Home renovation can cost a pretty penny especially if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to do. Many people often forget that you are required to do renovations at a regular interval.

This causes their houses to get extremely damaged. This is especially the case for the exterior of a house. The outer layer of the house has to deal with extreme weather conditions. This can cause it to become structurally weak or get damaged. That is why taking proper care of the outer walls is extremely essential.

There are a plethora of techniques that are available which can be used to achieve this feat. These choices become more scarce if you have a brick exterior.

You are required to choose a technique that will ensure that your house stays in tip-top shape for years to come. Out of all these available techniques the most efficient one is whitewashing.

Whitewashing a brick exterior is cheaper and is an easier way to take care of your house.

Whitewashed brick houses offer a new and refreshing look. It also makes certain that the exterior walls of your house are protected from adverse conditions. But before we get into the specifics we need to explain what whitewashing is;

What Is Whitewashing?

The method of whitewashing has existed since ancient times. Because of its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, it is still preferred by a lot of people even today. This method does wonders for the exterior of houses. It is also a good choice for fireplaces particularly if you look at the before and after whitewash brick fireplace.

This method is also great for people who don’t have to paint their houses because of the appeal of red bricks. Whitewashed brick houses can offer a fresh look without sacrificing the integrity of the building. All this makes it a worthwhile choice for all homeowners.

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Different Techniques Of Whitewashing

There are two different techniques when it comes to whitewashing. You can pick either of them based on your needs and requirements.

The first one is the limewash brick house technique. This method uses a mixture of water and lime. You can also use a combination of white paint and water to get a better result.

The second technique is the typical one that is most commonly used. This white washed brick technique involves the use of white latex paint and water. This mixture is then applied to the outside of the house in a thin layer.

Why Should You Choose Whitewashed Brick Houses?

Now a lot of people at this point might be asking themselves this question. Why should you opt for whitewashed brick houses when you can easily go for the paint alternative?

It may seem like a no-brainer until you realize how better the whitewash option is. For starters, the whitewashing option does not require a lot of time and effort. It is something that can be done in a matter of hours whereas the painting option can often take days.

Whitewashed brick houses are also better because they cost a lot less money. When you are painting the house, you need to spend a large sum of money on supplies. However, if you go for the whitewashing option, it will cost you a lot less money.

These are some of the main reasons why whitewashing is a better option.

How to Whitewash Brick?

Whitewashing a brick house is a simple and arguably effortless procedure. However, there are a few things that you need to get in advance before you start the process. Additionally, there are also a few steps that you need to follow to make sure that everything is done properly. So before we start talking about the process, let us discuss the materials that are required for the whitewashed brick houses process;

Materials Required For The Whitewashed Brick Houses Process

There are a series of materials that are required to properly whitewash your brick houses. Some of these items include;

Masonry or Latex Paint: Latex paint is essential if you are looking to go with the traditional whitewashed brick houses method. If for some reason you aren’t able to find latex paint, you can also use brick paint to get the job done. These paints are available in different colors as well so you can choose one that is best suited for you.

Water: Water is also necessary for whitewashing your house. It is most commonly used to dilute the paint. Using water, you can get the paint to the consistency you like. It is also important for the cleaning process that needs to be carried out before the walls can be whitewashed.

Drop Cloths: Covering the flooring before you whitewash brick houses is also crucial. This saves your floor and other items from stains and thus you will not have to clean out the fuss later.

Paintbrushes: Like other materials, paintbrushes are also extremely important. To properly cover every inch of the wall, you need a wide assortment of paintbrushes. These make sure that no place is left unpainted during the whitewashed brick houses process.

These are some of the items that are necessary to make sure that the whitewash process goes smoothly.

Instructions Of How To Properly Whitewash Brick Walls

The Whitewashed brick house process requires a series of steps. These steps make sure that everything is done properly. If these steps are properly followed, your walls will get properly painted and will look beautiful and elegant. Some of these steps include;

Properly Cleaning The Brick Walls

It does not matter if you have a black brick house or a red one, you need to clean it properly. Clean bricks will provide a better result as compared to dirty ones. You can use soap as well as other solutions to make sure that everything is properly cleaned. Cleaning will also ensure that no impurities present will end up affecting the cleaning process.

Once you have applied all the necessary cleaning chemicals, properly rinse the wall to finalize the process.

Preparing The Surrounding For The Whitewashing

Whitewashed brick houses can prove to be a messy ordeal. Applying limewash exterior brick can lead to spillage and stains even if it is done carefully. There it is better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that all your furniture and surrounding items are properly covered. This is to make sure that none of your precious items get damaged during this process.

