It’s important that you repair a damaged playground as soon as possible to avoid accidents. The following cleaning / repair methods cover both metal and wood playground parts.

General Repair and Maintenance

Required Tools and Materials

Garden hose
Wrenches
Screwdrivers
Damp cloth
Bucket of water
Wood sealant
Pressure washer
Sandpaper

Caring for Wood Parts

If there are splinters or cracks, apply sandpaper on it. You can also use the sandpaper on any rough or sharp areas. If necessary, apply some wood sealant. To remove dust, use a damp cloth. Remember that wood is susceptible to mold too. You also need to know what type of wood it is. Different wood types require different kinds of cleaners.

Caring for Metal and Plastic Components

To repair a damaged playground’s rusted metal parts, apply sandpaper on it. To fortify the components, you should apply stain. To remove dirt from plastic parts, connect a bottle cleaner to the hose and spray it. You can also use a pressure washer rather than a hose.

If any of the screws or bolts is loose, tighten it with a screwdriver or wrench. It doesn’t matter if you assembled the playground yourself or it was pre-built; check the screws and bolts every month.

Getting Rid of Graffiti

If cleaning with soap and water isn’t enough to remove the graffiti, try this approach.

Required Tools and Materials

Stiff brush
Chemical solvent
Baking soda
Power pressure washer
Safety glasses

Step 1

To repair a damaged playground riddled with graffiti, put solvent on the afflicted component. Note: if you don’t have a chemical solvent, use baking soda instead. It’s less potent, but you can be sure that it won’t damage the equipment. Some playground equipment may not be compatible with chemical solvents. Do some research on the solvent just to be sure.

Step 2

Rub the area with the stiff brush. Wipe in a circular manner. If the graffiti doesn’t come off, put on a second or even third layer.

Step 3

Don your safety glasses and apply the pressure washer on the spot. Apply the washer in even strokes around the afflicted area. You may need to experiment to get the right distance to eliminate the graffiti.

Tips and Warnings

When you repair a damaged playground made of wood, determine if the wood needs replacement. Whenever possible, only use treated wood. You can also apply paint over the graffiti rather than wash it off. That can be easier than trying to hose it. Wear a safety mask when painting.

In fact, it’s probably a good idea to paint the playground every now and then. It’s the quickest way of making it look new. In the case of wood, it provides extra protection too.

If you’re using a pre-built playground, follow the instructions on how to assemble it. If you’re building it yourself, double check all the measurements.

If you’re handy with tools, learning to repair a damaged playground shouldn’t be too troublesome. By inspecting the site regularly, you can be confident that it’s a safe place for kids to play in.

If you know how to make an outdoor wood burning stove, you’ll no longer need to purchase the commercial products. The supplies you’ll need are available in home improvement stores.

Required Tools and Materials

30 gallon drum (metal)
Tin snips
1 lb coffee cans (9)
Steel door hinges
Electric copper wire feed welder
Steel sheet (1/4” thick, 2 x 2’)
Steel sheet (1/8” thick, 1 x 1’)
Safety glasses
Sand
Jackhammer
Working gloves
Soapstone
Oxyacetylene cutting torch

Step 1

Put on your safety gear. Slice the drum in half with the torch (cut by the short radius). Get one of the cut drums. Put it on the ¼” x 2 x 2’ steel sheet.

Use the welder to put the two pieces together. When you make an outdoor wood burning stove, mark an 8 x 8” sq inch in the middle of the side of the drum half. You can utilize the soapstone to create these marks.

Step 2

Cut the marked area with the torch. This is the woodstove’s door. Get one of the door hinges and weld it on the cut out you made. Weld the other door hinge on the 1/8” 1 x 1 steel sheet. Hammer the sheet to match the barrel’s angle.

Step 3

Put the door hatch on the hinges. Make a hole in the barrel’s top. Make it big enough so the coffee cans will fit. Tack weld a coffee can on the hole’s edges.

Step 4

To make an outdoor wood burning stove’s stovepipe, snip 1” cuts on the coffee cans. Use the tin snips for this task.

Step 5

Create six holes, ¼” in diameter, at the bottom edge of the barrel hole’s side. This is under the door hatch. Put in 2” layer of sand at the bottom of the stove. Now you can light the fire.

Cleaning a Wood Stove

This method should work for commercially sold wood stoves.

Required Tools and Materials

Brush
#0000 sandpaper
Ladder
Shovel
Chimney brush
Steel container with a cover
Vacuum

Step 1

Remove the catalytic combustor. You can find this in between the stovepipe and the fire. Use the brush to eliminate the ash. Vacuum it completely to remove the ash.

Note: for those who prefer to make an outdoor wood burning stove, it’s important you remove the ash regularly as well.

Step 2

Shovel out the ashes in the burning stove. Put them in the steel container. When you’ve put in all the ashes, cover the container. Leave the sealed container alone for 48 hours. After 48 hours, you can dispose of it. Apply sandpaper on any glassy component to get rid of dirt.

Tips and Warnings

If the stove hasn’t been utilized in a while, vacuum it thoroughly after getting rid of the ashes. If necessary, use the ladder to get to the stove pipe. Get rid of the dirt there with the chimney brush. If any of the dirt falls on the wood burning stove, clean and vacuum it.
 
If you decide to make an outdoor wood burning stove, make sure you know how to use the torch. Never take off your safety goggles when using it.

Learning how to build a campfire is simple enough. However, the following things need to be accounted for to avoid mishaps and keep everyone safe.

Required Tools and Materials

Kindling
Sticks
Large pieces of wood

Step 1: Prepare the Kindling

Kindling will be the foundation of your campfire. You’ll need to use materials that burn rapidly. Use twigs, pine needles or dried leaves. You can also use dried grass, birch bark or small sticks.

Step 2: Prepare the Sticks

These will be used to hold the fire together. They are also employed to ignite the bigger wood pieces. You’ll need to use sticks a couple of inches in diameter. These will be cut and fitted in the fire.

When you build a campfire, you should always use dry sticks. Never pry sticks from live trees for use in campfires. Get some small and medium size sticks.

Step 3: Prepare the Large Wood Pieces

These need to be 3 ft long maximum. These should be dry. These are the last components to be added.

Step 4: Putting the Pieces Together

Take a couple of handfuls of kindling and place them in the middle of where you want to light your campfire (i.e., the fire pit you dug). If you want, you can gather and shape them into a ball. Take the small sticks; use them to make a tepee around the kindling.

Set the sticks at a 45 degree angle. When you build a campfire, make sure you create some gaps at the tepee. This is needed to allow oxygen to move around the tepee.

Put two medium sized sticks just outside the tepee. They need to be parallel to each other. Add two more sticks to make a square. Repeat this until the sticks are 6 layers high. Ensure that the sticks overlap.

Step 5: Adding the Large Wood Pieces

Put several large wood pieces on both sides of the square structure you built. Position three small branches so that they touch the square structure’s base and the large wood pieces. Don’t add too many sticks or the fire will be short lived.

Step 6: Light Your Fire

After you build a campfire, it’s time to light it. Light a match and place it at the bottom of the square or the gaps at the tepee. Properly made, the fire will start from the kindling, proceed to the square structure and to the large wood pieces. Add larger wood pieces or kindling if it won’t light. Blowing a little into the fire will also help spread the fire.

Tips and Warnings

Everyone should be at least 3 feet from the campfire. Keep clothes, tents and other camping materials several feet away. Besides a fire pit, you can also use a fire ring or a metal fire to manage the fire. To avoid accidents, place several stones at the three feet line.

It’s easy to learn how to build a campfire, so take the time to study it. This will save you a lot of trouble when you go camping.

If you decide to build an outdoor grill, it’s best to check first with local officials if permits are needed. Depending on your location, there may be restrictions imposed on this kind of activity.

Required Tools and Materials

Bricks
Grill grate
A bag of sand
Concrete mix (for flattening area)

Step 1

The area needs to be flat; setting the foundation on an uneven surface will cause the grill to collapse. If necessary, dig in the chosen spot and pour cement. Level it and wait for it to dry. The ideal size is about 3 x 3 ft square.

Step 2

Get the bricks and start layering them. As you build an outdoor grill, make sure the bricks are aligned properly. Keep adding the bricks until it reaches a height of 3 ft. You’ve got a 3 x 3 x 3 now.

Step 3

Try shaking the grill a little. If it doesn’t move, you’ve done it right; if it moves, reassemble the bricks until the bricks become steady.

Step 4

Get some more bricks. Put them on three sides of the structure. Keep adding the bricks until you get a wall about 18 inches high. This is the firebox. Get the bag of sand. Pour and shake it into the firebox. Fill any crevices with the sand. Remove the excess sand.

