Moles can eat their weight in worms and grubs every day, so they find healthy, well-watered lawnswhich are full of worms and grubsvery attractive. Tunneling as fast as a foot per minute under the sod, one mole can make an average yard look like an army invaded it.To their credit, moles do a good job of aerating the soil and controlling Japanese beetle larvae and other harmful bugs, and they don't eat flowers or plants. If you can live with them, they generally won't cause any serious, long-term damage to your yard. However, if you can't, you'll have to do some DIY pest control methods to trap or remove them. The population density of moles is generally no more than three per acre, so catching even one might take care of the problem.Livetrapping moles by setting a deep bucket under an active tunnel is sometimes effective. To set up a live trap, dig a hole at the tunnel deep enough to set a 2- to 5-gallon bucket below the level of the tunnel. Pack the dirt around the edge of the bucket, then cover the hole with sod or plywood so you can check the hole daily. The mole will fall in, and then you can take it to a new location.However, the most effective, time-tested method is to set up a spring-loaded prong or choker-loop trap that is activated when the mole pushes against it.For the spring trap, flatten an area of the tunnel slightly bigger than the base of the trap and set the trap over it. Follow the manufacturer's directions to arm the trap, then cover it with a 5-gallon bucket to keep kids and pets away. Remove it and the mole after it's been triggered, or try a different tunnel if it hasn't been triggered after several days.Whether you set up a live or a spring-loaded trap, the first step is to locate the active tunnels. Step on the tunnels you see in one or two spots to collapse them, then check those spots the next day. If the tunnel has been dug out again, it's an active one, and a good spot to set a trap.
Read more here:
DIY Pest Control: How to Keep Pests Out of the Home - Family Handyman
Concrete retaining wall cost
A concrete retaining wall costs $3,000 to $10,000 on average. Precast, poured, or interlocking concrete retaining walls cost $45 to $270 per linear foot or $15 to $45 per square foot. Large concrete retaining wall blocks cost $25 to $100 each for materials or $20 to $45 per square foot installed.
Concrete retaining wall cost - chart
*Total installed costs for 3 to 6 high retaining walls.
In comparison, other types of retaining walls cost $20 to $50 per square foot on average.
The following table shows the average cost to build a 50 long concrete retaining wall thats 3 to 6 tall.
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
A poured concrete retaining wall costs $60 to $270 per linear foot for 3 to 6 tall walls or $20 to $45 per square foot on average. Total costs depend on the size, location, site accessibility, and reinforcement requirements.
Poured concrete retaining wall
Building a new stamped concrete retaining wall costs $25 to $50 per square foot on average for pouring a concrete wall and stamping the surface. Adding a stamped design to existing walls costs $5 to $15 per square foot for a concrete overlay.
Stamped concrete resurfacing is a veneer alternative with designs and colors imitating wood, stone, or other materials.
The following table shows the differences between block retaining walls and poured concrete retaining walls:
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Installing precast concrete retaining walls costs $45 to $270 per linear foot on average or $15 to $45 per square foot. Total prices depend on the concrete block or panel type, installation method, design, and site preparation needed.
*Installed prices for 3 to 6 tall walls.
Precast concrete wall for landscaping
An interlocking concrete block retaining wall costs $45 to $210 per linear foot installed for 3 to 6 tall walls or $15 to $35 per square foot. Interlocking concrete blocks cost $2 to $10 per block for materials only, depending on the size, type, and brand.
Criblock interlocking retaining walls cost $20 to $35 per square foot and are ideal for waterfronts.
*Material prices only.
These modular concrete blocks are quick to install with their mortarless design. Some concrete-mold options imitate the look of natural stone.
Commercial or large concrete retaining wall blocks cost $60 to $270 per linear foot for 3 to 6 tall walls or $20 to $45 per square foot installed. Large concrete retaining wall block prices are $25 to $100 per block, depending on the size.
A cinder-block retaining wall costs $60 to $210 per linear foot for 3 to 6 tall walls or $20 to $35 per square foot of surface area with backfill and footings. Total costs depend on the size, foundation type, wall finish, and reinforcements.
