New Homeowner Help: was tractor now wallpaper removal

[rampy]

Well, if all goes to plan (*knocks on wood*) my wife and I will be buying our first house next month.  

We previously owned a condo so I lucked out on dealing with anything yard or outside maintenance related...  but now my time to mow has come.

I'm going to have 1.58 acres, although it's a tree lined lot and partially wooded, so let's call it 1 acre mowable lawn.  That seems like a lot for a push mower, but i'm cheap and not sure if I should get a lawn tractor.

Any advice? buy used or new? Gas or electric weed wacker?  John deere or "no name brand" at home depot for 800-900 bucks..?

anybody mod their lawnmower (if I get the cheapo one I'm gonna mount a cup holder first thing)

I also need advice on snowblowers recommendation... I'm going to have a gravel driveway so ... I need to be careful to not get a model that doesn't adjust the height or whatever and snow throws my gravel driveway with the snow!  

Any other first time home owner tips would be appreciate too...

rampy

[whammoed]

Don't know about the mower, but definitely go with a gas trimmer.  Messing around with a cord when it comes to lawn work is rediculous, I know from experience as I bought an electric first.  Ended up giving it away.  I believe there are cordless electric ones now but I have no experience with them.  I have a ryobi interchangable trimmer (trimmer, blower, edger) and has been trouble free for 4 years.
I can tell you that if you get a riding lawn mower you won't regret it...pushing a lawnmower stinks and I have a small yard.
Best thing to do is get your wife to do it.  ( my wife does lawn work when shes not pregnant anyway)

[abrannan]

For that sized lot I'd definitely recommend a riding mower.  Sure, you can do it on foot, but why waste that much time?  Also at that size I'd get a gas trimmer.  That way you can be sure to get to all corners of your lot without worrying about having enough cord.  If there's not a not of concrete, you may also want to get a chain blade for your trimmer, so you don't have to worry about replacing the plastic string.  

Gravel driveway + snow blower = bad idea in my book.  

[JackTucky]

My John Deere halus me (300 lbs), a cart full of rocks, and itself up my hills.  My neighbors have Home depot brands, and like them, but they can't do what my deere can do.

John Deere dealers also service their tractors.  The Home Depot stuff you need to call "Random name here" small engine repair.

Stay away from anything electric for the lawn.  agreed.  too much trouble to move the cords.

I have the craftsman Snow blower, it kicks ass.  It was around $700 new.  I did 3 driveways last year when we had 20" of snow.  My two next door neighbors and I got loaded on Johnny Walker Black while doing the driveways.    

I've bought lots of home depot stuff (blower, weed wacker, etc.), and I won't do it anymore.  I've been through two HD blowers, finally got a real ECHO one.  It will probably last me forever.  Same with the weed wacker.  Buy cheap lots of times, or buy expensive once.

Art

[GGKoul]

Another place to check out is Kenmore.   Great product and great service.

Yep, you need a riding mower.

[walls83]

Id buy one of the old school mowers.  You know the ones with out engines?  The faster you push the faster the blades go.  


Na in all seriousnes get a riding mower.  My wife and I just moved to a new house and the old house had about that much mowing maybe alittle more.  You can push mow like I did for awhile but say good bye to your day cause it will take forever.

[DrewKaree]

Don't mess  around...go with this...it's also got a built-in cupholder in one of its 5 gallon gas tanks.  It'll do ~15-16 mph so you should be able to do your yard in about 15 minutes.  Oh, and the 60" deck kinda helps too!



Seriously, though, I don't know about HD's mowers, but I DO know that MTD = CRAP!  And to echo what another said, don't waste your money on a low-budget trimmer, get an Echo to START with.  You'll appreciate the ease and quality from the get go.  Stihl makes a nice one, but don't buy it if it don't have a shoulder strap, them muthas be HEAVY!  If you really want a top notch trimmer, get a Tanaka or Maryuma, Tanaka being harder to get parts for, but more reliable, hence actually needing to get parts LESS for it.  

Nothing may run like a deer, but my Toro will beat the pants off of a moose!!

