reed

Def, replace the horizontals. One thing comes to mind, How is the framing under the floor? Is it rotted too? If it is, I think this tells you a total replacement is not out of the question. Watch out on the 5/4 board, it has a high probability of squeaking when walked on especially if the deck is elevated. How old is this deck? Remember that not all decks are salvageable (?sp). You def. have alot on the plate with this one. I would also consider the "2 Tone" for the appearance too. Reed

What is the likelyhood of a name like "Reed Smith" on a high rise? I wish I owned the rights for that advertising. Wouldn't that be a good chunk of change? reed

Roger, Just had a gentleman call asking for a truck and trailer wash. I informed him of your business name and hopefully he will contact you. Since you don't have your business line listed I had no other way of telling him how to get in touch with you. I couldn't send you an email in that you have your settings to not accept emails. I hope he finds you. Reed

roger, I'm just east of you in St. Peters. Do most of my hunting in Warrenton, with the Berhle family. If you need any help or just want to chat, drop me a line. I am in need of someone to refer House washing and concrete too. Reed

I have one I have been using for 2 seasons, but I have had one last half a season. For a contractors pack, the cost is under 10.00. Economical, yes? reed

Beth, those are the ones I use, inexpesive to replace when kaput. reed

Also, the contractor pack you can get at HD work very well. They have a small plastic screen on the bottom of the take-up tube to keep large particles out of the spray gun. reed

SealMaxx was at the homeshow I just had a booth in. I had my "spies" go and question them the best they could without giving anything away. Here's what I found out. As Rob mentioned, it was first designed for telephone poles, then they created/mixed it for concrete overpasses. The premise behind the concrete is that it will penetrate the top layer of concrete filling the open air pockets on it's way to the aggregate level.. At the aggregate level is where it is designed to do it's best work. It is silicone based and will bond together any open air pockets at the aggregate level so NO pieces fall onto passing vehicles. They also state that they do "petrify" the wood. But, now here's the kicker, they recommend that a stain be applied 30 to 60 days after the SealMaxx is put on. This brings up all kinds of thoughts. They also stated that they do not remove any prior stains and they will not put any type of warranty in writing.. There were 4 guys who started sealmaxx and their background is in marketing. Which does show if you ever see or hear their marketing campaign. They came to my booth asking how to remove acrylic and latex. They didn't have a way and were wondering how I did it. I told them we could trade info and I want to know the exact chemical make up so if I encountered one of their petrified decks I knew what I was up against. This they totally ballked at, so I politely said "I can't help you, a trade secret too". One of my other competitors who were there, SparkleWash, which is a franchise, found out that SealMaxx's pricing to petrify a deck is about 5 times what is normally done, strip/clean/seal. Oh, and SparkleWash Franchisers (?sp) charge .90 per sf for deck work. SealMaxx has only been in business since 2001 according to the BBB and I want to know how they can state 25yrs on wood. The product has not been out that long and where are the field test results? Their Web Site has a testimonial area with nothing in it. Reed

I remember reading the Trilogy in the 70's. I always had Led Zepplin or Wishbone Ash or some other music playing. Most of the songs had mention of RingWraiths and Gollum and other characters and places in them. I want the extended version, and have the other singles also. Awesome job they did making the movies. Reed

Consider it done reed

There's a party everyday. Isn't that what life is suppose to be :) :) :) reed

I don't do the commision. Usually I route those who inquire about it, like you and Pressure Pros to the site so you can benefit directly from them. When I enstall them, I add 10.00 to the light costs and charge 35.00 per hour to install. 2 people can install 14 lights, including templating the floor and using the jig saw to cut out, plus running the wiring in about 4 hours. Once you get the hang of it and do several installations, your time will come down and you can up your hourly fee if you wish. Basically you dictate what you want to make, there is little to no competition to compete with. Most homeowners can install these blindfolded and if they wish to purchase just the lights, you set the price. Variable are few, an electric source, ability to route wiring so it's hidden. Setting the lights and and putting in bulbs is rediculously easy. You just can't believe how easy this is to do. This is wide open as an add on and you dictate your own price. I would hope you take advantage of at least listing yourselves as a seller even if you don't plan on doing that many. Reed Here's a pic of my deck around the hottub at night with the lighting.

Individual components. Here the product is called Underdeck or something like that. It is a very cool concept when you think about it. Imagine stripping a deck and all the waste from the deck floor can be routed to one area with the underdeck channeling. Plus when it rains, you can get under the deck and no dripping on you. If My deck was above ground, I would certainly do it. Keep us posted on the progress. Reed

I install lighting, Paver Lights is the brand. You can do a google search and get to them. You can receive great pricing from them as a contractor. I have them on my deck. Very low maintenance and nice subtle lighting. You def. want to look into this. Reed

Ryan, be sure to go with vinyl. I have seen a few systems here that will channel the water away from the house and collect at the end of the deck and pour down a downspout. Quite unique and worth looking into. Reed

I have had a lesser amount of "furring" using the F18 on the decks I do, rich are 99 percent cedar. Why this is could be due to a number of factors as was stated above. The number one reason I can contribute less fuzzies is the strength of the F18 I used to get the job done. Reed

neutral pH is 7.0 anything above is considered alkalinic, anything below is acidic.

Thought everyone may wish to share in this http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf Reed

That one got me too. reed

I don't get an annual physical, but do get one every 5 years. When I was in the service, a physical was required every year only if you were 40 y/o or more. I didn't hold up to my every 5 year schedule very well. Just had one and it was 10 years since my last. Cholesterol is a little high, triglycerides, we won't mention how high it is. Verdict was to go on the South Beach diet for chole and triglyceride control. The one thing I don't need is to loose weight. Reed

The Cuprinol, which is now deck scapes, has two different whites I beleive. Brilliant white and ultra white. I will be going into the Sherwin Williams dealer here sometime this week and will ask about the manufacturing sites. Interesting point Rod. Will let you know what I find out. Reed

Ryan, the brilliant white by cuprinol covers very well. that is what is on the two tone deck. one heavy coat and then a light second coat covers any PT wood characteristics. I have never had any problems with the brilliant whit by cuprinol. Reed

Maintenance letters go out the middle of March, temps should be reasonable by the time the first ones come back. New clients should start up about the first of April. If we don't get a spring snow or ice storm, they happen here when you least expect them. Reed

You are going to offer free promotional items, ie, door hangers, business cards, flyers, or a handbook of woodcare. Reed

Cleaners - F13 and EFC38 Strippers F18 and HD80 Brightner/Neutralizer RPC Deck Brite Oxallic blend. All the chems listed above have proven very useful to me for the wood I do. But, as always if something else comes along that the manufacturer will let me test under my own controls, I will give it a shot.