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The Handyman Blog

Best Carpenter in Asheville?

3/29/2017

 
If you're trying to find a good local Asheville carpenter, you have definitely come to the right place.

Mark Anderson, one of the craftsmen in our network, showed off some projects recently on Facebook. I thought I'd share them with you to demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship which he brings to his work. Take a look.

Let's start with an updated photo of Mark's Goat Shed which he built a few weeks ago for this fella:
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Gratuitous goat picture. You're welcome.
Shelter and dry hay! Phase one complete:
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However, I didn't know that Mark planned to add a few grace notes:
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Check out this sculptural metal molding which decorates the edges of the shed!

The top picture is really an optical illusion that makes the metal look huge... it's more like trim to keep the goats from jumping out. Here's another view, which also shows off those curved rafter tails. Mark really has an eye for the grace notes:
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He also does finer carpentry, like this scrap lumber "quilt..."
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...and this new porch gate and railing:
Before
After
If you need a carpenter in Asheville, whether for fine work like custom cabinetry or larger projects like a garden shed, we can make it happen. Get in touch today!
Yes, I need a good carpenter!

Capturing the Spring

3/21/2017

 
This week I've been doing projects that don't lend themselves to blogging, so instead I thought I would show off a project which I've been working on in my spare time: capturing a natural spring seep.

I am fortunate to own 10 acres of land in the mountains near Asheville. It's a picturesque place, with a bold creek winding through it, plus at least one seasonal waterfall.

But the real attraction for me was a muddy hole in the ground.
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It doesn't seem like much, but this is a steady spring bubbling right up out of the ground. It flows year-round, and I believe that with the right care, it could be used as a back-up source for drinking water.

When I first bought the property, the spring was choked with weeds and multiflora rose bushes, as well as the dirt and leaves that continuously fell into it.

However, it does have a history of use by the farmers who once owned this land. Apparently it was the primary source for drinking water for the occupants of the old cabin, which is now marked only by a chimney and a few foundation stones.
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Once the spring was cleared, I read up about some simple low cost methods to cultivate a spring and found a system that looked like it might work.
Here's how the spring looks with the first layer of gravel on it, with the overflow valves laid down and ready for more gravel. My first attempts at an earthen dam tended to leak, so this dam is made from a cut-out section of a plastic trash can.
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So far, so good. The spring measures the same output that I gathered before damming it up, and it seems to be picking up in flow as a couple of weeks have passed.

This photo is showing about a 1/4 gallon per minute. It doesn't look like much, but it adds up with a continuous flow. It comes out to 15 gallons per hour or 360 gallons in 24 hours.
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And as long as I'm making work for myself, I've been thinking of making a pond in this field, with a rock water feature using the stones from the old cabin foundation.
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On second thought, maybe later. Anyway, this should help with keeping the old spring flowing and unclogged. All in all, this has been an enjoyable project, and I've learned a lot.

Do you have a special project in mind for your home? I can help you enjoy your outdoor space with porch repairs and deck maintenance.
Contact us today to get started

Before and After: A Sleek New Laundry Closet

3/16/2017

 
One of the quickest ways to add value to your home is to upgrade your laundry room. Why the laundry room? Because a well-planned upgrade makes life easier. The right layout gives you space to fold clothes, store supplies and generally keep everything within reach, and home buyers can picture an easier life.

For example, picture yourself dealing with this laundry closet in the "Before" stages. There's no place to put the soap, and supplies get piled in the least convenient places.
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When my client called me in to make this upgrade, the first thing he wanted was a set of shelves where he could keep his detergents and towels.

My van serves as a portable rolling workshop, so I was able set up in the parking area and built a set of clean white custom shelves.
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I installed them in the laundry closet, and we had a good start on a useful work area. But keep reading because there's more to come...
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The shelves were just the beginning. The closet was repainted, and after a new set of front-loading machines was delivered, I added a counter on top so my client had a place to fold clothes.
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We also swapped out the light fixtures with new spot lights with dimmer switches. Now it's easy to see what you're doing, but you can also dial the lights down if you prefer.
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The end result is very satisfying: easy to use, with a place for everything and everything in its place.

If your laundry area forces you to juggle things around, why not upgrade with new shelves or counters? We'll be glad to help... just give us a call.
Yes, I need a better laundry room!

Before and After: Curb Appeal in Montford

3/7/2017

 
My most recent project is a perfect example of why a little upfront investment can make a big difference in the curb appeal (and presumably the sale-ability) of your home.

The home was in excellent overall shape: sound structure, good roof, solid foundation... very saleable, and in a great neighborhood. However, a few areas needed touching up, like this white picket fence:
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Repainting the fence made a huge difference:
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Wow!
And it's the details that count... like replacing all the worn-out post caps beforehand:
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Before
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After
The front door was another important element in the curb appeal update. The sun and rain had weathered away the finish.
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Before
A fresh coat of poly brought out the beauty of the wood and made the entrance far more welcoming:
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After
I also did quite a few small updates to the interior. You might have already seen how I saved their dining room table, but I also touched up a lot of the little details to make the house look absolutely perfect. Here's a small sample:
Replaced the light fixtures...
...to match the silver faucets.
Replaced the registers...
...so you don't even notice them.
Caulked little gaps throughout...
...for a perfect finish.
This house just went on the market, and I expect it to sell fast. After all, who can resist an inviting entrance like this?
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If your home needs a little fresh paint to bring out its true potential, give us a call. We'll be glad to help you get it ready for market... or just make it nicer to come home to.
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    About

    Arthur Teel, Asheville & Weaverville Handyman
    Welcome to my blog! This is a chronicle of the adventures of Arthur Teel, a handyman working in Asheville and Weaverville, NC. Need someone to fix your home?
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  • Home
  • Handyman Services
    • Closets and Storage
    • Doors, Locks and Knobs >
      • Door Repair
      • Door Replacement
      • Knobs and Locks
    • For Interior Designers >
      • Hanging Pictures & Mirrors
      • Interior Painting
      • Light Fixture Installation
      • Window Treatments
    • Furniture Assembly
    • Light Fixture Installations
    • Outdoor Spaces >
      • Decks and Deck Repair
      • Porch Repair
      • Railings and Stairs
      • Screen Doors and Porches
    • Renovations
    • Trim and Moldings
    • Wall and Ceiling Repair
    • Winterizing >
      • Storm Doors
      • Weatherstripping
  • Interior Painters
  • Picture Hanging
  • Reviews
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Contact