DIY Life

This is the second part of my five-part series on the transformation of a backyard into a very nice park-like atmosphere, consisting of paver walkways and patios, a water feature, and sod and plantings. The home belongs to my son and his wife (hereafter known as s/w). Take a look at Part I to see how we got started. Part I finished with the completion of the fence pad demolition.

Peruse the gallery, to see where we're going, and let's proceed.

Linoleum is back...with a new name: Marmoleum. Linoleum's newfound popularity stems partly from its cool colors and patterns. It's also a relatively eco-friendly flooring choice, because it's made from natural substances like linseed oil, wood flour, and jute. (Mmm. Smells like middle school art class...) Manufacturer, Forbo, also touts the fact that linoleum is non-toxic, biodegradable and hypoallergenic. Marmoleum's massive color selection, running the gamut from classic neutral to exhilaratingly vibrant, has attracted tons of attention as well in the past couple years. (The photo, above, shows just some of the available colors.)

What's cool is there is even a Marmoleum option for DIY'ers. It's called Marmoleum Click, and it's sold in the form of interlocking tiles. Click comes in both square and rectangular sizes, and Forbo's website provides very detailed information on how to measure and install this stuff. There are basically two big advantages to going with Click. One: installation is do-able for those with lower or moderate DIY skills. (Yay!) Two: you can be as creative as all get-out in planning your new floor, combining colors and patterns to your heart's content.

A couple caveats: Click color choices are much more limited than for regular Marmoleum. Also, (as with all DIY flooring adventures) you're going to need an absolutely level surface on your existing floor or installation will be a nightmare. Repeat: a nightmare.

Fridge's are very expensive, which is the major reason I refuse to get rid of my old clunker. It keeps going and going, just like the Energizer bunny, because I make sure that I clean the thing from top to bottom every 3 months. If your refrigerator has been acting up lately, refusing to keep your food cold, don't despair. You can keep your fridge going well past it's lifetime too, with these easy and simple tips.

1. Change the water filter. Seriously, if you think about it, if you are using a dirty filter, imagine how dirty the water was before it was filtered through the dirty filter!
2. Clean the gaskets. I use vinegar to clean the gaskets, and I check to make sure the gaskets gives a nice tight seal after I wipe them dry by inserting a piece of paper in the door. If I can easily pull the piece of paper out when the fridge or freezer door is closed, then it is time to replace the gasket. Consult your owner's manual on how to change the gasket.
3. Clean the drip pan and the drain hole. Scrub out the drip pan with baking soda and vinegar. The drain hole has to be cleaned of food and debris, so I usually use Q-tips and a small scrub brush. Consult your owner's manual on how you should clean the drain hole on your fridge.
4. Clean the condenser coils. The coils on the back of your refrigerator can get very dusty, thus making your fridge work much harder than is necessary. Use a vacuum hose to clean the coils every three months. If you have pets like I do, then you probably want to clean the coils every month.
5. Level the refrigerator. An unlevel refrigerator means that the doors might not close properly, resulting in spoiled food and high energy bills. You can prevent this by placing a carpenter's level on top of the fridge and adjusting the feet until your refrigerator is level.

These simple tips will help lengthen the life of your expensive fridge. Mark a date on your calendar for refrigerator maintenance so you won't forget to set aside an hour of your time to clean it. Once you get the benefits of cleaner, clearer water, you'll be keeping that fridge clean without a second thought.