Tag: home improvement

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Almost Done With Our Deck Project For The Year

Written October 6, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Today, I plan to finish this round of deck painting. We have been working on this project since August. Preparing for the painting took a lot of time, but we were nearly finished. For the last part, we have to work on touching up the painting. Once the paint is dried, we can see the spot we missed during the initial coat painting. 

Our deck already looks good with the dark paint we picked. There is something we learned about the paint the other day. There are so many types of paint, but for an aged deck like ours, we must use solid color paint on it. We picked a great one. My wife had sympathy for our deck. She still carries Japanese culture, and she automatically sees that things we use also have spirit, sounding like spring from Sanderson’s Stormlight archives, right? It is exciting and fabulous at the same time. Despite our cultural differences, we still married happily.

After breakfast, I’ll work on painting our deck. Unfortunately, we cannot work on the vertical railing supports at this time. That requires serious cleaning and replacement. One of the supports near the top of the railing post was rotten to the point that the support system needed replacing the part. My wife tried to stop rotten by grinding them out and sealing them with the wood hardener; however, she says this is like a temporary fix that needs serious fixing in the near future. Due to the time restriction, she did not want to stop the deck painting process. The morning temperature goes below 50F some days, worrying my wife. 

We will start working on the railing and railing support once the temperature rises above 50 degrees F in the morning next year. Of course, we will paint them as well. Once we’ve repaired the steps, more painting will be done in the next few years.

 My wife and I have sore glutes today from all the squatting we did yesterday while painting the decking.  My toe is feeling much better, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to run again tomorrow.  I was able to walk normally by last evening.  Putting on socks and shoes has been the most painful task thus far, so it takes me a little longer. 

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Hot Water To The Solution To Our Sticky Situation

Written October 2, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

We have been working on our deck for a while. We discovered that the deck preparation required much more work and patience than we initially anticipated. One of the problems we faced was the sap on the deck. We had sap from the maple tree all over the deck in our backyard, and it was a real hassle. My wife, multitasking between work and cleaning, was trying to tackle the sticky mess. The sap stuck to everything, including the tools we were using. While we worked, she mentioned how the sap reminded her of pine resin—the kind she used when playing stringed instruments.

After wrestling with the sap for a while, I reached my breaking point. But our conversation about pine resin gave me an idea. I very briefly played the violin when I was younger, and I remembered that the resin softens with heat. It made me think about how I always warm honey in the winter to make it pliable. I decided to try the same method with the sap. I boiled water using our electric kettle and poured it directly onto the sap.

To my surprise, the boiling water softened the sap right away. I’d expected to have to scrape the sticky stuff afterward, but when I poured the water over the sap-covered boards, it just washed away. There was hardly anything left to scrape! I’ll check the deck again once it’s fully dry, just to make sure the sap doesn’t resolve, but for now, it seems like the hot water did the trick.

It was a pleasant surprise to see how well my plan worked. It’s funny how a bit of knowledge or past experience can spark an idea. I bet there are probably plenty of videos or articles out there on removing sap, but figuring it out on my own gave me a sense of satisfaction that’s hard to beat. I feel like we are pretty ready for painting.

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Wrapping Up Our Deck Project: A Journey of Preparation and Patience

Written 9/29/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Oh, great! It looks like the rain has finally passed. For the past several days, my wife and I haven’t been able to work on our deck project. The morning temperatures have dropped below 70°F regularly, though it’s still warm enough for painting. However, I can’t help but feel some time pressure. My wife has been reading up on how to restain the deck and learned that the process needs to be done within a certain temperature range. She suggested we aim for early October when temperatures should be between 65°F and the high 70s, a perfect window for the work.

The deck project is something my wife had been planning months in advance. Spring slipped by, though, as her schedule was too packed to get to it, and we missed the ideal weather. Since moving to Nashville, we’ve had relatively dry summers, but the heat here is no joke. Most days reach over 90°F, which is far from ideal for painting a deck. At least we managed to keep the yard looking decent. Once my wife snagged a couple of days off, we used the opportunity to powerwash the deck.

