If you are planning to go on a long vacation for several weeks or even a month or two, you will have many things to take care of before you leave home. Home maintenance tasks are of course among those things. However, you may be unsure of exactly what you should take care of before you go and what can wait until you get back. Get to know some of the home maintenance tasks that you should complete before your long vacation.

Stone has been used in homes and other structures and buildings for thousands of years. While this long-lasting trend likely started simply because it was a strong material that was readily available simply for the picking, stone is often chosen for interior design use today because of the wide visual appeal it offers. If you are longing to bring stone into your home's design, here some tips to make sure you get the best possible results.

Decorating the venue for your wedding doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. With a few simple pieces and a bit of imagination, you can create fancy items for your big day that look as if you ordered them from a high-end catalog. Here are four craft ideas for turning plain glass vases into cute wedding decorations. Message Centers With a little bit of chalkboard paint, you can make your table centerpieces do double duty as decorative items and conversation starters.

A gorgeous backyard is an affordable luxury. It's a great place for children to play, and it provides an oasis of relaxation during the warm months of summer. However, a beautiful backyard doesn't just happen on its own. In order to create the backyard of your dreams, you'll have to put in a little work. Here are four tips you can use to create a beautiful backyard that the whole family will love:

Walking over to your kitchen sink and filling a tall glass with water can seem like quite the luxury. Water is so refreshing and it instantly gives you the boost you need to carry out your daily responsibilities. However, the water that comes out of the faucets in your home might not currently be clean enough for you to drink. Although the liquid looks clear there could be some hidden ingredients in the mix that you shouldn't consume.

Putting a fence around your yard is a big investment. However, the many choices of fencing materials today can be confusing. Do you choose a classic wooden fence, an elegant cast-iron fence, or a utilitarian chain-link fence? One type of fencing material you may not have considered—but perhaps you should—is aluminum. This type of fence is not only durable but is also attractive and versatile. Benefits of choosing an aluminum fence

Gutters ensure that water drains off your roof and away from your home, rather than tricking down the side of your home and along your foundation. Like most home components, gutters eventually need to be replaced -- but when? The following are five signs that your gutters are no longer servicing you well and are in need of replacement. 1. They have numerous holes. Sometimes, a gutter will spring a single leak when it's relatively new, and you can fix the hole with a patch.

When you shop for an unique outdoor fountain that will add style to your yard, your first priority may be to find a model that suits your preferred style. You should also give some thought to the various features that each fountain offers. Some fountains include a built-in timer that you can set so that the fountain runs for a certain duration, and then turns off afterward. This is a valuable feature to have, and while you may not want to choose a certain fountain specifically for this reason, it's ideal if the fountain you're leaning toward offers it.

If you are considering buying a pellet stove but do not know much about them, below is some information that will help you. You will learn about two types of pellet stoves that are available on the market, as well as the benefits of purchasing this type of stove for your home.                 1. Types of Pellet Stoves  One type of pellet stove available on the market is free-standing. This works well if you do not have a fireplace already installed in your home.

Summer is upon us with the option of hosting backyard cookouts and get-togethers, so once the yard work is completed, it is always great to have a shady outdoor space that you can enjoy. Here are some tips to help you make your backyard patio cooler and shaded so you can enjoy the outdoor space. Install and Maintain Your Awning Your backyard patio awning installed on your home can provide you shade from the sun, but over time the sun and weather can break down the material in its canvas.