Beth n Rod

Now THAT must have been a big deck. Your SF to the Gal. should have been pretty decent. Beth

Oooooooh Ahhhhhhhh! Beautiful! Beth :dancing:

I agree with Ken, and I agree with Jim. And of course I agree with Rod...;) Beth :groovy3:

1st, take a look at each of them...is there mildew growing up higher than 8-10 inches on the pickets? Is the mildew widespread or patchey? If there is a mildew problem present on their decks, recommend them away from Behr to another product that will not be so problematic. Also note, once Behr is on a deck, it will not really ever look good again. Certain ingredients in their formulation stays in the wood and does not come out with strippers on the market today. Color results are usually darker than on other decks with alternate products. This has been our experience. Rod~

1. rewash w/ percarb, then neutralize 2. let dry 3. sand. Suggest a belt sander on the floor, you can use a hand held sander on the rail caps (sand horizontals). try defelting pads on the verticals, if they are not as bad.(got any pics you can post?). 4. seal it or explain the condition is temporary and it will worsen again. If it is grey she likes, there are manufacturers that make a grey sealer/stain. Check Cabot and Sikkens, and I think Wolman and Sherwin Williams have one as well. No Behr. Beth :coffee:

Any more word on Steve's round table? Maybe we should post the details in the regional forum? Beth

You would need to post photos to get a pricing response. Too much to guess at otherwise. Beth

These sound like great topics. I think there was a poll at one point that showed which topics folks wanted to see as well. Anyone can host a chat, schedule a chat, at any time. The room is open 24/7. We suggest announcing it a week before you plan to have it, and let me know so I can help promote it for you. One thing I will add, is that this is the busy season. If anyone holds a chat, expect that attendance might be a little lower, and also you might want to start the chat at 8:30 or 9pm instead of 8pm, since some folks work till the sun has set... Beth

You are sooooo bad... Have a great day Jim. Beth :groovy3:

Mike, looks like you have your beginning here. Also there seemed to be a setting that was off on the email function. That has been corrected, and the email function should be working now. Beth

Check the FAQ area and there should be instruction on posting pics. Beth

I'm with Henry, but I would also add that we would not guarantee the work, since there is no way to know the deck was washed correctly. Sanding would address rough spots, but if they washed with just water, it would not address any remaining mildew and so forth that would not necessarily be visible to the eye. We stand behind our work from start to finish...when we do ALL the work. It would not be wise to warrant a seal job on a deck you didn't wash. I might also ask her why she didn't have him seal it too? Just my .02 Beth

ohhhhh ahhhh! Lovely! :island: :sunshine: Beth

You can call us also if you want advice. I'll be glad to answer some questions... I will also say this is a forum for contractors, and we make our livings doing this and support our families and our employees families doing this. With very rare exception, it has been my expereince that a homeowner will do more harm than good on their own property, because they lack the expertise and experience a professional has. If you tackle your own job, chances are the next time you will want to hire someone, and it will cost more because a pro will have to undo your mistakes from this time. In any case, good luck. Wood care can be fun. Beth

Census info. Great stuff. :groovy:

Sorry about all the data running together. If you put in spaces, you can see where the number go. You are looking at two columns, your area, vs. the national averages. Look at the spending habits. Look at your neighborhoods. Hope this helps. Beth