It wasn’t until after we cleaned it that we realized the decking boards were in worse condition than we’d thought. Some were starting to rot, but the old paint had been hiding the damage. My wife researched how to fix the wood, and she hopes to replace the decking in a few years. For now, though, it looks like our preparation work will take longer than expected since repairs need to be made. I’ve been sanding the deck for quite some time, trying to get it ready.

Then, a hurricane hit. It didn’t directly impact our city, but it brought days of rain. Now that the rain has finally stopped, I’m tempted to finish the sanding, but I know better. The boards are probably still soggy, and sanding wet wood is never a good idea. I’ll give them another day to dry out before continuing tomorrow.

Once I finish sanding, my wife is hoping we can paint next weekend. That would be exciting—we’d finally be able to wrap up this project! Of course, there are still stairs to repair, and the path that runs around that corner of the house will need to be redone, but those are separate enough to tackle later. For now, finishing the deck is the main goal.

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A Race Against Time: Deck Renovation Before Winter

Written September 22, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Just like every other day this past week, my morning began with applying paint stripper to one of the boards on our deck. Yesterday, I didn’t finish as many boards as I had planned, leaving more work to be done. This deck project has added to my already packed schedule, so I’ve had to find time to squeeze it in.

My wife can only help on the weekends. Sometimes, I catch her working on the deck after her job, but with her early starts, she rarely has time during the week. Knowing I have more free hours than she does, I’ve decided to take on the bulk of the work myself.

I have a deadline in mind for finishing the stripping and sanding. With winter approaching, even here in Nashville, I want to wrap everything up by the first or second week of October. Thankfully, our deck is relatively small—we only have about 25 boards to work on.

The days are definitely getting shorter, and I’m becoming more aware of how long I can work before it gets dark. Last night, I finished scraping the last board well after sunset. However, in the morning light, I realized I had missed a few spots. The darkness made me less thorough than I thought, so I had to go back and re-scrape that board to catch what I missed.

We’ve been using a combination of paint remover and a sander for this job. My wife was planning to help repair the deck this weekend, but with a hurricane approaching, I don’t think that will happen. I’m tackling about two to three boards daily, which has worked well. Since it takes time for the paint stripper to soften, I try to fit my other tasks into the waiting periods.

One challenge we’ve run into is the sap from a maple tree that’s hardened onto the deck, making my work trickier. My wife noticed it last weekend and wondered where it was coming from. I pointed to a maple tree in the woods beyond our backyard. It’s at least 10 feet away from the deck, and there aren’t any branches hanging over it, so I figure the wind must be blowing the sap onto the boards.

The weather has been pleasant lately. We had a few hot days this week, but the breeze felt cool even then. The leaves on the maple—the culprit—are starting to change color. Autumn is nearly here in Nashville, and I love it. It’s such a beautiful time of year. I’ve been working on the deck while listening to audiobooks, which makes the process a bit more relaxing. I hope I can get sanding done before my target day.

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The Adventure of Deck Painting

Written September 15, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

The more we worked on this project, the more stripping the paint off our deck turned out to be a much bigger job than we had anticipated. When we began removing the paint, I discovered several layers of old paint underneath. It made me wonder if the wood beneath was still in good condition or had started to rot. My wife meticulously inspected each deckboard to check for soft spots. We found one completely rotten board hidden beneath all the paint.

She reminded me that our deck is over twenty years old, so it’s not surprising that it’s showing its age. She’s already considering replacing it with PVC boards, but that’s a project for the future. We’re trying to maintain it as best we can. The deck stairs also need repairs, so we’re budgeting to replace the whole thing in the next five years.

Because of her busy schedule, I’ve taken on most of the paint-stripping work, tackling it bit by bit. This is our first time attempting a project like this, so we’ve been turning to YouTube and blogs for guidance. There is so much content in removing paint from the decking, and it’s pleasant to discover how much you can learn from the internet. My wife even bought some materials to patch up the deck, determined to prevent rot from setting in. We’re learning as we go, making plenty of mistakes, but we’re figuring things out one step at a time. My wife, in particular, seems to enjoy the challenge of finding solutions to these problems. She believes you can learn something valuable from every experience. She also sees no learning as a waste.