If you don't want to invest in a Toro like mine   (check to see if a landscaper is going out of business or if the highway dept in your area is selling off old machines) then save your money and invest in a GOOD all purpose tractor with several attachments.  Shoveling sucks, but having your wife out there for a few snowstorms this winter will show her the NECESSITY of purchasing one!

Other first time tips - invest in a wall-mount "instant" type water heater - lower bills, it'll pay for itself quickly

Get a front-loader washing machine - more expensive up front, less expensive wash after wash - I have three teenage kids, and the amount of wash we do...it paid for itself in savings in less than a year.

Don't invest in an alarm system, and DO invest in a whole house surge protector.  

If you're in a cooler climate, consider a whole-house fan instead of A/C.

Insulate your attic if you have one.

Install a programmable thermostat - get a nice one.

If you can build your own cab, don't hire a contractor to remodel your kitchen, but DO plan on reading a lot on how to rehook up your plumbing (and the proper way to set your new cabinets in the kitchen).

[Grauwulf]

I'll also toss a vote in for the riding lawnmower. I had about an acre at my last house and tried to do it once with a push mower because the battery had died on the rider and I couldn't get it started.  Never again! I have a gas powered Weedeater brand trimmer and it's been just fine for the 7 years or so I've had it, still starts on the second or third pull. As for snowblowers, I used one on a gravel driveway, no matter how hard you try you're going to have stones everywhere. However, it still beats shovelling. If you're going to buy one, get a 2-stage blower. You'll be able to cut through deeper drifts with a 2-stage without bogging it down and killing the engine.

[Tailgunner]

My first choice would be a Walker, Toro and Deere be damned.
They're pricey new, but they're built like tanks and you can find them used off season. Walker makes both a snowblower and gravel blade attachments so you could use it for more than just cutting the grass.

I agree on the gas trimmer, and I also agree Echo makes first rate stuff. That said, I recently picked up a Troy-Bilt 4 stroke gas trimmer that I like better than my Echo trimmer. Biggest difference is it has torque at low speed, it's way quieter than a 2 stroke, and it doesn't need mixed fuel. Like the Ryobi mentioned above the Troy-Bilt quick changes between a trimmer, edger, tiller, blower, and limb saw.  

[danny_galaga]

1) weedkiller
2) green spraypaint

 

[abrannan]

Don't invest in an alarm system, and DO invest in a whole house surge protector.  

My alarm system nearly pays for itself in the discount I get on my homeowners insurance each year.  

[rampy]

interesting about the alarm tidbit.

Thanks everyone for their advice... it's helped.  Now I just have to come up with some money...

I can only hope there's an early frost late september and I won't have to mow this year =)

Although my initial thought was to get a no-name brand (the black 700 dollar tractor at HD or some used tractor) I'll see if I can go with the buy one good one once theory.  But I just need a basic one, not the 3k cupholder automatic transmission uber one. (although i do want a cupholder)

Waffling on whether to get a plow guy (and try to find a reputable one) or a snow thrower... I hate the idea of having a guy not show up and be stuck, or having to wait for the plow guy to come before being able to leave for work... but i digress...  more snow throwing tips
(FYI live in CT so it's not like i'm in buffalo snow wise) would be appreciated or more tractor thoughts =)

I'd definitely get a 2 stage... hmmm...  grrr did i mention I hate spending money on stuff like this?  all part of being a home owner I guess... I better get used to it.  Furnaces, tractors, and oil bills oh my!

rampy

[JackTucky]

You can skip the snowblower if you have 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive vehicles.  you'll just get snowy feet when you go in the house.

My wife grew up on a farm in Indiana, and they never shoveled their 1 mile long driveway.  The first vehicle out makes tracks, and the rest followed.

BTW, they say, "are the roads scraped yet?", instead of the normal, "are the roads plowed yet?"  

Art

[DrewKaree]

1) weedkiller
2) green spraypaint

 

Why waste all that money on weedkiller?  Go the "Do it once, and do it right route".

1) green concrete coloring
2) green concrete

 

My alarm system nearly pays for itself in the discount I get on my homeowners insurance each year.  

