 | Richard and Elaine McClanahan are the owners of Andy On Call. Richard was active in the Air Force for over 6 1/2 years during 1966-1972. His assignment was in communications, and he was honorably discharged in November of 1972. However his military career did not stop there as he joined the US Army Reserve program in 1974 and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer with over 20 years of service in 1989. He was awarded the Air Force and Army Commendation Medal for his actions while serving in the both branches of the Military. Elaine was a teacher by trade. After retiring from teaching she devoted her time to the home and raising their two adopted sons. During her college years she worked in a lumber yard that her father managed, where she picked up a great amount of experience in home remodel/repair. Richard or Elaine can be reached at 681-ANDY (2639). Or you may visit their web site @ www.andyoncall.com |
Home Improvement
2007-05-01 13:27:00
Caring for your outdoor items
How do I care for items made of wood that are left outside during the summer?
Answer: Several products are on the market to help preserve your various expensive wood products. Be sure you always purchase from reputable stores, and read the labels on the items before you leave the store. Or, go to the web and look at various paints, stains and water preserves on the market.
As an example, if you have a stained wood door that is exposed to the sun for more than 6 hours a day, it may be necessary to spray it with water a couple of times a month. This will help put moisture back in the wood and keep from cracking prematurely. Also, you may want to paint a door that is exposed to weather, make sure you purchase the right type of paint, go to a reputable paint store and explain which way the door faces, how much traffic
comes and goes through the door. This can be important for choosing the right product.
Lawn furniture made of wood should be kept clean. After a spring or summer rain it is a good idea to wash the
furniture to remove any dirt that may
have been blown on by the rain and wind. Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions to use the right preservative to treat the furniture. Unfinished (natural wood) decks should be power washed and a water sealer put on them at least once every 2 to 3 years. If you decide to stain a deck, make sure you purchase a stain made especially for the railings and walking surfaces. Otherwise, it could
wear off in a short time, and become a nasty mess inside your home, when pets
and people track stuff inside.
Wood fences can be left natural, and usually weather with no requirement to treat. However, it only makes sense that some of the real expensive woods will have to be treated to increase their longevity. Wood gazebos are also a very expensive investment; treat the shake roofs at least every 2 years. We treat ours every year, just the roof, the rest of the gazebo every 2 years. We are keeping ours unstained and natural, this appearance is our choice. Remember, Kansas winds and rain in the late spring and during the summer can play all sorts of havoc with your outdoor wood products. Care for all
of these items is very important.