I’m just glad she’s happy. I’ve been listening to audiobooks while I work, trying to fit this project in between my other tasks. The weather finally seems to be cooperating, so I’m tackling a few boards each day, hoping the paint stripper works as well as we need it to. It’s a slow process, but I’m optimistic we’ll get it done and have our deck looking good again soon.

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Embracing Fall and DIY Adventures

Written September 8, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Fall has officially arrived, bringing a welcome reprieve from the summer heatwaves we endured. Last night, the temperature dipped below 60 degrees, and it was still brisk when I woke up. To make the most of the cooler air, we’ve been keeping the windows open at night, leaving the house feeling chilly in the mornings. Today, I reached for my robe and slippers as I started my day, enjoying the cozy feeling of the house transitioning into the new season.

With cooler weather, we’ve focused on some long-overdue home improvement projects. One of these is our deck, which took a bit of a beating during the summer. We’ve been scraping and sanding, restoring it to its former glory. I plan to spend an hour on this chore once it’s warm enough to work outside comfortably. I’ll put on my audiobook and lose myself in the rhythm of the work.

My wife, who is an early riser, was already out on the deck when I joined her. Her day typically starts at 5:30 AM, regardless of whether it’s a weekday or the weekend. She had been out there for a couple of hours, diligently sanding away. Although she’s expressed some frustration with the repetitive nature of the task, she’s also found a silver lining in learning new skills. This is her first time tackling such a hands-on project; her enthusiasm is contagious. She’s discovering the satisfaction of repairing something yourself and learning the ins and outs of a task you’ve never done before.

It’s this desire to learn and experience new things that really defines her. She’s an avid reader, currently engrossed in Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, a book she finds deeply thought-provoking. Yet, she balances her love of reading with a drive to get out of her comfort zone. Whether repairing the deck or trying a new recipe, she’s always eager to explore and grow. For her, this deck project isn’t just about maintenance; it’s about embracing a new challenge and the satisfaction of mastering it.

As for me, I’m enjoying the process of working on the deck together. We’ve taken on a number of home renovation and maintenance projects over the years. While we’re far from professionals, each project has been a learning experience. Something is fulfilling about tackling these tasks as a team, figuring things out together, and seeing the tangible results of our efforts. It’s a reminder that even the most mundane chores can be an opportunity for growth and connection.

After we wrap up work on the deck, I’ll head into the kitchen to prepare the week’s pastry bites and get things in order before we make our favorite homemade pizza. With the cooler weather settling in, I’m also adjusting my running routine. I’ll switch to long sleeves for my morning runs, though it’s not quite cold enough for a jacket and gloves. Those crisp, frosty mornings aren’t far off, especially now that I’ve shifted to running before breakfast instead of afterward.

There’s something special about this time of year—the way the air feels, the shift in daily routines, and the cozy indoor activities that start to take center stage. It’s a time for reflection, new projects, and savoring the small joys, whether working on home improvements or enjoying the kitchen’s warmth. Fall is here, and with it comes a sense of renewal and the promise of new experiences.

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Tackling the Deck and Yard: Balancing Big Projects with Everyday Tasks

Written September 7, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Careful organization is essential to avoid feeling overwhelmed when we have numerous tasks. I’m tackling an additional project to refinish our deck, which has turned into a more significant undertaking than expected. We knew the deck had been painted, but a closer inspection—by poking and peeling off the paint—revealed that repairs were needed before we could even begin sanding. It’s possible that some parts of the wood were already rotting when it was painted. Our deck was likely built around the same time as our house, making it approximately 20-25 years old. While we aim to complete the repairs within the next five years, we’re committed to starting the process now to prevent further damage.

