How To Clean Decks Like A Professional

Deck Cleaning may look easy but, there are quite a few steps involved to clean decks the professional way without causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Deck cleaning is a very popular service performed by power wash contractors today but it is not done properly in most situations. The most important factor in deck cleaning is surface preparation. Great surface preparation is the KEY to outstanding results. Prep right, and the deck will turn out GREAT. Rush through prep, skip a step (or two) to save money and/or time, and the deck wont look nearly as good.

Thorough cleaning of the deck or fence is essential to get good results. If the wood was previously sealed, you must strip off the old sealer rather than just clean the wood. If any old sealer remains, it might interfere with Ready Seal soaking into the wood. If the wood has not been sealed within the last five years, a deep cleaning is probably all that is needed. If you are not sure if the deck or fence must be stripped, a simple splash test is all you need to find out. Sprinkle a little water from your fingertips on to the dry wood. If the droplets soak into the wood right away, you dont need to strip. If they form little droplets on the surface, you do have to strip.

High-pressure washing of wood is not necessary or advisable. Instead, use the proper-strength chemical cleaners to do all the work. Then you simply RINSE using your pressure-washer. Doing it the right way means using your pressure washer to agitate slightly with MODERATE pressure and HIGH water volume. Use the pressure washer responsibly. Too much pressure on the surface of the wood will cause furring damage.

Pressure washers are rated in PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute). The ideal pressure washer for cleaning wood will use at least 3-4 GPM (or more) at about 300 1000 PSI for most outdoor wood.

Since your pressure washer probably puts out 3000 PSI, you need to detune the pressure. There are three methods for reducing the pressure while keeping the volume of water. First one is to hold the tip farther from the surface of the wood. The pressure falls as the water is fanned out from the tip, so greater distance from the surface means less pressure reaching the surface. This is not a scientific adjustment, and is not the recommended method. The second way is to invest in a proper nozzle that will reduce the pressure to an acceptable range without restricting water flow. These nozzles can be purchased from Sun Brite Supply. The absolute BEST way to accomplish this reduction of pressure is to use a dual-lance wand (also called a chemical injection wand). This wand has a valve built-in that, when opened, allows water to be diverted to the second tube (or lance). With the chemical injector tip on that second tube (black in color) the water going through that tip has little or no pressure behind it. The more you open the valve, the lower the overall pressure delivered by the wand is. With this set-up, you can use low pressure for the deck and run full pressure to clean the driveway afterwards without carrying a second wand or additional tips.

Cleaners and strippers have to be used carefully, too. Too much chemical or too much dwell time will cause the surface of the wood to develop fuzzies.

Sun Brites SEVERE STRIP or REMOVE strippers can be applied through a DECKSTER sprayer, but can also be applied using a pump-up sprayer in an emergency. SBS sells Spray Doc pump-up sprayers in a model that is designed specifically for doing decks. It features a brass wand and tip that are easily adjustable, allowing you to fit the spray pattern to the job.

Allow either stripper to sit on the wood for about 10-15 minutes to loosen the dirt and/or the old sealer. When stripping, be careful to avoid getting caustics on any painted or aluminum adjacent surfaces. If you accidentally get stripper on one of these surfaces, rinse them gently as soon as possible. A caustic stripper will not damage latex if it is gently rinsed off.

Most contractors use REMOVE for the bulk of their work. If you run into a really tough finish that might take two strips to get done, you are usually better off using SEVERE STRIP. This is pretty strong stuff (almost three times as strong as REMOVE.) The disadvantage in using a product this strong is the danger it presents to you if it gets on your skin. The real advantage is that it will strip almost anything the first time through. We dont recommend it for stripping acrylic finishes, for example, but during our field product tests SEVERE STRIP even stripped acrylic house paint off of rough-sawn cedar! Be careful out there.

Before applying a stripper to the deck, wet down the adjoining surfaces (such as plants, lawn, or house siding) with a hose. Minimize any water landing on the wood to be cleaned. Consider shielding plants and house siding with drop cloths to prevent contact with the detergent.

Use the pressure washer to rinse the surface. Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the wood or holding it in any one spot too long. Hold the pressure wand about 8 away from the wood and sweep it off in a rinsing motion. Use a golf swing motion, and avoid washing each square inch of the wood. Keep the wand moving smoothly over the surface to avoid leaving marks on the wood. Proper technique determines the results, so take some time to practice when you are able to.

Once the entire surface has been power washed (and is still wet, but without puddles) apply Wood Britener to the wood with your DECKSTER sprayer. This will neutralize the pH of the wood and brighten it. You may let W5B2ood Britener dry on the wood overnight without rinsing it off.

