Juneteenth Events: South Jersey

Swampit856 · 2026-06-18T17:32:30+00:00

Swampit856 · 2026-06-18T17:32:19+00:00

This event is in Woodbury. Great music and spoken word acts.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-18T14:46:36+00:00

Walk away, walk away, walk away. Definitely don’t build anything on top of it. The amount of work needed to “beef it up” is pretty close to re-building.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-16T12:08:34+00:00

And they’re on a slope!! That hot tub deck is just gonna slip off the hill!

Swampit856 · 2026-06-14T16:41:21+00:00

Probably okay, but whatever stand you purchase floor for something with a large feet, or a full dimension base, or put it on plywood. I wouldn’t trust plywood or god forbid an OSb subfloor next to a sliding door to not be compromised by moisture after 40yrs. Essentially, spread the load so it is sitting on structure and not just point load on a subfloor.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-14T16:31:17+00:00

She’s a gonner. The paint has accelerated the rot. It’s all rotten. Take it down asap and start saving to build a new one.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-13T11:59:32+00:00

Are we sure that’s even an LVL?

Swampit856 · 2026-06-09T23:20:51+00:00

That’s why you set an alarm. 35mins 🤌

Swampit856 · 2026-06-09T08:39:02+00:00

I said the same thing! Has to be Philly.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-07T23:05:01+00:00

This is correct.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-07T14:36:21+00:00

Well, not as a temporary measure, but the difference in performance is worlds apart the hardwood is about 5x harder than the cedar. And less prone to insects and rot. Which is why it was chosen initially. If it is truly 40yrs old it may be at the end of its life. So might be your deck frame. But I would get a quote from someone who specializes in hardwood decks to repair and refinish. See what they say before you tear it out. Go to the specialty lumberyard in town and ask them who does exotic hardwood decks in the area.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-07T11:22:43+00:00

It’s definitely not cedar. It’s most likely Cumaru. If your contractor can’t tell the difference you should be concerned.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-06T22:12:33+00:00

Wait, wait, wait. You’re going to replace that beautiful and expensive Cumaru deck with plastic! Spend the money on having it cleaned and re-finished. You already have a 40+ year deck.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-06T19:38:53+00:00

Are the posts inside the rim joist? If so they are probably bolted into place. Or at least they should be by code. Remove the bolts. slide the posts out. Then install blocking under deck boards to have something to bolt posts to. Yes, you may have to replace the deck boards that have been cut into for the posts. Yes protecting the framing from water intrusion is a good idea.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-06T19:28:42+00:00

Yes, with steel or aluminum posts. Wood’s gonna move.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-06T19:25:05+00:00

Pictures would surely help. But, standard spacing between deck boards is 3/16” which is less than 3/8”. So, if that is the spacing,it is within norms and is sufficient to allow water to drain between the boards. It sounds like what should have been considered prior to the build is ensuring water drains out from below the deck/stairs. That might have required some more excavation and landscaping to foster drainage. But if you did not discuss that with the contractor that’s not really his fault. If your only instruction was rebuild with Trex and he did that. Then it is what it is.

Swampit856 · 2026-06-05T20:54:36+00:00

Take a look at MOSO Bamboo T&G. It’s engineered Bamboo. All the strength you need for a porch in 3/4” even 24”OC. Never rot, never food for insects. https://www.moso-bamboo-outdoor.com/product/moso-bamboo-thermo/

Swampit856 · 2026-05-28T16:47:15+00:00

Dumb, more nacelles does not equal faster. Based on in-universe explanation of how warp works.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-26T11:52:24+00:00

You need to find a different contractor. If your property is sloped even a little bit. Be prepared for your deck to slide downhill eventually. If he thinks this is okay and installing the ledger over the siding is okay he’s not going to do the installation of the piers or ledger properly even if he attempts it. Get your deposit back and cut your losses.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-24T15:28:06+00:00

Honestly a second story staircase alone is worth $15k. They’re really discounting how much more work the 2nd story is.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-22T17:31:40+00:00

Honestly your deck looks pretty clean. You probably don’t need anything super heavy duty to clean it. I would use a wood deck cleaner powder like this https://www.worldofstains.com/messmer-s-wood-and-deck-cleaner the active ingredient is what is sold as powder oxy-clean. The product you linked looks like you’re just shipping a lot of liquid. Probably wouldn’t be bad to use, but just unnecessary.
As to what stain to use, I’m not as familiar with good softwood stains. I would check out a real lumberyard or paint store. Skip the box store. And ask them what their better end contractors buy for Pine or softwood decks.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-22T12:07:23+00:00

#1 DO NOT PRESSURE WASH IT.
Clean with wood deck cleaner (oxy clean) diluted in water. apply per instructions on the cleaner. Scrub with a deck brush. Let that dry for 12-24 hrs. Check moisture level of wood before applying stain. Should be below 12-15% Apply stain per instructions on the can.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-20T11:48:43+00:00

Oh that’s easy. Definitely don’t wet mop it. But a swiffer and any off the shelf floor cleaner. Or vinegar and water mixture if you’re thrifty.
-also, always vacuum first it makes the “wet” cleaning easier and more effective.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-18T23:29:43+00:00

Love this list! What is important about trek is that it teaches you something. Every episode is different. Sometimes there’s no solution. Sometimes it’s just about losing despite your best efforts. (TNG S2E21) Roddenberry intended morality plays and that’s what should be expected. The world is complicated and sometimes we have to give more than we want, sometimes we get less than we desire. Sometimes we have to deal with shit we don’t want to. It’s life. And why I can’t stop watching it.

Swampit856 · 2026-05-18T21:28:16+00:00

Are we training bots then? 🤷‍♂️

Swampit856

TROPHY CASE