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Your deck is a favorite gathering place in summer and lets the whole family enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. In order to keep your deck functional and looking great for years, you do need to make sure the deck is properly weatherproofed. Taking the steps to weatherproof your deck now will insure your investment for many, many years.

Weatherproofing a deck isn’t difficult; it requires a minimum of materials and a bit of elbow grease. You should seal your deck to weatherproof it when it is first built and periodically (every few years or so) reapply the sealant to make sure the wood continues to hold up.

Materials that will you will need include a hose, dust mask, pail of water, safety glasses, deck cleaner, waterproofing staining sealer, broom, belt sander or sandpaper, and paintbrush. Try renting a paint sprayer if you can as applying the sealer with a sprayer instead of a brush can really save you some time.

It’s important to gather your materials together beforehand so that you have them ready the day you plan to weatherproof the deck, but what’s even more important is the weather. You must be certain that there is no rain in the forecast for that day and the next before you call over all your friends to help with your weatherproofing project!

After you have verified that there is no threat of rain and you have all your materials on hand, you should start by giving the deck a thorough cleaning. Make sure you get all the cracks and corners. If you find any rough spots sand them down. Carefully remove left over sawdust and debris with the broom. Always use a dust mask as well as safety glasses while sanding.

After the deck has been cleaned and has dried fully, you are ready to start sealing. Be sure to
follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the weatherproofing seal. If you are going to use paint after you seal the deck, make sure that what you use for sealant will work with a paint overcoat.

Whether you are using a paint brush or sprayer, you must make sure to cover the entire deck - every crack and crevice, leaving no spot unsealed. This means paying close attention to things like railings, beams and wall supports if they’re present.

Once you are done sealing, you will have to resist the urge to get on the deck and enjoy it right away. You need to let it dry thoroughly according to the manufacturers instructions on the sealant. This might be difficult, but, making sure you can enjoy your beautiful deck for years to come is well worth the wait.

Lee Dobbins writes for Home Improvement publications. See more on remodeling and home improvement at http://www.dailynewz.info

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So think you’d like to build a bathroom cabinet. Perhaps a new curio for the front room is in order. You even recognize how nice it would be to make a captain’s bed with a full set of drawers underneath and a headboard that holds books. If you have big plans for building something out of wood, then make sure you have the right woodworking plans and patterns so that you can do it like the professionals.

What’s In a Woodworking Plan

Commercially sold or free woodworking plans found online take all the guess work out of a project. A good plan, not only list the lumber you will need - type and quantity, but it can give you estimates on how long the whole project will take and evaluate it by skill level. For example, a beginner may not be ready for a curved wood curio cabinet top, but could really do nicely making a lighthouse style birdhouse.

Wood working patterns also contain a hardware and accessories list. You will know ahead of time just how many hinges, knobs and drawer rails your project requires. It will give a description of the best materials to use and even where to get them.

A tool list helps you make sure you have everything you need to work with your supply list. Many plans don’t assume you already own any of the tools so the list is comprehensive and complete. If you need a particular saw blade, the plans will let you know right there in black and white.

Another helpful part about using a woodworking pattern is that all your measurements are there. If you are making the captain’s bed with underneath storage drawers, you will not need to calculate or guess the width each drawer needs to be in order to fit three across. The figuring has been done for you. Even better than just planning, the plan author has most likely made the project several times, so they know from experience.

How Hard Is It To Read Woodworking Plans?

Many plans are created to overcome the language barrier. Pictures illustrate each step and are often all that is necessary without added written descriptions. For those steps that may need the additional explanation, written directions are usually in several of the most common world languages.

You don’t need to have a degree in hammering and gluing to understand how these directions work. If you have every put one of those “some assembly required” toys together, then you will be pleasantly surprised that reading woodworking plans is actually easier!

The Finishing Touches

Many wood working patterns come with illustrations or photographs of the finished project. Line drawings are always included, but it is also nice to see the finished piece in a photograph. This will give you ideas for staining or painting the finished wood project. Also you can get an idea of how it might look in a room in your home. Don’t be afraid to take on a wood working project just because you can’t see how it’s all put together from the outside. Chances are somebody has wanted to make one of their own and has drawn up just the pattern you need.

Peter J. Wilson regularly makes detailed articles on issues similar to scroll saw patterns. You can come across his comments on scroll saw patterns and woodworking plans over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/projectsplanspatterns/index.html and different sources for free woodworking patterns knowledge.

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In 2004 The United States department of Labor reported that the number of injuries and fatalities from falls from roofs and ladders had increased. This report focused on occupational injuries that generally occur among trained personnel, which speaks to an even greater safety concern over DIY projects utilizing ladders.

Most accidents occur from incorrect use of the ladder or materials. Before you begin a project make sure that you have gone through safety preparations and are familiar with the tools to be used. As in most DIY projects, the best safety precaution is to think out your task thoroughly before beginning. You should have confidence in both yours and your equipment’s ability to complete the project.

Getting Started:

Once you have decided that you need to use a ladder to complete your project, make sure that you have the right type of ladder. There are many types of ladders all with their own advantages and disadvantages, which may include weight and height limits. If you are not sure that your ladder is the best fit for the job, make sure to consult a professional.

Some general things to look for in a ladder are:

How strong is it?

How tall is it?

Is it made primarily for indoor or outdoor use?

What material is it made out of (certain materials can have unique weaknesses or safety concerns)?

Does it have any cracks?

Does it have a coating such as paint that could cover defects?

Are the rungs secured?

Are the footpads secure and dry?

Diving into your Project:

While you may be eager to get started on your project, please take the time to ensure that your ladder is set-up correctly and that you know how to use it safely.

1. Make sure your ladder is steady. Place the ladder on a surface that is strong and level; also make sure that the ladder is not on top of any slippery materials.

2. If using a stepladder, make sure that the spreader arms are in the locked, open position.

3. If you are using a straight or extension ladder, make sure the ladder is resting at the correct angle to the wall or structure it is leaning on. The angle is normally 75-80 degrees. Or for every 4 ft high the ladder is on the wall, make the base 1 ft away from the bottom of the wall.

4. If using a straight or extension ladder, make sure that the top of the ladder is resting against a straight and solid surface.

5. Make sure that you have at least three points of contact with the ladder when working, such as two feet and one hand.

6. Wear flat shows or boots with grip when working on a ladder

7. Do not carry heavy items while climbing the ladder, use some type of hoist or pulley system to retrieve the items instead

8. Don’t work on a ladder in strong wind

9. Don’t allow children near the ladder

10. Never stand on the top two rungs of the ladder

11. Stay centered and facing the ladder when climbing or working

These ten tips will help keep you safe, however they are not all-inclusive. If you have any questions about your ladder or safety concerns about your project, make sure to consult an expert.

Amanda Miller is a writer and a home improvement expert. She offers reviews and advice on home improvement projects and products such as the little giant ladder system.

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