2nd Deck - 3/4 Completed

 

Song Cover:  Misty

Performing Artist:  Jamie Dupuis

Today I got the front of the second deck almost finished.

Although I had lain down two carpets in a greatly overlying fashion...

cut them to fit all the nooks and crannies...

and then tacked down the carpets...

I still have to caulk around each post and nook and cranny...

as well as to ensure an absolutely water tight seal where the carpet

meets the house.

I had first lain out the carpet near the stairwell...

made the fitting cuts...

 and then tacked it down.

I then rolled out the near house carpet.

You can see the amount of overlap I have by comparing the previous photo 

to this one.

After laying it out...

I had to ensure a fairly large amount went up the side of the house...

as to allow enough to trim around the areas which stick out...

while still allowing the carpet enough depth to fill in the alcoves.

I then trimmed the carpet.

I have to have much overlay of the carpets...

so to ensure water does not seep to the wood below.

This front area...

and the side especially...

is where snow builds up...

usually one to two feet...

but sometimes much more.

It builds up especially high where the snow slides off of the roof and makes large piles.

And so...

tomorrow I will seal the carpet I had lain down today...

and then I hope to be able to lay down the two carpets which will cover 

the rest of the second deck.

I also ordered two more soft closing toilet seats and covers.

I had put one on the second floor bathroom...

as I use it the most often.

However, whenever I use the third floor...

or sometimes the first floor bathroom...

since I am so used to the soft close seat and cover of the second floor...

I will sometimes forget and just let it fall.

I hate the loud banging noise which results...

and so...

I have another quick indoor project for future inclement weather.

I had two 6 foot and one 4 foot box to tear up so I could take them 

to the community center trash collection point at a later time.

I usually do this from the comfort of my recliner...

with the scenery as a beautiful backdrop with which to tear up the boxes...

and with soft music playing.

I always try to make any chore as enjoyable as possible.

The 4 foot box and one of the 6 foot boxes fit into one trash bag...

...and the other 6 foot box easily fit into another bag.

---------------

So...

why carpet on a deck?

This is a special marine waterproof carpet.

It has a full rubber backing and very short carpet on top.

The rubber makes it waterproof...

and the carpet protects the rubber from UV induced degradation.

It also makes for a quick drying carpet...

besides making it naturally nonslip.

It was made for boat decks...

where it is exposed to all day sun...

and lots of fresh or salt water spray...

and where it needs to dry fairly quickly.

This makes it perfect for decks.

I want to make my home...

but especially my decks...

as maintenance free as possible.

Plus...

I know that maintenance delayed is damage multiplied later.

It is one of the many things I had learned in the Army.

One thing constantly stressed was that...

'Proper preventive measures...

prevents poor performance.'

Okay...

not exactly in those words...

I paraphrased it  :)

And...

if you do a job...

do it right the first time...

never do anything half way.

Okay...

another paraphrasing :)

But...

I know as I age...

my ability to work on things outside may degrade.

Plus...

I would much rather prevent unnecessary expense and work

so I may then have more free time to travel...

and to just enjoy life in general.