The wood is now clean, and it needs to thoroughly dry before it can be sealed (at least a day or two). As the wood dries, you will see a bright, clean, new-looking surface. Now your ready to seal the deck, for more information visit the Deck Sealing information and procedures page.

Peter Marentay, Owner of Sun Brite Inc.

Mr. Marentay joined Sun Brite Inc. in 1998 and immediately created a new division of the company - Sun Brite Supply. Since that time, SBS has become one of the fastest growing suppliers of specialty products to the pressure washing industry.

Pete co-authored the Power Washers of North America Wood Certification course and is currently an Advisory Director of PWNA. He is a PWNA Certified Instructor. PWNA Certification is available separately for those interested at the end of the class.

Pete has taught this 4-day hands-on class since 1999. The important focus of this 4-day course is Profitability.

Toll-free 1-877-5-SUPPLY or 1-877-578-7759
Phone (770) 277-9924
Fax (770) 277-1612
Address:
361 Pike Boulevard, Suite 240
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045

Painted Tread Bracket

Long Lasting Vinyl Porch Railings

Wooden porch railing is slowly being replaced by Vinyl railings since it has many advantages over wood railings. The major advantages are

The vinyl porch railings are long lasting. They last longer than wood railings

They are virtually maintenance free. The painting required for wooden railings is not required for the vinyl railings. (You have additional time for your golf. No more of paint the fencing and then only you can go for golf type of order from the lady of house)

The vinyl railings look good for long time if you have selected the material in a proper way.

It is ideal material for DIY work. Just cut and paste work is involved, with minimal skills you can build good looking railing systems for your porch

It is virtually unaffected by whether. Sunlight snow, rain does not mar the looks if you have selected the material properly.

How To Erect Vinyl Porch Railings

The porch railings systems are available in market today. You can choose the color combinations you like and bring the material and start working on it. The speed with which you can do the work will amaze you. However, you must follow certain rules for making a good-looking Vinyl porch railing.

Make a plan for railing. Count the number of posts you will require for your railing system. Keep a distance of about 6 feet between each post so that it will have strength and will not give way when you lean on it.

Select a coloring system for you railing system. Vinyl porch railing can be given the color of your choice just by selection of material. If it is possible, you can make a colored sketch your self on your computer and see how the railings will look like.

You can select different colors for the top railing, the stand post, and the bottom support. You can also select a different color for the center rail.

Make your purchases from the same store and from the same manufacturer. That way you not only save, but also make sure that everything fits together. Remember loose fitting system cannot make a good railing

Now you can start working on railings. Follow the simple procedure given below.

1.Working with your Vinyl porch railing starts with marking the post. The accuracy with which you mark the posts determines the look of you railing systems and therefore you should take great care in marking the posts.

2.The verticals posts, the top rail, and the middle rail can now be made. Make the entire railing on the ground before erecting and fixing it in the bottom posts. Once you erect and fix the verticals, it might be impossible for you to work on them later on.

3.Work on flat ground and complete one side or at least the maximum portion of the side. This way you will make sure that you do your work with minimum help from outside and with minimum efforts.

4.When the entire side is complete, you can start gluing them to the bottom posts. You might require some help here as it might be impossible to lift the railing and fix it in position. Your family members or friends can help you.

So you can erect the vinyl porch railings with minimum efforts and go for your golf routine or fishing expeditions.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com. If you would like more information on different railing materials, including wood, glass, aluminum and vinyl, checkout his website at vinyl porch railings.

Remodeling Problems Help

A Stair Lift Guide

There are three ways of providing access between floors for the handicapped or disabled; residential elevators, stair lifts and platform lifts. By far the most popular method of residential lift is the home chair stair lift.

The reasons why they are preferred by the majority is because of ease of installation and price. Residential elevators and platform lifts start at around 10k to 16k. The price of a home stair lift will depend on its type. A straight type will range in price from 2.5k - 4k, whereas a curved model is custom made and will cost anything between 5k to 20k. The complexity of the installation ultimately dictates the cost of installing a curved lift. The cost is impossible to know before the supplier carries out an onsite inspection.

Drive Type

There are four types of drive types. However, the vast majority of new stair lifts use the rack and pinion system.

Most cable drive systems use a strong steel cable - aircraft cable is the norm. The main disadvantage of this type of drive system is that the ride can be less than perfectly smooth. However, technology has moved on and those companies that still use this drive system say that the ride is as smooth as any other type. Summit and Ameriglide stair lifts both use this drive type.

Chain drive systems are used only for heavy duty models. They are loud and not really used in residential stair lifts.

The screw drive uses a lifting mechanism with a screw driven actuator. This is powered by a rechargeable battery. Again, this type is not used in home models.

