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peter: Posted on 25 March 2013 16:53
Its that time of year again when your deck might need cleaning, so I thought I might repost my homemade deck cleaner again for those who have not read it before..........
A Deck is a great feature in the garden, from time to time it needs a bit of TLC, about once every two to three years it needs a good clean to take off all the old stain, dust and grime, like all things in the garden get.
Before you go rushing to the local DIY store to buy the deck cleaner give this a try.
Pour one gallon of clean water into a clean bucket, add one eighth of a gallon of household bleach, the cheap one is fine, then add one quarter of a cup full of washing up liquid again the cheap one is fine, and mix together. The bleach will clean the boards and the washing up liqiud will tackle the dirt.
This is the hard bit, use a scrubbing brush or a hard broom, the brush is better, and firmly scrub the boards to remove the dirt. Its only once every two to three years so no hardship. Wash off with clean water every fourth board to stop it drying out. If you do allow the boards to dry before the washing off then you might have to scrub them lightly again as the dirt will solidify on top.
This does work and is a lot cheaper than the DIY store cleaner, which in my view does not work as good as the can says it should.
Happy cleaning, then allow to dry and coat again with you favorite stain colour.
See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 22 January 2013 16:48
Getting near the credit card payment thing, I think, paypal is the option I am wondering onto, they have a mobile section which I think might the answer, but waiting for one more option to come through. Then I will make a decision. Just a note about decking and the height involved, a customer recently wanted a deck which is 2.3m high off the ground, this is not a problem as we have done this type of deck before and constructed it to the plans. Bracing and secure fixing is the without question the most important item, without them the deck will be unsafe. Screw fixings are just not good enough, coach bolts and sleeper bolts are the best. Posts have to be substantial and cemented into the ground, with bracing between. The beams have to be 150mm x 50mm (6 x 2) anything smaller is again not good enough. Of course all this safety comes at a price, but a small one compared to the whole structure collapsing whilst people on the deck. Please take of your choice of company you get to carry out such structures. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 09 January 2013 22:38
A Deck is a great feature in the garden, from time to time it needs a bit of TLC, about once every two to three years it needs a good clean to take off all the old stain, dust and grime, like all things in the garden get.
Before you go rushing to the local DIY store to buy the expensive deck cleaner give this a try.
Pour one gallon of clean water into a clean bucket, add one eighth of a gallon of household bleach, the cheap one is fine, then add one quarter of a cup full of washing up liquid again the cheap one is fine, and mix together. The bleach will clean the boards and the washing up liqiud will tackle the dirt.
This is the hard bit, use a scrubbing brush or a hard broom, the brush is better, and firmly scrub the boards to remove the dirt. Its only once every two to three years so no hardship. Wash off with clean water every fourth board to stop it drying out. If you do allow the boards to dry before the washing off then you might have to scrub them lightly again as the dirt will solidify on top.
This does work and is a lot cheaper than the DIY store cleaner, which in my view does not work as good as it says it should.
Happy cleaning, then allow to dry and coat again with you favorite stain colour.
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peter: Posted on 16 December 2012 21:02
Sunday, what can I say, Sunday, went to sunny minster today to view a scheme, this is a high platform deck, 2.3m high to be exact. Its got to be built over an existing deck making literally two tiers. Has to be that high as relations of the customer are 6ft 5 high, so to give them head room 2.3m will be fine, extra bracing on this one.
Well the holidays are almost with us and we will be working up until this Friday, the last weekend before Christmas.
Can not wait for the special to start, have a look on the offer page for details.
See you all soon!!
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peter: Posted on 16 December 2012 10:14
Another scheme to quote for this weekend, some decking in Minster, off today to view it. This one is an extension to some existing decking already done.
The scheme will be done is successful in Jan 2013. Handrails on this one also.
See you all soon!!
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peter: Posted on 15 December 2012 17:23
What a week we had, leading from freezing cold to mild weather, windy wet and frost. We are now getting to the clean bit, no more mu, or at least not much, creating the timber patios and this will tidy up the site.
Been to the shops today as usual, got some presents for family, and ordered online for Amber my granddaughter, so all sorted. Watching some TV and relaxing on a Saturday afternoon.
The holidays are on there way, and the special in January is even closer.
See you all soon!!
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peter: Posted on 10 November 2012 20:53
I have created a PDF file on the website its of the home page so now you can my site with you.
Deep joy I hear you say, but next time you have some work in the garden give us a call from wherever you are in the medway towns and surrounding areas.
Saturday night, and watching TV or on Facebook, looking forward to creating a timber deck for a couple in Cuxton, this will enable the lady of the house to gain access to the garden in a safe manner.
Also it will be child friendly, so when the grandchildren come to visit, they can enjoy the company.
See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 08 August 2012 20:05
Got some more of the wall done today, nearly finished it, well Neil has he is the bricklayer, customer is pleased, just got the pillars to do , coping's and pier caps, the we will leave it for a week to harden off before we put the fence panels in between the pillars.
Have a got a week off this week coming, hope the weather holds. Must get some paperwork done though.
Waiting for the OK to start phase two of a scheme we did last year.
Would be good to do some decking again soon, my favourite job next to laying slabs.
See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 04 July 2012 21:09
Had a good day today started the fence at sidcup, we have been waiting for the electrician to put in the wiring for the decking lights, its the low voltage ones so we can install those.
The deck is nearly finished, such a large area, 11.5 long x 6.1m wide, 120 deck boards, and over 3500 screws.
Weather has not been too bad either.
See you all soon!! |
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Posted on 25 June 2012 19:14
We have had a good day and got the walderslade deck sorted. Tomorrow is a day home because of the materials not being delivered. Still not so bad.
Tough luck re the england team, penalties again, we just seem to get it wrong dont we.
Starting the Sidcup scheme and will be there about 15 days.
See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 17 May 2012 21:12
A better day today, weather was as it should be for the time of year, dry, almost got the whjole deck areas done, got the railway sleeper flower beds done just got to fill them with compost. Tomorrow will finish the above and start dooing the lights. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 13 May 2012 19:15
Decking Oil is a product that will keep your deck in good condition, its easy to apply, do not put too much on at a time allow to penetrate, better to apply a thin coat then a second later. I have found that a product called Deck restorer makes the deck slippery. Of course decking stain is a great way of colouring your area, but I always say this, please make sure that you will like the colour because it is a stain and will need to be worn over a period of time. There are ways of getting the stain off but that invloves more cost. In my mind natural effect is better, so oil or a product called Stay New is good. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 10 May 2012 18:28
Went well today, Neil has been building a wall under the gazebo to keep the work dry. A gazebo for £17 well worth it to do the work. Has kept the area dry. Should finish tomorrow, me, I am off to Iwade for a delivery of materials. Hoping it will be there before 12 noon. All ready for Monday start. A bespoke deck and lights. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 05 May 2012 20:16
Saturday night, in watching some TV, thinking about Tuesday and hoping its a dry day, as we have a brick wall to build, and some digging. After all we have a wet April, hoping for a dryer May. Done the thing at Tescos so having a rest. One thing that came up yet again, was the painting of your timber deck. Whatever you do, do not paint it with shed and fence paint, this is no good as some chemicles do not mix. What happens after a while the paint starts to peel off. Make sure its decking paint, say decking stain or perhaps oil, a cuprinol Stay New. See you all soon. |
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peter: Posted on 04 May 2012 21:53
Another deck done in Hempstead, this is just a flat one as said before in an earlier blog. All done and customer is very pleased with the result, we had to cut around a tree, always adds a feature when there is a tree or plant through the deck, we always make sure that the tree or plant has room to grow without damaging the deck. see you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 03 May 2012 20:09
