Restoring a Deck

[joe_homeowner]

I see you say the other programmers are wrong even tho they too are experts as your way is the right way,its seems that crowd too isn't in the high IQ.Hardwood refinishing is a different animal but a computer experts knows that right.You say the powerwashing crowd aren't really smart enough to answer your expert computer tec but some of us make way more than a computer programmer which a monkey can push buttons.I see you have never cleaned a cat b/c you too think they are alot of ways to do so,they is only one way to do so the right way but your the expert do it your way,nothing personal.

Pardon me if I'm mistaken in interpreting your attempt at forming a paragraph, but how much you make has little to do with your intelligence (as illustrated by your inability to either understand my point or verbalize a response). Since i make about 500K/yr I'll guess that makes me a lot smarter than you by your standards, and also smarter that other "expert" computer programmers who are more hacks than anything else. The fact is that anyone can read Harry's paper, spend a small amount of money and become a powerwasher, but I'll bet my house and portfolio that none of you could do what I do, even if you spend 20 years studying to do it. Unlike powerwashers, the difference between good programmers and bad ones is easily quantifiable.

My point was that all people THINK they are experts even if they are patently incompetent. Thats why stupid people hang out with other stupid people, so there is no one to tell then how stupid they are and they can think they're as smart as everyone else. Its basic group dynamics.


I don't doubt that your method works. But since I'm not doing it myself I have to deal with the people that are available. Your close-mindedness towards any method other than your own shows that you probably don't understand what you do as much as you think. I've seen the results of all of the methods and they all look similar. My conclusion is that you can ruin a deck with cold water or hot water or by sanding it. I'm also certain that you can also make it look good with the proper technique with any of the methods.

I'm not used to mingling with the little people so excuse my etiquette if I've offended.

 

[R L S]

Oh boy, a rich self centerned snob.
People such as yourself will always think down of others and thier methods. You do what you want to do and I hope the method you choose is not what was recommended. That way you will see that we are right and you are wrong.
Also, the way a man types is of no value to his intelligence.
Hey buddy heres a another piece of FREE advice from a little person as you would say.
PISS OFF!!


Sorry moderators, just had to do it!!

 

[Henry Bockman]

I won't go into how much I make but your salary doesn't impress me. Your assumptions are wrong in so many ways I won't take the time to list them all.
The right power washing equipment is not a little bit of money, One of my rigs can be purchased for the bargain price of $13,000.00

Do us all a favor and power wash your own deck... Your comments on this bbs cheapen the skill and expertise that many of us have and I don't think you deserve to have a skilled professional do you the favor, of properly restoring your deck.

 

[PressurePros]

Mr Homeowner,

It is unfair for you to assume anyone in here is less intelligent than you claim to be. I have a degree in economics from the Wharton School (read that Ivy League). I hired and fired computer "experts" before morning coffee. My self taught knowlege of computer programming is probably on par with most professionals in the field. It isn't all that complicated. Any moron can show up to work every day and follow a set of protocol rules. Get over yourself. I have chosen this field as it is both gratifying and lucrative.

I won't even get into dignifying your weak attempt to pass off economic stature as a valid substitution for intellect (or class). Here's a revelation for you whiz kid, every year you work from January to May for free when you factor in income taxes. Be a real man and put those skills to test by becoming a business owner. Then, Uncle Sam wouldn't be taking 30% of your $50k per year (yes 50k.. anyone that makes 500k per year doesn't anounce it over the internet or spend his time vollying with people like some immature buffoon)

Now to answer your question, this is what we do professionally. We have researched and applied real world knowledge to perfect technique. What has been suggested to you is approved by every forestry service in the United States. That you have taken the word of one expert (hardwood floor guy) who obviously does NOT have the experience in handling decks shows how naive you are to exerior wood restoration and maintenance. A Plus was trying to cut through the bullsh*t and save you time and money by cutting to the chase. Too bad for your pitiful self indulgence that you missed the message.

 

[Larry B]

Pressure Pros hit it on the head when he said $50k. A person with that attitude and that also makes $500k would not be soliciting advice on a BBS for a $2000 deck job. The ego would overrule the worry of spending $2k on a botched job.

 

[Beth]

Hey Bigboy and Dan....
Check his IP address. Had a trouble maker on two other BBS's recently. You are looking for someone out of New York, within an hour or so of Syracuse. If you check the IP on this site http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm?GetLocation , you can get a really good idea of where this guy is. Contact me privately and I'll share the IP that used our BBS.

