Jesse

Never hold a rag soaked with MEK between your legs to free up your hands for even “just a second”.......I am 6 foot 4 and 263 pounds and cried like a little girl while trying to get thru traffic and across town to get my pants off and rinse my thighs. Calloused hands are much tougher than the rest of your body thats for sure.

I have good luck with a modified backpack sprayer and x-jet attached. Next year I will use 15% chlorine with the porportioner so I will not have to refill it as often. Tried to post a pic. but it didnt work out.......I hate computers

Little Johnny attended a horse auction with his father. He watched as his father moved from horse to horse, running his hands up and down the horse's legs, rump, and chest. After a few minutes, Johnny asked, "Dad, why are you doing that?" His father replied, "Because when I'm buying horses, I have to make sure that they are healthy and in good shape before I buy. Johnny, looking worried, he said, "Dad, I think the UPS guy wants to buy Mom. A guy is browsing in a pet shop and sees a parrot sitting on a little perch. It doesn't have any feet or legs. The guy says aloud, "Jeesh, I wonder what happened to this Parrot?" The parrot says, "I was born this way. I'm a defective parrot." "Holy crap," the guy replies. "You actually understood and answered me!" "I got every word," says the parrot. "I happen to be a highly intelligent thoroughly educated bird." "Oh yeah?" the guy asks, "Then answer this -- how do you hang onto your perch without any feet?" "Well," the parrot says, "this is very embarrassing but since you asked, I wrap my weenie around this wooden bar like a little hook. You can't see it because of my feathers." "Wow," says the guy. "You really can understand and speak English can't you?" "Actually, I speak both Spanish and English, and I can converse with reasonable competence on almost any topic: politics, religion, sports, physics, philosophy. I'm especially good at ornithology. You really ought to buy me. I'd be a great companion." The guy looks at the $200 price tag. "Sorry, but I just can't afford that." "Pssssssst," says the parrot, "I'm defective, so the truth is, nobody wants me cause I don't have any feet. You can probably get me for $20, just make the guy an offer!" The guy offers $20 and walks out with the parrot. Weeks go by. The parrot is sensational. He has a great sense of humor, he's interesting, he's a great pal, he understands everything, he sympathizes, and he's insightful. The guy is delighted. One day the guy comes home from work and the parrot goes, "psssssssssssst," and motions him over with one wing. "I don't know if I should tell you this or not, but it's about your wife and the postman." "What are you talking about?" asks the guy. "When the postman delivered the mail today, your wife greeted him at the door in a sheer black nightie and kissed him passionately." "WHAT???" the guy asks incredulously. "THEN what happened?" "Well, then the postman came into the house and lifted up her nightie and began petting her all over," reported the parrot. "Oh No!," he exclaims. "Then what?" "Then he lifted up the nightie, got down on his knees and began to kiss her all over, starting with her breasts and slowly going down . . ." "WELL," demands the frantic guy, "THEN WHAT HAPPENED?" "Damned if I know. I got a hard on and fell off my perch!"

Its the sealer cloud from the airless for me

I hate the "Cloud of Doom"

How many of you caulk all of the corner and butt joints on old cedar lap siding? I currently caulk all windows and doors using NP1 medium bronze urethane sealant....but have not been caulking the corner or butt joints. Most of the homes that I bid have never had the joints sealed. The ones that have been sealed are deteriorated and falling out and homeowners will not pay to have them replaced. This is from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association web sight. Caulking Thorough caulking of all joints is recommended including butt joints and where siding contacts openings or trim. Use only non-hardening caulks such as polyurethane, polysulfide or latex-silicone. Pure silicon caulks do not work well on cedar and are not recommended. I just wanted to hear others opinions Thanks Jesse

Hey Rod, Do you do all the butt and corner joints on every job or just around doors and windows? There is not much room at the butt joint for the kind of bead that I like to lay when caulking with NP1. Normally I like a minimum of 1/4 of an inch between surfaces for good adhesion. Corners are no problem, but they do eat up a lot of sealant and add alot to the job cost. Thanks Jesse

