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June 11, 2008

Looking to Spruce Up Your Deck???

If your deck's handrail sags in the middle of a long run, measure the distance between the decking and the underside of the railing at one of the posts. Cut a 2x6 block to that length, then use two 2x4s as a lever and fulcrum to raise the railing and slide the block in.

If the wood on your deck absorbs too much water, it can become warped, cracked and otherwise damaged. To protect the wood, you should apply a sealant. If your deck has already been sealed, you should test the sealant on a regular basis by drizzling water onto different areas of the deck. If the water beads up on the wood, no additional sealant is needed, but if the wood absorbs the water, new sealant should be applied as soon as possible.

June 26, 2008

Still working on making your deck look good???

If you have been staining your deck (or anything else) with rags they can present a serious fire hazard.  When done with the project, do not discard them wet.  Make sure you lay them out flat in a well ventilated area and properly dispose of them when they are dry and stiff.

And while you are working on those outside projects...

If you want to paint steel flashing or gutters to match your roof and siding, first coat it with vinegar then wipe it dry. The vinegar will etch the surface slightly and allow a primer coat to adhere much better.

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