Late winter is the best time of year to begin planning your spring tree planting efforts. Spring technically happens at the end of this month (though it doesn’t always feel like it in Colorado!), so planning now means you will be ready later this month.

Essentially, spring planting allows your trees to establish their growth earlier, grow more thoroughly throughout the grow season, and withstand the summer heat much better once it arrives.

If you’re picking up trees this spring that are grown in a container, make sure you remove all the container components at the actual planting site. This will help ensure minimal handling and potential damage to the containerized roots before you place the tree in the ground. Healthy trees require an abundance of water during the spring and summer in order to establish themselves for the longer term. We recommend placing a hose at the base of the tree and running a light, steady stream of water for several hours. This will encourage the roots to grow deeper and more effectively.

If you are transplanting trees to new locations, be extra cautious as to how you handle them and try your best to protect the roots from excessive drying. The new planting hole should be at least a couple of feet wider than the tree’s root system. After you have the tree in the new planting hole, both water and tamp the surrounding soil down as much as possible to eliminate air pockets and secure the tree’s position.

Once you have your tree in place, don’t forget that you will need to constantly care for the tree during the first critical grow season. Keeping insects and other potential hazards off the tree can typically be handled just fine with a regular rinsing with your garden hose.

Finally, don’t apply fertilizer to your tree at all for at least the first year. It’s important to let the tree get established first, then you can apply the appropriate fertilizers. Instead, place mulch in a five foot diameter around the tree in order to encourage establishment and proper growth of your tree.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

March is an exciting month in Colorado. We get to experience almost every season all packed into one month. As March closes and Spring officially kicks off, Coloradoans spend more time on outdoor landscaping projects. Below are a few outdoor projects to get you in the mood (in case you’re not already there)!

Revive your deck, patio, or outdoor living space. Warm evenings are fast approaching, so it’s high time to whip that outdoor living space into shape. If you have a deck, try throwing a new coat of stain on the worn wood. It’s amazing what a new outdoor table and chair set can do, too. After you clean the winter debris off the surface, add a modern firepit to the space for those cooler evenings. Finally, a new grill would look pretty good too, huh?

Install a water feature. Now is the perfect time to build an attractive, serene water feature for your back yard. How about a waterfall? Grab some natural rocks of varying sizes and shapes for the most realistic look possible. Then you can pick up a waterfall kit from your local home improvement center. Bird bath fountains and abstract wall fountains are two other great water feature ideas that will make your back yard barbeques the envy of your neighborhood.

Buy or build some raised planter boxes. Decorative and extremely functional, cedar planter boxes are a wonderful addtion to your outdoor space. Fill them with plants and flowers and watch them flourish. Planter boxes are also great for limited spaces. You can easily add a drip system to them as well to virtually eliminate any ongoing maintenance.

Commit to a quality irrigation system. There are many reasons to do this. Number one is that you will reduce your monthly water expenses by taking control over the quantity and frequency of your watering. Not to mention the time you save by not moving sprinklers around your entire lawn and garden. Consult your landscaping contractor about a quality irrigation system. The system should have timers and fully cover all of your landscaping. The expense is worth it, and you will come out ahead over a short period of time.

If you would like to share some of your own landscaping ideas or tips and tricks, we would love to hear them!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

The weekend is here. What better way to spend your time this weekend than knocking out some fast, inexpensive home improvement projects? These are small projects with big home improvement power!

Slap some new paint on the wall. Few home improvement projects create such dramatic results as fast and inexpensive as painting, especially if you do the work yourself! For the weekend, you will want to focus on walls that don’t have signifcant damage or demand any repairs. You should be able to easily knock out at least two average sized rooms, and let’s face it: you’re ready for some new colors anyway!

Install a new vanity. The bathroom is typically a smaller space with projects ranging from very serious to easy weekenders. Replacing your current vanity and faucet with a new, updated version requires some basic carpentry and plumbing skills. But even a beginner can knock this one out over the weekend! To be sure, pick a new vanity that’s the same size as your old one. This way you keep the work nice and easy while giving your bathroom a much-needed facelift.

Install a kitchen backsplash. Whether it’s paint, ceramic tile, tin, wood, or even cork, a new backslplash can add tons of life to your kitchen space. Read this post for more details. Once you pick your favorite option, you can get this one knocked out easily over the weekend.

Replace your cabinet hardware. This really makes a big difference in your kitchen, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms. I love this idea because it only takes a few hours of easy work and has such a dramatic effect on the applicable rooms.