Step 5

Set the grill grate on the firebox. When you build an outdoor grill, make certain the support for the grill is strong. You don’t want the grill falling into the coals. Test the grill by trying to shake it. If it holds, the grill is ready.

Using Pre-fabricated Grills

Try this method if you don’t want to build grills from scratch.

Required Tools and Materials

Concrete
Pre-fabricated grill island
Grill unit
Shovel

Step 1

Start with the location. A covered patio isn’t a good idea as it traps smoke. Choose one where air can flow. As indicated earlier, checking if permits are necessary is a good idea.

Step 2

Pour the concrete mix in the chosen spot. After it dries, add the grill island. If you don’t want to buy pre-fabricated grill, you can build an outdoor grill with bricks. A height of 36 inches is okay.

Step 3

Install the countertop. Use the mountings to connect the grill to the appropriate spot. Position the grill into the grill island. You’ll need help in doing this.

Step 4

Connect the propane tank. Follow the instructions on your grill on how to operate it.

Tips and Warnings

Figure out the size of the grill before you start. It’ll help you figure out how many bricks you need. If you’re going to buy a pre-fabricated grill, look around first as prices vary. Take care when handling the coals.

You should also exercise caution when handling the electrical components of the grill. Follow the instructions in the grill user guide to avoid problems.

As you can see, there are many ways to build an outdoor grill. It’s very easy and you’ll be able to enjoy the grill for a good many evenings.

Camping is fun but without water sources nearby it will be hard to stay clean. The best solution is by building a wooden outdoor shower.

Required Tools and Materials

Rope
Plastic barrel (with a lid; black)
Two stoppers
Drill
Handheld shower attachment (one with a hose)
Opaque tarp with grommets
Screwdriver
Spigot
Hammer
Several 2 x 4s
Sockets
Lock washers
Sixteen wood screws (1/2 lb, ¾”)
Eight carriage bolts
Nuts

Step 1

First you need to put the barrel at a high spot. A cluster of trees or rocks will be fine. Make a platform if needed.

Step 2

Get four 2 x 4 x 8’ long boards. You’ll also need eight 2 x 4s 4 feet long. Position the four short pieces so they make a square. Set the 4” side on the outer surface. Fasten them with wood screws.

Step 3

The subsequent step to building a wooden outdoor shower is by slicing plywood to fit the frame you made. Fasten it with the ¾” wood screws. Flip it so the plywood sheet is not on top. Get the 2 x 4 x 8s.

Connect them to the platform’s outside corners. Use a couple of carriage bolts per corner. Set them diagonally. Be sure to put a washer in first. Add the lock washer. Put the nut on.

Step 4

Mark a spot 4 ft from the upper edge of the platform (by the legs). Secure four 2 x 4s there. Turn the platform. It should be on its legs. Optionally, you can set the legs in cans filled with concrete. When building a wooden outdoor shower you need to fasten the platform to rocks or trees using a rope.

Step 5

Get your drill and make a hole in the barrel. Make it large enough for the stopper. The stopper’s chain should be long enough that it can be pulled. Create another hole under the barrel and put in a spigot. Put the hand held shower apparatus on the spigot.

Step 6

Use the tarp to cover the shower. Use the rope to keep the grommets together. One side should be opened so you can enter and depart. Make certain the tarp shields five feet of the shower top (minimum).

Using the Shower

Keep in mind that if building a wooden outdoor shower this way, the sun will be able to warm the water. You can use the spigot like an ordinary faucet, turning it off and on when needed. The barrel can be filled using a hose. You can also fill it up with rainwater.

Tips and Warnings

If the platform is not stable, the entire structure could collapse. You need to be certain the structure has a solid base. In addition it needs to be fastened to its supports tightly. The shower is for bathing only; do not play or frolic around the area.

As long as you are building a wooden outdoor shower, you should always wear eye safety glasses. This will shield your eyes from any splinters that fly off when you start cutting lumber.

While it’s true that trying to build a porch takes time, it is perfectly doable. You just need to have the right equipment.

Required Tools and Materials

Hammer
2 x 10 lumber boards
Plywood boards
Wood glue
Pencil
Chalk
Staple gun
Windows screening
Carpet
Box of nails
Roofing shingles
Level
Stud finder
Ladder
Scissors

Step 1

Connect the ledger board to the back of your house (from the 2 x 10 lumber). Mark the spot with a chalk. Use the level to make sure the ledger is aligned properly. Nail the board in place.