Segment 04 Boomburbs The newest additions to the suburbs, these communities are home to younger families with a busy, upscale lifestyle. Median home value is $275,000 (and growing), and most households have two workers and two vehicles. Growth is characteristic of the communities and these families. These affluent families, who recently moved to their homes, focus their attention on upgrades, furnishing and landscaping. Boomburbs residents spend on family, leisure, and other activities too. They are one of the top markets for sport utility vehicles. They participate in golf, tennis, and swimming and own an array of electronic equipment. Segment 06 Sophisticated Squires Sophisticated Squires residents enjoy cultured country living in newer home developments with low density and a median value of more than $214,000. These urban escapees are primarily families with children. They are college-educated, professionally employed and have elected to commute to maintain their semirural lifestyle. From buying golfing equipment to attending golf tournaments, golf is a key part of their lives. Cargo space for golf and do-it-yourself projects determines their preference for SUVs and minivans. With the right tools, they are not afraid to tackle home and garden improvement projects. Segment 13 In Style In Style residents live in the affluent neighborhoods of metropolitan areas. More suburban than urban, these households nevertheless embrace an urban lifestyle, favoring townhomes over traditional single-family houses. Professional couples are predominant in these neighborhoods. Labor force participation is high and most households have fewer children than the U.S. average. Their median age is approximately 38 years. Technologically savvy, In Style residents own cell phones, PDAs, and fully equipped PCs. Home remodeling and yard work are contracted out. Physical fitness is integral to their lives; they subscribe to Weight Watchers for diet control, work out in regular exercise programs, and take vitamins. 2004 Summary ZIP 30269 National Total Population35,848295,628,353Total Households12,512111,572,9742004 Population by Race White Alone86.1%73.6%Black Alone6.7%12.5%American Indian Alone0.2%0.9%Asian or Pacific Islander Alone4.3%4.2%Some Other Race Alone1.1%6.1%Two or More Races1.6%2.7%Hispanic Origin4.6%14.1%2004 Population by *** Male48.7%49.1%Female51.3%50.9%2004 Households by Income Median Household Income$88,244$48,124HH Income Under $50K21.8%51.7%HH Income $50K-$100K34.9%31.0%HH Income Over $100K43.2%17.4%2004 Average Home Value ZIP 30269 National $275,379$206,430

Segment 06 Sophisticated Squires Sophisticated Squires residents enjoy cultured country living in newer home developments with low density and a median value of more than $214,000. These urban escapees are primarily families with children. They are college-educated, professionally employed and have elected to commute to maintain their semirural lifestyle. From buying golfing equipment to attending golf tournaments, golf is a key part of their lives. Cargo space for golf and do-it-yourself projects determines their preference for SUVs and minivans. With the right tools, they are not afraid to tackle home and garden improvement projects. Segment 07 Exurbanites Open areas with affluence define Exurbanites neighborhoods and the resident households. Median home value is currently approximately $235,000, with a median household income of more than $80,000. Homeowners are older, primarily empty nesters, and professionally employed; many residents work from home. Their financial health is a priority as they near retirement; they consult financial planners and track their investments online. For leisure, they enjoy dining in fine restaurants, reading, and participating in physical activities including golf, boating, and hiking. Segment 24 Main Street, USA Main Street USA residents profile the American population. They are families with a growing mix of single households (household size of 2.51), have a median age of 36 years, have a comfortable middle income with a median of $50,000, and are homeowners (64 percent) living in older single-family homes with a market value of $165,000. They are suburbanites who live in smaller metropolitan U.S. cities. Active members of the community, Main Street USA residents participate in fund-raising and volunteer programs. They enjoy taking day trips to the beach, visiting a theme park or the zoo, or occasionally taking a domestic vacation. They invest in tools bought at Home Depot or Lowe's to complete small home improvement and remodeling projects. They rely on the Yellow Pages over the Internet for information about restaurants, stores, and contractors. 2004 Summary ZIP 30215 National Total Population31,434295,628,353Total Households10,593111,572,9742004 Population by Race White Alone82.5%73.6%Black Alone13.5%12.5%American Indian Alone0.3%0.9%Asian or Pacific Islander Alone2.0%4.2%Some Other Race Alone0.8%6.1%Two or More Races1.0%2.7%Hispanic Origin3.0%14.1%2004 Population by *** Male49.2%49.1%Female50.8%50.9%2004 Households by Income Median Household Income$81,447$48,124HH Income Under $50K23.2%51.7%HH Income $50K-$100K39.1%31.0%HH Income Over $100K37.7%17.4%2004 Average Home Value ZIP 30215 National $252,783$206,430