Get new lighting. How about adding some new undercabinet lighting in your kitchen? Or installing a dimmer in the entertainment room or master bedroom? Maybe some pendant lights over your kitchen island? Whatever fits your style, updating your lighting can add lots of character to any room and can be done easily over a weekend.

The best advice is to make your plan and pick up your materials and supplies on Friday so you have the whole weekend to knock out your project. Afterall, Monday will be here sooner than you want…

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

When it’s time to replace that old roof with a new one, there are many things to understand so that your professional roofing contractor can provide the best level of service for you. The greatest weakness in any new roof typically lies in the between the the roof sheathing and the rafters. When the sheathing isn’t properly fastened to the rafters, wind and water damage will certainly become a problem. It’s just a matter of time.

The best (and least expensive) way to address this is to use screws to fasten your sheathing to the rafters. Provided your existing sheathing isn’t damaged, you can easily have this addressed for you before installing the shingles (or other roof covering). If your sheathing is damaged, you will of course want to have your roofing contractor replace it as part of the project – and again, make sure the sheathing is screwed down instead of nailed down.

Below are a few more tips for you to ensure both your sheathing and roof covering are properly installed. And don’t forget to check out our post from back in January, Top 5 Ways To Find A Great Roofing Contractor, for more helpful information regarding your roofing project.

1. If you live in an area where strong winds are common, think twice about adding a second layer of shingles over your existing layer. The smartest long-term solution is to tear off the existing layer and replace it with a new, single layer of quality shingles.

2. Make sure your sheathing is carefully inspected for existing damage or decay. This is something your roofing contractor will do for you, but be sure to ask. If you’re replacing the sheathing, inspect new pieces for damage or decay as well – prior to having it installed on your roof.

3. Fasten the sheathing to your roof using 2” # 8 screws. The screws should be about 6” apart between fasteners.

4. For additional water protection, consider flashing tape to cover the joints between the pieces of sheathing. You can get 100 ft. rolls for about 20 bucks. Have all of your pipe boots and flashing replaced as appropriate.

5. The felt paper (or layer between the sheathing and the shingles) should be attached using capped head nails (plastic or tin) with a minimum diameter of one inch. The capped nails should be about 6-9” apart as you fasten the felt paper to the sheathing.

6. Finally, your shingles should have a minimum of four nails per shingle. Some contractors may use more, but they shouldn’t use less. Also, your contractor will likely (as a best practice) use a starter tab at the bottom before moving up the roof with the shingle installation. The starter tab should extend about 1/4′” off the edge of the roof.

The above is intended to help you understand at a high level some best practices in roof installation, but this just scratches the sruface. There are many things to know when it comes to proper roof installation/repair and ultimate protection from the elements. Work with your professional roofing contractor for the best solutions.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

The term “rug” is derived from the Scandinavian word rugga by way of the old Norwegian word rogg, which meant a wool covering for the bed or body. For several centuries in Europe, the term rug denoted a rough, heavy woolen fabric characterized by a coarse, napped finish and used as apparel by the poorer classes.



No one really knows exactly when rug making began. Rug weaving is a tradition that spans the centuries over a number of cultures. There are several references to the art of weaving found in ancient scriptures and classical writings. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that proves these references were to pile carpets and not simply to flat weaves (Kilims). On the evidence of fragments found in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian tombs, we know that various forms of flat weaving were well developed more than 4000 years ago. Other evidence suggests that weaving of pile rugs existed in the Middle East and other parts of central, northwest, and eastern Asia long before 2000 BC. It is certain however, that Asia was the first continent to produce rugs and that it was definitely the nomadic wanderers who created them.



The rearing of sheep, the prime source of carpet wool, is a traditional nomad occupation. Add to this the necessity of thick coverings for people having to endure extreme cold and it is likely the craft of weaving developed to replace the use of rough animal skins for warmth. Some prehistoric people may have used animal skins as floor coverings in their caves or huts. After people learned to weave, they made floor mats from grasses and other plant materials. In 1947, Russian archaeologist Sergei Rudenko made a major discovery. He found what is now considered the oldest rug in existence. This earliest known fabric made with pile, referred to as the Pazyryk rug, was discovered frozen in a Scythian burial mound in southern Siberia dating from the 5th century BC. It incorporated the Ghiordes (Turkish) knot and had an average of 200 knots per square inch. This rug resembles later Oriental rugs.

To find out more about quality carpet care, talk to an expert at Service Master Clean www.servicemasteracdc.com

A few years ago an evolution took place in the cleaning industry. Many of us in the cleaning industry thought “ Green cleaning” was just a fad, however it has taken hold and a new way of thinking about the environment and cleaning has become more than a passing fancy.