The rack and pinion drive system is by far the most popular type for residential stair lifts. Rack and pinion systems - meaning gear and teeth - used to have to require regular cleaning and replacement of gear oil. However today's home units have sealed drive systems that require no maintenance at all.

The Track or Rail

This is the base along which the carriage travels. The track is always fitted to the stairs and never to the wall. This means that a track can be fitted to either side of the stairs. Tracks used in straight stair lifts are made of extruded aluminum whereas curved ones usually use a mixture of both steel and aluminum.

Power

With early designs the power source was AC mains. But today, most stair chair lifts are powered by DC 12 volt rechargeable batteries. Batteries are preferred because a trailing cable is used with AC mains powered stairlifts. The cable is reeled5B4 out and reeled back in each and every time the chair travels up and down the stairway, which causes wear and tear. Also, battery powered units can still be used during power outages. Some states prohibit the installation of any appliance unless it is installed by a qualified technician.

Swivel Seats

All makes of stair chair lifts offer this option. There are two types; 90 degree and 180 degree swivel seats. A 90 degree swivel seat is mounted on the upstairs side of the chassis and fold in one direction. A 180 degree swivel seat folds in both directions. One manufacturer, Stannah, makes a motorized swivel seat.

Self Diagnosing

Many brands like the Acorn Superglide and the Stannah stair lift have integrated circuit boards that can help diagnose problems with your lift and decrease maintenance costs.

Accessories

All manufacturers offer a mixture of accessories either as standard or optional. What you choose will affect the cost of the stair lift.

Perch stair lifts allow the passenger to remain standing. This is excellent for those who have problems bending at the knee. The Acorn Superglide Perch is one such example.

Just about all home units come with safety belts. Some brands come with retractable lap inertia belts, while others offer 3-point fixed shoulder belts.

Installation

Installation of today's straight models is quite easy. Many manufacturers and dealers encourage custome53Ars to self-install. However, a customer should never self install and the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer's Association strongly advises against it.

The installation of a residential lift really can allow someone to regain their home and independence. The chair stair lift that is best for a customer will depend on their requirements and budget.

Follow the links for more information on a stair chair lift, wheelchair stair lift and the handicap stair lift.

Metal Shed Siding

Thinking Of Giving Your Home A Face Lift Venture

A loan is nothing but a debt and home loan is nothing but a loan taken for home improvement. And today many banks are offering many useful schemes which have made our lives really easy and tension free. And one such weapon used by the banks is the loans which fulfils all our financial needs.

Today, many of us think of investing money in our home repairing but sometimes our low cash inflow does not allow us to do so. The greatest benefit of home improvement is that it gives high return in the market. And to solve out this problem of low cash inflow the banks are offering home improvements loans. These home renovation or improvement loans are basically the secured loans which can be incurred for a long time. This loan can be used for many functions such as buying new furniture or adding some more rooms in your home. It can also be used for white washing or painting of walls and even for some extravagant work like constructing a swimming pool etc.

These loans are offered by the banks on extremely low interest rates along with easy monthly installments. The banks provide both economical fixed interest rates and adjustable interest rates according to the affordability of the lender. Now-a-days, the banks are offering different types of home improvement loans such as low-interest home improvement loans, secured home improvement loans, cheap home improvement loans along with fast home improvement loans and bad-credit home improvement loans.

Bad credit home loans are generally taken up by those people who have bad credit. This loan is given on the basis of value of the house less all the outstanding debts on that property. Therefore, no other security is required in order to avail this loan. This bad credit home improvement loan is usually taken for repair work of homes for example, replacing the roof or window of your home, modification of your kitchen or bathroom. This loan also brings in sense of security to the lenders as they know that renovation of their home would only increase its value in the market.

In quest of home improvement loans you should always remember that you make sufficient efforts to improve your credit conditions. You can do this by making timely payments of your credit cards and existing loans. You should also make sure that you make prompt payment for at least three months as it shows your obligation for paying off your loans on time.

Now you can amend your sweet home with the help of these home improvement loans. And the best part of these loans is that a refurbished home increases its value in the market and helps you in gaining higher returns.

About The Author: The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting ask4loan.co.uk as a finance specialist.

For more information related to personal loans: http://www.ask4loan.co.uk/secured-loan.html

Rubber Roofing Products

A Living Room Addition

A living room addition can be the answer to a number of lifestyle issues as well as space issues for families and add to the value of your home at resale. Your home may have a living room that does not meet the needs of your family or it may have no living room at all. Many new homes are designed with a great room only. While these designs are wonderful for a casual lifestyle, they may not work for you if you need for a more formal entertaining area. Many homes built in the 1940s through 1960s were designed with huge living rooms. They were intended to be the room in which the family lived - multi-functional space for relaxing, watching television, reading, listening to music and entertaining. Certainly many people add living rooms to be family living spaces, but a majority of people also add living rooms in order to create more formal settings for entertaining or escape from the television and the noise of children playing.