Initially, we thought we could sand off the paint and apply a fresh coat, but as we examined it closely, it became clear that some boards needed to be replaced. It’s frustrating to realize how much work is involved, but the deck is essential to our outdoor space. We want to use our deck for relaxing evenings, so maintaining the deck is crucial. We don’t want to put off the repairs too long, as delaying could lead to more severe damage and costlier repairs.

In addition to the deck, my wife is planning a garden redesign for the next decade, which will be another significant project. She has a vision of creating a beautiful and functional space with areas for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Thinking about the possibilities is exciting, but we must balance these long-term plans with our immediate needs. The focus is on the deck, but the garden will soon demand our attention.

Although deck repair and refinishing will be a multi-year endeavor, my wife is juggling a full-time job setting up our business. She plans to work on the deck during the week and take additional time off to push the repairs forward. This project can be quite time-sensitive, especially with the changing weather. We must complete the sanding and apply the stain before the colder, wetter months arrive. That’s why I’ve decided to focus on getting as much done as possible in the coming weeks.

While managing these projects, I also need to keep up with my running routine and regular yard maintenance. With the grass growth slowing down, mowing is less frequent, but the trees are dropping leaves at an increasing rate due to the lack of rain. If I don’t stay on top of the leaves, they’ll soon cover the lawn like a thick carpet, making it more challenging to clean up later. Staying active with running is essential for me, not just for fitness but also for mental well-being, so I need to balance my time effectively.

Next week is shaping up to be quite busy. The leaves have piled up enough to require vacuuming, and the deck project has moved on to the sanding stage. I must divide my time between these two tasks on Tuesday and Thursday. I aim to see how much of the leaves I can collect in an hour, allowing me to devote the rest of my time to sanding the deck. I hope to progress on both fronts with careful planning without feeling overwhelmed.

Balancing these projects with our daily responsibilities requires careful scheduling and prioritization. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details. Still, we can tackle each task individually by breaking the work into manageable steps. Whether repairing the deck or keeping the yard in order, staying organized and focused will help us achieve our goals.

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Tackling a Deck Cleaning in the Summer Heat

Written August 30, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday’s work still made me feel stiff this morning. I’m not precisely sore, but I am definitely drained. My wife and I are in the middle of a big home improvement project: repairing and staining our deck. We’ve been clearing out the weeds and debris around it for the past few days to prepare for the work ahead. Yesterday was the big task of power washing everything, and while we managed to get a lot done, it definitely took a toll on both of us.

We woke up early because my wife had rented the power washer and wanted to get started as soon as possible. She was worried about fitting everything into the car, but I wasn’t too concerned. We’ve got an 18-year-old Toyota Corolla that my wife absolutely loves. It’s needed a few repairs over the years, but it’s been surprisingly reliable. Despite its age, it’s still going strong. That said, my wife gets frustrated with its small size when carrying renovation supplies.

Yesterday was no exception. We had a list of things to buy before we could get started. In addition to renting the power washer, we needed a few jugs of deck cleaner and a new scrubbing brush. Our old one had broken, and we wanted to ensure we had everything on hand before starting. So, we headed over to Home Depot to grab the supplies. It was a bit of a tight fit, but we managed to cram the rented power washer and all the supplies into our little coupe.

Once we got home, the real work began. My wife rented the power washer for nearly the entire day and was determined to make the most of it. Not only did we clean the deck, but we also tackled the siding and the driveway. It was a long day, made even more challenging by the weather. The temperature hit over 100°F, and even though we managed to finish before the full heat of the afternoon set in, it was still scorching and humid.

The chemicals in the deck cleaner didn’t help either. My wife felt sick from the fumes, becoming dizzy and queasy as we worked. We powered through it, though, and managed to get everything done. By the end of the day, the deck, siding, and driveway were all sparkling clean. Despite the exhaustion and discomfort, seeing the progress we had made was satisfying.

Our next project will be repairing the deck stairs, which were damaged a while back when we had a tree removed. We didn’t get as early of a start as we had hoped, thanks to my alarm being set later than planned, but we still accomplished our main goal of cleaning everything. The deck is now prepped and ready for the next phase: staining. However, we’ll need to wait until the temperatures drop before we tackle that. In this heat, staining the deck wouldn’t be ideal.

