Today is a momentous day where we focus on the deck cover demolition and start to see the exterior potential of the house. As you may remember from Project Planning – The One Way Ticket, we have set a two week project plan, where the deck cover removal is one of the key tasks. The deck cover removal is a significant task in order to get prepped for the window and siding install on the house. The house is starting to express a look of concern, like we will be undressing it for all to see. Sorry house, you may start to feel a little exposed for a bit, but it is all part of the makeover.

Current Deck State

So let’s start by reminding you of the current state of the deck and why we are removing the cover.

First of all, from the expansive 700 sq-ft deck, I take a look around and take in the beautiful panoramic rolling canvas of agriculture in front of me. To the side I can see and hear sheep and horses running in the fields. There is also a vintage train that goes by twice a day in the background on the hills. You can actually hear the antique… choo – choo – choo faintly in the back ground and see little puffs of smoke from the engine. It’s like living in a story book. It is in moments like these that I remember why we started on this journey and the stresses just wash away. As I take it all in, the house and I smile and breath a calming sigh. Absolutely spectacular! The view that is….

As I turn my attention from the view now to the house, reality starts to creep back in, as the state of the deck is another story. This story is straight out of a haunted house story.

The deck is currently covered with green corrugated plastic and white timber framing. This may not sound so bad, but the cover causes the space to be dark and drab, and the plastic is covered in decades of dirt, showing its years of wear and tear. With holes worn through and integrity compromised, where one snowfall may cave in the whole structure. It is brittle and wrinkled with age. The house is shying away as we are starting to recognize its age and is self conscious of the wear, tear and crevasses showing. But do not worry house as we are about to do a face lift and breath back an air of rejuvenation into you.

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Demo Planning

So no doubt this structure needs to go. However, before we demo, our first step is assessing what we are dealing with. Where do we start? First… turn off power and disconnect and cap off electrical. Next… need to remove the plastic panels. Then remove the timber framing. But the question is how? The plastic panels overlap. But how do they overlap? How are they fastened? What is the best removal strategy? The wheels in my head turning at full speed as I start to develop a plan…

Well ok… I guess let’s forget the plan or strategy, because in this same moment, my step father waltzes out onto the deck with a long 2×4 and starts poking at the plastic deck cover to see what happens. Within minutes he is in full demo mode and plastic is flying everywhere. Impressed with the progress, we high five each other on the ease of this activity. (Don’t worry, full safety moment to follow). Before my husband joins in on the fun, we assess other tasks to be done and allow my step father to continue his work. Full confidence in what is taking place.

Manual Labour vs Errand Running

So here is where I have to admit shame is setting in as I am again learning that I am not going to be much help on these activities. Are you sensing a theme of my limited capabilities… apparently heavy manual labour is not my forte. Now in other departments I am there in full force. Project management… check, design.. check, floor install… check, kitchen assembly and install… check, painting… check. But full on manual labour… sadly completely useless here. So I take my cue and depart to go get coffee and snacks. Embarrassing, but yes, I have resorted to being the gopher. Corporate senior leader… to fetching food and drinks. Wow… can I suck this up and handle these types of tasks? I guess here is the first test. But don’t worry, this is the first of many tests of my ego as you will see in future blogs.

Deck Cover Demo Safety

Upon my return of my food run errand. Smiling, as I have to say I did quite well. Pat on back! Maybe I have found a new skillset. In addition to this, the progress the guys have made is fantastic. You can already see the transformation, as most of the green plastic is now removed and littered to the ground.

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However this victory is short lived as I walk out onto the deck and encounter a cloud of what I believe to be plastic particles every time my husband and step father smash into the plastic overhead and pieces fly to the ground. It would almost be pretty as the particles sparkle in the sunlight, if it wasn’t for the fact it is probably toxic. I quickly cover my face and bring the food back inside. As I return outside, the management side of me takes over! ‘Stop work! Face masks on everyone before work continues!’

With everyone properly protected, work continues. I breath a sigh of relief and stop to take in the work that has taken place. It is actually amazing watching the transformation. The house is slowly taking on a whole new look. With the plastic green cover down, more light starts pouring onto the deck and into the house. Next is to start removal of the white wooden framing structure of the cover. Ok so here is another significant learning for all those following.