It seems like with all the expanding and contracting of the siding that the caulking of the butt joints would never last. What do you think Everret? How about you Beth and Rod? Should I keep doing it the way I am or should I insist on caulking everything? Thanks for your advice Jesse

My wife and I are heading for Vegas for 3 nights October 20-23. Will anyone else be in town at that time? If so let me know and we can grab some dinner and a drink. I have only been there once and it was in December of 2001, during a very cold spell, so I did not get to see much. My wife Shelly started a home based travel agency in 2002 named "Leisure Time Travel"and we are taking a large group (mostly her clients) with us. The group rate is really low that week leaving from Kansas City, MO. $312.40 per person (based on double occupancy) ...includes air.... hotel....taxes... transfers w/gratuities. If anyone is interested in getting in on the group rate you can call her on my toll free number 866-635-2708 or on her office number 573-634-8380. Because she is home based, without an expensive office or employees, she can give some very good deals no matter where you live. Have a great Memorial weekend! Jesse R. Kirchhoff Kirchhoff Handyman Solutions LLC Advanced Power Washing and Restoration Services LLC 114 Forest Hill Ave. Jefferson City, Mo 65109 Local 573-635-2708 Toll Free 1-866-635-2708 Fax 573-634-8882 E-Mail jessekirchhoff@mchsi.com

I would love to see Hoover Dam, watched a special about it on the History channel, I am always amazed at what they did back then without our modern equipment. I have a lot of respect for the men that built it, that generation was tuff as nails.

I backed out of the trip a couple of weeks ago. I was the only guy going with a bunch of "old hens" (no offense ladies). My buddy from Tampa that was supposed to meet me there had a change of plans. Now I am going to try to meet him in Tampa Oct 31 for the Guavaween fest in Ebore city. I will shoot you an E-mail the next time I head that way. We have groups that go to Vegas a couple times a year. Thanks, Jesse

Thanks guys, I will tell him to stick stick with the Cabot's Aussie oil. I am sure the Cabbot's distributer is going to take good care of him.

The man I talked to at the lumber yard said that there was fine print that covered Trex’s ass somewhere on the brochure. The Trex distributer does not point out that fine print and leaves the lumber yard to deal with angry customers. Around here they were really pushing the stuff hard for a while, I have installed 6 Trex decks of various sizes and in my opinion it is UGLY, weak and definitely not "maintenance free" Jesse R. Kirchhoff Kirchhoff Handyman Solutions LLC Advanced Power Washing and Restoration Services LLC 114 Forest Hill Ave. Jefferson City, Mo 65109 Local 573-634-8882 Toll Free 1-866-635-2708 E-Mail jessekirchhoff@mchsi.com

Thanks Everett, This deck will be screened in when built, and he is looking for a clear product with mildicide. If you think this will be harmful in any way then I will steer him clear of it. He will most likely put it on himself and I will supply the Wood Tux for free. I have done a sample piece of Ipe that he supplied...... but I really don’t know what to look for in a hard wood like this. It looks great (used the WT Crystal Clear) Once it has aged properly, do you think Citralic will open up the pores as with other new lumber to save on the sanding? If so I will do this for him also at no charge. He is very interested in seeing the Wood Tux Crystal Clear in action. He told me about the class action “Mold” lawsuit against Trex decking (he sells a LOT of this stuff) and wants to offer a solution to his customers. The Trex has been sold as “maintenance free” and his customers are not happy about its tendency to attract extreme mold and mildew. Thanks again, and your web sight looks really good. Jesse R. Kirchhoff Kirchhoff Handyman Solutions LLC Advanced Power Washing and Restoration Services LLC 114 Forest Hill Ave. Jefferson City, Mo 65109 Local 573-634-8882 Toll Free 1-866-635-2708 E-Mail jessekirchhoff@mchsi.com

