7 Affordable Ways to Protect Your Composite Deck from Furniture

Corner of Composite Deck with Debris

A composite deck is often considered to be a step up from a traditional pressure-treated deck.  Composite is a manmade material that provides great resistance against general wear and tear, allowing it to maintain a fresh appearance. Because of its reputation for being such low-maintenance, most people assume composite is scratch-proof. Yet, when you start … Read more

Is There a High Risk of Getting Struck by Lightning in a Pool?

Swimming in a Pool with Lightning

Getting struck by lightning sounds scary, but luckily, it’s an extremely rare event. If you live in an area where lightning and thunderstorms occur often, you might already know all the safety precautions needed. One of these precautions is to stay away from bodies of water since water is an excellent conductor of electricity. So, … Read more

Quick Dip: Do Natural Swimming Pools Attract Mosquitoes (Like a Pond)?

Natural Pool with Mosquitoes

Natural swimming pools are pretty impressive as they provide the perfect relaxing spot without use of chemicals. These pools depend on the presence of water-purifying plants to keep them clean.  As one might expect, natural pools are relatively rare compared to their traditional chlorinated counterparts.  Natural pools are most suitable in climates that do not … Read more

Deep-Dive: Can Pool Water Kill Grass? (It’s Not as Harmful as You May Think)

Draining Pool Water onto Grass with Hose

The sounds of splashing in the pool are tell-tale signs that summer is here.  Pools are a great way to keep cool while having fun in the sun. With all the splashing that typically occurs in pools, it often sparks the question: Can pool water kill grass? The short answer is no; pool water doesn’t … Read more

Deep Dive: Will Chlorine Keep Those Pesky Mosquitoes Away from Your Pool?

Chlorine Kills Mosquito

Not only are mosquitoes incredibly annoying insects, but they can also carry harmful diseases and viruses. Moreover, mosquitoes can surround any stagnant body of water, like your pool.  So, does chlorine keep mosquitoes away? Chlorine is one of the most effective methods to keep mosquitoes away. In fact, if you keep your pool adequately chlorinated, … Read more

Best Ways to Protect and Refinish Your Cast Iron Patio Furniture (Stop Rust!)

Protecting Cast Iron Outside

The back patio is a great place to host barbecue parties, hang out with loved ones, or simply kick back and relax.   Having comfortable, stylish, and durable furniture that we can rely on is key to enjoying the time we spend in our outdoor space. And when it comes to those three aspects, cast iron … Read more

How to Fix Rusted Patio Chair Legs (And Keep the Rust from Returning)

Rusted Patio Chair

Patio furniture is an investment and, in many households, is seen as a one-time purchase.  So, we try to maintain it for years of enjoyment.  Sadly, the luster of metal patio furniture often diminishes after prolonged exposure to the weather elements.  Eventually, even the most durable metal furniture may end up with unsightly rust. Rust … Read more

4 Simple Ways to Identify Vintage Woodard Patio Furniture

Vintage Woodard Furniture

Patio furniture used to always pale in comparison to indoor furniture when it came to quality, style, and functionality. The latter hogged most of the appreciation, however, this isn’t the case anymore. Over recent years, outdoor furniture started to attract a lot of attention as more and more people wanted to make the most out … Read more

3 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Patio Furniture

Red Spider Mite on Furniture

Enjoying a sunny day out on the patio while reading a book or having a refreshing drink is a great way to spend the afternoon. What more could someone need? However, noticing tiny little specks moving around on your patio furniture can quickly put you on high alert.  At first glance you may think they’re … Read more

A Homemade Solar Cover for the Pool for Under $10 (Yes, It Actually Works Great)

Homemade DIY Solar Cover for Pool

[2023 Update: After success of using this homemade solar cover in 2022, we found some improvements that we’ve detailed here.] Maintaining a comfortable temperature in the pool is a common goal amongst pool owners.  We have a DIY solar heater that is great in helping boost the temperature of the water –however, preventing heat loss is equally … Read more

How to Use Velcro to Keep Patio Cushions from Falling Off

Attaching Patio Cushion with Velcro

While cushions indoors will stay intact without moving, cushions outdoors may slip or blow away. If your area has experienced windy conditions, it’s possible that you may find the pillows strewn around the patio rather than on the furniture.   For patio cushions that do not have built-in straps, a makeshift solution is to attach Velcro … Read more

6 Creative Ways to Hang Things on an Aluminum Patio

Hanging Things on Aluminum Patio Cover

Aluminum is a popular choice for patios all over the country thanks to being lightweight, easy to work with, and cost-effective. If your porch also features aluminum walls or roofs and you want to hang plants, lights, or any other outdoor decoration, then you came to the right place! This article contains a detailed guide … Read more