Deck Maintenance 3

This time with pictures.

This picture shows the two levels of the back screen porch and the outside deck. The entry to the porch has been cleaned with deck cleaner, but not stained.

The next picture is what the stained deck looks like. We haven't done the rails or trellis in this photo, and that is in progress now. Sorry about the doormats handing over the rail- I just don't think like a photographer would...

The birds, Handyman's nemesis, have already sullied the deck's pristine appearance. I will have to scrub it down already. I don't really know a solution for that. ( No, shooting the birds is not a solution That will have to remain your Walter Mitty dream, Handyman).

Birds are our friends... they are just obscenely messy.



Technorati Tags: deck , photo

Deck Maintenance

BACKGROUND:

First a little background on our decks. I built stage one about 6 years ago. I constructed this one totally of pressure treated lumber. It is about 10x12, and I subsequently roofed it and screened it in to make a nice back porch which is entered from the dining room thru outswing French doors. About 2 years after building this deck, I built stage two deck. This deck is attached to the original deck and is @ 16x16 and also is constructed of pressure treated lumber. About 2 years after that, we decided it would be nice to have a Spa/Hot tub. This resulted in building another deck, sited on the other side of the house in a more sheltered location. Since this deck was to support a hot tub weighing up to 6000 lbs (weight of hot tub, 500 gallons of water and up to 6 people), I had to design this deck to support this load. (I always try to err on the side of caution - so this deck is substantially more than adequate). The main under structure of this deck is pressure treated lumber, with decking and trim being cedar.

PREPPING FOR STAINING:

I got good results with Olympic Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner(cost about $7 at Lowes). You use this stuff full strength in a pressure sprayer. I found it did a very good job. After you let it sit for about 10 minutes, you hose it off. After hosing it off, I went over it with my new pressure washer. This was sufficient for the enclosed porch, and hot tub deck, but I found I needed to give the 16x16 deck a second cleaning. This was due to fact that large part of it is under a large tree and it had a fair amount of moss/algae(?) on it. Second cleaning did the job here. Again rinsed and pressure washed. The decks are now ready for staining (which I am hoping t0 do this weekend, weather permitting). I will detail this operation when completed.

PRESSURE WASHERS:

My only experience is with the electric powered pressure washers. I originally purchased a Karcher brand electric pressure washer (yellow color). It was a piece of junk . After one season, the plastic elbow failed at the glue joint. I called Karcher and was told I would have to buy a new part since it wasn't "defective". However, when I called the supplier for Karcher parts, the parts people knew immediately what part it was, because it was such a common problem. Why buy another junk part for a junk pressure washer, and have to pay for it along with shipping and handling every few months. My solution - trash can for this worthless piece of s..t. I have noticed a huge availability of "factory refurbished" Karcher units. Something is only as strong as its weakest part - and this pressure washer definitely had a "guaranteed to fail" part. But now I wanted another pressure washer. My first inclination was to get a heavy duty gas powered model. The gas units cost more, are more cumbersome to operate (larger, bulkier, gas storage, starting, etc). These factors outweighed the versatility/power advantage that the gas models offered. So, I was at Home Depot and almost purchased one of these models, when I happened to notice the Husky electric model. It looked similar to the Karcher one but upon close observation, I noted that the fittings were brass, it had quick connect/disconnect brass fittings, had more power (psi). It felt much more solid. So I ended up getting it (I think for about $169). I have had no problems with it and am very happy with its performance. I might mention that we only occasionally need a pressure washer - like for deck cleaning, etc., and this one is easy to use and does a great job for our use. Easy to store, set-up, etc., and I don't have to deal with gas, oil, spark plugs, tune-ups, pull cords, etc. Now if I was using one daily on a commercial/professional basis (heavy duty usage), I would opt for the more powerful gas units.

Deck Maintenance

We have been too busy to post here. Sorry. The weather hasn't cooperated with a smooth sequence of deck maintenance, but that is what my husbands latest home project is. He cleaned the decks and now will be re-staining them ( weather allowing). I charged up the camera batteries so I can take pictures of the process- although you have to miss out on the recording of the green algae buildup and darkened areas of wood. I can hear your exclamations of disappointment now! ;)

I didn't quite get to finishing the paint job in the back room, so that is waiting for me, as well as painting the lattice. Oops... that is a job leftover from last year, along with the mucked up porch painting ( I had no responsibility in that mess!) Just a reminder to Handyman ( who reads this) that cheaper paint in another type than previously used was not the best choice. Remember to get some polyurethane type after we tediously scrape off the old peeling stuff.... Whenever that will be, now.

I'm tempted to blast it off with the power washer. I really like using the power washer.

Now the focus has shifted to the garden and not being "Wonder Woman" the house is not going to get much attention until I get all the flats of plants planted and more of the weeding and mulching done.




Technorati Tags: Decks, cleaning