Beth n Rod

Deck wash & seal Contact us if interested. Beth

check you PM's it's on the way. Beth

Just because someone has found this site and has all the information, they have not the experience in technique, forensics or methodology. They have book learning and without practice is just information. I would not have let anyone bargain price just because they found this or any other site that has information. It makes no difference. Your experience has value and perspective as someone who has done it vs someone who has not yet applied it. Many who visit here after reading all they can from this site still experience trial and error because what is described here is not structured learning. It is in fact hodge-podge because nothing is posted in a manner with which anyone can possibly avoid all the pitfalls associated with this field of work. Picking up a pw'er and pulling the starter cord and aiming at the surface is easy. Spraying chemicals on is easy. Applying sealers is easy. But without the benefit of experience, developed technique, a trained eye and an understanding of what to look for or expect under a myriad of circumstances is going to result is novice results. This and many other sites should come with a "Do not attempt this at home" statement. I acknowledge that there is a bounty of information here and else where but it is with great caution that I inform anyone reading that this information in the hands of an inexperienced person(s) can result in serious personal harm, injury or death in addition to property damage that may not be reversible. Read with care, proceed with a qualified and experienced contractor. It has been our experience that others whom of which have read how to do things but in the end have made the condition worse resulting in even more expenses to correct or replace the condition they themselves were trying to save money on by doing it themselves and ultimately it cost them much more. Rod!~

If you want to know which forums are private and which are public here on TGS (we have both) then log out and look. We have many that are private. This is exactly the reason why we try so hard to keep things professional here. (in other words no locker room, no romper room) People do surf and read. You can also get work this way, I know we have, and so have others. Chin up! Beth :cup:

The Leaky Cauldron - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book 7), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (movie 5) news, images, videos, podcast and more A second trailer for movie #5 is out! :dancing: Beth

That fence is disgusting. Yuck. {wrinkling my nose} Beth

Ok, here's my guess. Pressure only and a clear sealer. Looking at the moss on the tree trunk I'd say that we were looking south and explains why the sealer is still much more intact on the northern facing sides and then the right side is facing east which gets morning and early mid-day sun contributing to photo degradation making it easier to wash with pressure only. Grass looks to be in great shape so I'd have to determine that for a novice to use chemicals there would have been more evidence of it if any were used besides the sealer. Rod!~

In regard to the pic Celeste posted with the sunburst spindles and to address anothers question also: Yes, the chemicals help but usually any product residing in between at the closest points will be somewhat intact. On strip jobs, we have been known to take a sheet of sand paper to it to get the most off we can. As far as measuring these styles of rails, the sqft of L X H is going to be sufficient although a short. Considering each spindle is 1 X 1 X 4 sides X 3' High you will have 1 sqft/spindle and in the pic there is approximately 24 sqft in the sunburst alone which is higher than are regular rail system at 3'H X 4'L which is standard code specs for a raised deck. Given that, it is 12sqft compared to the sunburst which is 24sqft. Now, the reason why I say that the regular measure is sufficient is that spindles in general do not absorb much stain unlike horizontal surfaces which can take up to twice as much into the cellular structure due to weathering and so on. The biggest problem is going to be dealing with the drips and runs which are prominent in these configurations due to the inability to adequately brush or pad the confined surfaces where the spindles meet. Rod!~

We use a combination of ingredients that help to take the stickiness out of them and with hot water (115* max on vinyl) they come right off. Rod!~

If they are not too far off the ground (1st story), knock them down with an extension pole and a truck washing brush.... Beth

Hi all, If I were to get TGS embroidered t-shirts made (with the new logo) would any of you be interested in them? I don't want to get a bunch made if no one wants to buy one. I don't have an exact cost yet, but it would be the cost to have them made, plus shipping, and a couple bucks going to support TGS. Let me know... Beth

You forgot the little pinky up by the lips... Rod!~

Yep! We're feeling it too. :) Beth

I pulled this from a similar thread with another asking the same question. Hope it helps. Rod!~

Hi Allstar, Welcome to TGS! Please go into your User CP and add a signature. :) Pricing decks correctly is important. Measure everything and get your square footage. Some folks eyeball it, but you are new, and need to get a feel for size and costs. (we always measure regardless) Measure your floor, your rails, your stairs, don't forget the lattice (if any) and your supports. Come up with a cost to wash and a cost to seal. I have heard of prices as low as 1.40 per sq ft and as high over 2.50 per sq ft depending on what you are doing, and the factors such as access, terrain, are you washing or stripping, applying a new product or maintaining an existing one...you will have time involved in protecting the area, with tarps and plastic, as well as preping the deck with sanding rail caps and hitting nail pops. If you strip and there is residual stain left, you may also need to sand a bit. Do a test spot in an area where the coating is most intact if it's going to be a strip job. Hope this helps. Beth :cup:

I suggest EFC-38 followed by neutralizing with Oxylic or Citric acid (or a blend called Citralic) Extreme Solutions - Quality Restoration Products ^^You can get them here ^^ Beth

Take your time to complete a deck on each step (wash/seal) into consideration. Determine your sqft/hr work rate and how much you will be getting paid per hour to do it. Figure in the costs of all the supplies that are depletable; plastic, tape, tarps, brushes/pads, cleaning chemicals, sealers, etc. Now add in the rate per hour you are going to be paid to travel...X 2 into it. Yeah, that fuel and labor isn't free now is it? Compile all that together and get a total job cost price. Add in over head at 5-7% if you are just starting out and then a profit % (10-25%) Take all that and divide by the sqft to get a per/sqft price. This should translate into a sliding scale as you apply it to larger decks where the price drops by a let's say a nickel or ten cents/sqft. (wash/seal/total respectively) As your company grows, this scale will change to fit your growing business costs and help to keep you in line with the other companies who already have a formula and help to keep the market stable and profitable for all. Rod!~

Same as we use Rick. Interesting. Rod!~

What grade of citric are you using? ie. food grade, pharmaceutical or industrial. Rod!~

What kind of plants are they? That would be my first question... Bulbs? Annuals? Some plants remain dormant for a while, others emerge early then are done...Get pics, and also see if you can get the owner to tell you what they are. Beth

Nah, the foam isn't thick...uh...thin...enough .... yeah. lol (dang greasers) Rod!~

We have used Hang Time, the only problem we have is it seems to keep thickening or at least the batch we got a couple years ago was like that. We have recently added foamer to our mix (not as thick as Anthony's but it still clings) and are happy with the results. Beth

If it is a paint, and if it is water based, you may be able to strip it. Do a test spot using your stripper of choice (SH based). Beth

There are so many types of education today. You have your orgs, you have schools, and of course round tables. Here's my question to you all.... What have you participated in, and how has it helped you? Please share. :) Beth

Scott, I am so sorry to hear that. A very dear friend of mine had to do that, and there are a couple days during the year that she can barely function. Beth