Step 2

Put 2 x 10 joists on both sides of the board. Put wood glue on the part where the wood meets up. Nail them. As you build a porch, mark the joist on the ledger every 1 ft 4 inches. Hammer the 2 x 10 lumbers on these spots. Put glue where the boards join up.

Step 3

Put in a 2 x 10 ledger board out front. Hammer and glue it. Use two nails to link the front ledger board. Nail them to joists spaced by 16 inches.

Step 4

Put plywood boards on the floor. You can utilize the stud finder when hammering in the boards.

Step 5

To build the walls, cut four 2 x 10s and make a frame. Mark a spot every 16 inches on the inside of the bottom and top section. Put joists here. Nail and glue them.

Repeat this for the other walls. Continue to build a porch by slicing a few more wood from the 2 x 10s. Put these halfway up the joist. Hammer and glue them in a horizontal manner.

Step 6

Slice a couple of 2 x 10s diagonally on both sides. Set them on the front wall so they form a triangle. Put a 2 x 10 at the triangle’s top. Put in 2 x 10 joists on both sides. They should be placed every 16 inches. Cut the joists in an angular manner.

Step 7

Put the front wall up. Hammer the roof’s top beam on the house. Nail the base on the floorboards. Raise the side walls. Hammer the roof joists on the frame’s top section. As you build a porch’s side wall, using the stud finder when hammering on the roof is recommended.

Step 8

Get the roofing shingles. Install and hammer them, commencing from the bottom and going up. Allow two to four inches of overlap. Get the window screen dimensions. Slice the frame section to the appropriate size. Put them in place with the staple gun. Paint and stain as you wish. Get the carpet. Put it on the floor.

Tips and Warnings

You can put on some stained glass or some wiring. However, you should not attempt this unless you know how to install them. Hire the services of a qualified electrician to avoid any accidents.

You’ll be able to build a porch more quickly if you have some assistants. When it’s finished, you can all grab a drink and relax.

The techniques outlined below will help you to build a fire pit. Begin by procuring the following material.

Required Tools and Materials

Rake
Shovel
Several nails
Spray paint or chalk
String
Pea gravel
Sand
Stones (12 x 12; stackable; can be interlocked)
Concrete pavers
Stakes

Picking the Right Spot

Never construct a pit near trees or grass. Keep clear of places adjacent to wires or power lines. Don’t dig in spots near underground water pipes. The pit should be on level ground; it’s also possible to make one on slope surfaces, albeit it’s more difficult.

Preparation and Digging

Put the stake in the ground and fasten a string around it. To build a fire pit, link the stake to a nail. Put it a couple of feet away. Using the chalk or spray paint, draw a circle around the stake. Use the shovel to dig a 12” hole. Keep the edges uniform.

Dig another hole (about 6”x 6” x 12” deep). Scrape the bottom and add 4 inches of gravel. Put gravel in the outer hole (the one you dug up earlier). The gravel will serve as the draining system and also balance the rough edges.

Put in the Sand

The sand will be used to keep the fire from reaching the bottom levels. After adding the sand, arrange the concrete pavers along the pit. A minimum of two rows for the pavers are required to build a fire pit.

Don’t apply any adhesive; dry stacking will be fine. Moreover, glue contains substances that might react to fire. Once the pit is ready, you can light the fire.

Checking with the Authorities

Regulations concerning fire pits vary per city / town. It won’t hurt to consult the local fire safety office in your area. This way you not only get the paperwork one; you’ll also be aware of the safety standards that need to be met.

Be sure to inform the authorities about the size of the fire pit, where and why you’re building it. While you’re there, you can ask about the location of underground water pipes so you can avoid them.

Warnings

After you build a fire pit, keep a safe distance when you start lighting it. Keep small children away from the fire. Do not keep leaves, paper or any combustible material near the flames. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, have buckets of water nearby. If the fire gets big, just throw water over the flames. Don’t put the buckets too near the fire because they might burst.

The weather is also a factor; too much wind can kill the fire. When assessing a site, think of the weather that prevails over it too.
 
Dry stones can be employed instead of concrete pavers. Don’t use wet rocks. The heat will turn the water into steam and could shatter the rocks. Large to medium sized dry stones are recommended.

As you can see, learning to build a fire pit is easy. Once everything is set, gather your friends and bring out the hotdogs.