For your sake I hope it's not the same guy.
Wish you luck with this...member. It's people like this that ruin it for everyone else.

Joe Homeowner - or whoever you are...please stop wasting other people's time. It is very generous of those who respond to help you out. A well educated, professional person who is civilized would take the advice and politely say thank you, and give some consideration to those who do this for their living. They would not however, take pot shots amounting to verbal abuse (aka bashing) at those who innocently responded to their request for assistance. It's cruel.

Beth

p.s. contractors do have a choice where accepting jobs are concerned, this is one we would pass on - don't like homeowners who think they know your profession better than you do or treat you like scum. It's just plain wrong!!! :burn:

 

[CCPC]

I've had 3 people in regarding restoring my clear cedar deck, and I have 3 different stories:

1) Don't powerwash. Sand and seal coat.
2) Don't use cold water or sand. Use hot water at lower pressure to avoid splintering and seal.
3) Use cold water, light sand and seal.

Price is amazingly similar. What are you views?

You put a man down because he can't form a proper paragraph? What about a fool who doesn't use proper English?

 

[Larry L.]

....
. It's people like this that ruin it for everyone else.

Joe Homeowner -

He want be back b/c I put him in the trashcan

 

[Beth]

Glad to hear it Larry!
Hope all is going well for you.
You take care now, ok?
Beth

 

[Larry L.]

Doing OK,thanks for asking,hope the same to you.

If he has that kind of money maybe he can buy his way out of the trashcan .

I'm not going to let anybody put another down nomatter how much money they have,this bbs is to help people and is not a place to run over another just b/c they cann't see eye to eye.

I did and do this to my accounts too,they all know I use John Wayne toilet paper

 

[Tim Lynch]

Cedar Deck Just Finished Yesterday

Doing decks 17 Years now this deck was left for 5 years undone, Black and full of green moss. No sanding was done to this deck . Used Super Decks DeckTergent 16oz mix to 4 gallons water. Rinsed with Oxalic Acid. Sealed with Super Deck Natural useing a Padco Staining pad.

I like my office I'll take these views vs a cubicle any day.

Location Sonoma County Ca over looking Vinyards and Wilderness.

Job time 13 hours

The posts to the left are what the deck looked like before, I don't get many Cedar Decks maybe one every two years if at all. Most decks in my neck of the woods are Redwood. This one came out great a little furring but very minimal.

 

[Aplus]

Cedar Deck Just Finished Yesterday

I like my office I'll take these views vs a cubicle any day.

Location Sonoma County Ca over looking Vinyards and Wilderness.

...AMEN!!!

 

[Jo_homeowner]

Wow. I spent 14 years in corporate America in high tech software sales. Now we own our own business...An entrpreneur in a blue collar trade does not mean that entrepreneur is an idiot. As a matter of fact, Tony (A-Plus) who responded has a hi tech background as well, and if I recall correctly, has his MCSE.

There is more to this, than just starting an engine and ripping up wood. The best of solutions are not in Home Depot, and where wood is concerned, you develop an eye for detail and craftsmanship. I urge you to read the link I posted above, before making any more hasty generalizations about the professionals who do this daily for a living, with pride and professional results.

As fo the choices you presented. I would choose none of them since the one that fits most closely as described will do damage. You need the appropriate cleaners and neutralizers, you need to drop the pressure at the tip - you won't find help for that at HD or Lowes, nor do they stock an array of tips. You will not in all likelihood accomplish this without scarring your deck and raising the grain to the point of it needing sanding, and if you sand it, there is a good chance you'll do that wrong simply by choice of the wrong grit paper. I'll bet if you do this yourself you won't think about wearing PPE, and could end up exposing yourself to carsinogenic substances. For example, oxylic acid is often used to neutralize and brighten, especially on cedar. It also can cause sterility if you are exposed to it.

Cedar, is a softwood. One of the easiest woods to damage. In fact, you can do it as simply as digging into it with a fingernail. Go try it, see how easy the wood scars, then ask yourself if you really want to hit that softwood with ....2,500 - 3,500 PSI or whatever your machine from the hardware store is rated for, since you don't have the right tip to drop the pressure, and no idea how to do this correctly. Every year i personally see countless decks damaged by owners who think they can save a buck, then call in the pro to fix it and don't understand why it costs more to undo damage than it does to care for a deck that was in good shape before they touched it.