Thanks guys, I tried the search for Ipe decks...... but got frustrated by all the dead ends Russ has told me about the long oils in WT......but we never discused using it on hardwoods. The Cabbots Austrailion Timber Oil is what he planned on using....... I offered to seal it for free using Wood Tux (as a test) He gave me a sample piece of Ipe (I see why they call it Iron Wood) and I applied WT clear, it is curing now. Thanks again

Great Job! Looks like you will have a customer for life with that one. I would love to hear the great things that she tells her friends and neighbors about your company. From what Russ tells me, plenty of Warm Honey Gold should be ready this week also. Jesse R. Kirchhoff Kirchhoff Handyman Solutions LLC Advanced Power Washing and Restoration Services LLC 114 Forest Hill Ave. Jefferson City, Mo 65109 Local 573-634-8882 Toll Free 1-866-635-2708 E-Mail jessekirchhoff@mchsi.com

I remember Rambo, Smurffet, Dungens and Dragons and bleached/ torn jeans like Def Lepord....... oh ya, and my Samantha Fox poster

One of the Contractors in this article is from Germantown, I just wondered if you new him? Its a small world. This came from HousingZone.com I get the news letter e-mailed to me, it has interesting articles. August 22, 2004 Sunday ALL EDITION ENTREE; Pg. 01N 983 words Overhauling the DECKS; A little cleaning, a little care will keep 'outdoor living room' looking smartDAVID LEWELLEN Special to the Journal Sentinel As more people turn their decks into outdoor living rooms, complete with comfortable furniture, dining and grilling areas, there is an emphasis on keeping them looking their best. Decks have become a staple of backyard life, but the ones made of wood, as most are, need regular maintenance to remain attractive and safe. Homeowners can do the work themselves or turn to professionals to bring their decks back to life. The deck behind the house in Cedarburg looked tired. It was faded, dull and gray, except for the green spots where mold or mildew had taken hold. It needed some serious attention. Jason Knapp, the crew chief for Pro Woodcare, sized up the deck; it probably had been many years since it had been cleaned. New owners had bought the house six months earlier and had thought about cleaning the deck themselves, but didn't want to take the time. The solution wasn't drastic. Knapp's crew would coat every inch of wood -- railings, trellis, chairs, steps, flooring -- with a strong bleach solution, then pressure-wash it off, taking with it grime and the effects of sun fading. "What we're going to do is restore the natural look of the wood," Knapp said. As he and crew member Tony Rolston handled the long metal wands of the pressure washer, the difference was dramatic, like rubbing the fog off a window. "It's totally different," crew member Isabel John said. "A lot of people are so amazed by it." Once the bleach had been washed off, a chemical that brings out the natural color of the wood was applied. After rinsing with a normal-pressure hose, the crew packed up. They would return two days later, to sand the deck and apply a coat of sealant. Area professionals say that a deck should get a thorough cleaning every two to three years, depending on a variety of factors, including exposure to the elements and quality of the wood. Spring is a popular time to do it, but cleaning and sealing to protect the surface from winter weather damage makes sense, too. The reason wood can't just take care of itself is the sun; the ultraviolet rays will bleach the color out of it and leave it gray. However, homeowners with shaded decks are not off the hook. Their structures too are subject to the yearly cycle of use and abuse. George Viall, of Aqua Jet Pressure Cleaning in Milwaukee, said that homeowners will know it's time to clean and seal their deck by watching it in wet weather. If the water is "soaking into the wood, there's not much protection on the surface," he said. "It should bead up." Signs of neglect Tim Cross, president of Pro Woodcare in Germantown, said about half the decks his company cleans have been neglected. But, he added, it's wise to have a deck treated and sealed immediately after it's built. After the first time, "so long as people are diligent, it will never require the full treatment again," Cross said. After the deck that Knapp's crew restored gets two or three more years of use, the company will send a dentist-style reminder postcard to the homeowner, suggesting another appointment, this time to re-apply the brightener and rinse it off. The kind of oil-based, penetrating sealant they use, Cross said, "will not allow (the wood) to weather and will keep it looking like a pretty cedar deck." Even if a deck has been painted or mistreated, Viall said, "it's not that complicated to get it back to a nice luster." Because the difference in "before" and "after" is so obvious, it's important to clean every tiny crevice. Hitting all the spots Rails are time-consuming, lattices are "evil," Knapp joked. "You learn to be very anal about things. If you don't hit it, someone else is going to have to." "We like the decks that don't have rails or spindles," Rolston said. The Pro Woodcare crew doesn't see deck cleaning as a do-it-yourself job; they've had to come in and fix too many attempts that went wrong. Still, a majority of deck owners do choose to save money and do their upkeep, said Jeff Kuenstler, manager of Cedarburg Lumber. Kuenstler estimated that the cost of properly cleaning and sealing a wood deck might run about $100 a year. The best method, he said, is to work the cleaner into the wood with a stiff brush, let it sit 15 to 20 minutes, and hose it off. That takes off the dingy gray and restores the fresh wood coloring, much like the pros' technique, only with elbow grease replacing the force of the power washer. "With a power washer, if you don't know what you're doing, you can rip up the grain of the wood," he said. "It will cut a board in half if you turn it up too high." Then a new coat of sealant should be applied when the forecast predicts dry weather for three days. Any water- or oil-based product would work, Kuenstler said. The disadvantage of a wax-based sealant is that nothing but wax base can ever be used on the deck again. If you've neglected your deck for years longer than you should have, it might be time to rent the power washer, and read the instructions thoroughly. Kuenstler also suggested mixing the cleaning solution stronger than the label suggests. But, Viall said, professional crews "use variable pressure and hot water. Those are two very important points. There is technique involved." Many home handymen who have had wood decks are tired of the maintenance, though. "They'll make time to build them," Kuenstler said, "but they want to build it and sit on it and that's it." That's why decks made of relatively new composite materials, with their very low maintenance, are growing in popularity. Some of the new styles in deck design also contribute to that end. Aaron Schlines a landscape architect with David Frank Landscape in Germantown, said that more homeowners are choosing metal railings to go with wood flooring. It's a different look, and metal doesn't need the care that wood does. August 22, 2004