Removing All The Older Paint

The cleaning process does not end on properly washing the brick walls. Once you have properly cleaned the walls, it is important to clean off all the excess paint as well. You can use instruments like a scraper or a putty knife to perform this process. You can do this yourself as well as hire a professional that can do it for you.

Cleaning up the existing paint is also important as it ensures that the entire wall will get equally coated.

Preparing The Whitewashing Solution

This is another crucial part of the whitewashed brick houses process. Preparing the solution will help you set the tempo for the rest of the whitewashing process. To create this solution, you need to mix the latex paint with water. The consistency of the solution will determine the color of the solution.

If you want a thicker coating, you will add more paint. However, if you want to apply a light coating on your brick walls, adding more water will help dilute the solution.

Applying The Whitewash On Your Brick Walls

Applying the brick mortar wash on your brick walls is an extremely interesting process. You have a lot of choices in this situation as well. For instance, the simplest way to apply this solution is by using paintbrushes.

You can also use a combination of a spray bottle and a wide brush to coat the hard-to-reach places. Once you apply the solution, clean the excess with the help of a drop cloth so that everything is coated evenly.

But before you do anything, make sure to test the solution on a section of the wall. This will provide you with vital information about the consistency of the solution. After testing, you can also make changes accordingly based on your needs.

It is also important to take it slow to ensure everything is properly done. Once you have coated the entire house, leave it to dry overnight. When the solution is properly dried, your house will give off a clean and polished vibe.

Using Different Whitewashing Techniques

Whitewashed brick houses can be hectic if you are doing it yourself. Because of this, different techniques exist that make the process even more easier and manageable. For instance, if your house is relatively new, you can use the German Smear method.

This method will end up giving your house a more modern and Eastern European look and feel. For starters, you need to put on a thin layer of mortar over the bricks. You are not required to use the traditional techniques as they are not as thorough as this method.

The German Smear method also makes sure that your house is completely covered. This also creates an interesting contrast between the red bricks and the white solution. The only major downside of this method is that it can be time-consuming as you have to cover the entire house.

How To Whitewash Brick Fireplace?

Similar to the whitewashed brick houses process, whitewashing the fireplace also has a series of steps that you need to follow.

You also require materials like white paint, water, painter’s tape, and drop cloths. You also have to follow a series of steps to ensure that everything is done properly. Whitewashing the fireplace is a little more complex than whitewashing the outer walls. You have to care about a lot more factors to make sure that everything is done properly. You also have a follow a series of steps which include:

Steps

• Covering everything around the fireplace to protect it from spillage
• Moving the furniture around to ensure that nothing gets damaged or ruined
• Creating a solution by mixing 1 part white paint and 4 parts water.
• Mixing the paint properly to create a proper whitewashing solution
• Starting from the top and covering the entire area using a large paintbrush.
• Covering the fireplace thoroughly to ensure it is properly covered.
• Let it dry out for a few minutes and adjust according to the results.

Important Things To Keep In Mind When Whitewashing Your House

Before you start getting into the project, it is important to keep certain things in mind. You need to gather all the materials and items to make sure that you don’t face any problems later on.

Furthermore, if you decide to undertake this whitewashed brick house project yourself, you need to take care of everything. If your house has multiple stories, reaching every nook and cranny might also be a difficult challenge.

So, if you think that everything is too much for you to deal with, hiring some help might be the best cause of action. However, this hired help can cost a lot of money and that is something that should also be kept in mind.

The post How To Whitewashed Brick Exterior: Simple Step-By-Step Guide To Follow appeared first on ArtsyHome.

From a single seedling planted in spring to a vast plant bringing forth several large tomato fruits by summer. Quite remarkable. With that impressive growth also comes increased weight.

That means that you’ll need to cage up or trellis your tomatoes to keep their bulky and towering size in a position. Otherwise, standing upright will be an uphill task, and you won’t be surprised to wake up and find your tomatoes sprawled out on the ground.

That’s why you need to cage up your tomatoes to make sure they are supported throughout the growing seasons. Supporting your tomatoes is vital for their overall health and growth. Most tomato diseases come from the soil, so that’s another reason to ensure your tomato plants aren’t lying on the garden bed.

Furthermore, tomato plants thrive better in a dry encroachment. So a caged tomato is likely to grow healthier than uncaged tomatoes since the upright position allows air to flow freely around the plant after rain or watering.