Usually we are very focused on planning everything and ensuring everyone is watching out for each other. Unfortunately, in this case, we were so excited in the demo and the change it was making, we just kept going. And sadly almost had a massive incident. In hindsight, we just tried to go too big.

As, my husband was removing a piece of the frame, my step dad was working on another part of the deck. As the piece my husband was taking down started falling, he realized it was heading straight for my step dad. Now in a statement of fates, my step dad leans over at the exact moment as the piece swings towards him, almost hitting him in the head and sweeping him over the deck to an 8 foot fall.. Fortunately, he is not hit… and he is safe. However, the potential was massive and scary. Makes me ill just thinking of it even now. Sorry Mom! Probably the first time you have heard this story. But at least he came home safe and sound to you.

After that episode, we reviewed the task at hand and all agreed that this part of the project needs to be handled in smaller increments. Rushing is not an option. Everyone coming home safe and sound is priority. With a more tactical approach taken, the framing now taken down in small pieces with someone always watching out for the other.

Wow that was close! But in the end the deck cover was demo’d successfully with no injury. And it looks amazing! It is crazy how different the house looks and how much light is now flowing through the house. Instead of exposed, I think the house is feeling a sense of pride as it sits up a little straighter.

Deck State After Demo

So what are we left with…. Well there is some more good news is that we are fortunate in that the deck already has vinyl covering that is in good shape. For those of you that may not be familiar with vinyl deck covering. It is a protective vinyl membrane that is applied over a flat solid deck surface like plywood, that is low maintenance, very durable and waterproof, unless, of course, it is cut or torn. So having this in tack is a big win and reduces any costs of having to resurface the deck.

We are also fortunate that the deck framing was never actually attached to the deck and therefore never perforated the deck covering. What you may ask? Did you hear me correctly? Oh yes my friends, I said the wooden structure of the deck cover was never fastened to the deck. Huh? Wow… really? So I say fortunate loosely, because we removed it easily with no damage to the deck flooring, but so scary that it was actually never fastened. Solely relying on the weight of the old framing to hold it in place. UMMM… not sure that is the best design approach.

In addition, the framing was actually the only thing holding the deck railings in place. Yes again you heard me correctly. Unfortunately the railings were never properly fastened and now flop back and forth when anyone touches them. Sounds like a great railing feature, doesn’t it? Yes my sarcasm is creeping in again. So now the railing either needs to be reinforced or redone. Stay tuned to where this leads us. I am sure it won’t be much of a surprise as every time we think we can just fix something we still end up having to replace it. But hey you never know.

Clean up

With debris now laying everywhere we definitely need another dumpster to cart this all away. Again we contact the dumpster company for a delivery. Date and time set … and again late. Sadly I am now becoming numb to this and now expect it. So I am not shocked or upset, just happy when it finally arrives and we can do some clean up. The dumpster is loaded to the rim with plastic and wood and carted away, taking with it decades of wear and tear.

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Final Thoughts

The deck cover demolition took a day and a half to complete. But the look is total night and day. Which says a lot considering the house is still layered with grime and looks like a child that has been playing in mud all day. But nothing siding and windows won’t fix. The deck however, is now a brighter more open space, letting tons of light into the house. The house is smiling in appreciation and I swear decades have been removed from its age. In addition, remember how I referred to it as the haunted house and we had always said it would be the perfect Halloween house on the block…. well it is not so scary now. Which is awesome. The house breathes a sigh of relief and thanks us for coming to its rescue!

So what did we learn? Plan your project. Assess the hazards of the work to be done. Wear the correct safety protective gear. Watch out for each other. Stop work if need be. Safety, livelihood and family is more important than anything! No exception!

We are extremely pleased with the outcome. It totally changes the look of the house and the deck will be a fantastic outdoor living and entertaining space! The house and I smile again, as we are actually turning a corner on this train ride. With the whisper of a choo – choo in the background, we settle again on the beautiful scenery in front of us and feel the sun shining upon us. For one of the first times on this project a moment of peace sets in. Namaste… my friends…. Namaste.