Beth n Rod

Welcome Justin! :) Beth

Why on earth are you whining? You just put in new hardwood flooring and painted. You're in great shape. AND...it's St. Patties Day and you have beer.... Beth

The Washington Post reported today on the top states for mortgage fraud. For what it is worth, here's the list in order..... Top 10 Rhode Island Florida Illinois Georgia Maryland New York Michigan California Missouri Colorado All I'm going to say is this, if you are going to work on a property that is for sale, check to see if it is in foreclosure before you start. Beth

$2,000 is REALLY high these days. That lower end is much more standard. Beth

THANK YOU for posting that article. Great read. Beth

The web works. No way around it. Beth

And the debris from a blast will not be allowed by the EPA either. It contains pollutants and contaminants that can't reach the water. Docks are a pain in the backside. Beth

Brent, The debris from a blast should not enter the water either, and on a board, I would not suggest blasting. Just my .02.... Beth

Business Beware | Contractors | Small Businesses | File Complaints | Have you guys seen this and what did you think of it? Anyone using it? Beth

Might be worth the $5 to join for the year! Beth

Business Beware: watchdog for deadbeat clients | The Business Press | Business News for Inland Southern California Or this one??? Beth

ACR Products, Delco, Sealer Store, I think everyone has it. Beth

Good Question RJ, It is time you got into the inner circle. Websites are going to eventually replace the phone book as it is easier to search and doesn't collect dust in the meantime. Its green and people are on the net more now than ever. More business is being conducted over the internet than on the phone and this is something you should not waste any time getting up and running. A web site offers a virtual brochure for your customers to shop you, compare you and contact you with responses to questions you include in your web form the customer will fill out to request an estimate. It is easy to find you in the wee hours that most people seem to find time to conduct their searches...and ....the web does not close! It is open 24/7/365 and only costs a monthly hosting fee and the initial fee to have someone build it and set it up. After that, it requires only that you make sure it is up and running and check your email for responses. As your business grows, you will need to update the information on your site to keep it current (coupons etc) as well as services you offer or are not longer conducting to make sure you are only putting on it what you want to be there. Do a search for web site hosting companies and also for web site developers and shop and compare to fit your budget and good luck! :) Rod!~

Tire marks are caused by hot tires and tight turns while rotating slowly. I have had customers who complained about the marks made by contractors using her driveway to turn around in at a construction site. Pre-treat with degreaser solution and wash with hot water. Allow to dry and apply V-Seal 101 or 102 to saturation. This will help prevent future marks from staying in the substrate. They virtually disappear with the next rain. Don't believe it, I didn't either but my customer swore by the results. Rod!~

Deck lead - Purcellville, VA 20132 PM me for job specifics and customer info. Beth

This is from AUGUST 2008. I'm pretty sure it's stone cold. Beth

Thanks John, I forgot about that aspect. Goes to show, we never stop being a newbie in some form or fashion including using a new product. Rod!~

Yes. More than once. When done right they look stunning. Get lots of pics! Beth

From what I understand, you can use the clear to dilute it to some extent. I will let Jake Clark confirm or correct if I am wrong. Rod!~

It's in the PWNA coursework for those who are wood certified. One of PWNA's sources is Forest Labs. I have been in that class, so I can say with certainty that yes, there is a non-profit org that offers certification in Wood Restoration and Preservation that specifically teaches NOT using hot water on wood, and why. Beth

You don't need a source for the anti-hot water with high pressure on wood. It is common knowledge that if hot water is used on wood it will; (pro's and cons) -Raise the grain -Remove the early wood -Splinter it leaving it rough and fuzzy +Perhaps kill the majority of the mold/algae if you get 180* at the nozzle +Dry quicker -Require extensive sanding to create a smooth surface and alleviate the splintering (this will require another wash to get rid of the debris in any cracks and between the boards) -Does not kill the spores -Does not remove or diminish tannin stains. Tannin is water soluble but once it is one the surface and exposed to air, it becomes a stain impregnating the wood. Only an acid can remove it other than sanding. Most people will not pay for all the extra especially if the deck is in good condition to begin with. Many would think you are out of your mind to do that to their deck just to install a product on it. Sarcastically but not off the point: "Yes Sir/Ma'am, I need to destroy your deck and then fix it before I can install this great product which will last a lifetime" I'd be afraid of getting escorted out of their by my britches! The engineer while having the best of intentions has neglected to thoroughly understand the care required for a wooden substrate. Rod!~

In 2010 ALL states in the US will be required to adhere to the same VOC laws. If they install this now, they will not be able to use the same formula product to maintain it in the future. Many of us have already been through reformulation hell here on the east coast, seeing less performance from all oils that once lasted longer. Beth

Our VOC laws would not allow us to use it. It is 70% Naptha (mineral spirits) which puts it over the limit here. Other than that, I am still skeptical. It is meant as a bonding agent for wood or masonry applications and can be mixed with compatible paints and stains. They go another step further to say that it is an "air curing" product. So once you pop the pail, the clock is ticking. They have a disclaimer that states: This simply means that if you do not use the entire contents before it cures, you have product waste to contend with since one cannot remove the air from the container. I suppose there might be other methods available but it adds a p.i.t.a. factor (Pain In The Anterior) to contend with.Since they also say this product can be mixed with other 'compatible' products, they have a disclaimer for failures resulting from those combination's too. It requires a minimum of 2 days dry time before application and a couple of days to cure after application. That puts it in an unlikely column for us. During our seasons, we have rain every 2nd-3rd days on avg in spring and summer is around every 3rd-4th day. Not a big enough window for this products specifications. While this product may be good for some applications, our company could not form any durable business model around it. Rod!~

Let me put it this way: You are the professional and responsible for the work regardless of the specified guidelines. You obviously know better so a coming to Jesus would be in order before you do any work. As far as the "lifetime sealer", is that the name or the supposed expectancy? We as a rule do not recommend anything that will become a nightmare to maintain or replace. All too much has our experience brought us across a mega sealer that promises the impossible. Unless all 6 sides of the board are completely sealed, it will eventually fail. Take the reigns here and do some fact finding before you take this on. If this project has some kind of warranty attached to it, you could be liable for any failures during that warranty period just because you were the installer. see what we mean? Rod!~

About how many vacant, for lease, or going out of business stores are there in your average strip mall? It should be interesting to see how many there are now, and how they replenish over time. We have an Office Depot going out We have a Smoothie King that just went in In that same mall two restaurants went out A bunch of Starbucks nearby went out In another strip mall we have World Market going out Five minutes from there a mom and pop small appliance repair went out The areas larges spa wholesaler went out We are losing the Home Depot Design Expo I'm sure there is more.... Beth