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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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My husband and I just completed our first remodel. It was a period renovation of a Victorian Gingerbread Craftsman. (I’m so thrilled I can talk about it in the past tense). We haunted architectural salvage houses for just the right windows, bid on eBay for period-correct light fixtures, spent an entire afternoon driving all over L.A. for a screw that they stopped making in the thirties and generally worked to the point of insanity. Tiptoed up to the line but never crossed it.

So here, ripped from the headlines so to speak, are my
Top Ten Tips for Remodeling. Read ‘em and weep.

1. There is a solution to every situation. But it’s
not necessarily yours. You go where the solution is - it
doesn’t come to you.

2. There is no medicine for whatever ails you quite like hard, exhausting, purposeful work.

3. Chew your own food. Don’t make your
problems other peoples. They’ve got their own.

4. I’m not psychic. Maybe you are.
Guesstimates of time and money are just that.
Reality has a way of intruding. When in doubt - go
with Reality. (I don’t know when I’m going to die
either).

5. Pain fades with time. Remodeling is like giving
birth. When you’re in the middle of delivery you
swear you’ll never do it again. But then the kid turns out to
be a looker, a few years go by…..Yadda yadda yadda - you’re in escrow.

6. There are no problems - only opportunities
for creativity, action and collaboration.

7. You’re born alone, you die alone - you don’t
have to win alone. Everyone can win. Some win more
than others but there’s enough in the pot to spread
around. If you squeeze a vendor to bid a job so
low that they can’t make money, harbor
resentment and cut corners - you both lose.

8. Nobody owes you anything. If they help you
it’s because they’re generous people. Acknowledge
them.

9. Everything comes to an end. And then it starts
up again.

10. Remodeling really is like Improv. You show up
without a script. You have no idea what’s going to
happen next ( except you can be sure that whatever
you think it’ll be - you’re wrong). You’re dependent
on others for their performances. So help them shine.
You make it work by paying attention to everything
and dealing with whatever Reality presents to you. Do
the best you can with the resources you have and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.

11. Okay, I lied. There are more than Ten Tips to Remodeling. There are actually thousands. This last one, though, is the most important. Don’t forget to put yourself on your own Punch List. No pressure of work or money is reason enough not to eat right,sleep enough, monitor your health and appreciate your
family.

Mary Rosendale is a Certified Life Coach, Author, Speaker and serial remodeler. Visit her on the web at http://www.TheConstructedLife.com and sign up for her one-of-a-kind newsletter.

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The style of your interior depends for a great part on the decoration on the walls. Using the right picture on the right place can make your room look bigger. I experienced this for myself when I came in this business. I do sell reproduction paintings, you know.

Actually, I came in the reproduction painting business because I was amazed about what one painting can do to your living room. Let me explain. I had an old painting on my wall that looked very nice. But, there was something missing. I decided that I had to replace it. I always wanted a Van Gogh, but I knew I would never be able to buy one.

After a few months I discovered that there was a business that did just what I was looking for. I bought a reproduction painting from them, and this is the way my own business started. I was overwhelmed by the artistic talent of the reproductionist who captured the realistic impressionism of Van Gogh. So I decided to work together with these guys.

I figured out they use the same techniques the old masters used. With several painters who are specialized in one artist, and only reproduce work of that artist. There are specialists of Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin and a lot more impressionists.

Since I started this business I feel like helping other people realize there dream. They are affordable for everyone. You can already buy a “real” Van Gogh for as less as 120 USD. This is not too much for a beautiful lasting post-impressionistic piece of artwork. If you are searching for this kind of timeless house warming painting, go and check out my website at http://www.repropaint.com

About The Author

Clark Vansteensel

http://www.repropaint.com

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