Where I live, we have to pay for false alarms when the police show up (and if you don't it's put on your property taxes!  ) and my buddy, who works for ADT, does strictly call-backs to run through the alarm system for the homeowner.  Needless to say, a few false alarms cancel out any insurance savings  

Check out your municipality - yours may not suck - and then see if your insurance offers that discount.  

Just an observation on my part, though...when the guy who works for an alarm company doesn't have one in his house, I'm always suspicious as to why.

Skip the plow guy if you have any concerns, because they'll probably be borne out through the winter.  On the "now she'll realize i'm right" front, just send your wife out every time it snows.  It makes you a good husband to let her learn at her own pace  

[bdsjake]

Sears riding mowers are are a pretty good price/quality point.  I have one.  The have lots of sales.
I would love a Deere, the green paint is a little over priced but they are good and maintain resale value.

[walls83]

My house alarm does pay for itself with the break I get on Home owners insurance.  We've had a couple false alarms but they only charge like $25.00 for each one(We live in Kansas City, MO).  But its well worth it for my wife to know shes got help coming if something happends(Not counting a 110 pound 1 1/2 year old black lab great dane mix guarding inside the house).

[danny_galaga]

dont get complacent with the dog though. some people i know had a dog (think it was a german shepherd) in their white-goods store. when the burglars found the dog, they stabbed it and THEN emptied the store.
that alarm callout fee is good i must say. i might pull my finger out someday and get a system...

[danny_galaga]

1) weedkiller
2) green spraypaint

 

Why waste all that money on weedkiller?  Go the "Do it once, and do it right route".

1) green concrete coloring
2) green concrete

 

i KNEW you were australian at heart  

[Santoro]

I think a smaller riding mower would be a lifesaver for mowing an acre. I recommend Toro, mine was awesome.  

A gas string trimmer is also invaluable.  I have a Shindaiwa (sp?) that has been running for 13 years with only 1 tuneup 3-4 years ago. For a lot that size don't bother with cords.

Congrats on the house, it is an awesome feeling owning (or at least having equity in) your home.

[GGKoul]

My house alarm does pay for itself with the break I get on Home owners insurance.  We've had a couple false alarms but they only charge like $25.00 for each one(We live in Kansas City, MO).  But its well worth it for my wife to know shes got help coming if something happends(Not counting a 110 pound 1 1/2 year old black lab great dane mix guarding inside the house).

I registered my house alarm system with my local police department for $50/ a year and I get 2 free false alarm calls.  And if I didn't have this, it would cost me $40 for each false alarm.

Regardless, my ADT alarm went off one night because my wife failed to properly shut the house door to the garage.  So I got a call from ADT at my parents house, drove back, turned off the alarm and when I got home,I got a call from ADT asking if the cops have arrived yet.  And I said, "No", and the operator said, they probably won't arrive, since the cops can't find my street on any of their maps.  

One of the many joys of living on a brand new street.  I'm just glad it wasn't something serious.

[Crazy Cooter]

Def need a rider.  I use one on a 1/2 acre lot.

Do all your painting etc before anything is unpacked in the room.

Start pointing out where the games will be going the first day you mave in.  Then the discussion will be moved immediately to where they can/can't go rather than if you can/can't have all of them.

I only weed wack around the house, retaining wall, and a few trees so I got a cordless wacker at a garage sale for $5.  I can trim twice before it needs a recharge.

Don't do any landscaping.  Concentrate inside for the winter and then look outside in the spring.  Always think about making it easier to mow with whatever changes you consider.

You'll need a two-stage blower for the gravel driveway.  I'd get a good one.  Spend some time adjusting the height, rocks will kill a single stage blower the first year, two-stage can stand a little more abuse.

Adopt a pet.  Fish if you're neglectfull, Cat if you're not home much, a dog if you're a pet person (they're demanding creatures).  Use www.petfinders.org or the local humane society/rescue center.  IMO that's who everyone should be doing.  I've never cared for pet stores/breeders. (no offense intended to anyone)

Take the 4th weekend after you move in and do nothing.  And I mean nothing.  I ran around waaay to much when I first moved into this place.