Many facilities, especially the government ran buildings, require the use of green products. However, in the residential market there has been a slower demand for the use of green products. This will possibly change in the future simply because the consumer will expect the cleaning chemicals and equipment needed to clean their carpet to be environmentally friendly.



One of the challenges will be the resistance of technicians thinking that green chemicals are not as effective at removing soil and spots as the conventional chemicals. Also, that green chemicals are more costly than what they currently use today. Green chemicals will usually not save you money but the cost is usually negligible and will often work as well as what is in use today.



Identifying and verifying environmentally safe products may be a bigger issue for technicians because there are at least five different “certifying” agencies testing carpet cleaning chemicals to meet green standards and criteria.



The problem is that standards are not the same for each firm doing the testing so what is green for one firm is not with another. The criteria for “green chemicals” are changing very quickly. What is not green today maybe green tomorrow. Even some manufactures have developed their own standards and are declaring certain chemicals green.



If a company is going to declare it a green cleaning company, it must make sure that the chemicals are undeniably green. Today there is a lot of uncertainty among carpet cleaning companies and this has impeded the transfer to eco-friendly products in the carpet cleaning industry.

To find out more about quality carpet care, talk to an expert at Service Master Clean www.ServiceMasteracdc.com

It sure doesn’t feel like summer out there just yet, but it won’t be long before we’re sipping iced tea and trying to keep cool in the hot summer months. There’s no faster way to keep cool than to relax in the air-conditioned comfort of your own home. But is your AC ready? We recommend getting that central AC unit professionally tuned up before the heat arrives. This way you can prevent major breakdowns in your AC system and ensure you and your family will be nice and cool this summer.

The most important step is an easy one: clean or replace your air filter every month. Electrostatic filters are the best, and if you wash your existing filter make sure you let it dry completely before reinstalling it.

Remove leaves and trash from outdoor condenser units every month, too. Cleaning the condenser unit fan blades and coils will help ensure the unit itself runs smoothly and efficiently. Of course make sure you cut the power to the unit while you are cleaning it! Be sure to hose out the inside of the unit, using plastic bags to protect the motor and other electrical components. You will notice any debris in the base pan right away, so remove that as well.

If you notice you have a bent fan blade, do not try to straighten the blade. Replace the bent blade with a new blade to avoid any disruption in the blades balance you may cause by trying to manually straighten it yourself. The new blade should rotate freely without wobbling or of course striking any other components.

Try to keep bushes, plants, and flowers at least a couple feet from your outdoor unit. This will keep your unit running much more efficiently, not to mention keeping your future cleaning duties much easier! Lubricate the condenser fan motor once a year if applicable. It only takes a few drops of oil per port. Finally, try to keep your unit shaded if possible. Obviously, the air in a shaded area is cooler, which leads to better efficiency over the summer months.

Call an HVAC pro to get your unit tuned up and in good operating condition. Then, pay attention to the above recommendations, and you can be sure your AC will operate at maximum efficiency and performance for many summers to come.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

Spring is coming up. Barbeques, warmer weather, bike rides, t-shirts…yard work. While spring brings the energy and excitement of warm weather and new activities, it also brings a new set of chores for you outside the house. Many folks love rolling up the sleeves and diving into some good old fashioned outdoor labor. And many folks cringe at the idea of firing up the lawn mower, breaking out the weed-pulling gloves, and crossing their fingers that the sprinkler system will magically fire up once again after several months of rest. Today’s blog post is certainly more targeted to you folks in the latter category. However, the considerations below are smart for everyone to consider, whether you love yard work or not.

Is synthetic (or artificial) lawn grass the answer to all of your “I hate yard work more than anything on Earth” prayers? No mowing? No watering? No chemicals? Virtually impossible to tell the difference from synthetic to real grass? This all sounds pretty good to me!

Ok, so let’s take a look at some practical, compelling reasons to choose synthetic over real grass:

No more watering: This is the most obvious advantage in having synthetic grass: the over 50,000 gallons of water you’re going to save every year (for average sized lawns). For most Americans, your lawn consumes over half of your total water consumption in any given year. Going synthetic means saving literally tons of water and a good chunk of change on your water bill.

No more mowing or lawn maintenance: Arguably the most labor-intensive effort you regularly perform at your home is mowing. Combine that with weed spray, insect sprays, pet sprays, and fertilizers, and you have one heck of a job on your hands. Clearly, you won’t have any of these chores with synthetic grass. All you will really need to do is blow or hose off occassional debris from tree branches or trash.

