Summer slow

[berettabone]

Been a tad summer slow around these parts.....................Just got done doing an outside step repair.....again. It's getting to be about time for new outside steps and a deck. With the cost of materials these days, I'm a feared what it's going to cost me. I've been nursing them along over the years, but there's only so much you can do. Here's my conundrum. Right now, the steps and decks are floating, with the steps totally floating (posts and steps) and the decks are on square pedestals (in the ground) with a frame. We are going to get rid of one deck and replace it with steps. We're also going to downsize the remaining deck. It's sandy soil here, so things move around a bit. When you have floating steps, over time they like to start going in a direction on their own and don't stay square and tight. So, would you just do the same thing again, (the cheapest way) or would you sink all posts, knowing sand shifts, or would you use shock tubes and cement? I used tubes and posts for a fence at an old property. They sure hold posts in place but when the wood splits or they twist, that whole thing is a PIA to replace. Depending on who our new Potus will be, a 12 ft. deck board could be $50.................................

[AJBert]

I'm in a similar situation, though not as dire. The railings are rotten in place on both the front and back of the house. The decking is solid on both but needs to be sanded or replaced. Underneath stuff is solid. The major thing holding me back is my back. Over four years now of this, that, and the other thing and the doctors still have no clue. Oh, and the cost of materials doesn't help either. The doc wants to try a new drug on me, but insurance doesn't seem to want to pony up the bucks. I'm at my wits end with the run around. And the last thing I want is them cutting on my back, particularly when I've already seen a neuro-surgeon that specializes in spinal conditions and he said there is nothing to operate on. I need to win the lottery and get me one of those bionic backs like Steve Majors had. Heck, might even go for the whole kit and caboodle!

Now to get back cleaning out the gutters on the house and garage. Maybe I'll fall and knock everything back into whack.

[JohnR]

How long do you want it to last? :D

[dustnchips]

Try the concrete with the metal post bracket and wood post on up to what height you need. Post wont rot and if anything happens you just remove wood from metal bracket and replace.

[berettabone]

Try the concrete with the metal post bracket and wood post on up to what height you need. Post wont rot and if anything happens you just remove wood from metal bracket and replace. I'm assuming you mean cementing the metal bracket in the hole and bolting the post to it?

[berettabone]

How long do you want it to last? :D I read that the average wood deck/steps last about 15 yrs. That would most likely be longer than I'll be alive
My major issue is whether to float or sink the posts.

[berettabone]

I'm in a similar situation, though not as dire. The railings are rotten in place on both the front and back of the house. The decking is solid on both but needs to be sanded or replaced. Underneath stuff is solid. The major thing holding me back is my back. Over four years now of this, that, and the other thing and the doctors still have no clue. Oh, and the cost of materials doesn't help either. The doc wants to try a new drug on me, but insurance doesn't seem to want to pony up the bucks. I'm at my wits end with the run around. And the last thing I want is them cutting on my back, particularly when I've already seen a neuro-surgeon that specializes in spinal conditions and he said there is nothing to operate on. I need to win the lottery and get me one of those bionic backs like Steve Majors had. Heck, might even go for the whole kit and caboodle!

Now to get back cleaning out the gutters on the house and garage. Maybe I'll fall and knock everything back into whack. I feel your pain. There's no way I'd be doing this myself. I've already injured myself a few times, struggling with decks. People that use cheap phillips head screws, and then round them off while installing, should be hung....................

[berettabone]

I also got some news......I don't know what everyone else pays for their internet and tv service, but mine has been ridiculous for years. Who ever thought that it would cost you to watch tv. Being in the country, I only had 2 choices in my area. Last year, they installed fiber optic in my area. I'll be getting hooked up next week. The costs are still ridiculous, but will be cheaper, at least for now. Faster and it won't go out during storms anymore. They have to install quite a bit/length of cable. Should be interesting....................

[getsome]

For my 40 year anniversary with ma bell I chose a 60 inch LG flat screen for the den, we had it installed on the wall and the wife loves to watch her British murder porn every night but the problem is the thing has several remotes from the streaming services along with two from the TV and cable company so I can’t even figure out how to turn the damn thing on……..As for the medical side of things SHMBO got Covid last week and was very sick for a few days along with several people from church (must be mail in ballot time) so our doc put in a prescription for Paxlovid which is the miracle Covid cure for old folks so when I was ready to check out at the Kaiser pharmacy the girl said that’s going to be $753.00 and I said, come again and she repeated the total is $753.00 and be glad you have insurance because it would have been $1600.00 without it…..I said several F’ns during the transaction which wasn’t her fault and I felt bad but there is no way a drug should cost that much unless the people that invented Covid has a stake in the cure……

[wyntrout]

Damn! Ivermectin is a LOT cheaper! Hydroxychloroquin, too! The drug cartels got stupid rich off the COVID mandates.

[JohnR]

For my 40 year anniversary with ma bell I chose a 60 inch LG flat screen for the den, we had it installed on the wall and the wife loves to watch her British murder porn every night but the problem is the thing has several remotes from the streaming services along with two from the TV and cable company so I can’t even figure out how to turn the damn thing on……..As for the medical side of things SHMBO got Covid last week and was very sick for a few days along with several people from church (must be mail in ballot time) so our doc put in a prescription for Paxlovid which is the miracle Covid cure for old folks so when I was ready to check out at the Kaiser pharmacy the girl said that’s going to be $753.00 and I said, come again and she repeated the total is $753.00 and be glad you have insurance because it would have been $1600.00 without it…..I said several F’ns during the transaction which wasn’t her fault and I felt bad but there is no way a drug should cost that much unless the people that invented Covid has a stake in the cure……
I think you answered your own question.