Hey everyone,
Summer's here.
Have you had an opportunity for a cookout yet? Around here we've been getting all decked out for the season. Entertaining family and friends on our deck is a big favorite. Thing is...people with food, kids and pets on wooden decking can mean messy spills and difficult clean-ups
In this month's issue of the PowerWashNow.com NEWSLETTER we'll be talking about cleaning and upkeep on those expensive wooden decks around your house. You'll be amazed at what a difference professional power washing can make.
We've been helping our customers keep their decks, pools and landscaping beautiful for those special summer activities for close to twenty years now. We'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please contact us at newsletter@powerwashnow.com. We always enjoy hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Mike
Choosing the right maintenance process for your deck
I
have talked with a lot of homeowners over the last 19 years and have learned
as much as I've taught. We normally walk around the person's
property together looking at the exterior of the house but ultimately end
up at their rear deck. For most people it's their private little safe haven—an
extension of their home. Whether they spend countless hours entertaining
or just kick back relaxing—people love their decks!
Never was this more poignant then when I received a call from a man who seemed very distraught and said he needed my help. He got our company name from somebody he worked with after discussing his problem with them.
It seems this man had a serious problem with his prized “backyard retreat” and as he talked he was almost in tears. I stopped by the following day and parked in front of a very plain looking ranch house. I slipped through the fence, which allowed me access to another world. The backyard was a beautifully landscaped haven viewable from his beautiful wooden "retreat". As I got closer, I realized why the man was so distraught. Somebody had really messed this up.
It seems he had a so-called professional apply a sealer, which was ultimately over applied. After the man complained the professional tried to remedy the problem with a series of attempts at high pressure cleaning and chemicals. After these failed attempts by the contractor, the desperate homeowner visited the local Home Center and purchased sealer and tried to seal over the mess. The results were disastrous.
This man was so distraught he allowed his deck to sit for almost a year before getting our name. The year had not been kind to this deck as it was blanketed under many large shade trees. The combination of shade, moisture and an overabundance of oil sealer had spawned an outbreak of black mold. In fact it looked like it was spray painted black in areas while other areas were shiny from too much stain. After a careful inspection and review we came up with a plan to solve the problem.
It took a lot of work but his “baby” was finally in good hands and we were able to remove all of the previous layers of stain and kill the mold. After it was dry, the deck was protected with an application of a penetrating oil-based sealer. We have since placed him on our deck maintenance program, which keeps his “baby” in tiptop shape.
What is Ipe Decking?
Ipe (pronounced EE pay) a.k.a “brazilian walnut” is a tightly grained exotic wood that is imported into North America from South America. It is primarily harvested from Brazil. It is extremely hard, strong and naturally resistant to rot, abrasion and weather. Ipe is almost twice as dense as most other woods used for decks and up to 5 times harder. It carries the same fire rating given to concrete and steel—a class A fire rating.
Ipe heartwood is olive to reddish brown to blackish, often with lighter or darker striping. It actually can be very similar in appearance to teak wood. The sapwood is much lighter with white or yellowish tones. The wood is available in fairly long lengths.
Working properties— Ipe can be somewhat difficult to work due to the hardness of the product, especially if you plan on using hand tools. Keep tools sharp, use carbide and always pre drill holes. It sands and machines very well. Look for contractors familiar with Ipe or “woodworking” vs. construction because standard techniques using nail guns will produce disastrous results.
Durability— Ipe heartwood is extremely resistant to decay by termites and fungus, it has the durability and strength of teakwood but is normally more affordable. The U.S. Dept of Agriculture rates Ipe as “very resistant to decay, fungi and termites.”
Preserving— This wood is very dense and naturally alkaline which makes it very resistant to being able to properly absorb most preservatives and sealers. If left alone it will weather the suns uv and elements will turn it to a silvery gray color. Unlike softwoods used in deck construction, Ipe does not require a sealer coat to seal the wood and protect against moisture absorption, which can lead to twisting, cupping and splintering. Although it is not required, Ipe can be sealed to help retain its beautiful, deep reddish, brown tones if you do not like the silver-grey appearance. Many oil and water based sealers will not properly dry when applied to this dense wood, so it is recommended to always do a test patch and to use products designed for this type of wood.
End grain sealing— This product is normally shipped from suppliers with the end grain of the boards sealed or coated with wax. When you cut the boards it is important to seal the end grain within 24 hours with an end grain sealant to prevent the boards from checking (cracking). The sealant is painted on with a paint brush and normally dries clear.
What’s the gap? The recommended space between boards is 1/16” to allow for water to escape and to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood. If you need to utilize a glue in your construction projects you can use a waterproof polyurethane type like gorilla or an epoxy type. You may want to tint the glue to match the wood or stain.
Recommended sealers (from importers)
Penefin for hardwood
Cabot Australian Timer Oil
It is used on the Atlantic City boardwalk
What about cost? Ipe can range in price from $4.00 up per sq. ft based on the width, amount purchased, and location,etc.
Is Ipe worth the price? Although I have been an avid wood worker for over 25 years and was very familiar with the use and properties of most hardwoods, my first experience with Ipe or Brazilian walnut being used on a deck was around 10 years ago. We were called in through a painting contractor to power wash a client’s deck. The deck was a beautifully constructed “monster” located on an exclusive waterfront ocean estate in Rhode Island. I met the homeowner as we set up for the job and engaged him in conversation as to how beautiful his deck was. The woodworker in me couldn’t resist asking this man why he chose an expensive cabinet or woodworking type material for an exterior project. I mean I have seen some pretty outlandish things done by the wealthy to prove their wealth but this was EXOTIC WOOD! The man said because of the proximity to the salt water he had already replaced his deck twice with pressure treated material and once with mahogany-all at great expense. The ipe, although expensive would end up tolerating the harsh environment his property was subjected to and would actually end up to be very cost effective over time. Sure the initial outlay was more but the beauty and longevity acheived by its use far outweighed the expense.