Segment 07 Exurbanites Open areas with affluence define Exurbanites neighborhoods and the resident households. Median home value is currently approximately $235,000, with a median household income of more than $80,000. Homeowners are older, primarily empty nesters, and professionally employed; many residents work from home. Their financial health is a priority as they near retirement; they consult financial planners and track their investments online. For leisure, they enjoy dining in fine restaurants, reading, and participating in physical activities including golf, boating, and hiking. Segment 33 Midlife Junction Somewhere between the child rearing years and retirement lies Tapestry's Midlife Junction segment. Few households still have children. Most of the labor force is still employed but approaching retirement. Approximately one-third of these residents already draw retirement income. Most still own their homes, but many have eschewed home ownership responsibilities and moved into multiunit apartment buildings. The housing market is a mix of single-family homes and low-density apartments, somewhere between urban and rural. Midlife Junction residents have a median age of 40 years and a median household income of $42,900. They live quiet, settled lives. They spend their money prudently and do not succumb to fads. They are comfortable shopping online or by phone. Dining out on the weekends at full-service restaurants is a favorite activity; they also patronize fast-food establishments. They enjoy gardening, watching television, and reading books and the newspaper. Segment 13 In Style In Style residents live in the affluent neighborhoods of metropolitan areas. More suburban than urban, these households nevertheless embrace an urban lifestyle, favoring townhomes over traditional single-family houses. Professional couples are predominant in these neighborhoods. Labor force participation is high and most households have fewer children than the U.S. average. Their median age is approximately 38 years. Technologically savvy, In Style residents own cell phones, PDAs, and fully equipped PCs. Home remodeling and yard work are contracted out. Physical fitness is integral to their lives; they subscribe to Weight Watchers for diet control, work out in regular exercise programs, and take vitamins. 2004 Summary ZIP 30214 National Total Population22,649295,628,353Total Households8,259111,572,9742004 Population by Race White Alone75.7%73.6%Black Alone19.1%12.5%American Indian Alone0.2%0.9%Asian or Pacific Islander Alone2.8%4.2%Some Other Race Alone0.7%6.1%Two or More Races1.5%2.7%Hispanic Origin2.8%14.1%2004 Population by *** Male48.4%49.1%Female51.6%50.9%2004 Households by Income Median Household Income$80,035$48,124HH Income Under $50K25.6%51.7%HH Income $50K-$100K37.9%31.0%HH Income Over $100K36.5%17.4%2004 Average Home Value ZIP 30214 National $232,497$206,430

Yep, looks like Mahogany Flame to me. If you have either HD-80 or F-18 mix full strength and let dwell until it melts off. Do the scratch test in difficult areas, like rails to see when you have gotten thru. Keep product moist with product, don't let it try. Keep plants, and surrounding area wet with H2O. Aussie Oil is a blend of Tung, Linseed and Alkyd oils so it should melt pretty easily. Have a great day. This will go better than you think. Hang in there. Beth

What are your top three zip codes that you work? ( please list them here) Let's step back and look at the demographics. You need to understand them well to plan. Beth

1. wash 2. sand as needed 3. apply primer 4. recoat

I guess we were lucky. We remodled a bathroom, and the paper just peeled off in sheets. But then, we were not surprised, especially when we had an easy time removing old tile from the floor...the prior owner didn't like adhesives... Try the downy... it makes sense in a way. Beth

And where will these people be next year? Thats the primary question to pose your customers... Many who do the work for cheap will be out of business next year and not be responsible for the damage they may have created THIS year. Educate your customers. Find out what these lowballers are doing, use that as your positioning tool and support for why you get what you pay for. I am sure you have many snow birds down in your area and that doesnt help. Keep at it and market yourself. Photos! Before and afters... Testamonials! If not involved in the PWNA or certified at least, git-er-done! Showing you have knowledge and experience over the others makes a difference. Rod~

Show them your certificate of insurance, and your license ( if you have one in your state) and ask them if the other company provided proof? Let them know they are paying a professional, not a hack. Beth