SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 36
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
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Staining a deck Pro tips for prep, products, protection When NOT to stain
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
N
othing gives new life to an old deck like a fresh coat of stain. And staining an old deck actually packs a double whammy. The process not only revives your deck’s appearance but protects the wood, so it stays looking great for years to come. Just about any DIYer can tackle this project, but it requires both muscle and patience. Before staining a deck, you’ll need to scrub it thoroughly. The application itself is time-consuming. Waiting a day after cleaning to apply stain is preferable; you want the wood to be completely dry. That makes it a full weekend project. And staining a very large or elaborate deck can be quite cumbersome. So when deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a pro, consider these factors, says Vageesh Bakhshi, product and brand manager for Valspar and Cabot Stains:
Choose the right stain • Go for a premium quality. That way you won’t have to do the job again and again. A true oilbased stain penetrates deeply and becomes
An older deck may no longer be structurally sound. If the wood surface is badly broken down and rotting, it’s probably time to completely replace your deck.
one with the wood. You end up getting excellent, longlasting water repellency, together with a rich color. Some of the highest-quality stains will protect your deck for over 10 years. • Choose the right opacity. Stains range from transparent (which adds just a hint of color) to solid (which is more like painting the surface of the wood). Transparents or semi-transparents are ideal for newer decks to showcase the beauty of their wood, but if you’re staining an old deck, a more solid opacity will cover up wear and tear.
Protect the surroundings Before you start, protect nearby plantings, grass, etc., by sprinkling with water. Then cover with plastic masking film secured with painting tape, to keep off the cleaning solution and stain. If your deck is attached to the house, mask your siding with painter’s tape.
Don’t skip a good cleaning It’s essential to scour the deck before you stain, using a high quality cleaner. You’ll need a strong brush to scrub the surface, sandpaper to remove existing stain and a good garden hose to rinse it. Thorough cleaning gets rid of any dirt, old chipped stain, dead wood cells, or mold and mildew. Otherwise, the stain may not adhere properly and the wood
may eventually break down.
Applying the stain A stain pad will simplify staining your old deck. This tool resembles a piece of foam with bristles at the end, which pushes the stain into the wood and then evens it out. Mount the pad on a pole to avoid having to get down on your knees to brush stain into the wood. Stain pads usually cost about $5 to $10.
Pro tips for a smooth appearance • Prevent stain from setting too fast. Apply when the sun is not beating down. On a hot day, begin early in the morning. Then take a break and resume the work in the afternoon when the weather is cooler. For smooth, even stain, always work end-to-end, maintaining a wet edge. • Allow sufficient drying time. Wait 24 to 48 hours after staining to use your deck, depending on the humidity. Touch the coating to make sure it’s no longer tacky before you walk on the surface or replace your patio furniture.
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TIPS OF THE WEEK PERENNIALS
HOME BUYING
RENOVATION
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
AMAZON LAUNCHES TURNKEY
TIPS FOR A BASEMENT KITCHEN
Want to earn up to $5,000 in free stuff for selling your home? Amazon and Realology have partnered to launch a new home-buying service called Turnkey. Here’s how it works: Home buyers who use the Turnkey portal will be matched with a real estate agent from one of Realogy’s subsidiaries, including Coldwell Banker and Century 21. Use that agent to close a deal on a new home and you will receive between $1,000 and $5,000 in goods and services. For more information, visit amazon.com/turnkey.
When adding a kitchen to your basement remodel, there are plenty of design alternatives to experiment with, such as a thin, galley kitchen or a functional kitchenette tucked away under a set of stairs. Also consider using smaller-sized appliances such as single-bowl sinks, a toaster oven and mini fridge.
Dividing perennials not only saves money but keeps your plants healthy by keeping excessive growth in check. Perennials such as hosta, phlox, daylilies, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan and peony all benefit from dividing every three to four years. Some perennials such as bearded iris and ornamentals require special care when dividing because they have a tendency to die out from the center, according to the experts at Costa Farms. To divide these, cut around the centers and toss the dead tissue on your compost pile.
— More Content Now
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DEAR MONTY
You can’t fight city hall — or can you?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: We live in a 75-lot development completed in the early 1990s. We do not have an HOA. Our problem is we are on our own for upkeep and repair to communal areas. We have garage sales and take up collections and pitch in when the need arises. The entrance to the subdivision has a beautiful island fountain. The city unilaterally decided it no longer
wanted to pay for the fountain water supply and disabled the supply line to the fountain. We have been unable to find documentation that describes the city’s responsibility to provide the water. Your thoughts, please. Monty’s answer: The situation you describe sounds like a misunderstanding and possibly a mix-up with communications. The problem may be that there is no documentation. Let’s take a look at some potential actions to get to the heart of the issue.
A plat of survey One of the bits of information that may be helpful is the name of the company or developer that platted the subdivision. That person or company may have substantial knowledge in their files or even remember what was negotiated to obtain the approvals. The
land surveyor that signed the survey may have similar records. It is not unusual that the plat may contain covenants that will lead to other sources of documentation. The local register of deeds office has the plat of survey.
The civil engineers Another source of information is the engineering firm that designed the sewer and water system for the subdivision. They typically attend meetings and work with the municipal engineer to get approvals. They also can be responsible for negotiating agreements with municipalities. You may also learn if the city handled other recorded subdivisions during that period in the same fashion as your subdivision. Relief may be simpler to obtain if your 75 lots were treated differently.
The intermediary Many municipalities have designated people to deal with citizen issues and divide the city into areas with boundaries. They act as ombudsmen and carry problems back to the council. Start with these leads and see where it takes you. As a last resort, a local television station or newspaper may be interested in this story. Seventy-five voters perceived as not being treated fairly can make a difference in an election. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.
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When you’re ready . . . and it’s time to look beyond Online photos . . .
Visit a Real Open House! See This Week’s Complete Open House Schedule with Ames Open Houses Mapped for your convenience!
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 4, 2019 • Page RE7
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