Sorry Guys I thought he was in your area. Henry, I saw that about the bleach and hot water. Maybe we should let him know about these forums so that he does not give bad info to the general public. I had the same problem with a past customer at the Lake of the Ozarks. A company out of Kansas City gave him a brochure stating that they used "bleach only" and no "harsh chemicals" to strip the old finish and reseal. He would not listen to reason when I presented him with the correct process.

Hey Nick, I was caught in the rain a couple of weeks ago using Wood Tux Western Red Cedar. The hand rails looked great but the floor was splotchy where the rain had puddled. We were finishing up the floor as it started dumping on us. On the picnic table Russ had me apply a light mist several days later just like a maintenance coat and it turned out perfectly, just a little darker than before. The customer was unhappy with her choice of color on the deck so she had me restrip the hole deck and reseal using the Warm Honey Gold. I used HD80 with the Boost additive at 30-40 minutes of dwell time. This was only because I was going from a darker color to a lighter color. I had an enormous amount of furring trying to get out all of the pigment. Beth and Rod have the more experience than I since they were in on the testing. Jesse

I agree with you guys........ when someone asks....... "Who sealed your deck" (because the finish is failing way to soon and looks awful)....... you can bet they wont say......... "Oh I just went with the lowest bid to cut costs it wasn’t the contractors fault" Instead they will say....... "Bla Bla Deck Services did it and it is already looking like crap, Never hire those guys"