Besides, you don’t want to be crawling down on the ground every day to look for rope tomatoes. And caged tomatoes are always easy to harvest. Enclosing your tomato plants also means you’ll be able to keep rabbits, mice, and squirrels off your ripened fruits if they are higher up away from the ground.

While caging up your tomatoes has multiple benefits, finding the best and effective tomato cages can be challenging. You want a tomato cage that will enable your tomatoes to thrive all season long. Unfortunately.

Most ready-made coops tend to be of low quality and therefore not reliable. That’s why you should opt for a self-made or DIY tomato cage if you want products that will serve you for a long time.

Qualities Of A Perfect Tomato Cage

Tomato cages assist in keeping your tomatoes upright, which significantly contributes to increasing the plant’s yields. But how do you know which tomato cages are the best when shopping for some for your garden? Which qualities should you look out for to determine the perfect tomato cages?

The three main qualities of the perfect tomato cages include the material the cage is made of, its size, and how conveniently it’s assembled. Let’s look at these qualities of the ideal tomato cages to use.

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Material

Typically readymade tomato cages are made of metal. Some are made of uncoated metal, and some are constructed with coated metal, while others are designed with galvanized steel.

Although metal is a durable material to use for a tomato cage, it’s susceptible to rust unless it’s coated with powder or plastic. Coated metal is a better option and can withstand weather elements and normal wear and tear. They’re also not harsh temperatures.

For instance, if you accidentally knock down an uncaged tomato and it comes in contact with your ripe tomatoes, the temperatures can damage your fruits. This is especially true during summer when the sun is and heat is sweltering.

Consider the weather conditions of your location when choosing the best tomato cages. Go for products that are not hazardous when exposed to extreme heat and their general resistance to harsh weather.

Size

There are two distinct sizes for tomato cages. The smaller size can measure up to 15 inches, while the larger ones can be as high as 75 inches. The size of your tomato cages should be proportional to the type of tomatoes you are growing if you are growing smaller tomato varieties, such as New Big Dwarf or Tiny Tim, or smaller tomato cages.

On the other hand, if you are working with larger tomato varieties, then it’s only natural that you want to invest in cages that will accommodate their size. For example, the laget tomato varieties such as Big Boy or Beefsteak will grow healthier and more upright in larger cages.

Some tomato cages are also designed to offer adjustable heights, making them a flexible option for working with different types of tomato varieties. When shopping for the ideal tomato cages, consider the size of your vegetable garden and if the size you choose can fit in.

Shape

Besides size and material, the next factor to consider when buying tomato cages is the shape. Tomato cages come in several different shapes such as triangular, curved link stakes, which can sometimes be rectangular and ring-shaped.

If you are growing stronger and heavier tomato plants, consider using the curved link type of cage since they are more stable and offer better support than ring style or triangular cages. Furthermore, they are versatile and can be easily folded up to convenient storage.

When it comes to triangular tomato cages, they are ideal for smaller tomato plants since the bases are built closer together, providing optimal growth for your tomatoes. Lastly, ring-style tomato cages offer ample room for tomatoes to spread out and grow comfortably. This may result in better yields and healthy plants.

Assembly

Some tomato cages are pre-assembled; others require putting together stabilizing poles and connecting pieces. Most tomato cages do not require tools or assistance to assemble. Generally, larger tomato cages need careful assembling, while smaller ones may be pre-assembled or require simple assembling procedures.

If you are concerned about the procedure for assembling a tomato cage, or if you prefer an easy-to-build DIY tomato cage, we advise you to go through the manufacturer’s instructions for building the product before purchasing.

This will enable you to settle for something you can efficiently work with when deciding to make your own tomato cages. It will also save you time and frustration.

Why You Should DIY Your Tomato Cage

Tomato plants need support at some point in their development process. Their long and flexible stems cannot stand uprightly for long before succumbing to the overwhelming weight and toppling over.

This is especially true once they are heavy with fruit. Without the support of a durable good quality tomato cage or trellis, tomato plants will eventually succumb to their increasing weight.

Therefore, caging or trellising is necessary to save your fruit from pests, diseases, or damage. It also helps mitigate the breaking of the stalk or central plant stalk or even the branches due to inadequate support.

While tomato cages are the ideal tool to curb this inevitable catastrophe, there are a few drawbacks. For one, most ready-made cages are too expensive or not too durable.

The last thing you want is to work with a lousy cage that won’t function after a few weeks or months 9f use. For another, most cages cost around $15 or $20 apiece. Suppose you want to cover a large portion of your garden with tomato plants, then that means investing more in the tomato cages, which is expensive.