Congrats.

[rampy]

Thanks again guys... although it will be a game time decision (which tractor/snowthrower) your input/feedback has been invaluable...

Now, does anyone know any tricks to removing wallpaper?

rampy  

BTW we already have a dog that we "rescued" from a shelter (which I think we found via petfinder) that's an important part of our small family.

[walls83]

Oh man do I feel sorry for you.  My wife and I Just finished removing the wallpaper in our new house in the living room and its no joke.  Here is what we did.  Now there are acouple of diff ways to do it but they all require alot of work.

Items needed.

1.  Wallpaper Steamer
2.  1 Bottle of DIF(wallpaper glue remover)
3.  1 Medium bucket
4.  Spounges(something you can use with the DIF deluted in water)
5.  Scrapers (the smaller work better then the bigones)
6.  Very fine sandpaper.
7.  drywall filler(mud)
8.  Primer
9.  Paint
10. Brushes and Rollers.

What you need to do.

1. use the wallpaper steamer to remove all the wallpaper(easiest part of the job)

2.  Delute the DIF with water in the bucket.

3.  Sponge the walls with the DIF/Water, dont be shy with the DIF/Water(3ft wide section at a time, Because the DIF and water will dry and you will have to do it again if you dont get to it)


4.  Wait about 10 or 15 mins after the DIF/Water has be spounged on then start scraping.(by far the worse part of the job and I mean it freaking sucks)  make sure you scrape all the glue off very good.

Repeat 3 and 4 untill room is done

5.  After the wall/walls have been scraped Take a clean Damp Spounge and wipe all the walls down, getting the left over DIF/Water off the wall.

6.  Now take the Drywall filler and fill all holes and things of that nature on the walls.

7.  Sand.  Take the light sandpaper and go over where you filled the holes and make them smooth and level with the wall.  And then Lightly sand all the walls,  And I mean lightly just go over them once.  

8.  Damp Sponges again.  Go over all the walls again to remove any of the dust from sanding. and to just generaly clean the walls for primer.

9.  After all this is done take you bare hand and run them along all the walls felling for anything that should be sanded down or that is sticking up.  

10.  Fix anything you find.

11.  Prime

12. Paint

Your done see wasnt that Fun.

Good luck I will never touch wallpaper again after the pain in the butt all that was.

[DrewKaree]

Now, does anyone know any tricks to removing wallpaper?rampy  

Paint over it, it'll disappear like magic  

Get a paper tiger and a steamer.  The paper tiger scores the paper and allows the steam to get under/at the glue underneath.  Use some heavy duty citrus stripper to take the glue off the walls.

If those ideas don't trip your trigger, just move, it may be easier  

     *edit* must not have refreshed, cuz walls gave you a pretty good idea of how to do it.  Only thing I can add to his info is to use the paper tiger (it's a wallpaper scorer, they may be called something different in your area), and the step where you sand the drywall mud....if you use a wide-blade knife, you should get a thinner coat that will allow you to skip the sanding step.  Taking a wet sponge will effectively "sand" the thing for you, saving you some time, and will also help blend it into the rest of the wall for you.  Just keep working the sponge until it's "sanded" to your satisfaction.

Or go with my "move, it's easier" idea

[walls83]

One thing about the papertiger(things that score the wallpaper) is that you have to be carefull with it.  I have a buddy who used it and pressed to hard and had it left pin size holes all over the walls.  Needless to say he had to go over everthing and fill in all the holes.  Not fun.  But Like I said there are many ways to do it but they all suck.

[abrannan]

I'll second the Dif recommandation.  We did it in our bathroom when we moved in and the stuff just came right off.  We didn't dilute it though.

[rampy]

All good info =) thanks again...  maybe I can live with the little red flowers on my master bedroom walls...

But, based upon advice earlier, going to tackle the wallpaper and painting before moving  stuff in =).

Oy vey...  well there goes my weekend(s)... what's that mame'd arcade game where you get chased by paint rollers on the 2nd or 3rd level? That's what my dreams are going to be...  two more weeks till (*knock on wood*) closing.  I better move the liquor cabinet first...

rampy