| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Moving a 14'x13' Deck | 7/18/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: We were given an above ground pool and deck. We have the pool set-up, but now we face the problem ...
A: I would look at simpson strong tie website and see if they have a hanger that will work to reattach ...
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| Deck Painting | 7/17/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I need help! As a woman, I feel I am often taken advantage of by contractors, especially since ...
A: Every once in a while we come across a job that is hard to bid, way too many variables, so in order ...
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| New Screened in Porch | 7/16/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I had my deck converted to a Screened In Porch. Pressure Treated wood was used. It was painted ...
A: If you use the right paint, you should not have a problem. Depending on where your live is how often ...
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| Azek Pergola | 7/16/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I'd like to build a pergola out of Azek cellular PVC so I won't have to worry about paint peeling ...
A: Some structural PVC and fiberglass products are reinforced with aluminum inside because it is very ...
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| Deck/Sunroom | 7/16/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I recently bought a house with a sunroom attached to the house and next to that a deck. It looks to ...
A: It certainly sounds as if you do have some settlement going on here. Also, it seems as if the ...
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| Deck Painting | 7/16/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I need help! As a woman, I feel I am often taken advantage of by contractors, especially since ...
A: I really am not an expert in painting to be honest, But I know you use a oil base primer ( white) as ...
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| Deck Painting | 7/15/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I need help! As a woman, I feel I am often taken advantage of by contractors, especially since ...
A: Sorry to hear about your deck project, good contractors are hard to find.My company prides itself on ...
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| Pergola | 7/14/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: We are going to build a pergola and want to go with a wood type structure. Our question is do you ...
A: Marine treated lumber will hold up longer when exposed all year round without sealing. Cedar will ...
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| corner fence | 7/13/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have a backyard spa and my yard backs onto a busy highway. I would like to build a 2 panel corner ...
A: Good morning Ray, If any way possible use 4x4 posts and set them in the ground with concrete. If ...
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| fence | 7/13/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I have a spa in my back yard which backs onto a busy highway and would like to build a section of ...
A: You can pour concrete footers and use metal post brackets to secure the 4x4's. If you use screws and ...
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| TOOLS | 7/11/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Which brand and which type of air nailer would you recommend that has multiple uses?
A: My favorite is a old style Hitachi, lite and fires fast. Only problem 500-600 bucks. What we use ...
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| Fence staining | 7/11/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: Good afternoon, Dan I have several questions to ask regarding staining a wooden fence. I bought a ...
A: I like One Time Wood's deck stain or sealer products. They recommend 7 to 8 years before reapplying. ...
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| Fence staining | 7/11/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: Good afternoon, Mike I have several questions to ask regarding staining a wooden fence. I bought a ...
A: So much depends on where you live and how much shade, sun and humidity affects the wood. You will be ...
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| footings for deck | 7/9/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I'm building a free standing deck that will be seven in. above the ground in the front and with the ...
A: If you need to go in the ground, you may try a jackhammer attachment to get through the rock and ...
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| Deck footers | 7/8/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have to replace my deck as it is rotting (20+ years old). It's 17x20, about 17" high. An ...
A: Codes are different from county to city to county. But I would recommend you dig footers and pour ...
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| remove pea gravel on patio floor | 7/8/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I live in a 20-year old villa that has a pea gravel patio floor and pea gravel on the porch and ...
A: Now that is a bird of a different feather altogether, Epoxy is very strong if applied correctly, ...
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| Deck | 7/7/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I am a first time home owner, I do not know anything. please assist me in the proper way to clean, ...
A: The start is to clean the deck as thoroughly as possible. A pressure washer works great for this. ...
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| Pergola | 7/7/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Hi -- Do you have experience or thoughts on the possibility of constructing a perglola using ...
A: I personally have not built a composite pergola but I have seen it done.You can purchase composite ...
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| Roof over existing deck | 7/6/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: We have a 12 ft. deck that is cantilevered 2 ft.and want to add a porch roof and screen in. The ...
A: It really depends on your roof weight and the type of flooring you are going to use. Standard wall ...
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| sealing decks | 7/6/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: just a quick question. how many coats of sealant is optimal for decks after getting the power ...
A: You would not need to pressure wash again if the deck is still clean. Applying two coats initially ...
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| sealing decks | 7/5/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: just a quick question. how many coats of sealant is optimal for decks after getting the power ...
A: It needs to pretty dry before applying a water seal. I have always used a quality product like ...