There are some words in the English language that are helpful in thinking about the function of a living room. A room in which guests are greeted and entertained might be referred to as a parlor. A cozy retreat might be a withdrawing room (or drawing room). A multi-functional space might be a living room. The first decision you must make in designing the new space will be the function of the room. This will help you determine the appropriate size of the space.

The second group of questions concern decisions about how the space will be created.

* Will you remodel part of your home to create your new living room?

* Will you add the room to the existing house?

* Will you divide a large existing room to create two separate spaces?

* How much space do you need in your new room? Will it be the primary family living space? Will it be a small formal room for entertaining? Will it be a relatively small but comfortable place to escape and relax? What does your lifestyle require of the space? Formal living roomB68s built today tend to be much smaller than those designed fifty years ago.

If your needs dictate an addition to your home, there are many considerations before you begin to demolish walls. The list below will get you started, but a successful remodel requires organization. To help make your project a success, consider getting The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer, click here for more information.

* Where will you place the addition? What location seems to be indicated by the architectural style of your home? What location is best to conform with the contours of your lot?

* How will the addition affect the existing home? How will you provide access to the new room? How will you move from the new room to other parts of the home? How will an addition look in terms of the proportions of the existing structure? Will the roofline negatively affect the view from other rooms of the house?

* Is there enough usable space on your lot in the proposed area? What are the local building regulations about how close you can build to the property line? Are you willing to give up the necessary amount of your yard?

A home addition is not a weekend project. You will want to schedule the work to cause the least disruption to your family's life. If you will be making structural changes, you may want to consult an architect. You will need to work with roof and wall supports, know which walls bear the weight of the roof or other walls. You will want to design your addition so it enhances the exterior appearance of your home. Working from a blueprint will also help you to avoid costly oversights.

You will need to check local building codes for specific requirements for exterior building materials or design elements, requirements that licensed professionals perform certain types of work (such as electrical or plumbing). Click here to find the best contractors that specialize in working in your neighborhood.

Here are some of the things you will need to include in your remodeling plan:

* Excavation for the footings and foundation

* Removal of walls

* Construction and installation of supporting beams or columns

* Framing

* Placement and installation of doors and windows

* Insulation

* Installation of a fireplace

* Construction of partitions, customized cabinets, shelving or storage areas

* Upgrading existing electrical circuits

* Positioning and installing electrical outlets, switches, lights, fans, etc.

* Heating and cooling flow

* Flooring selection and installation

* Installation of home technology features

* Exterior wall construction - do you need a bricklayer or a stone mason?

* Interior wall construction - will you use drywall or paneling or some specialty materials like glass bricks?

* Painting or wallpapering

Once you have planned f5B4or each phase of creating your new living room, you will need to decide if you need professional assistance. If you have the skills, the experience, and the time to do all the work yourself, and conform to local building code regulations, you are ready to get started. But if local government requires that some work be done by licensed professionals or if you don't have the skills to do all of the work yourself, it is time to bring in the professionals and schedule the work. You may decide that the project is too extensive for you to handle due to limited skills or time restrictions. If you plan to have the entire job professionally done, you might want to save yourself the risks and the headaches of managing schedules and subcontractors by hiring a general contractor to oversee the entire job.

Then, at last, you can turn your attention to decorating and furnishing your new living room. The function of the room will provide some guidance for you in choosing colors and materials for floor, walls, ceiling, and window treatments. You might choose cooler colors for a more formal room and warmer colors for a retreat. You might choose colors, carpeting styles, and wallpaper to carry the style of your house into the new addition. A very modern home, for example might indicate ceramic tile on the floor with an accent area rug. A traditional home might seem to call for hardwood floors. A Queen Anne style home might lead you to select 591a particular style of wallpaper. And, don't forget to include that one, special accent or conversation piece that will make the room truly special.

With careful planning and design you can create a living room addition that will meet the lifestyle needs of your family. You can enhance the curb appeal of your existing home with the addition and increase the resale value of your home. A living room addition is the perfect opportunity to create the perfect space for your needs.

Adding a room to a home is fun and exciting! Once you understand any restrictions placed on the project by local building codes and the architecture of your existing structure, you can create the room of your dreams.

