Summer In Seattle 2017 Part 6

Summer in Seattle

2017 Part 6

More projects for the Seattle House

The next project was to clean up and refinish the back deck / porch.   It was showing signs of wear and not being protected from the up coming winter weather.   So I started to clean it up and found a hidden problem, not really a surprise for this part of the country.

  

As I took the rotten boards out it was amazing the condition of the screws that used to hold them in place !!!

It was a challenge to get the rotten wood out so I could replace it. 

I was not in a position to replace the entire deck at this point in the summer (almost ready to go back to Paso Robles).   I replaced the worst ones, cleaned out and painted waterproof protection on the others that only had bad spots.   I did drill drain holes in these bad spots (not shown here) so the water would drain away from these areas.   Looks like a full summer project in the future to replace the deck !!!   I will use composite boards for the replacement deck !  (probably hire someone to do the job !)

Deck cleaned out, waterproof painted, and ready for new wood.   I also had to clean out all the dirt and debris that collected through the deck and built up under the wood.  The wood they use here is not the traditional pressure treated lumber.  They use a Douglas fur “deck lumber” treated with a copper sulphate treatment.  It does not hold up as well but doesn’t have the harsh chemicals.   Kristianne likes it better.   A typical pressure treated 2 X 6 X 16 ft long is about $8; deck lumber is $24 for the same size.  That is why next deck will be composite !

Next step is to wash down the deck and get rid of the dirt and old paint pealing off.   The recommendation is to use a pressure washer.   Ok, found one on sale at good old Lowes for $60.   We will use it for many other jobs here at the house.    It did a good job of striping the dirt and old paint.  Every year I gather more tools and equipment here at the Seattle house !

After everything dried out (which was not long with our hot weather) the next step is applying the new sealing stain.  

The former owner had left a gallon of Olympic Seal and Stain, not opened, so I used it and it all looked real good until the next day.  The seal and stain soaked in real good where the former paint had come off with the Pressure washer, but where the paint was still sticking to the wood the stain would not dry.  After 2 days it would still rub off easily !   So I resorted to reading the directions !  The can said for clean, dry, bare wood only, “one coat” in bold type.   Opps !   It took about 5 days for the stain to firm up and dry on the former painted surface.   Guess it’s time to read the directions on a regular basis.   It all worked out good in the end.

These are pictures of the stairway before and after the refinishing process.  Looks a lot better.

Then it was time for a party on the new finished deck !   So I proposed the 2nd annual housewarming party.   Everyone thought that was a good idea so sent out invitations.   I also invited friends from the local church.  We had a good time; I BBQ food for the meat lovers and Kristianne made the vegetarian fair.   

So that was the last of the Seattle House Projects.   I told Kristianne that next year I will be doing a lot of camping and traveling around the Washington / Oregon area so no projects for summer 2018 !!!

Then we went to dinner one Monday evening to a Chinese dinner place near the house and decided to walk.  We took the side roads to avoid the main traffic area and ended up in several allies in the neighborhood.  It was real good because we were able to meet the neighbors in their back yards.   Then I saw it.  One of the neighbors had built a tree house in their yard.   It looked small but the guy said there were 2 beds, a flat screen TV, and DVD player.   Their friends that visit like staying in the tree house.   I was hooked.   Next year there will be a tree house in the back yard at Rosebud (the Seattle house).  I went to the internet to get ideas and pasted them on a picture of the back yard. 

I like the idea of the wrap around style, but I have to consider what I can build and in the time I have in the Summer In Seattle !   So it will be a more traditional build.   I do want to travel around next summer !  This is my plan so far, subject to many changes before next year.   Kristianne wants a secrete place to go and do her writing. 

So I have next year planned !!!   We will see how it works out.

Kristianne’s garden in the front yard is really producing !!!   There are many houses with gardens in the front; it is a very common thing for the neighborhood.   Although with the lack of rain we are busy watering our gardens.

Thus we come to the end of Summer In Seattle  2017.   It has been a good summer, filled with surprises, good fellowship, projects, and good events.   Will be packing up for the trip back to Paso Robles.   It is interesting that I came to Seattle with a heat wave and now leaving before the rain storm comes this weekend !  Going to take it slow and easy, no long driving days.  It will be good to see my friends from Paso again.  Anticipating what projects will be waiting for me this winter !   One for sure will be dealing with the Tiny Travel Trailer. 

Until next Summer, have a great winter season !!!