Those smears and streaks just might be black mastic, a discontinued building product that often contains asbestos. Black mastic can be dangerous if you give a shot to remove it. What Is Black Mastic Asbestos? makasana / Getty Images Mastic is a general term for a jot down of glue-like adhesive. Many modern mastics are latex or water-based and can be softened with water. By contrast, asphaltic cutback adhesive is an older bang out of mastic made with asphalt-based cement....

Learn what Septoria leaf spot is and how to identify, treat, and prevent it whengrowing tomatoes. What Is Septoria Leaf Spot? The disease becomes more prevalent when the garden has warm, humid conditions. The Spruce / K. Dave Symptoms of Septoria leaf spot are often confused withearly blight. Septoria leaf spot appears as lesions on older leaves dotted with tiny brown-black dots. Early blight shows as larger, slightly sunken lesions embedded with concentric rings....

Appliances commonly finished in black stainless steel are refrigerators, dishwashers, and washer/dryer combinations. Yet, that doesn’t mean these appliances are perfect or work for all homes. Black stainless steel appliances, like any other appliances, have pros and cons associated with them. The Spruce / Francesca Maiolino Learn more about black stainless steel vs. stainless steel and what may work best for you. Some specialty appliance stores will offer package discounts when you purchase more than one pop in of appliance together....

Not all plants are sensitive to juglone, such asdogwood,juniper,clematis, anddaffodils. Its large, mature size and canopy make it a desirable shade tree. As a native tree, black walnuts provide food and shelter for wildlife. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova The primary beneficiaries of the nuts are squirrels. The eastern fox squirrel gets 10% of its food from black walnuts. Even after a black walnut tree has been cut down, the remaining roots will continue to release juglone....

Theyre a must for movie nights, post-party chats, and family game nights during colder months. But, what do you do when youre done using them? Weve all seen storage baskets with blankets piled in. Kane251 / Twenty20 However, they can quickly become an eyesoreor take up valuable floor space. The blanket ladder hack is another smart alternative to drape your textiles. Though, theres aneveneasier option. Tjitske van Leeuwen Photography / Getty Images...

Many plants benefit from blood mealfertilizer, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees. It is widely available at major garden centers and home improvement stores. It can also be used as a deer, squirrel, and rabbit deterrent. Helen Camacaro / Getty Images However, it can attract unwanted other critters to your vegetable patch. Read on to learn more about blood meal and how to use it. What Is Blood Meal? The Spruce / Jason Donnelly...

However,tomato plant diseasesandtomato pestscan be a problem if you dont provide the right care or conditions. Learn more about tomato blossom end rot to prevent this disorder from cleaning out your entire crop. What Is Blossom End Rot? The Spruce / K. Dave It results in the tissue breaking down on the bottom end of the fruit, opposite the stem. However, the problem isnt contagious and wont spread to other plants or fruit....

This insulation bang out, also called loose-fill insulation, improves a home’s R-value (insulation ability). It is unlike batts or sheets of materials used to line walls to retain or keep out heat. Blown-in insulation uses fine fibers that are “blown-in” using a blower. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly The filler looks like cotton candy and packs into spaces. It is widely considered the best way toadd insulation in existing constructionfor attic spaces and wall cavities....

But loose-fill insulation makes the job much easier. Blown-in from a machinelocated on the ground, loose-fill insulation is often a better choice. Plus, the machine can be rented on a do-it-yourself basis. BanksPhotos / Getty Images Read on to learn blown-in insulation machine rental basics. Loose fill insulation is insulation that comes in small pieces rather than large rolls or batts. Loose-fill insulation conforms to the objects under and around it....

Often seen onfarmhouse-stylehomes, board and batten exudes a comfortable informality. It’s also very easy to install by yourself. Learn more about board and batten, and whether it’s the right look for your home. The Spruce / Marty Baldwin The Spruce / Marty Baldwin What Is Board and Batten? Board and batten is atype of exterior sidingorinterior panelingwith alternating wide boards and narrow wooden strips, called battens. Board and batten can be installed vertically or horizontally....

The Spruce / Almar Creative Adding bone meal for your plants to your garden-care regimen could be beneficial. The organic fertilizer is rich in nutrients that promote healthy growth and can even improve soil composition. What Is Bone Meal Fertilizer? The Spruce / Almar Creative It is an organic source of source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. Bone meal also contains 12% calcium. It can fortify both your plants and soil, among other positive traits....

Brad Nailers vs. But what’s the real difference? The key difference between brad nailers and finish nailers is the size of the nail they use. photovs / Getty Images Because brad nailers are significantly smaller than finish nailers, they’re much easier to use in tight spots. Tip Most brands offer both battery-powered nailers and pneumatic nailers. However, pneumatic nailers offer more consistent power delivery at a lower price. Want more home reno project tips and inspiration?...

However, Bradford pear trees can be a gardening mistake. The limbs of thesefast-growing treesbreak too easily in stormy weather, and they are also invasive. This tree can be found in USDA zones 5-9. David Beaulieu Avoid planting this tree, because its rapid growth rate can quickly choke out native plants. Odor The Bradford pear tree’s showy but delicate pink or white flowers are considered malodorous. The foul odor of a rotting animal is the tree’s way of attracting pollinators, such as blowflies....