Copyright 2007 by ABCD Publishing

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founder of the websites http://www.remodelormove.com, http://www.remodelestimates.com and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com

He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

Tips on Purchasing Costa Blanca Villas

Costa Blanca villas have become more popular in recent years. Purchasing a villa in the Costa Blanca region is a good investment and can be a good source of rental income since it is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Spain. The best place to start in gathering information on how to find a Costa Blanca villa is with a reputable real estate agent.

A few things should be taken into considering when beginning your search for a villa. First, consider the location. The most popular areas with tourists are those areas close to beaches and other main attractions. If you intend to rent the villa, you definitely want to consider the villas proximity to these attractions. Villas near the beach, for instance, may cost you more upfront at the time of purchase but keep in mind that you will also be able to charge a higher rental fee. Also consider the amenities offered with the villa. Tourists often desire a private pool, a scenic view, maid service, convenience to the beach, shopping, night life and restaurants. The dcor is also something to consider. When advertising online, pictures of the villa are important in advertising and a nice decorated villa will attract much more attention. Again, spending money to furnish and decorate the villa may cost you more money upfront, but it will be a good investment if you are renting the villa. Finally, you should also consider the resale value of the villa since you may decide to sell it at some point in the future. Popular locations will provide more flexibility and options when you do decide to sell.

Once you have purchased a villa, you can get a good weekly rental rate if it is in a location popular with tourists. This can become a great source of income, especially during the summer season. The rental rate you can charge is influenced by such factors as the villas size, location, amenities and features, and proximity to public transportation, the beach and other attractions. June through September are the prime months for vacation rentals, and you may find that your villa is booked almost every week. Be sure to advertise your villa in advance as people begin planning and booking accommodations up to six months prior to their trip. You will find that July and August have the highest demand for rentals, as well as Christmas and Easter holidays which are also especially popular. Many travelers visit the area for these holiday festivals, processions and celebrations. During the winter months, you may be able to rent your villa to those coming from Northern Europe to escape the colder weather. You may also find retired individuals seeking somewhere to rent during the winter months, which can be a good source of steady rental income during these seasons not as busy as the summer months. The basic rental rate will be less than in the summer, but at least it is still a source of incoming rental cash flow.

Being very interested in How to Find a Costa Blanca Villa, Clinton Maxwell authored different reports on this specific subject. Through his publications such as http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca-villas.html ,the writer established his knowledge on ideas corresponding to Costa Blanca and Spain.

Don't Forget the Landscaping

Summertime is the season for exterior home renovations. It's the time of year when people start planning picnics and backyard parties. They begin to think about how nice a deck would look coming off into the backyard. They think about swimming pools, hot tubs and a variety of other outdoor enhancements. At the same time, you will wan to consider your landscaping options with these enhancements as well. What's a new backyard if there is no nature around?

Exterior home renovations range from new siding to lawn irrigation systems. Landscaping can add that extra special look to just about any project you can think of. How about a new outdoor pond with water plants and a waterfall that gently flows on one side of your new backyard deck? What about a beautiful bed of roses around the perimeter of your home that features new siding? While you're working in the yard, you might as well add an automatic sprinkler system as well.

Landscaping designs can be as simple or as complicated as you want. You can go with simple flowerbeds along the front of your home or you could start a new hedge line as well. If you are looking for a more luscious, floral look consider ornamental grasses, ivy, ferns and flowering shrubs. These plants will provide you with a lot of lush green as well as a little color. These types of plants can add that lush look you are looking for either in your front or back yard. They also make great backdrops to a nice, green backyard or around that new deck.

If you need a little more shade in your yard, trees are your answer. There are a variety of trees from ornamental flowering trees to fruit trees. You can even choose trees that will produce beautiful fall foliage as well. Trees are also a great addition to the value of your home, as homes with trees and shady backyards tend to sell very well. A great tree selection is nice as well. This allows you to have beautiful trees that produce nice foliage in the spring as well as fall foliage in autumn. If you want beautiful spring trees, magnolias will produce beautiful flowers. For the fall, you can't go wrong with maple trees. They are beautiful in the fall and provide excellent summer shade.

To ensure that all of your landscaping work receives adequate care and water, landscaping is the perfect time to add an automatic water sprinkler system. These systems ensure that you plants, grass and trees are receiving adequate water, even when you're traveling. They help in water conservation and allow you to water so that the roots of your plants are target. They can also be programmed to discharge specific amounts of water in certain areas of your yard. They just make lawn care and landscaping that much easier.

Bill Doane is a regular contributor to modern-japanese-gardens.com and is currently landscaping his gardens. Visit Modern Japanese Gardens, Home Remodeling Center, and Garden and Lawn Sprinklers where you can find information on creating a magnificent garden.