We’re relieved to have completed the hardest part of the job. There’s still more work to be done, but at least we’ve made a solid start. Home improvement projects can be tiring, but they’re always worth it.

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Taking a Break and Tackling Big Weekend Projects

Written August 25, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Today is my official rest day. While there are always daily chores, I avoid running or tackling yard work on Sundays unless something urgent arises. This week has been incredibly taxing, with extra home maintenance tasks leaving my legs sore. I hope a day of rest and some much-needed stretching will help me recover and feel refreshed for the coming week.

My wife, meanwhile, uses Sundays to organize her upcoming week. She has her to-do list workbooks and plans everything down to the smallest detail. I’m not quite as meticulous, but I like to lay out my tasks and schedule for the week. Everything goes into my Google Calendar, so I can easily access it on my phone. It’s my way of staying organized without feeling too bogged down by every minor task.

We have some exciting plans for next weekend. We’ll head to my mother’s house to celebrate our niece’s birthday. It’s been a while since we’ve seen her, as the last few weekends have been packed with obligations, and we haven’t visited since July. My wife is especially eager to see everyone again. In addition to the celebration, we’re also preparing to begin a much-needed deck repair. This project will take several days to complete.

The deck stairs need significant work. They were built into a tree we recently cut down, which had grown so tall and close to the house that we were worried the roots would damage our foundation. Unfortunately, the roots have already affected the brick pathway leading to the stairs before cutting the tree. I’ve put off this repair for the year, but now it can’t be delayed any longer. My wife insists we do the repairs correctly this time. I’m still puzzled by why anyone would build a brick path over a root system, but it must have been done when the house was built over 30 years ago. We’re still debating whether to handle the deck repairs ourselves or hire professionals since we don’t have the proper tools.

This year, we’re at least committed to sanding and staining the deck and cleaning, sanding, and repainting our deck furniture. I’m looking forward to having the space functional again. Once the deck is ready, we can use the grill and maybe even expand the garden around it—a healing garden, as my wife envisions. While maintaining a house can be a lot of work, the effort always feels rewarding.

As I look ahead to this week, I’m adjusting my schedule to account for two big maintenance days on Thursday and Friday. Then we have the birthday party on Saturday. My wife, ever the planner, will also review our August expenses and tweak the budget for the rest of the year. At least this will be the long weekend. For now, I’m just hoping this leg soreness goes away soon!

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Planning Ahead Is A Key To Complete

Written August 23, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

About two months ago, my wife proposed a few yard projects we need to do this year. Some projects can depend on temperature or seasons so that they can be tricky. For example, she insisted that we do deck staining this year. My wife planned to do this sometime this summer. 

My wife usually plans projects for at least several months to eliminate any obstacles to completing a project ahead of time. Her problem is that she needs more time since she is busy. 

Deck staining demands many external conditions, which we need to watch for. She told me the deck must be stained when the temperature is 50F to 90F without rain for at least 24 hours. That eliminated substantial summer days. The ideal temperature would be Spring. However, we got a lot of rain in Nashville in the spring, so she did not want to do this project in the spring. So, we have between September and October to do this project.

There is something we can do ahead of time. For example, we can clean our deck beforehand so that the deck will be easy to sand and stain. 

My wife combined two projects at once. One was to clean the siding of our house and the deck. She wanted to rent a power washer from a nearby Home Depot so we could do both simultaneously. She took a day off this Friday, Thursday, and Friday of the upcoming week. The following week is a long weekend, so it would be the perfect time for a project like cleaning and washing.

After my run, we did some yard work to prepare for winter and the upcoming projects we have been forming. Today, we wanted to remove any weeds or extra trees that may interrupt our side or deck washing. 

Afterward, we got some delicious gyro plates from a nearby restaurant. I also completed my daily chores: bottled kombucha, did laundry, and put it away. So I called, and today was our successful day.