SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
DO-IT-YOURSELF LANDSCAPING THAT
DOESN’T LOOK IT
If you’ve ever attempted to transform your backyard into a
beautifully designed paradise, then you have probably
planted, trimmed and dug your way into a few
minor frustrations along the way. While good
landscaping can vary by degrees including
budget, skills and climate, there are a few easy
things you can do in order to be proud of
your landscaping without paying an expert.
The following tips will guide you on the
right path to do-it-yourself landscaping:
*Always layer your planting beds.
Layering in three rows, begin with your
tallest plants in the back row, next tallest
in the middle and your shortest plants in the
front. And don’t just plant one bed—put another
elsewhere in your yard to help provide a sense of
harmony.
*Calm your yard with water features. Providing focal
points in your landscaping work is a must, and one great way is to
incorporate water features such as ponds and simple waterfalls.
They both look appealing and add an attractive element to your
yard—the calming sounds of moving water.
*Utilize retaining walls. If you are planning on protecting
the fragile landscaping work around your home, it’s imperative to
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construct a strong retaining wall. Erosion-prone areas in your
yard will benefit greatly by incorporating segmental retaining
walls constructed from concrete masonry. Using concrete
masonry not only provides the best value for the investment,
it also delivers superior design flexibility and aesthetic
appeal to any landscape idea.
*When planting flowers, go with
annuals. To have a continuous sense of color
throughout your yard, plant annual flowers
alongside your favorite perennials. Research
and lay out creative flower combinations that
make use of both kinds of flowers for year-
round beauty.
*Think year-round. One of the biggest
mistakes one can make is only providing
one or two seasons’ worth of eye-catching
landscaping. Plan for having plentiful trees and
shrubs during the springtime, fall foliage during
autumn months and good, visually interesting plant life in
the winter, such as holly shrubs or bayberry bushes.
DECKED OUT
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your
home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great
outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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“Being a good neighbor is important to me.”
I
f you’re looking for a plumber that can handle any size job - residential or commercial - who’s
dedicated to serving not only customers, but the community as a whole, look no further than
RDN Plumbing.
Started in 1974 by Robert D. Navilliat with one truck, the company has grown through the years.
Our employees are all state and county licensed plumbers, including an excavation division to
handle your gas, water and sewer line repairs.
“Being a good neighbor is important to me,” Navilliat said. “This community has helped me out
and I believe in giving back to it. We are adamant that we spend our money here, whether it’s for
office supplies, truck supplies, gasoline or mechanical work.”
It’s no wonder that RDN is the go-to plumber for
two community school districts. RDN also supports
the functions of the local churches in the community
as well as Auberle Home for Children.
Not only do they do large scale plumbing jobs,
RDN is happy to handle the small jobs as well. They
NASSCO Certified for Sewer Inspection
are official contractors with the three largest home
warranty companies in the nation if you need home warranty work. They also are contractors for the
Penn American Home Protection program and one of the area’s largest residential water authorities.
“From the day I went into business, I put quality work and commitment to my customers first,”
Navilliat said. “That’s what we’re known for and that’s what keeps people coming back time after
time for repairs and maintenance.”
RDN Plumbing is open seven days a week and has 0% financing options to qualified homeowners
for large projects or unforeseen emergencies. They answer their own phone 24/7 so call them at
412.462.1435 or go to www.rdnplumbing.com.
WEST MIFFLIN
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SPRING 2019
21