Furthermore, homemade tomato cages are ideal for both determinate and indeterminate tomato plants. Determinate tomato plants can be a little shorter, usually between three to five feet tall. They bring forth most of their fruit within a shorter time, which guarantees one big bountiful harvest.

Since pruning and extra training are unnecessary for determinate tomato varieties, cages are great for such determinate tomato varieties. When the branches are pruned away.

It significantly reduces the overall yield from determinate tomato crops. You certainly don’t want to invest in a tomato venture only to come up with lesser yields.

Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, grow larger and consistently bring forth fruit over a prolonged period. Some of these plant varieties can grow as tall as seven feet or more.

This is even more possible if the branches are properly pruned and the main plant is trained. Due to their aggressive vining nature, some gardeners train their indeterminate tomatoes using strings, taller stakes, or even flat trellises instead of caging them up.

However, cages are still ideal to use for indeterminate tomatoes, especially if moderately pruned. When caged, you can essentially let your tomato plants run wild and spread out.

And all that you’ll be required to do is visit your plants a few times per week to ensure any long branches are kept within the confines of the cage.

That isn’t to say you can’t prune an indeterminate plant within a cage. Therefore you need to work with an ideal and durable tomato cage that will serve you in the long run, and the only way to achieve that is by making some on your own.

When To Rely On Ready Made Cages

Of course, there are few instances where you may need to use the tomato cages that are readily available in your local store. For example, you may have tomato plants in an advanced stage of growth and need urgent caging.

In such a scenario, it makes common sense to grab ready-made cages and save your tomatoes from sprawling all over the garden as you figure out how to make tomato cages. Additionally, you can use ready-made cages if you don’t plan on planting your tomatoes for a more extended period.

If yours is a one-time project, you can use what is available for the moment rather than investing in a DIY project. Otherwise, homemade tomato cages are highly durable, cost-effective, and long-lasting, making them ideal for longer projects.

Ideas For Making Tomato Cages

Since you now understand the drawbacks of using ready-made tomato cages, you might want to try out a few DIY tomato cages ideas. YouTube is an excellent resource for learning how to make tomato cages from scratch.

If you want step-by-step guidelines for making tomato cages besides the YouTube tutorials, we have listed a few basic steps for creating a unique tomato cage. However, there are several types of tomato cages, depending on which type you prefer. Here is a list of 10 tomato cage ideas you might want to consider:

Wooden Tomato Cages: Small wooden tomato cages are perfect if you are growing determinate tomato plants. They’re not only easy to make, but they’re also easy and convenient to use. Furthermore, they’re sturdy and less expensive. Tutorials are available at Ella Claire Inspired.

Cattle Paneled Tomato Cages: With long sturdy wire measuring 16 feet tall, you can make several durable tomato cages. Making a tomato cage from hog wire is one way to ensure a durable cage that you’ll use in the long run.

PVC Tomato Cages: Not only is PVC light in weight and easy to use, but the cages, once done, can be used repeatedly on different tomato plant varieties for a long time.

Obelisk: A DIY obelisk is a creative way to keep your tomato plants upright and healthy. It’s also perfect for indeterminate tomato plants, which are naturally tall.

Folding Tomato Ladder: There’s nothing as convenient and flexible to use as a piece of equipment that you can easily fold up and store away when not in use. That’s what a folding Tomato Ladder is.

Stake and Twine: How about playing with some stakes and twine to create simple tomato cages? Just tie some twine around the stakes, and voila! You have yourself some inexpensive tomato cages.

Hybrid Cages/Stakes: This is a combination of hog wire and stakes. If bound together, it creates secure and easy access to tomato cages.

Steps For Making Cost Effective And Durable Tomato Cage

Having experimented with several different types of cages and trellising options, you might want to settle for a single caging idea that is both convenient and long-lasting. We have gone through other caging options like those mentioned above, and this DIY tomato cage option carries the day.

Not only is it easy to build and install, a bit easy to install, but you will use it for several years to come since it can last up to 20 years! The cage is made of the same type of wire used to reinforce concrete, hence the guaranteed durability.

They come as flat panels or rolled cylinders, and you can buy them at your local hardware store. The wires have big openings, which you need to stick your hand and prune or harvest your tomatoes flexibly. Here is the step-by-step process for making this particular tomato cage.

Step 1: Purchase And Organize All Your Supplies

First, you need to source all the supplies and have them ready before planting your tomatoes. There’s nothing as frustrating as having to source for the correct concrete reinforcing wires at the last minute only to realize you don’t have them in your local stores.