Today was ok, just ok, drizzle rain most of it, but ok. Almost got the deck done, this is a flat near to ground type 6.7m long x 2.1m wide, in Hempstead. Weed membrane under the frame and away we went. Then the house alarm went off, there we were in the garden and the alarm ringing, we were expecting PC plod to come calling, but never did, and the alarm stopped, peace had returned, then the bloody thing went off again. Headache anyone See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 02 May 2012 19:48
Started a new deck today, still catching up because of the rain, or drought as the weather men call it, got the frame done and tomorrow going to lay the deck boards. The job is in Hempstead Gillingham, its part of a full scheme but the customer is having it done in stages, which is a popular way of creating a garden. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 18 March 2012 20:43
Sunday night, looking forward to starting the new deck tomorrow, the one with the rope handrail. Should be good, the customer has left us access to the back door so we can plug in the extension leads for power. They will have a surprise every night for about a week, as they see the deck taking shape. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 26 February 2012 20:15
Had a good weekend, three jobs came in, one is still pending, just need the contract signed a agreed and off we go. Have stated all that I need so we wait to hear. Next week we might be able to finally lay the lawn at strood, if not certainly within the next two weeks as the weather is getting a little warmer and settled at the moment. Patios, Decking and some landscaping. Emails have also been coming in so all ready to go for the spring. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 27 November 2011 18:57
still time to order your decking before the new year, at great prices for this time of the season, and great value, you cant afford to miss out. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on 15 August 2011 21:50
finished off the decking along the side access and started the steps. waiting for screwfix now to deliver yet more screws, this makes over 3800 in this deck alone. The Matika drill is earning its keep this week. |
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Peter: Posted on 18 July 2011 21:20
well the start of the week has gone well, finished the frame for the deck, just got to secure the boards on now, then its onto the paving. Rutland paving three sizes 6x6, 6x3, 3x3 these sizes make a great pattern.
Mind I think the weather is more like March than July at the moment. Still no matter what is thrown at me I still come bouncing back.
See you all soon!! |
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Peter: Posted on 11 July 2011 21:58
Been let down badly today by a timber supplier of Hardwood decking, tried to palm off so old stock that looked as if it had been sitting around for a long time. Now I either to wait at least 5 days for some fresh timber to come in, or phone around to try and get it somewhere else. Not a happy bunny!! |
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peter: Posted on 29 June 2011 20:56
Another scheme done, this was two decks, and raised beds made from railway sleepers, it took 10 tonnes of topsoil to fill them, finished the tops of the beds of with smooth side up deck boards, not you can sit on the edge and no get a profiled behind.
Have been ask to give a planting list for the beds. The customer was very pleased, so much so they gave us a "tip", which was very welcomed.
See you all soon!! |
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Peter: Posted on 08 March 2011 22:05
Well I am working at Culvestone Green Near meopham, a deck with a difference, not only it will have handrails and spindles, it will also have a raised pond. And to finish it well, there will be decking lights.
Well its going to look fabulous. Watch out for pictures on the website. |
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Peter: Posted on 28 February 2011 11:51
We all crave for the summer weather, after all it has been a long winter this time. What we are about to see are the new shoots of srping creeping up on us. A new Driveway, Patio,Deck, makes the garden look so much better if done well. We have over the years been to a number of gardens that have had, shall we say, a less than normal way of building all three, and having paid a silly amount, we find ourseleves having to pay again to get it put right, most of the time starting from the beginning. A Deck for instance must be supported, the bearers must be off the ground, and either bolts or long fixings to hold the whole frame together. We had an occasion to rebuild a deck, which was put together with nails and more nails, the deck boards were nailed down as well, nails do not hold them in place at all, they have to be fixed with at least 60mm screws I feel. Well because the deck boards were nailed into place they were very difficult to lift in one piece, so had to buy more boards to replace them, tehy had so many spilts in them where the nails had gone in too far and the head of the nail had damaged to timber. All in all the customer had to buy almost two thirds of the deck for us to build. A costly mistake by who ever built it in the first place. |
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