Hey Nick, Put that marketing degree of yours to work! Also check out this link: http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2267 Here is some info from Russ about pricing PRICING: It's always a good idea to look at businesses that provide a similar service in a similar market. This will give you an idea of what others charge, but should not replace carful research and calculations based on your unique circumstances. Each business is different and therefor only by analyzing your overhead can you accurately determine what it will take for your company to be successful. When talking with new business owners I am surprised by how often their pricing strategy is to charge less then the competition in order to get new business. Their thinking is if they bid a job for 2/3 or even 1/2 of what their competition charges they are sure to get plenty of work. It stands to reason that being new to restoration it is going to take them longer to complete the job. It is also true that being new, they will be more likely to make a mistake that will add additional time to the job. That being the case, in that same amount of time their competition will restore more square feet AND make 30% - 50% more money per square foot. This is a guaranteed strategy for failure. BIDDING Before I discuss bidding formulation I want to touch on a very important point. If you are new to wood restoration, it is crucial that you do a test patch in an inconspicuous spot. The reason for the test patch is to determine the appropriate products and dwell times to complete the restoration job in a safe and effective manner. There are times even after restoring wood for over ten years that I catch myself saying “I wish I had done a test patch”. Most often it is when I think there is only one coat of finish on a deck and it turns out to be multiple coats of different products. In order for you to properly calculate profits you need to have a very good idea of the amount of time it is going to take to complete the job. Try to do the test patch in an area that has had the least amount of wear. The idea being if you can restore the toughest part, you can restore the easiest. To determine your price per square foot you need to take into consideration all of the costs that go into a job. You should determine what material cost and labor are per square foot as well as all of the other things that go into the operation of your business (your overhead). For more information about determining useage and costs for materials read Calculating Material Costs in the ESI research library. Http://www.woodstrip.com/artman/publish/article_24.shtml Most companies charge between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot for decks and $2.00 to $6.00 per square foot for cedar and log homes. When determining the total square footage it is important to measure and calculate all of the surfaces that you intend to clean. This should include the deck surface, handrails, band board, steps, stringers and support columns. For cedar homes and log cabins be sure to measure soffit and fascia if these are to be restored. Typically for a cedar home or log cabin windows are not deducted due to the fact that time is needed to mask them off and protect them. Once you know the total square footage you simply apply your price per square foot and you’ve got your bid. Jesse

Hey Jon, I’ll do that. I have only been to Ybore City one time and I will never forget it. We don’t have things like that in Jefferson City, Missouri that’s for sure! You are right, it is not the place I would want to expose my family to. This is officially another "fishing" trip in the Gulf for my friend and I. Ray is always looking for good subs to work on homes for him. Since he is a Realtor he buys and sells quite a few and also acts as a "small time" General Contractor for other people who just own vacation properties and don’t know who to trust.

This is the big event in Tampa I am supposed to go to. I hear it is a lot like Mardi Gras? You Florida guys should meet me down there and maybe Ray York (the realtor) can set you up with some jobs for his clients. The last time I was down there I couldn’t believe all of the mold you guys have. Guavaween in Ybor City This Latin-style celebration is held each year in Tampa's historic Ybor City which is known more for its cigars than its guavas. The legendary story behind the celebration is as much fun as the celebration itself. Long ago, Tampa pioneer Gavino Gutierrez tried to cultivate guava commercially, but was unsuccessful. However, it is noted that a local newspaper columnist was successful in planting the idea that if New York is the "Big Apple," then it follows that Tampa must be the "Big Guava." So, for seventeen years the mythical Mama Guava has lead her followers in the Mama Guava Stumble Parade. This huge street party draws more than 100,000 people. The all day fun for all ages fills the streets between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Party goers not only enjoy the parade, but a costume party and concerts. After 4:00 p.m. Mama Guava welcomes her adult revelers and the party last long into the wee hours of the morning. So, take the "bore" out of Ybor City and join the celebration! To join the festivities take I-275 to I-4 east or I-75 to I-4 west. Exit I-4 at 21st Street (Exit #1 South) or take the Lee Roy Selmon (Crosstown) Expressway to 22nd Street (Exit #9 North).

Hey Jon, I have a good friend that lives on Treasure Island just outside of Tampa over the bridge. He is a realtor and I copied your post and sent it to him today. I will be heading down there in October to go to the big party in Ybor City . Maybe we can meet up for a beer and I can introduce you to him. Good Luck, Jesse