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Everett Abrams

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Posts posted by Everett Abrams


  1. Power-washing deck not a good idea.

    My neighbor is ready to clean this wood deck. He's also about to make a common mistake. "Time for the power washer," he says. "That'll get it good and clean."

    Contrary to popular opinion, cleaning with a high-pressure power washer is probably one of the worst maintenance practices for a wood deck.

    "A lot of people use power washers or scrub with chlorine bleach," says Tony Bonura, eastern area manager for the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. "They don't understand that high-pressure washing and chlorine bleach can destroy the fibers in the wood."

    There's a better way to keep wood decks clean and make them last longer, says Bonura, who, with more than 30 years in the wood business, should know a thing or two. He's ready to share some tips - such as how to clean and what kind of finishes to use - and credits the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis. for providing him a wealth of information over the years.

    "It's our government dollars at work," he says. The Forest Products Laboratory does not advise against using a power washer or chlorine bleach on a wood deck, and it notes that many contractors use the technique and some type of chlorine bleach. But in both cases, wood can be harmed rather easily.

    The Forest Products Laboratory, the public's leading wood research institute, was established in 1910 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. In cooperation with many universities, industries and federal and state agencies, the Forest Products Laboratory has more than 250 scientists and support staff for research in virtually every type of wood use, from pulp to paper to preservation.

    It is wood preservation that interests Bonura the most, and in decks, one of the first steps is regular cleaning to remove dirt and mildew.

    "First, the best way to clean most wood decks is with an oxygen bleach," Bonura says. Several oxygen bleach deck cleaners are available through home centers and hardware stores. Bonura says to check the labels and look for products that contain the highest percentage of sodium percarbonate (when this powder is mixed with water, it becomes oxygen bleach).

    Follow manufacturer's directions, Bonura says. For oxygen bleach products, that means mixing with water and applying with a soft, spongelike applicator or a pump sprayer. "Scrubbing with nylon brushes can also damage wood fibers," Bonura says. Usually, oxygen bleach should be on for 10 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly.

    Bonura says oxygen bleach cleaners are best for removing dirt and mold but will not remove stains made by iron and tannin (more common in cedar and redwood decks). For these stains, black in color, use a cleaner with oxalic acid. "Iron stains can look like mold," Bonura says. "So I tell people if you clean with oxygen bleach, and it doesn't come out, it's probably an iron or tannin stain."

    Bonura also advises great caution when using cleaners containing oxalic acid, which can be purchased at hardware stores and auto parts stores. Oxalic acid-based cleaners are highly toxic and should not be mixed with other ingredients. Again, Bonura says to follow the directions on the label.

    Once the deck is clean, use a preservative that protects the wood from dirt, water and sunlight. There are four common types of deck finishes - clear, tinted, semitransparent and opaque. Bonura recommends a penetrating oil-base stain that is formulated for deck use. The stain should also repel water and protect from harmful ultraviolet rays. "Make sure it is made for the decks," Bonura says. "This way it stands up to traffic."

    According to research by the Forest Products Laboratory, semitransparent stains penetrate wood without forming a continuous layer. That means there won't be a buildup to chip, peel or crack. In addition, the pigment in the stain protects the wood surface from sunlight.

    How often should you clean and finish your wood deck? That depends on several factors, Bonura says, including traffic, exposure to sunlight and moisture and the type of wood.

    This article was published in the Atlanta Journal of Constitution on 08/14/2003. The author was Gary Dymski / Newsday.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  2. PWNA

    Annual Convention and Trade Show

    February 11-14, 2004

    It has come to our attention that there are many folks that have not, or are still deciding whether to go to the Convention. It is not too late to do so. You can come to the Convention as a walk-in and register there. So if anyone was still sitting on the fence or thinking it was too late, it is not. If you have trouble with getting a room there are plenty of hotels in the area and I have heard there are still some good flying deals out there. If I can be of any help or answer questions feel free to call 1-866-440-3325.


  3. Cedar Shake cleaning yes. The issue here is usually by the time we get to them they are in bad shape. Also, there is a new shingle out that looks like a cedar shingle that is very easy to clean and looks great. The trend seems to be going in that direction. We do not do many roofs in Burlington County, NJ at this time. It is something I have looked at and actually am working on a new product for roof cleaning that we will offer in the next 30 days or so.


  4. I just went back and read some of the reponses. While we all support Brian in his efforts and resurrecting that BB, lets make sure that we are being respectful to The Grime Scene(Beth and Rod). Some of the posts are bordering on advertising. Beth has provided a great BB here and we should all do our best to respect that and her efforts. Now back to the thread.


  5. Rob,

    I am here everyday. We offer services in wood restoration from non-pressure washing to pressure washing to cob blasting. We offer a variety of services that include sanding and defurring. There are many services, pricing guidelines, procedures, and techniques that we perform that are the same as some and some that are very different. I also believe our line of chemicals are second to none in the industry. I should feel this way about my company and products. I do not hibernate, I also have a Pest Control Business and a Farm. The businesses and interests I have keep me busy year round. This also includes my position with the PWNA. I am also on the Environmental Committee with the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce. I hope the winter is treating you well. I saw the pics of your new machine, I wish you well with it in the coming year.


  6. Brian Keating,

    I hope it isn't too far gone. You will have your work cut out for you. There have been many complaints about non return of calls, e-mails, and ordering. Many have found other outlets and products. I believe a spark on the BB could be the kick you need to get the rest back up to speed. I wish you all the luck in the world. I too would be happy to help if you need anything. At one time that was THE place to go for anything wood related. Thank for stepping up to the plate!


  7. Californians

    Alan has stepped up to the plate in trying to get a Roundtable Meeting together. Let's get some folks behind him to attend this meeting. Here is a list of California PWNA Members. How about if we get these folks to chime in here or contact Alan directly.

    John Hartley

    James Mitchell

    Bob Mueller

    Jean Henryck

    Chris DuBeau

    Rick Vidas

    Frank russo

    Karen Billings

    Ron Cloutier

    George Rorex

    David Ortiz

    Michael Haley

    James moe

    Tom Maheras

    David and Diane Sholson

    Martin Sabanero

    Keith Linville

    Erick Owens

    Gary Crabtree

    Chris Mehl

    Mark Sutherland

    Thomas Petynia

    Rick Meisenbacher

    James Lewis

    Bud Rodriguez

    Dan Cosgrove

    Jeff Murray

    Barry Cask

    Where are all these folks?

    __________________

    Everett Abrams

    ABRAMS PLUS INC. / DECK RESTORATION PLUS

    1-866-440-3325


  8. This will be our best one yet

    Skip Markowitz is going to attend the meeting. Skip is the owner of EDI Distributors and has helped us out with these meetings in the past. He will be helping the meeting and providing equipment for demonstrations as well. Skip has great knowledge about equipment. So, if anyone has any questions or wants to see something specific, this would be the place!

    __________________


  9. As I was reading I knew what I would post. Brian, it was great to see your post. Pete should go only after Shoeless Joe Jackson goes in. Shoeless Joe was only accused and no "real" proof. Pete has confessed. I too am sorry, until Shoeless Joe goes-NO to Pete! I do think they both deserve to be there and should be.


  10. Usually, we have been having the Roundtable Meetings on the second Weekend in February. This year the PWNA convention is scheduled for that weekend. I am planning to attend a Roundtable in TN the next weekend on the 21st. I would like to schedule the Roundtable for Medford, NJ on Saturday Feb. 28th. This should be early enough in the year for scheduling issues and late enough to be able to do some outdoor demos and for folks to bring rigs and equipment. Please comment here, e-mail me

    ( eabrams@deckrestorationplus.com ), or call 1-866-440-3325. I would like to no if this is a good date and who will be attending. there should be some great announcements and suprises for this years event. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

    For anyone who is thinking of hosting or attending a Roundtable meeting. Please use this thread to keep all the info in one place and make it easier for those wanting info on each Roundtable. If anyone has questions on how to host or how to have a successful meeting please feel free to call and ask. I would be glad to help in any way. These are great avenues to share information, network , and to move the industry forward


  11. This link is from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. Go down to application.

    http://www.wrcla.org/finishingcedar/finishingconcepts/guidetoextfinishing.asp

    Check this out from the USDA, got to methods for finishing at the end of the document.

    http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1993/willi93a.pdf

    There are actually many articles on this. The issue is how much quality do you swap for labor savings. To me that is more of the debate.


  12. I wanted to chime in here on the first thing that jumps out at me. If you are doing a fence and it is the first one, you could do a TON of damage to that with that washer and 3500psi. With the right chemicals(see Beth) you should be able to do this project with less than 1000psi. You really need to be careful if this is your first fence. I commend you for doing it on your own first. Get as much info as you can first and practice on some pallets or waste wood first.

    In regards to sprayers, when the product atomizes it actually turns into very fine droplets that float on air and can drift. These drops actually dry faster on the surfaces than other methods. This in turn allows for less penetration into the wood pores. The best method is still one that works the product into the surfaces(brush,mitts,pads,etc.) With that said I am sure there aren't very many people who don't spray a fence. We actually use an airless sprayer and backbrush the fence with a wide chinese bristle brush.

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