Beth n Rod

Both are accurate.... the side porch is next to trees and doesn't get much light, so it always looks darker due to shadows. The front is wide open and gets lots of light so it is always brighter off the deck floor. The deck is lighter than the house. Under the porch looks darker due to light. Trust me, it's not. I was amazed the floor looked as light as it did, but then it is white cedar...this house was not a kit either. It was a custom built white cedar home. Logs were hand cut on the job site by chainsaw. Beth

The one after photo where I was looking down the deck, the light was poor and the flash was off. Maybe I should post the one with the flash on? The sun was in the front so when I snapped that one (entry shot) it was much brighter. The color was a cross between the cedar semi transparent and the redwood. It was 50/50. The boards were covered under the porch, so pretty new, not real absorbent. The color on the house was bronze. Yeah I am concerned about "maintenance" too, and hoping Jake will answer some questions for Rod via phone. Beth

Thanks Carlos! :) I'll post some photos of the whole house later... We're discussing doing the interior this winter. It has never been done, and the owner is interested. ;) Beth :banana: :cheers:

You can call me, but be prepared to buy some additional ingredients ;) Rod!~

A word of caution when using butyl on vinyl siding, it will cause a change in the color. The use of it on one side only where the potential to get some on an opposing side may show distinct marks on a side not completely done. The best chem I have used contains sodium hydroxide and you will have to do some brushing but the results will look great. Matt's suggestion is a good one. Try it. Rod!~

Here's my take on the duration of this industry... There are 5 reasons that people will continue to use a pressure washing contractor. The property owner: doesn't know how to do it themselves knows how but does not have the time to do it themself is physically incapable of doing it has the money and would rather pay someone else to do it has done it before and was not satisfied with the results Now, considering the contractor factor... There are several reasons why companies will come and go and the demand will remain strong. There are surely more reasons than I will outline here but the most common will be found among them. The contractor: started up but found out they could not handle the physical labor did not do their research and lost to the competition lacked the business skills necessary to sustain the business did not manage their revenue correctly lacked the ability to train/maintain employees lacked the personal discipline the market was too saturated with other established suppliers of the service sold to another company for varied reasons moved out of state These and many other reasons play into the appearance and disappearance of so many businesses. We in our own time have heard time and again that someone was used before but they are no longer in business. Although the review of the previous contractor may have been favorable, circumstances provided that the business ended for whatever reason. In some areas, there may be some saturation of the market whereas demand is less than the number of service providers which is the nature of the beast in business. Businesses either change and adapt or close as a result. The one factor that can influence this and many other service industry businesses in general is the economy. Since it plays a significant part in the spending habits or even abilities of those who would make the choice of using a service provider or doing it themselves, it is fair to say that when economic times are tough, the industry will suffer. One other major factor to influence pressure washing is government regulation in the scope of environmental control measures and product technology adaptation to restrictions. For example; in the wood restoration facet we have noticed a tremendous shift in sealer technology to water based formulations. While this may not mean anything to flatwork, building washing, K.E.C., roof cleaning or fleetwashing, it has been a road of trial and error where durability and quality has been concerned. With such short notice for the changes and no reasonable field testing of the products in actual life bearing installation situations, it has set up a flux in the market of consumers who are jumping from one contractor to another looking for someone who actually has a product that lives up to the hype. For some companies, this could be disastrous while for others it only is a temporary set back. It depends considerably on how informed the company is and how well they can roll with the changes and this may depend on inventory levels as well. All things considered, it is a factor that can upset some businesses. The extent is relative in scope. Lucrative is subjective in the basis of profit margins and there may come a time for some when it falls below a threshold. At that time, the business will become subject to change, but the change is completely up to the management and will reflect the experience of it. Not a bad poll by the way. I think it gives some food for thought and others a wake up call possibly to look into any factors that could influence their business or even threaten it. Time will tell and we can talk about it then too. Rod!~

Best advice I can give you is begin with the basics. Look at Forest Labs for the standards. Beth

Look for pics of our Armstrong Clark experience in another thread later today. :) Beth

Done. :) Beth

Ok guys....what's your take on this age old question? What is more important in a deck sealer? Longevity or ease of use? Beth :cup:

Paint is a evil word....painting a deck is a Bozo no-no. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bozo_the_Clown#Bozo_on_Boston_TV Beth

I'm moving this to the DIY area.... Good luck with your project. Beth

No power at Dad's either last a heard a few days ago, but that's minor compared to some circumstance. Hope you get power soon! Beth

Welcome to TGS! Glad you found us. :) Beth

I love it when a job is right on schedule.... :) I hate snags that make them drag out too long... :( Beth

Sure seems that way doesn't it? Beth

Thanks! :) Word is they did fine, no damage at all. Again, they were lucky! How did you do? No damage I hope. Beth

GObama!

Interesting thread. Can't answer without thought....or coffee... :cup: Must...get....coffee.... :cup: Beth

Get Chris to write... ;) Beth

Thank you Scott! :) Beth

Welcome Chad. Glad to have you with us. :) Feel free to post links to your articles along with descriptions or partial content in our Library forum. Beth

Agreed...again! Beth

Thanks Ron..... Beth

I agree, and that's just funny! Beth