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Avatar for Rhino Exterior Cleaning, LLC
Rhino Exterior Cleaning, LLC
5.0(
13
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"10/10 recommend Hydro Pressure Washing! I was extremely impressed with the quality of work and professionalism the workers provided. We had our driveway, sidewalks, decks, and the exterior of our home and garage pressure washed as we just moved in and there was a lot of dirt/residue build up. Our home and garage are now completely free of build up dirt, moss, and everything- good as new! The sidewalks and driveway are pretty much spotless as well! Compared to before, it feels like a whole new house walking up to it."
Before and after wall/driveway
Large Algae Growth
Single Side Siding Wash
Mildew Removal From Siding
Deck Restoration

+2

Response time1 day
Response rate85%
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Field carpentry
Field carpentry
5.0(
1
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Small jobs welcome

"Exceptional work and a true professional. Highly recommend and would happily hire Codey again. Codey helped us complete a partially finished basement office by adding trim and casing around two doors and an egress window, installed a bifold closet with trim/casing, and added baseboards around the room. His work was clean and detailed and the room looks great due to this. He also fixed several issues from a previous contractor along the way, including resizing a door cutout that was too small, adjusting another door that never closed properly, and installed a header for the closet that a previous contractor did not. Overall his work was exceptional, he was transparent on all aspects of the project, very polite, and completed ahead of schedule. Highly recommend."
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
All Trades Construction and Maintenance Inc
4.9(
118
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Todd was very efficient in dismantling the hood, cutting a hole through the wall to the outside, laying the piping, sealing, and testing the new setup. What impressed me was the fact that he didn’t try to sell me a new hood. He also was very conscious of any messes he may make, laying down drop clothes, etc. and disposing of his garbage in appropriate receptacles. I was very happy with the time it took him to do the job. Super quick, yet high quality work. From what I have experienced thus far (I have him booked for a couple other projects), Todd is a stand-up trustworthy guy who knows what he’s doing. He is super busy so it may take him a while to respond to inquiries, but he’s definitely worth the wait. I would highly recommend him to family & friends."
Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for Essence Construction, LLC
Essence Construction, LLC
4.4(
52
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

"Easy to visit with. Answered questions I had. Work involved more expensive on the deck than first thought. Scott was great to call me and showed me what was needed and why. The deck turned out fantastic & went well with new siding we'd just done. Would call them again for a project.. Very professional.."
Deck
Deck
Deck
Deck
Fence post

+968

Response time8 hrs
Response rate93%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 42
Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

Before installing any materials under the deck for removing moisture, you should perform some prep work on the ground. Work the dirt under the deck to create a grade away from the home. A grade of at least six inches for every 10 feet works well. Do not leave a gap between the dirt and the home’s foundation where water could pool. Once you or a contractor regrades the dirt under the deck, you then can add materials over the top.

When deciding if you should use 2x6 or 2x8 deck joists, consider the size of the deck, joist spacing, and materials. Larger decks, larger-spaced joists, and weaker wood all require more support, meaning they need larger joists. For example, 2x8 redwood joists spaced 16 inches apart can only safely span up to 10 feet and 7 inches. On the other hand, 2x10 southern pine joists spaced 12 inches apart can be as big as 16 feet and 2 inches. If you aren’t sure what size joist is best for your project, speak with your deck builder.

Ideally, a gate should be able to swing both in and out. However, if it can only open in one direction, it is generally best for it to swing inward. This is often the safest option, especially for deck gates near steps, as you'll want the gate to swing away from the stairs. An inward swing also prevents the gate from opening into a public space, like a sidewalk, and can be more convenient when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.

There are exceptions, however. The layout of your property may require a different approach. For example, if your property is on a slope, the gate may not be able to swing inward. You should also ensure the gate can open fully without colliding with any objects or blocking access to other areas. For a backyard garden gate where public access isn't a concern, the direction it swings is largely a matter of personal preference. Finally, always check your local building codes, as they may have specific requirements for which way a gate must swing.

It is possible to build your own deck, but it’s typically better to leave the work to a decking professional. Decks can be exceptionally complicated, especially if you want a wrap-around or second-story deck, and you don’t want to risk making an expensive or dangerous mistake. It’s usually better to hire a decking pro who can pull permits and build a structurally sound deck that will last for decades and provide the maximum return on investment.

There are several perks to building a deck around your inground or above-ground pool. Specifically, building a deck around a pool gives you space to lounge and sunbathe, easy access to monitor kids in the pool, extra room for entertaining and dining, an anti-slip surface for post-pool fun, and enhanced aesthetics.

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.