On Redwood Fences and Vinyl Floors

 

The California redwood tree is one of the largest, most beautiful trees in the world. With some, the circumference of the trunk is so wide that over a dozen adults holding hands can barely circle it. Or as one individual suffering from dwarfism commented in a recent documentary, it would take thirty little people, with arms outstretched, to make a circle around one base of a redwood tree. 

We installed the redwood fencing about a year ago. We did not want the look or feel of vinyl, and we did not want treated wood, because of its poisonous qualities. For a natural, no-paint, termite-resistant result, our choices were redwood or cedar. We went with redwood for its beautiful colors and for its California character. 

The thing is, natural materials need to be properly maintained, and that is why we devote so much of our time to upkeep. Thanks to a borrowed power washer, we started our Sunday morning heartily cleaning our immense redwood fence. It takes some technique to prevent serious damage to the wood. We had to keep the wand constantly moving and gauged appropriate distance to get maximum cleaning with as little damage to the wood as possible. 

The fencing on the left hasn't been cleaned yet. 

This morning, we finished about 60% of the fence. Together, we washed eight panels. These five panels are what I have to do in the afternoon, after the most intense heat of the day lifts a bit. I stopped because I was becoming sloppy with my work, and found I had dragged the electrical cord into the pool a couple times. Plus my wand trigger hand was starting to ache, so I figured a break was due!

The job is far from over. In a few days, a handyman will help me construct what I'll call blockade fencing on the sides of these planter boxes, and along the top of the short wall behind it. We didn't need it before, but with Maggie the Terrier, we realize new needs every day. She loves her property and has no desire to leave, but she's also a chaser and hunter, and loves tearing after crazy cats. One of these days, she'll sail over the short wall, just behind these planter boxes. Also, you can see where I've stuck an outdoor small table into the gap to the right. That needs to be blocked off, as well. Luckily, I really didn't want to throw away the beautiful scraps of wood left over from last year's fence project, so I have enough wood to build little fences to close those gaps. That way, the terrier, whom we've determined is a cross between a Welsh terrier and a Wire Fox terrier, will be safe, and I'll not have to worry.

 I already have gallons of water-based sealer ready to be applied in the next few days. That should protect the wood from water damage and from the UV rays that gray the wood. The work is already hard enough, and while some purists might frown on the somewhat damaging technique of using a power washer, I think it's the most efficient way. This sealer should protect for a couple years until we do it all over again. 

As I mentioned before, Maggie is the great huntress, chaser, and, oh yes, champion chewer.

We had been planning to redo this floor for years. Almost every single tile in the back room is already loose and ready for the trash, or at least to be glued down again. Near the water bowl, you can see how so many of the tiles are warped and buckled. Well, Maggie is a lot more  decisive than we mere humans are, so she's decided to begin with the demolition project. Every couple of days, she plucks up a tile, chews on it satisfactorily, and invites the unwitting Velma to join her in the snack of vinyl, plaster, and glue. Both dogs love this hearty game, so it has become our priority to get this floor redone. Thanks to the canine contingent, we will have the floor properly leveled and prepared, then have much higher grade vinyl sheeting installed tomorrow. 

Either way you look at it, we really couldn't delay any longer. The dogs might miss all the fun of tearing it up. We've even suggested they could help us get a discount if they tear the whole floor up before morning, but they like to restrict themselves to one or two tiles a day! 

More in the past hour. . . Bone, shmone. There's work to be done! : )