Fast Facts Scientific Name: Gavia immerCommon Name: Common Loon, Great Northern Loon, Great Northern DiverLifespan: 25-30 yearsSize: 30-35 inches longWeight: 10-14 poundsWingspan: 55 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Common Loon Identification These birds are relatively easy to identify with their distinctive, streamlined shape and long, thick, dagger-like black bills. Genders are similar with a black head and neck that can show an iridescent greenish or green-blue sheen in good light and a wedge-shaped collar of vertical black and white stripes....

Roof scuppers are not the same as roof drains. Roof drains channel water through the deck of the roof into a piping system that carries water away, while a scupper allows water to drain through an opening in the side of the roof edge. If a roof scupper becomes blocked or clogged and prevents water from draining from the roof surface, this could cause ponding or roof leaks. Cleaning and checking your roof drainage system is an important roof maintenance item....

Cork is also biodegradable and will break down into the environment at the end of its life cycle. Cork flooring has many merits, to be sure, and its trendy popularity has led to cork installation almost everywhere in the home. But this flooring is not as durable as some other flooring materials, and it is susceptible to several forms of damage. It is important to understand the underlying characteristics of cork in order to make an informed decision on using it in a specific space....

Basic Basement Finishing Costs If you are handy and can do most of the work yourself, it’s possible to do a basic finish job for as little as $5,000 to $7,000. With the cost of the labor essentially being free, you only have to pay for the cost of materials. Basements are rich with mechanical elements such as ductwork, wiring, water supply pipes, drainage, and more. Unless the DIYer is highly experienced at working with all trades, those low-end DIY remodel costs won’t be applicable....

If a new mattress isn’t in the budget, add support and comfort to your old one with a mattress topper. Soft sheets, a warm blanket, and a thick comforter come next. Finish with several accent pillows, shams, and a throw blanket, and you’ll have a bed that welcomes you into relaxation like the one shown here.

Whether it’s linens, bed coverings, pillows, or the insert you use with a duvet cover, knowing the different bedding types of bedding terms will help you create the perfect bed. Bed Linen Types Although terms can vary slightly, the main types of bed linen are outlined below. Top Sheet or Flat Sheet Commonly used in North America, but uncommon in Europe, a top sheet (also known as a flat sheet), is the sheet that separates you from your comforter, blanket, or quilt....

First pitched on Dragons’ Den (the UK’s version of Shark Tank) as the towel that soaks up water and resists sand, the Dock & Bay Quick Dry Microfiber Towel was designed for travel. It supposedly dries more quickly than other beach towels, and the thin material takes up less than half as much beach bag space as its cotton counterparts. Yet at 63 x 31 inches for a large and 78 x 35 inches for an extra large, these towels are bigger than most, too....

The Eatsleepdoodle Doodle World Map Pillowcase is far more than just a surface for sleeping—it’s also a coloring project that will encourage kids to explore the world. As its name implies, the pillowcase has a black-and-white world map where kids can color and doodle to their heart’s desire. The product comes with a set of fabric markers that are double-tipped and washable, allowing kids to color the pillowcase, wash it, and color it again for nearly endless creativity....

The slow-growing plant can be planted year-round and boasts tiny white flowers in the spring (though it rarely flowers indoors). This small tree will grow to about 20 feet in warm outdoor climates, but it is generally grown as a potted houseplant and kept pruned to 6 feet or less. Keep the dragon tree away from pets because it’s toxic to animals if ingested. Light Dragon trees grow best in bright light but can also survive in partial shade....

Paint manufacturers nearly always recommend a primer. Yet it would be hard to find a do-it-yourselfer who wants to prime if it’s not necessary. Bare, previously unpainted drywall, though, is one of those surfaces where the answer is unequivocal: Yes, priming is always needed. Drywall soaks up more than its share of paint. If you do not prepare the surface, you may find yourself applying too many coats of paint before the mudded seams stop showing through....

Dutch iris is lightly fragrant and makes a good cut flower. It is commonly used in floral arrangements around Easter time. The Dutch iris is a spring-flowering bulb; its planting time is fall. It is a slow-growing, short-lived, easy-to-grow plant that can naturalize in your garden, giving you a new set of flowers every year, if it has ample sun and well-drained soil. Over many years, it may slowly spread itself....

Routing the existing HVAC ductwork is possible. It’s expensive and requires a system large enough to handle the increased load. Plus, it means breaking into walls and ceilings. But there is a solution that costs $100 to $200, is do-it-yourself-friendly, and in many cases requires no wall demolition. Plus, it can heat any room, toasty-warm. This solution is an electric wall heater. Electric wall heaters are a convenient way to bring heat into the most far-flung room....

“The most challenging jobs are the ones that someone else started,” writes Lawrence Winterburn. “These are also where you earn the admiration of the client. Often they have been looking at a semi-finished project for years and when you pull it all together and make it happen they are exuberant.” A closer look at the deck details will help explain why this homeowner was so thrilled with the result. “The brick columns supporting pergola beams along with the curve worked well to make the deck one with the house-part of the home,” says Lawrence....

Emerald green arborvitae is best planted in the fall when it will experience minimal heat stress. Its foliage consists of flat sprays of glossy bright green needles, plus urn-shaped cones about an inch long that turn reddish-brown in the fall. Most specimens grow at a fast rate early on and slow down as the tree matures, reaching 7 to 15 feet high, and possibly reaching 20 feet. Occasionally, this plant is pruned to form spiral topiaries....