We let the chems do the brunt of the work. The machine is used to rinse. It's a process, and there is education for those who learn this trade.

Since you are not doing this yourself, you should look for a pro who is:

Familiar with a two step cleaning process - includes cleaning/or stripping as needed followed by neutralization

Doesn't wash with pressure over 1,000 PSI

Can tell you about the properties of cedar

Knows proper preparatory steps prior to sealing the wood

Doesn't buy selaer from HD or Lowes

If sanding, doesn't sand with higher than 80 grit.

Any professional should be able to expalin the process to you thoroughly, in a way that makes sense. Get references.

Beth

p.s. if we all seem to be saying the same thing it is because we do have an authority we listen to. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

You seem quite negative, which is part of the problem. People don't usually give references to jobs they've botched, so they're fairly useless. You listen to people and see if they are open-minded. If they're not, then there is reason for suspicion.

I like this link:

I took off your link on purpose. and you elected to put it back <<>> You are now finished my friend.

it seems objective and comprehensive.

The clown how administrates keeps bouncing me, so this is likely good-bye [hello]

Joe the homeowner>>

You came here for advice and from what I read it does not matter who/what says to you; you will have a negative responce.
Please take this as your VERY LAST warning.And you decided to use it

 

[Beth]

If it sounded negative it was not meant to. Perhaps you are feeling defensive? No need to answer that. I know I posted helpful information in my post. You'll take from it as much or as little as your own objectivity and open mindedness will allow you to.

Good luck with your project.

Beth

p.s. the harder task will be to ask yourself why the administrators of this BBS might take issue with your posting, and then to answer yourself - honestly. You do tend to bite the proverbial hand...

 

[Dan S]

Tim,
Very nice work on those decks.. 2thumbs up!!

 

[Jo_homeowner]

If it sounded negative it was not meant to. Perhaps you are feeling defensive? No need to answer that. I know I posted helpful information in my post. You'll take from it as much or as little as your own objectivity and open mindedness will allow you to.

Good luck with your project.

Beth

p.s. the harder task will be to ask yourself why the administrators of this BBS might take issue with your posting, and then to answer yourself - honestly. You do tend to bite the proverbial hand...

I'm not biting any hands. Just gathering info. I was hoping for someone to just come out and give the pros and cons of each method rather than having to beat it out of you, but the world just isn't that perfect.

 

[squirtgun]

Jo,
The link from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is older and outdated.There are better chemicals available for deck stripping than bleach.While bleach has it's place in wood care it's not an effective way to remove existing stain.
If you don't like the advice from those in the industry that are respected wood restoration experts,why don't you use or choose the method that appeals to you the most and go with it?
Sanding a deck is time consuming and if not done with the proper equipment could leave a deck full of waves and valleys.2 step chemical cleaning with low pressure is the current method preferred by wood experts.Both within the pressure cleaning industry and the forestry industry.


2 step
Pro's= proper prep work with proper chems will result in a deck ready to accept stain and hold it's color.
Con's=you'll get wet

Sanding
Pro's=remove the vast majority of existing stain,if there is any present
Con's=time consuming,if not done with the proper tools the deck will have an uneven surface.Don't forget to set all the nail in advance or risk tearing up lots of sandpaper and sanders.If sanded to smooth the deck won't hold stain.

Washing with water only
Pro's=none
Con's=Requires to much pressure,may cause damage to the wood surface and will not remove all if any old stain if any is present.

 

[mountain view]

To all of my PWN friends,

Please do not listen to this clown. I spent 20 years in the in different parts of the "high tech" industry. Everything for electronic circuit design, high speed fiber optic switching systems product development, and software engineering. All graduate level positions. If this arrogant S.O.B is a "computer programmer", believe me, there is no way he makes 500k a year. All of you are highly skilled and intelligent craftsmen/women and business people. Don't waste you time with this moron any more. I would much rather do this work than that, any day of the week!

 

[Dan S]

.

I like this link:

I took off your link on purpose. and you elected to put it back <<>> You are now finished my friend.

it seems objective and comprehensive.

The clown how administrates keeps bouncing me, so this is likely good-bye [hello]

Joe the homeowner>>

You came here for advice and from what I read it does not matter who/what says to you; you will have a negative responce.
Please take this as your VERY LAST warning.And you decided to use it[/QUOTE]


Why play games here?

 

[CCPC]

Good riddens! That guy is exactly the kind of customer that I think most of us try to avoid like the plague! [hello]