Deck Stain Tip - Bush Tieback

Paint & Stain Tip For Decks

OK, this may seem overly simple, but we've all been on a job where we've had to improvise at a moment's notice. That's when it's important to be creative, or at least pretend to be.

Deck Stain Tip - Keep It Neat

While we were working on a deck project recently, we got to the point where it was time to apply stain to the rail posts. There were some overgrown bushes adjacent to the deck that rubbed against said posts and would have created a problem. Normally, we just tie them back with a length of rope (or any other of a number of methods, as in cat-skinning).

Naturally, we didn't have enough rope on hand, so we improvised - with a 6-foot level, a short piece of nylon rope, and a scrap piece of 2x4.

By tying a loop at both ends of the rope and running it through the center of the offending bush, with the level on one side and the 2x on the other as an anchor, we managed success. It held the foliage back without damaging it (and believe me, the owner would NOT have been happy if we had damaged that plant).

Obviously, there are any number of things that could be substituted for the level, such as a length of trim, PVC pipe, etc. It's all about thinking outside of the box, something we need to teach our kids to do!

Contractor Quick Tips

If you have any tips you'd like to share, send us an email and let us know: bbmg@me.com