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| porch floor construction | 7/1/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene, I am building a cabin and am ready to build the porch floor. The porch roof is supported by ...
A: 1.) I would use 2x10 as the ledger and rim and 2x8 as the joists. In such a small span 2x8 is plenty ...
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| staining deck | 7/1/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: is it beter to use a roller or brush to stain a deck, my deck has been staines once already and is ...
A: Difficult to give sensible advice without being able to physically see your problem. At least the ...
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| Deck posts/ footings | 6/30/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I have what I hope is a more easily solvable problem with a concrete post I've poured to support a ...
A: Good afternoon, Devin As I was reading your question, the answer I came up with was what you had ...
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| Hardware-post | 6/30/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I have an elevated wooden deck. I need to set the posts for the railing. I need some kind of heavy ...
A: I do not know of any hardware designed for this application. The best way to attach your 4" x 4" ...
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| concrete deck with pagoda | 6/29/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: We are looking to put in a concrete patio and would like to add to it a pagoda type covering in one ...
A: You can use a fiberglass or composite posts that will not rot or be eaten by bugs. If you buy ...
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| untreated lumber | 6/29/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I'm a contractor and just replaced rail caps (2x4's) with untreated lumber. I've stained them with 2 ...
A: I don't mind interrupting my on line pool game but I am on a winning streak. Just kidding. The ...
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| Roof over an existing deck | 6/25/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: Mike, I am wanting to add a shingled roof over an existing deck. The Deck is 6 foot above the ground ...
A: If I was building your roof I would put a 4x4 in each corner and one in the middle of the 14' span. ...
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| Pergola over deck--high off ground | 6/25/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Eugene, My wife and I would like to put a freestanding Pergola over our deck. The deck is 8ft off ...
A: I would assume the deck has a hand rail. Try and incorporate the posts into the hand rail, if you ...
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| Which deck stain/base-coat is the best? Need priming 1st? | 6/25/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I just power-washed my deck in preparation for putting on good coating(s) so it can be as durable as ...
A: I have to admit I do have a problem with any kind of deck staining/painting. I have always used a ...
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| Which is the best coating and how many? | 6/25/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I just power-washed my deck in preparation for putting on good coating(s) so it can be as durable as ...
A: That is the best process but most people powerwash then do a one or two coat sealer/stain and are ...
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| Replacing a screen in a wood porch | 6/25/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: Owen: I am refinishing a western red cedar deck that is 5 years old.. The deck has a screened-in ...
A: This is right up my street as I have installed miles of screen material using every kind of ...
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| Replacing a screen in a wood porch | 6/25/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Clayton: I am refinishing a western red cedar deck that is 5 years old.. The deck has a ...
A: On all our screen porches we have custom made screens made to fit the openings.Install stop ...
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| decking material | 6/24/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Mr. Clayton. Back in April I asked you about your thoughts on using a composite material (Trex or ...
A: Andy!! Lets see, I personally like the new yellow wood. In my area Ga. Our Lowes has green wood , ...
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| Installing railing posts | 6/24/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: I am about to install the railings on a deck using notched posts. My concern is that after carving ...
A: We do it all the time only we do 1 3/4 " exactly 1/2 of the post. You can install the posts with a 5 ...
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| Installing railing posts | 6/24/2008 | Dan Donavin |
Q: I am about to install the railings on a deck using notched posts. My concern is that after carving ...
A: It is stable when you run two 5/8 bolts to attach them to the deck and run the handrails connecting ...
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| Installing railing posts | 6/24/2008 | Michael J. Owen |
Q: I am about to install the railings on a deck using notched posts. My concern is that after carving ...
A: Depending on your particular application, it is not necessary to cut that much out of the posts. ...
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| deck supports | 6/24/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: We are building a deck near a river and the ground is usually wet and moving. The question I have is ...
A: I don't think I follow you what is a floating footing? I once built a deck near a creek that flooded ...
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| decking material | 6/24/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: Mr. Clayton. Back in April I asked you about your thoughts on using a composite material (Trex or ...
A: Andrew good to hear from you again, I love the way cedar smells when its cut, and the way it looks ...
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| adding wooden railing to brick porch | 6/24/2008 | Eugene Clayton |
Q: What is the best way to design and secure a wooden railing(there is no railing now)to a brick porch? ...
A: Good afternoon Kathy, To achieve the most attractive look use 2x4 as a nailer attached to the brick ...
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