Rain Issues (stop washing and prepping decks)

Everett Abrams

Everett Abrams

Member
This is the first time I have ever had to stop washing and prepping decks in season because of weather. The back log we have due to all the rain has caused us to stop. Very difficult situation as it has a ripple effect on new scheduling. We have plenty of other work to keep us busy and we continue to work on houses. Decks are just way too backed up. How are others handling all the rain this year in the east/northeast?
 
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We are having rare thunderstorms. I can't send the guys up on a 60ft lightning rod carrying a 500 ft lightning rod.

I remember my dad working for the TVA climbing telephone poles and going up in the bucket truck in wild Tennessee thunderstorms for emergency repairs. I just can't send guys up in that.

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Its been insane Everett...last count we have 18k worth of decks washed amd prepped just waiting to be stained. I can't keep washing more or it will take 3 weeks to get back to them. Tough to keep adding work when you know it could be two months to schedule it

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Situation here in Maine is horrible. We have had rain almost everyday for the last 2 weeks. The humidity is also killing me, the wood will not go below 17/18% moisture content. Because this log house is so close I was trying to squeeze 3/4 hours in on it but I cant even do that. I am stripping a deck tomorrow, I will have to see how that goes. I do have house washes to keep me rolling so that is good. I love doing wood but man this is really making me think twice.
 
Man what I would give for some rain! We are like -10" or so for the year!

I hope ya'll dry up some to complete the projects! I know how crazy it must be been there...

Everett how's the all in one deck stain working out? Are you able to use it on some projects?
 
Because of scheduling I don't wash and stain a deck the same day, I stain them the next day (which does help). They are the only ones I have been doing which I use on new or nearly new decks. Any old wood or a customer who wants a different tone I use Cabot Decking Stain and Mix it with my Burlington Gold (my natural) 50/50 and I do those on a dry day. Trying to get one of those lately had been ridiculous rained every day this week so far. I have some Mahogany and Ipe decks that I need to oil and they are sitting as well. I don't put one type of coating on all decks, to me depending on circumstances some require different coatings and/or tones. I am in the same boat as Charlie and it will probably take at least 3 weeks at this rate to get caught up, the dollar amount of decks makes me ill at this point. Worst year I have ever had scheduling around weather. Amazing how it is just the opposite on the other side of the country!
 
Good Thread. At least everyone in the same boat meaning you wont lose any to your competition because they can't do it either. We tried some wet wood stain earlier in the year but was not happy with the results.
 
Yes I'm serious ! The problem is 75% of my wood is referrals from builders and current clients which is work I just get and turns into other maintenance on the property. 2 large mahogany jobs i did in June have already turned into referrals to other mahogany jobs and one roof referral turned into a mahogany porch restore which has been rained on for the last to weeks. There furniture is in the flower beds.
 
Jim, that is most my work as well plus the local specialty wood supplier for cedar, mahogany, Ipe, and so forth recommends me as well as the local hardware store that sells Cabot and Ben Moore products. They actually follow up on the work and take referrals very seriously, when they recommend me it is basically a slam dunk that the job is mine. This is how you, me, and a few others have succeeded through the past few years because of our maintenance programs and repeat customers.
 
Everett Abrams said:
Jim, that is most my work as well plus the local specialty wood supplier for cedar, mahogany, Ipe, and so forth recommends me as well as the local hardware store that sells Cabot and Ben Moore products. They actually follow up on the work and take referrals very seriously, when they recommend me it is basically a slam dunk that the job is mine. This is how you, me, and a few others have succeeded through the past few years because of our maintenance programs and repeat customers.
Click to expand...

That's what I like to here, repeat business in wood!!


Iowa July 19 & 20 free free text me for more details !!
 
For those wondering what the weather was here today in Southern New Jersey...it rained...again! All vans have now been equipped with outboard engines. Pressure washers have been fitted on rafts. Everything is good!
 
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