When we went into escrow, the inspection reports revealed that 1 of the 2 railings on our front steps was bent... really??? Because it's pretty obvious when you first approach the sidewalk! But at least we knew the inspector was providing a thorough report...Both of the railings were just tacky--bent metal piping that's been painted white--that distracted from the front of the house and I've disliked them from day one.
We are in the process of improving the front yard...the section of grass between the house and sidewalk is in constant shade. Combine that with a crazy slope and erosion issues, and we can't keep grass alive in there. Due to the erosion, the dirt washes onto the brick sidewalk and is now piling up on the opposite side--after a nice rain or an evening of sprinklers, the sidewalk is one muddy mess. Finally, as you walk down the steps you're greeted by the lovely bent railing. Ahhhh, yes, our front yard needs lots of TLC!
The geniuses that we are (or would like to think we are), we came up with the very-common idea of a retaining wall. Now we have to make the big decision--save up like crazy and let the professionals do it or spend a little by doing it ourselves and hope that it stays in place.
Either way, I should mention one of our steps was chipped and slightly buckled upon inspection...once again, one of those imperfections that you can see from the very beginning. Now that the soil is eroding, though, we can really see just how much concrete has shifted/chipped and it has become quite the eyesore.
This throws another wrench in the idea of a retaining wall. Do we hire out a concrete company to pour a new step (assuming we go the DIY route) or do we pay the landscape company a bit more money for an attractive step that matches the retaining wall? I can guarantee you that we can demolish the step ourselves but we just don't know how to rebuild it...
Our solution--cut down the bent railing!!!! It still doesn't solve the issue of the retaining wall and step, but I feel like we've at least made ONE decision! Nothing like avoiding the big, expensive issue that keeps hitting you in the face :-)
We were looking at some of that grass seed that grows on concrete at Home Depot, it is super cool, they even had a display in store that not only grew on a cinder block but grew instore with no light. Its worth a look. :)
ReplyDelete-Kathy O.
What?! We might have to check that out! Ironically enough, we found a sidewalk in our backyard that had been covered by grass...makes me think the previous owner(s) wasn't too much for lawn maintenance! But we will definately check out the stuff at Home Depot--I'm tired of my dirt garden ;-)
ReplyDeletePS I love how you're Malooga on here!