Home Improvement - Backyard Boss

Space Heaters vs. Gas Heat: Which is Best for Your Home?

space heater vs gas heat featured wide everything you need to know

Between decadent comfort food, beautiful snowfalls, and holiday celebrations, the winter has a lot going for it. What I could do without is the cold. Throughout the season, I’m plagued with unbelievably high heating bills, sudden overnight temperature drops, and an unbearably cold toilet seat on nighttime bathroom visits. To keep winter fun, I’ve looked into numerous heating …

Best Walk Behind Salt Spreader – 2020 Reviews

by Dani Gallagher

turfbuilder broadcast spreader in use over soil path

One of the most important things you can do in the winter is to salt your driveway, steps, and sidewalk. If you don’t, the stakes are high, and someone could experience an injury. At the very least, not salting will make it difficult to walk or drive on your driveway. With the help of a …

Best Roof Rakes You Will Find [Winter 2020-21]

by Candace Osmond

a woman uses a roof rake to clear snowfall from house in winter

Some would argue there is no winter without snow, but, at the same time, snow can be an inconvenience in so many different ways. Traffic becomes more difficult, sidewalks become more slippery, and heavy snow can cause ice dams that can eventually lead to shingle and home damage. That means that if you live in …

Gutter Guard Installation: How Much Does It Cost?

by Candace Osmond

gutters with guards in winter to prevent ice accumulation

Gutter guards prevent your gutters from clogging with leaves and debris. It’s important to keep them clear for multiple reasons. Firstly, all that piled up dirt is unsanitary and can cause mold and mildew issues indoors and outside. Secondly, prolonged clogs will damage the structure of the gutters and maybe even your house. But choosing …

How to Remove an Ice Dam Safely (And Prevent One From Forming)

by Candace Osmond

Ice drops from the roof of a home with a significant ice dam

If you live in a colder region and have a roof, then ice dams are probably a concern. As it happens, most of the BYB team also live in cold-winter areas and face the same battle against ice- and water-damage each year. We’ve pulled together all the best professional tips, our own experiences, and some …

Best Roof Melt to Get Rid of Snow and Ice in 2020

by Dani Gallagher

Although icicles are beautiful symbols of the holiday season, they’re also a sign of trouble. If you have icicles hanging from your roof, you could experience one of two problems. First, your roof and gutters system could break. Shingles might break and cause a serious leak in your home. Second, someone could experience an injury …

How to Use Ice Melt in the Best Way Possible

by Helen Lewis

how to use ice melt best woman deicing sidewalks ice melt winter weather snow featured wide

Wintertime means beautiful snowfalls, warm nights bundled up near a fireplace, and lots and lots of ice. Dealing with ice and snow can be a bummer in the wintertime, but you don’t have to let all of your fun winter plans slip away, or your family slips, for that matter. Learn how to use ice melt …

Magnesium Chloride vs. Calcium Chloride Ice Melt

by Jordan Farkas

Magnesium chloride vs calcium chloride: which one is the better ice melt for you? The answer to the magnesium chloride vs calcium chloride questions is not always the same. Depending on the weather patterns where you live, and the building materials that your sidewalks, driveways, and porches are made out of, there are numerous factors that go …

How Much Snow Can a Roof Hold?

by Dani Gallagher

roof spanish tile corrugate tile roof with snow

When it rains, it pours. And when it snows, well, it weighs down your roof. If the winter is particularly rough, you might wonder how much snow is too much. Before you find yourself buried in snow, learn the answer to the question, “How much snow can a roof hold?” What Factors Impact How Much …

The Best Jigsaw Saw for Woodworking in 2020

by Helen Lewis

Jigsaws: not just for puzzles anymore! This handy tool is excellent for cutting irregular shapes into a variety of materials. Its versatility makes it a must-have for any handyman or DIYer. The key to getting the most use out of your jigsaw is getting a model that is powerful, high quality, and loaded with helpful features. …