Building a concrete precast panel wall costs $25 to $40 per square foot. These factory-built panels require crane installation after delivery to the site. Installation takes less time than on-site-built concrete walls.
Building a 25x3 concrete bag retaining wall costs $360 to $600 in materials. A 60- to 80 lb.-bag of concrete mix costs $3 to $5 per bag. Concrete-bag retaining walls are an easy DIY project built by stacking bags up to 2 to 3 tall max.
*Price for 60- to 80-lb. concrete-mix bags only.
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Installing a concrete block retaining wall costs $45 to $210 per linear foot for 3 to 6 tall walls, depending on the construction method.
*For 3 to 6 tall walls.
Many local conditions, including the weather, soil type, and site location all have an impact on the cost to build a concrete retaining wall:
Concrete blocks for a retaining wall cost $2 to $10 per block on average or $4 to $20 per square foot for materials only. Prices depend on the block type and size. Some interlocking-concrete wall blocks dont need mortar to install, reducing installation costs.
*Material prices only.
The labor cost to build a concrete retaining wall is $40 to $80 per hour or $10 to $25 per square foot of the wall surface, depending on the material and construction method.
*Labor cost only.
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A concrete retaining wall lasts 50 to 100 years on average, depending on the installation and design quality, maintenance level, and local soil conditions.
You can stain concrete retaining wall blocks in many colors. Exterior concrete stain costs $30 to $60 per gallon that covers 200 to 400 square feet. Stained concrete blocks imitate the look of bricks, stone, or wood.
A concrete retaining wall needs a 1.5 to 2.0 deep footing for most walls 4 to 8 tall. In Northern regions, footings should be deeper to go below the frost line for stability. Taller walls also require larger and deeper foundations designed by engineers.
A concrete retaining wall is 6 to 12 thick, depending on the height, reinforcements, design, and soil type. Most retaining walls are 8 thick for heights of 4 to 6 tall, and walls must be 12 thick for retaining structures 10 to 12 tall.
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Most building codes only allow DIY concrete retaining walls up to 2 to 3 tall maximum before a structural engineer and mason are necessary. Use this checklist when hiring concrete contractors near you.
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How much does a concrete retaining wall cost? - HomeGuide
A manufactured home is a structure that:
Manufactured homes do not include caravans or tents.
Manufactured homes are found in various types of residential parks:
Residential parks are managed by a park owner or manager.
A converted caravan is a structure that was designed as a caravan, and is no longer a caravan because of a structural addition or alteration.
A converted caravan is not considered a manufactured home, except when:
You're considered a manufactured home owner for the purposes of the Act if:
View a list ofrecorded manufactured home parks by region.
Manufactured homes in residential parks are legislated by theManufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003.
You can get free legal assistance andinformation aboutmanufactured homesfrom the Queensland Retirement Village and Park Advice Service.
Operators must be aware of their obligations as penalties apply for non-compliance. Read our information for managing manufactured homes in residential parks.
See more here:
What are manufactured homes? | Homes and housing - Queensland
Introduction Cracked or broken vinyl siding is no reason for despair. A simple $5 tool gets the job done in 15 minutes. This article also includes some useful tips on how to get the best match possible for your original siding.
Vinyl siding is tough but not indestructible. If a falling branch or a well-hit baseball cracked a piece of your siding, dont fret you can make it as good as new in about 15 minutes with a zip tool and a replacement piece. Its as simple as unzipping the damaged piece and snapping in a new one.
The downside of replacing older vinyl siding is that it can be hard to match the style and color, and siding rarely has any identifying marks. The best way to get a replacement piece is to take the broken piece to vinyl siding distributors in your area and find the closest match.
If the old vinyl has faded or you cant find the right color, take the broken piece to a paint store and have the color matched. Paint the replacement piece with one coat of top-quality acrylic primer followed by acrylic house paint acrylic paint will flex with the movement of the vinyl.
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How to Replace Vinyl Siding (DIY) | Family Handyman