All Outdoor Patio Furniture

We’re all aware of the chores that we have to do around our houses while the weather is still warm.  The problem is that we always think that we have plenty of time to accomplish them; but, the next thing we know, it’s the end of July, and August is charging straight at us.    

Besides the gardening, yard work, and maintenance, there will be things that are in need of repair.  So, while you’re outside, cooking on the grill, sitting in your porch chair, or playing croquet in the backyard, look around and see what needs your attention.

For example, if you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, patio, sidewalk, or pool area, check to see if it is cracked or dirty.  Do a thorough inspection, so that you don’t miss any spots that need to be fixed.  Move any outdoor dining tables and lounge chairs that are around the pool, and look under your patio chairs, accent tables, and picnic table.  Clear all of the outdoor furniture away from the places that you are going to be cleaning or mending.

Use a power washer to clean concrete; and, while you’re at it, observe the direction in which it sends the water off its surface.  If it’s causing it to flow toward your home, that could be troublesome.  Check around the outside of the foundation for any spots that may be cracked, crumbling, or deteriorating in any way.  Next, go down to your basement and examine it from the inside, looking for water stains, or any other signs of leakage.

If you discover that water is getting in, you may be able to change the course of the drainage, by removing or altering the grade of the concrete.  If you can’t correct the problem on your own, consult a professional.

To get rid of oil or grease stains on driveways, or garage floors, you can use TSP (trisodium phosphate), which you’ll find at any hardware store or home center.  This stuff really works well, but you’ll have to wear rubber gloves when you’re using it.  Just mix one cup of it with a gallon of hot water, saturate the area, and let it soak in for a half-hour; then, scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush, and rinse completely.

To patch up concrete, clean the damaged section with a wire brush, then sweep away any residue with a whisk broom.  For narrow cracks, use masonry crack filler, which is available in cartridges, so you can inject it into the gap.  Fill larger crevices with vinyl concrete patching compound, and smooth them over with a putty knife.

When you’re dealing with asphalt, it’s actually a good idea to look for cracks at least twice a year.  If and when you find any, you can quickly eliminate them by using a caulking gun to fill them with asphalt patching caulk, then leveling the surface with a putty knife.  Otherwise, they’ll just keep growing wider, and, eventually, growing vegetation.

Sure, you just want to be able to relax on your porch swing and admire the view; but you certainly won’t enjoy watching a bunch of weeds sprouting from – and ruining – your driveway, especially when you know that it’s all your phalt.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy.

Tags: accent tables, grill, lounge chairs, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, picnic table, porch chair, porch swings

Okay, so now you know how easy it can be to fix a loose rung on a patio chair, garden bench, or picnic table.  It’s always a good feeling to be able to restore a favorite piece of outdoor furniture to its former glory – or, at least, a semblance thereof – without the help of a professional.  Of course, there are times when a beloved old porch swing, Adirondack chair, glider, or outdoor dining table is in need of repair, but only because of a few scratches.

In many instances, you can hide these flaws, using items that you may already have on hand.  If, for example, there’s a scratch in your wood porch chair, a nut may come to the rescue (as is the case so many times in life).  Rub a pecan, or any nut that has a high oil content, over the scratch, and watch it disappear.  Even a bit of peanut butter may do the trick.  The only trouble there is that the aroma may be so strong that you’ll find yourself craving a peanut butter sandwich every time you sit down.  To avoid this temptation, use olive or vegetable oil instead; simply rub it in with your finger, and polish it with a soft rag.

Another solution, which many people find to be a real eye-opener, is coffee.  Just mix one teaspoon of the instant variety with one tablespoon of vegetable oil or water, and work it in gently with a soft rag.  Although this is great for covering scratches on dark wood patio furniture, it is not recommended for use on shellac, or antiques.

Fortunately, there are many other household items that are not nearly as appetizing, which can diminish the appearance of scratches on wood porch furniture; but these should be tested on inconspicuous areas first.  Iodine, for instance, works well on reddish finishes, such as mahogany; and liquid and paste shoe polishes, available in a wide range of shades, can easily be matched to most wood tones.  Felt-tipped markers and softened crayons can be used, too, and you can mix their colors to get the perfect match for the wood.

So, there you have several easy fixes for scratches in your wood outdoor furniture; but, as I said, your options may be limited if the smell of peanut butter is going to drive you nuts. Furthermore, if you’re trying to cut down on caffeine, the coffee suggestion may be out as well.  However, if you can resist the urge to have a cup every time you get a whiff of it, you can have your “coffee fix” and still get to sleep at night!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, garden bench, glider, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, patio chair, patio furniture, picnic table, porch chair, porch furniture, porch swing

As we march toward March, cabin fever is at fever pitch for those of us who live in areas where winter is winter.  With spring about to spring, we long for the long, sunny days, when we can garden in our gardens, plant plants, and picnic at our picnic tables.  Now, those in frozen regions may say that things won’t melt ‘til Memorial Day; but, land agoshen, that’s a scary notion!  All of this cold has really gotten old, and May may be too long a way away to wait.

Of course, if you live in a warm climate, you don’t have to worry about winter; and if you have an enclosed porch, sunroom, or gazebo, at least, you can use your patio furniture all year long.  Otherwise, relax in the knowledge that spring is but a few weeks away, and get your outdoor furniture ready.  Make sure that it’s up to another season of heavy use and abuse, especially if it’s old and worn.

You may have a faded favorite that holds cherished memories of family gatherings, and has held cherished family members who are no longer around.  It’s well broken in, and, perhaps, broken down; but you still don’t want to part with it.  However, if any piece of porch furniture is questionable, safety-wise, you’ll have to decide whether or not it can – or should – be repaired.  For example, an old rocker that’s off its rocker, and has to be propped against a wall to be kept upright, is a lost cause; but a porch chair with a loose rung or two may just need a bit of glue.

Before you take the patio chair apart, make sure that you will remember which pieces fit where, by stretching a length of masking tape from the leg to the end of the rung that goes into it, and labeling it with corresponding letters or numbers at each end.  When you pull the rung out of the leg, just tear the tape in two, so that you can simply match ‘A’ to ‘A’ or ‘1’ to ‘1’ when putting it back together.  The masking tape should peel off easily, without damaging the finish; but if you’re unsure, either test an inconspicuous area, or use painter’s tape.

Loosen and remove the old glue by brushing hot vinegar onto the joints.  This should work in only a few minutes, but if the old glue is very thick, it may take up to an hour to completely dissolve the build-up.  Get all of the old glue off, or the new glue won’t attach properly to the wood fibers.  White or yellow wood glue will work beautifully; epoxy or permanent glue will ensure that your outdoor furniture will never come apart again.

Don’t use nails or brackets to put the patio chair back together; and use screws only if they were there in the first place.  To make certain that everything sets properly, clamp the joints together until the glue dries thoroughly.

Indeed, sometimes, the sentimental value of an old patio chair or porch swing makes it well worth the effort it takes to fix it.  And sometimes, the comic value of something like, say, that backward-tipping rocking chair, makes it priceless to keep around, even if it’s irreparable.  I know I’ve had some real laughs with mine!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gazebo, Outdoor Furniture, patio chair, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chair, porch furniture, porch swing, rocking chair, sunroom