It’s really durable: Synthetic grass is rough and tough, wet or dry. Now your kids can host the weekly Saturday football tournament in the pouring rain, and the lawn will be totally unaffected. Plus, think of the additional work and water this will save you by not having to get dirt and grass stains out of the kids’ clothes!

Better long-term costs? Ok, this is somewhat debateable depending on who you talk to, and it just takes some simple research to determine the long-term cost benefits for your specific situation. Water rates seem to be on the rise, so it’s safe to assume that real grass lawns will continue to become more expensive to water and maintain over the next several years. However, plan to spend some money on pretty much any synthetic grass application. We’ve seen prices ranging anywhere from $2.50 sq/ft to over $6.00 sq/ft. It’s not cheap. Again, you want to crunch the numbers to see if this is the most cost-effective solution for you.

Synthetic grass = “green” grass! From putting away the gas-guzzling, pollution-casting lawn mower, to eliminating environmentally-harmful fertilizers, to saving massive quantities of water, synthetic grass options overall are more practical and eco-friendly.

So what do you think? Anyone have experience with synthetic lawns? We’d love to get your opinions and thoughts. Don’t be shy!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

Copper tubing has been used for decades by plumbing professionals, and even most customers are familiar with it. Modern times create modern technologies. And modern choices. Today, we’re going to take a look at one of these choices for plumbing: PEX tubing. Having choices is always good, so we’re going to discuss a few of the advantages of each so you can make the best decision for your home or business.

Let’s start with PEX…

What is it? PEX tubing is cross-linked polyethylene pipe. It is extremely durable in hot (200 F) or cold temperatures (below freezing) and can handle long-term exposure to stress and chemicals. PEX is a flexible material that makes for easy installation by your professional plumbing contractor because it has fewer joints to work with. Easier installation means faster and less expensive! In terms of pricing, PEX is also considerably cheaper than copper.

Advantages over copper?

➢ Considerably less expensive.
➢ Easier to install and work with.
➢ Fewer fittings for fast installation and less leaking.
➢ Superior flexibility for expansion and contraction.
➢ PEX can be bent around most corners without coupling or fitting.

Now on to Copper…

We know that copper is durable and flexible because it’s been used for decades. Installation is somewhat easy (though not as easy as PEX) as well. Copper piping is also extremely resistant to any bacteria growing inside it and contaminating your water, making it a positive health solution. Copper greatly resists corrosion and is not affected by ultraviolet rays, which means it can easily be used for outside needs.

Advantages over PEX?

➢ Safer in disasters (resists burning).
➢ Weather and bacteria resistant.
➢ Better corrosion resistance.
➢ Can be used outside (resistant to UV rays unlike PEX).
➢ Recyclable, more environmentally friendly.

I hope this has been helpful for you. It’s beneficial to know your options so you can hire a professional plumbing contractor to better answer your questions and help you with all your plumbing needs.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!

Last week we discussed a few ideas to spruce up your kitchen by adding or replacing a backsplash. Another popular room for makeovers is the bathroom, which like the kitchen can be very costly to update. One possible solution comes from a company called Sentrel.

Sentrel is a composite paneling product that uses high-resolution imagery between PVC backer board and a polyester top cap. According to Sentrel, the imagery itself can be selected from their “vast image library of natural stones, wood, scenery and more.” Essentially, the end result is a product that looks like granite, marble, or stone travertine.

You can install it over your bathrooms’s existing tile, and Sentrel claims that the product is easy to clean and resistant to molds and mildew commonly found in wet-wall bathroom applications. You will need a jigsaw, a miter saw for miter cuts, a plane, and a combination of hand tools and adhesives for the application. The actual “installation instructions” section of Sentrel’s website is currently under construction, so you will have to find that elsewhere. Costs range from $5.50 to $ 11.00/sq. ft.

Before you dive in and buy the product, I recommend doing some good research on its quality and durability. The price is great to overhaul your bathroom’s look, but you want to make sure it will stand up to frequent showers and regular use.

Here are a few popular reasons we’ve heard for using Sentrel:

➢ One-day installation
➢ The “look” of real granite, marble and stone travertine
➢ Multiple (16) designs/colors available
➢ No tearing out any walls
➢ Cost comparable to acrylic liners

We would love to get your feedback here at Team Dave Logan. Is this a product you have experience with, and if so, would you recommend it to others?

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional to help you with your next project!