My daughter and son-in-law bought a used, 1978 house that my wife and I felt was way above their ability to afford, but what can you say? They went in eyes wide shut, not seeing the problems that would cost them along the way, and, since they’d been renters before, they didn’t consider that owning a house is a constant maintenance issue. I’m sure this isn’t a unique tale.
Anyway, the house is a raised ranch and consequently has a very large PT deck out back, elevated, that drops to the ground in its greater portion. Easily 800 square feet. Poorly made, joists 24 OC, nail pops, loose railings, etc. It should be replaced, which they can’t do for some years. I don’t believe it to be a dire safety hazard at present, but he did the right thing by cleaning it thoroughly, dealt with the snag and splinter hazards, and now needs someting to put on it to preserve it a few more years. I recommended that he not use any paraffin-based product and that I had found Olympic products to be a good compromise between price and quality for a linseed product. Well, he went to the box store and decided that Olympic was too expensive for him. We’ve done some things for them under the guise of anniversary, birthday, Easter, etc. excuses, but he’s too proud to have us do more, and it wouldn’t be good for them not to do things on their own, anyway.
So, the question is, does anybody know of a decent deck treatment that’s also dirt cheap? No used motor oil, please — they have kids.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Dirt cheap usually means that it doesn't work or last. I would explain that you can spend $$ and get a good product (maybe not great) or you can get the dirt cheap brand for $ and last at best half as long. Either way your going to spend at least the same amount and do twice the labor. You could just leave it, PT should last 20 years untreated.
If the deck has some issues, get him to fix the possible safety things like the shakey rails. When I see something like what you described, I always look underneath for things like no lag bolts, joist hangers, joist hangers put on with the wrong nails (I've seen roofers used), how the stairs are connected, etc.
Good luck, he seems tough to deal with.
Thanks, DDay
They're still into looks versus substance. Early thirties. Still, I do believe that he's safety minded more than my daughter, since she never was aware of why the railings were always solid, why the water always flowed, why the toilet always flushed, why the lights always worked, etc. when she grew up. I'm sure she just expected that was a given and is now sometimes shocked when that doesn't always happen in her own home. Again, not a unique story, I'm sure.
He'll just have to put that on the list after the leaking sillcock and all of the other things that drain their budget every day.
Of course, they do have their required cell phones, premium cable, DSL, new cars, big TV, etc.
That place sounds like my friends house. It was perfect three years ago, he loved it because it was move in ready and did not need a thing. We'll I ducked out of 90% or the work but his brother and father have been fixing/replacing everything including the roof since. Still a million things to go, including the painted vinyl siding that is cracked and chipped everywhere. Some people never listen.Also, his place has an in ground pool that's old as dirt. It was covered when he bought the house. He had $2k put in an account to cover any damage to the pool if the seller lied about the condition. I told him that wouldn't get it done but he knew best. The owner sold and moved to FL. In the spring, took off the pool cover and found the liner etc were junk. Cost $4500 to fix. Sued the seller but he's in FL so he has and never will get a dime. Still thinks the house is great.
My daughter and son-in-law bought a used, 1978 house....
Really? Bet it still had that new house smell though.
Sorry.....couldn't resist.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements