well (for vent,etc). I have a 240V line run out there for the ...
  • 373
3 votes
3 answers
4k views

What should I do with abandoned cinder blocks? [closed]

I recently moved to my first home (with a modest yard). The previous owners left behind about 20 cinder blocks. I'd like to build something constructive with them in lieu of discarding them. Any ...
  • 131
4 votes
3 answers
16k views

How should I finish and protect outdoor wooden steps?

My house has a wooden staircase leading up to the front door. It gets a lot of traffic and is uncovered, so its exposed to New England winters. This means snow, ice, ice-melt, sand, shoveling, etc.. ...
  • 303
4 votes
1 answer
12k views

What is the best mix for cement render?

I have some bricked exterior areas that had some cement render on them, and then paint. The render has fallen off the bricks in patches. I think the problem is that large chunks of the brick work was ...
  • 916
16 votes
5 answers
75k views

Should I attach the fence post(s) where my fence meets my house? How do I do it?

I'm going to be building a 6 foot tall cedar privacy fence in the spring (with pressure-treated posts) and need to determine what to do with the two posts that meet the side of my house. In order to ...
1 vote
4 answers
4k views

Repaint moldy porch chairs

We have wooden porch chairs that were supposed to be painted with outdoor paint but they have succumbed to some sort of mold. To repaint these would I have to sand/strip all of the existing paint &...
9 votes
5 answers
42k views

How do I remove moss from an outdoor brick walkway?

I've got a brick walkway that has parts that are in shade most of the day. Our winters are wet and cloudy and during these times it's not uncommon for the shady parts of the walkway to grow a fair ...
6 votes
2 answers
7k views

What are the pros and cons of LED vs CFL vs incandescent bulbs for outdoor lighting?

I'm planning to install some light on my balcony and was just wondering what would be the best choice of lamp. I live in a relatively cold climate, and the current temperature at night is around -10°C....
  • 225
1 vote
5 answers
18k views

How do I take a live wire off of a two way switch?

if I know how to take the live wire off then my job is easier.
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4 votes
7 answers
36k views

Is it safe to put a clothes washer outdoors?

I will be short on usable indoor space for a while, but want to be able to wash clothes on site. Are there any issues with putting a washer (and perhaps, a dryer) outdoors? Perhaps it needs to be ...
  • 11.6k

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