by Valley Redwood | deck maintenance
Now that you have spent time, energy, and money on your new redwood deck , the next step to consider is maintenance. Proper care and maintenance can extend the life of your deck and help keep its natural beauty. Several factors can contribute to the wood looking dull, grey, and weathered. Years of sun, rain, and extreme temperatures can make your deck look older than it is. Simple measures can alleviate the affects of these factors.
The first thing you should consider is a proper stain/sealer when the deck is new. This will give the deck the best start it can have and will make the maintenance in the future even easier. There are many sealer and stains available, so make sure you select one that is formulated for redwood. Many tints are available depending on personnel choice and the desired look. Because it is an open-celled structure and it contains little or no pitch or resins, redwood accepts and holds a variety of finishes from clear stain to solid color paints. To achieve a lasting redwood color, use a water-repellent, oil-based deck stain.
When it comes time to clean your deck, a few simple steps should be taken to assure long lasting beauty. Depending on how long it has been since your deck was cleaned, you may have to apply a cleaner, scrub with a stiff brush, and rinse with water, or you can lightly clean with a pressure washer. If you are pressure washing, be cautious and use a wide fan spray and not a concentrated jet spray as this can carve grooves in your deck. Consider lightly sanding the railings before sealing to keep a nice smooth surface your hands will thank you for.
After you have thoroughly cleaned your redwood, make sure it is dry. Sometimes it might take a few days to completely dry. Once dry, you are ready for sealer. Sealers can be applied with a brush, roller, or spray. You will have better coverage with a brush or roller as some of the spray will simply get lost in the air.
Before you start your cleaning and sealing process, give us a call and we can recommend which method will be the best for your deck and we will help you choose the right stain or sealer. Done right, you will only have to do this every 2 or 3 years. Valley Redwood is happy to help you keep all your redwood decks, gazebos, and furniture looking great for many years.
Valley Redwood
Quality Products and Services since 1982
(916) 334-9500
by Valley Redwood | Redwood
Decks, stairs, fences, and railings are the common construction projects you might expect with redwood. We have some ideas that go beyond common into inspirational.
Since redwood offers natural resistance to insects and decay, building a pergola out of redwood offers a striking shade structure over your patio. Grow honeysuckle, grapes, wisteria, or fragrant jasmine to cover your redwood pergola. If you like Kiwi, plant one male and a couple female plants at the corners; the shade and fruit will be amazing.
Arbors and gazebos are a beautiful addition in redwood. Outdoor furniture, a suspended bench swing, a garden trellis, or a privacy screen.
Kids will enjoy their redwood swing set and play structure while you enjoy the natural beauty of redwood in your 
backyard.
A shaded hammock, planter boxes or flower boxes, benches, chairs and more. Redwood’s natural beauty enhances any landscape in any form
At Valley Redwood we specialize in redwood supplies and expertise. We are here to help you with all your landscaping projects.
Get inspired, then get some redwood…at Valley Redwood. Your Sacramento source for landscaping products.
Valley Redwood
Quality Products and Services since 1982
(916) 334-9500
by Valley Redwood | heatstroke, Redwood
The warmer season has officially arrived. This is the time of year that homeowners take advantage of the dry, warm weather to complete the outdoor projects they planned for during the rainy and cold season. Landscape projects, repairing or perhaps building a new deck or fence, or simply refinishing your outdoor redwood structures with stain and sealer are all great things to get “checked off” your list this summer. With the heat during the next few months precautions should be taken to avoid overheating. It is easy to get wrapped up in a project and forget to take a break, eat, or drink anything.
Here are a few early signs of heat stroke:
- High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
- Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
- Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
- Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
- Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
- Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
- Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
- Headache. Your head may throb.
Some of the measures you can take to avoid heat stroke are:
- Wear loosefitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won’t allow your body to cool properly.
- Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
- Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
- Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.
- Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you’re conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
- Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency.
Everyone at Valley Redwood wants you to have a productive summer while remaining healthy. We are ready to help you with all your landscaping, fencing, and decking projects with the best products and service provided by our knowledgeable and friendly staff. Give us a call if you have any questions or make the short drive to see all we have to offer. Stay cool this summer and we hope to see you soon.
by Valley Redwood | Redwood
All the staff at Valley Redwood would like to welcome you to our new website. We have worked hard to showcase our quality products and services. This will be a continuing effort, and we welcome any suggestions from our valued customers. Let us know what you might like to see and learn about in future posts. We look forward to hearing from you, and serving the greater Sacramento area for many years to come. Contact us if you have any questions or comments.