It would be even more inconvenient if your tomatoes are already growing at an accelerating speed and sprawling all over due to delayed caging. Therefore, confirm if you can quickly obtain the wires near you or arrange to deliver them to you sooner.

The wire comes in a ten gauge capacity, which makes it extremely thick and not easy to bend. This makes them ideal if you’re looking for a long-lasting cage. Furthermore, the gauge is quite heavy, meaning you’ll be able to make sturdy cages that are good for heavy tomato plants and fruits.

Besides the concrete wires, you will also need beefy bolt cutters to cut those thick wires onto the desired shapes and sizes. Lastly, buy yourself a pair of thick work gloves to prevent cutting those delicate hands.

Note that the particular wire we’ll use here is 5×150 inches big, featuring 6×6 inches openings. One roll of this allows you to make more than 20 cages, and the ample spaces will enable you to access large tomatoes.

Step 2: Choose The Right Cage Size

As much as DIY tomato cages are easy to make, you will need some help, especially if it’s your first time and just starting. Have a neighbor or friend lend you a hand if they happen to know something about making tomato cages, the better.

For this step, unroll the wire, making sure you hold the corners in place with a hook or stone to avoid it rolling back and walloping you. Then decide how large you want the circumference of the cage to be. This will depend on the types of tomato plants and how far apart you have spaced them.

Step 3: Cut Out a Sample

Since you are just starting, it would be better to cut out the first piece of wire to use as a sample cage. If you like the size and design, you can cut out the rest of the same size and tweak them to suit your preferences.

Step 4: Roll Out The Cage

Roll the piece you have cut into the shape of a cylinder. Bend the horizontal and vertical wires sticking out and hook them together to form a circular structure.

Step 5: Create Stakes To Stabilize the Bottom of the Cage

After securing the wire into a cylinder, cut the bottom off to create stakes that will stand firmly on the garden bed.

Step 6: Test It Out

Take your sample tomato cage to the garden and test it out. Drive the stakes to the ground and test if it is firm. Keep adjusting until you are satisfied with the size and posture. You can continue cutting the remaining cages and rolling them out until you have used the entire wire.

Step 7: Plant The Tomatoes

With your cages ready, now you can go ahead and plant your tomatoes if you hadn’t already done so. Depending on the type of tomato varieties you are using, use the instructions provided with seeds or seedlings to determine the correct spacing.

Step 8: Do Some Mulching

Immediately after planting, mulch up the whole tomato garden. This is beneficial in many ways. First, you need to know that your tomato plants are susceptible to soil-borne diseases that attack the plants when it rains. Mulching helps mitigate the spread of such diseases, as well as cutting down on watering.

Secondly, it helps to break down organic matter and increase nutrients for the plants. Mulching also helps ward off excess weeds, which reduces the time you’ll spend weeding. It is advisable to mulch your garden throughout the seasons of the year to exploit these benefits.

Step 9: Time To Utilize Your DIY Homemade Tomato Cages

After planting and mulching your tomatoes, it’s time to install your DIY tomato cage. Place each cage over each tomato. Forcefully push the stakes deep into the ground and ensure they are firm, stage, and upright.

If you live in an area prone to strong winds, consider using reinforcements to keep the cages in place. You can secure the cages together using wire or twines. The extra stability is more necessary when your tomatoes bring forth fruit and doubles in weight, then spills over the cages.

Step 10: Done!

See, that wasn’t so hard and didn’t take too long to accomplish. The process was relatively simple. Now that you are the proud owner of a beautiful tomato garden growing wonderfully inside beautiful cages, you should pat yourself on the back.

After this, there’s really not much to do except to keep checking the progress of your plants a few times a week. After a few weeks, you can begin pruning or tucking in some overgrown tomato branches

Here and there to ensure they stay within the cages When your tomato plants become heavily laden with fruits, you can fasten them gently over the cell to avoid the branches breaking with ripening fruits.

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Conclusion

Tomato cages are every tomato grower’s best friend. The benefits of having one, whether for a single plant or a whole garden, are worth the process of making them at home.

Preventing soil-based disease to increase yields, improving plant life, and ensuring a bountiful harvest are all excellent reasons to have your tomatoes caged up. And if you need additional information on everything tomatoes, we are here to help. Check out our posts on growing tomatoes, plus other helpful insights.

The post Step-By-Step Guide: How To Make DIY Tomato Cage Easily At Home appeared first on ArtsyHome.