Deck and Patio Maintenance Continued

Deck Safety & Maintenance Continued Contact:   Scotty to schedule free estimate for your Deck and Patio Maintenance and Building Needs

• Loose or Corroded Fasteners

1. Tighten any loose fasteners (nails, screws, or anchors) and pound in any nails that have popped up.

2. Rusted or corroded fasteners need to be replaced because they can cause the surrounding wood to deteriorate.

3. The deck and stairs should appear even and should not sag, sway, or move when tested.

• Finish

1. Clean away leaves and debris that can be slippery and promote mildew.

2. If mildew is present, or the deck coating has worn away, clean and apply a new waterproofing coating (which will help prevent split or decayed wood and loosened fasteners).

• Grills, Fire Pits, and Chimineas

1. Make sure any source of fire is placed far away from flammable surfaces. (Or protect the deck surface with a nonflammable pad.)

2. Follow manufacturers' directions for using heaters.

3. Never leave candles unattended.

• Lighting and Electrical

1. Make sure all lighting fixtures work.

2. Clean light covers to allow maximum light to shine through.

3. Trim any plants or tree limbs that may block light. Make sure all electrical outlets, appliances, and other features are up to code, in good condition, and childproof if children will be present.

4. Make sure electrical cords do not present a tripping hazard.

Article Continues>  click here .  To View the Entire Green Build Stair Case Photos> click here

Scotty with Scotts Contracting is available for all your Green Building Needs. 

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scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Deck and Patio Maintenance

Deck Safety Checklist

Follow the National American Deck & Railing Association's 10-point checklist to keep your deck safe and relaxing.

• Railings and Banisters

1. Push on railings and banisters to make sure they're secure.
2. Check to make sure they're high enough to keep people safe (most codes require a 36-inch-high railing at minimum).
3. Rails should be no more than 4 inches apart (measured from the inside of the rail) to keep small children and pets from squeezing through. This is especially important if your deck is elevated.

• Stairs

1. Check railings or handrails to make sure they are firmly in place.
2. Check the risers and stringers, the sides of the stairs that hold up the steps, to be certain they are securely attached.
3. If guardrails are used in the staircase, make sure they are no more than 4 inches apart.
4. If the area behind the stair treads is open, the opening should be no more than 4 inches high.
5. Keep stair pathways clear of planters, decor, and other items that present a tripping hazard.

• Split or Decaying Wood

Rot is wood's worst enemy, so check several different areas of the deck to be sure the wood is still sound. This includes the ledger board (where the deck attaches to the house), support posts, joists underneath the deck, deck boards, railings, and stairs.
1. Use a tool such as an ice pick or screwdriver to penetrate the wood. If you can easily push 1/4 to 1/2 inch into the lumber, break off a sliver of wood without splinters, or discover that the wood is soft and spongy; your deck might be decaying. (Solid wood will resist the tool.) Small holes in the wood may indicate insects.
2. Replace the damaged wood to maintain strength and integrity.

• Continued here > http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/decks/deck-safety-tips/?page=4

Green Build Stair Case Remodel by Scott's Contracting

Scotty is available for Free Estimate, Design Consultation, Weatherization Services, and General Handyman Service for your Home and Small Business needs.

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Scott's Contracting
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http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
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Ethanol and the Gulf Spill

By Geoff Styles - Info Provided by: scotty,Scotts Contracting, Green Builder St Louis 'Renewable Energy' Missouri

The implications for the oil industry from the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill are already taking shape, with the administration calling for a Challenger-style investigation and rewriting the playbook for oil & gas leasing and the issuance of safety and environmental permits for offshore drilling. It's less clear how the spill might affect other aspects of energy, beyond boosting the public's interest in pursuing clean energy options. However, it would be ironic if a problem perceived to have arisen because of a "cozy relationship" between oil companies and regulators resulted in an even cozier relationship between the government and the ethanol industry that depends on it for both financial support and the rules that mandate the use of its product. Yet that's exactly what could happen as the administration decides whether to increase the allowable percentage of ethanol in gasoline. read more:

Provided by:Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information

Retrofitting Your Home for Passive Solar: Adding Thermal Mass

In previous blogs in this series, I’ve been describing one way to solarize your home: by adding passive solar. The strategy I’ve been describing requires installation of windows on the south-facing walls of your home or business to allow the low-angled winter sun to enter, warming your home in the winter.

Sunroom If you end up dramatically increasing the amount of south-facing glass, however, you may need to add thermal mass inside your home or business. Thermal mass is any material that can absorb solar energy during the day and release it at night and on cold days. It serves as a heat sponge that prevents overheating. It helps maintain a more constant internal temperature. Tile, brick, concrete block, adobe blocks and concrete floors are good examples of thermal mass.

Thermal mass is easiest to install in new construction, and much more challenging to install in retrofits. Tiling floor or adding brick facing to nearby walls may help.

For best results, the thermal mass must be in direct contact with the sun. Adding a second layer of drywall to existing walls in direct contact with the incoming solar radiation works well, too. Mass should be a darker color to increase absorption of sunlight.

One note of caution in all of this: for best results, the south-facing windows you install should be shaded by eaves (overhang) to prevent heat gain in the cooling season. You may need to build eaves over these windows if there is no overhang on the south side of the building, or install retractable awnings that can be employed in the summer to prevent overheating.

Adding new windows is relatively inexpensive, though not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. It will help improve the energy performance and comfort of your home, if done correctly, and will increase the amount of daylighting. This, in turn, could reduce electrical costs by reducing the amount of artificial lighting.

Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information