Beth n Rod

I've been following the debate on ***, and just want to say I get the point Henry is making. The licensing he's referring to is a Home Improvement License. To see if a home improvement license is required in your state try this link: State Contractor License Board List Now here's the thing, all states are not the same. Here in Maryland, an MHIC license is required for what is considered to be an improvement, and there is a list of qualified improvements that if you perform them, you need a license. Over the years people have split hairs - like the story about water based sealers - BS! It's a coating, you need the license to install it. If you hammer a nail in on a gutter, you need a license. This is not the same as a business license, it is not the same as incorporating etc. It's relevant to home improvement and protects the consumer. Beth

We love Armstrong Clark! :dancing: Beth :cup: :sunshine:We also love SUNSHINE and are glad for a break in the weather! :sunshine:

Just stick me on the sand next to the deck, give me a towel, a radio, a book, some suntan lotion and a stocked cooler of my beverage of choice. I'll.....do my best to help! HA! Beth :lol:

AMEN Rick, I am SOOOOOOOOOO with you!!!!!!!! Don't jinx it! Beth :banana: :sunshine: :dancing:

Summer withstanding, tap water supplies are running cold water (<50*) through them which tends to make the chems work slower. During the colder times and seasons we heat our mix water to apply chems with and for the wash, the water is heated to a max of 75* to help with the cleaning and rinsing process. As far as hot vs cold making the wood swell, we have not found that to be an issue. Water on wood alone will raise the grain but as it dries out, the grain settles down. Do your own testing and you will find out what woods are susceptible to warm water vs cold and the effect it has on them. Overall, you will find the difference is marginal. The best difference is in the results of the job. The cleaners work so much better and the rinse is so much more complete. Rod!~

In addition to what Rick has mentioned, I will answer your questions by the same number you asked them: 1. prewet what you are not intending to clean and rinse afterwards to avoid unintentional markation. 2. zigzag railings tend to be the most labor intensive part of the deck. I would figure them to be the high side of the labor sqft and price accordingly, then drop the horizontals price and then add the two together. 3. same as the rest. 4. The Ipe is the first impression and last impression of the place and should look the best of all the decks to make renters want to come back. You gotta become his sales consultant and help him to see what it is he needs to do to make the property more attractive and profitable. Pitch maintenance instead of overhauling which should be less expensive for him. Pitch buffing the rails to make them less likely to splinter for the guests. Pitch whatever you can to make him see you are his consultant with his best interests in mind and you may walk away with a nice repeat project. Rod!~

Tony, How many guys will be washing? How many will be sealing? That's a huge project for a deck but very doable. Beth :cup:Beth is looking at the sand dune and the deck sipping her coffee and thinking about how wonderful wood care is!:cup:

We love it!!! Beth

You might want to use hot water if you have to mix chems (they go into solution better), but for washing - cold water is the way to go. Beth

Deck wash and seal lead, Odenton MD, 21113 PM me for contact info. Beth

Complete natural...does this mean he wants no color? ie clear? If so, ask the customer if they mind that the deck will turn gray within 3-6 months? Some people but not many like that look. Inform the customer of the potential of a tinted sealer to stave off this condition for at least a couple of years making his investment better spent. Now if the customer is talking natural as in 'all natural ingredients' then there is little if any to be found in a beast worth applying. Been there, done that...Not worth the money since it means having to do it more often or in cases the need to completely remove it. So the trade off is to wash a deck more often and possibly allow it to become neglected and lead to the need for replacement. This creates further demand for deforestation. Is that natural? Our industry is in business to help stave off that part as much as possible by making the wood already in place last longer than it would otherwise. Tell em to weigh the options in consideration to the environmental impact and I think you will have a more convincing argument to go with a VOC compliant product that has already been mentioned by others in this thread, which will last longer and be easier to maintain without the need to remove it. That is the most environmentally friendly process for wood. Rod!~

Tammy - Anything you buy in your state will be VOC compliant. Please go to your My Controls and add your signature. Thanks. :) Beth

Tom Vogel, ACR products has a product called 633-ADD that will boost it. 610-253-8005. Beth

Cool! Thanks. Time to make coffee.... Beth

I personally think all states should require home improvement licenses, for any home improvement job regardless of the size. Beth

Check to see the condition of the paint, is it intact or cracking and peeling? Do they just want it washed, or do they want it removed? If the paint is prior to 1972 you have to also test for lead before you can do anything, and if it is lead paint you won't want to mess with it. Post pics - it helps us all help you better. Beth

Then send him here.... ;) tee hee hee! Beth

Yes. Beth

I thought it might be both positive and productive to list some things we can be doing for our businesses on a rainy day - or during a rainy week - or month! Everyone please chime in and contribute, we can all get ideas and learn, and hopefully those in the heavy rain areas are past this nasty weather soon! prepare email or postcard campaign for house washing - in a few months this rain will pay dividends! take inventory perform equipment maintenance Ok, who is next? Beth :cup: :sunshine:

Have never had a problem with any Osborne brush we have used. I personally like the 3M pads too but they do have their limitations. BUT....on decent wood they are more lightweight. On nasty wood, forget it - they tear. Beth

Chemical stripping leaves the wood fuzzy like crushed velvet. Buffing helps to alleviate them and make the wood smooth again. The square bristled version will leave the wood scarred more than the round version. This makes it harder to get rid of the marks and creates more time to correct the situation in my opinion. Rod!~

Buffing wood. Beth

Who is presenting to them? Just you or a group of MHIC companies? Seems to me more voices there are, the louder the song is. Beth

I like Rick's experiments! Beth :sunshine:

Scott, Thank you....Here's hoping you don't have to push this through June! This weather stinks!!!!!!!! Beth :cup: