Finally, I can put the finishing touches on my outdoor work this summer. Many ask me… “How do I know when to stain pressure treated wood?”

Well, I aim to answer a few questions, show what I do for my own projects, as well as share a bit of my latest journey of healing.

Ya gotta love that look Loula is giving the camera. “Ain’t no deer getting through here!”

Before I jump into today’s post, you want to take a look at where it all started:

• backyard official beginning
• installing my French drain
• felling the rotted trees
• clearing the terrace
• building my stone retaining wall
• DIY slope stairs
• DIY fire pit
• Free hammock stand build plans
• Free lean-to shed plans

So… you can see I’ve been a bit busy this summer and am now in the best shape ever. haha.

SMOKE BE GONE

Since my last post where I share my build plans for a lean-to storing our bikes, I need to show you how I am able to finally finish my project after a week-long wildfire smoke made our air toxic.

First, I need to add the soffit vent to keep out birds, bats, pests of the stinging variety, etc.

As I mention in my previous post, I salvaged all sorts of “trash” (aka. #trashure) from my new garage build that I use for this build. That includes these pieces of soffit vent.

To make it fit in my lean-to, I cut down the panel to size and insert under the front fascia panel making sure to overlap them. My vlog below shows it best.

After that bit is complete, I am FINALLY able to stain the doors I built and more.

BUT WHEN?

However, before I get to that, how do I know when to stain pressure treated wood?

Well… it depends on:

• how long has the wood been exposed to the elements (aka. oxidized)?
• has your area been humid or dry?
• how green was the wood when installed?
• is the wood super heavy or on the lighter side?
• does water bead on it or only take a minute to soak in?
• is your wood exposed to foot traffic? (deck vs fence)
• do you have enough time for the stain to properly cure? (depending on manufacturer, approx. 24 hours of no traffic or rain)

All these questions give you an idea of if your wood is ready for stain.

Obviously, if it’s aged at least 90 days in a season of warm and arid environment, then you can assume you’re good to go. That is as long as you clean it first. An oxalic acid-based wood cleaner is recommended first before staining.

However, if it’s a new build, it may bode well to wait 30-90 days before staining.

If you rush the process, the wood can resist your product, and you waste your time and money invested. You may get premature peeling and fading.

In a couple of my past projects, here’s what happened:

• previous home pergola – stained within two weeks with a semi-transparent stain using brush and roller. It didn’t hold as long – it started to chip/peel after five years. That’s still a good bit of time, but had I waited, I think it would have lasted longer. See the update HERE.
• previous home privacy fence – stained with semi-transparent stain same week with solid stain using a sprayer. Slightly faded in three years.

STAIN TIME

Since I built my slope steps over 30 days ago and my hammock stand shortly after, I am staining them at the same time as my shed doors.

But first… I need to paint the siding J channel to match my house color as that will make my eye twitch f.o.r.e.v.e.r.

Then, I use Olympic Stain in Solid Timberline to stain the doors I recently built.

I wanted a cedar-ish vibe but a bit darker than what’s sold in stores. Most of the cedar stains are plain ugly to me – they look like an orange crayon and nothing like the real cedar I used on my previous’ bike shed.

Not only does it only take one coat, but this solid stain will last up to 25 years when done right. I used a solid on my cedar firepit set last year and it still looks fabulous.

There are other variations of stain: solid, semi-transparent, or transparent.

• solid offers the best protection for up to 25 years coverage. but no grain visibility
• semi-transparent is a 10-year protection and as it states, is a semi-transparent grain visibility
• transparent is the least protection maxing out at 4 years for a deck and 6 years for a fence and showcases the grain fully

My house siding is still blue in real life, but I quickly edited the siding in these photos so I could see what it will eventually look like.

NEXT STEPS… LITERALLY

Next up (literally) As soon as I am done with my lean-to, I head out back to assess my slope stairs and hammock stand. Originally, I thought I would need to wait closer to three months for the wood to cure before staining. However, with our high temps and dry days, it helps me know when to stain pressure treated wood.

See my vlog below for details and more to the story I’ll share in a bit.

I am using my brush for this because I need to get into tight areas, want to apply it thickly, and also keep it off the surrounding areas without having to cover everything.

Can you beat this view?

Then, I need to do more clearing so I can make use of my hammock. (see first photo)

Last, but not least, I re-stain the base of my fire pit furniture to have it all gel together. DIY concrete table tutorial HERE.

REFRESHED

With a sigh of relief, my new builds mixed with old builds are cohesive and ready for many more summers (and winters) to come.

I’m not only smitten with the color and how it blends into nature perfectly, I also can see how my sweat equity is paying off.

If you see me chillaxin’ out there, wave and keep going as it’s not often! bwahaha!!

Actually, I’ve learned how to just be more and more each day.

Oh… and this was the “before” this spring…

If you have any questions about when to stain pressure treated wood, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. I’m happy to help!

DON’T MISS THIS

I wouldn’t be real if I didn’t share another part of the story in these photos that you can’t see.

While I work on these builds I’m working on healing as well.

In the last few weeks, I’ve redirected my old brand, Prodigal Pieces, to Livin’ Real with Larissa.

That took a HUGE leap of faith for me.

Why?

Well, when you switch domains, you literally have to start over.

No income, my high ranking lost and the rug pulled out in more ways than one.

Over the last few months, I’ve had to prove to the g00gle gods that I am worthy.

After feeling I establish myself enough, I apply to have my ads back (though I’d love to be without, but a gal and her kids need to eat)

I was DENIED.

sunk.

I knew that I would lose income but didn’t think I’d have to be at this point.

On top of that, there are many other day-to-day troubles looming.

However, I have the best ad company, Raptive, who went to bat for me without even knowing.

They received the denial and instantly file a ticket to contest my site being valid.

After waiting what seems like an eternity, I am finally APPROVED.

That means ads are back and I earned a whopping $.41 the first day back.

You see, I still have to prove worthy for ad companies to want to place ads here.

Since that first day, I earned $4, so… that’s an increase.

And Lord willing, I will continue to, at least, get back to where I can take care of my bills.

As a single mom, I do everything I can to keep on top of things.

IT’S JUST CHANGE

During the few weeks of redirecting, awaiting approval, my CPTSD kicks in and I have to have those hidden battles.

And yet… GOD.

As I mention in my vlog above, the one day I really carry a heavy load, I find paper.

Yep, paper.

You know it as a dollar bill.

However, in my adult life, I choose to see those “worthless” pennies as a sign that God will never forget me and will provide.

To find that 100 pennies (in paper form) I am BLOWN AWAY.

100 TIMES God is promising me that I will be okay.

The next day, a nickel.

However, I want to ask, how can you not see God?

While I’m being facetious, I’m truly speaking real from the heart.

Yes, this is a heavy-hitting, heart-felt post and I feel the drive to share it with you.

Despite having wretched hard days, especially as of late, I know God is there.

How?

The next four days I find more and more coins (signs) while on walks when I’m having a hard time.

The last day, I found that top pile of change all in one place.

It took my breath away… and tears. As if God is saying I won’t just bless you in one way, but in many forms.

NOT JUST METAL AND PAPER

On top of that, the day after I found the dollar bill, I was hitting a low again seeing my income at $0.

I spent all day creating content and exhausted. In a heartbeat, I fell asleep on my bed after a long walk with Loula, trying not to fret.

Then, I wake to a heavy downpour outside and see sun at the same time.

I jump up and whisper, “rainbow”.

I knew that this is the perfect condition for a rainbow.

Running to my bedroom window, I see a rainbow silently form.

Managing to eek out through tears, “No way You did this for me.”

And yet I know God did.

IT’S DIFFERENT

If we whisper our needs to that silent quiet when we can’t even take a step, we are heard.

As a part of my new journey and even a new brand name, Livin’ Real with Larissa, I’m coming from a REAL look at what it is like for me.

It’s different for you, though.

You are not me.

What brings you joy, true joy, is deep inside that only the One who…

“…created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began” ~ Psalm 139:13-16 CSB

Those are powerful words. And if I’m being honest, the part, “knit me together in my mother’s womb” has sucker-punched me at times.

I’ve shared my story of being raised by a narcissist mother – the one who’s womb I was knit in.

Yeah, that kinda stings.

But back to my original statement – it’s different.

The way God works in my life is not going to be the way God works in your life.

I may see the traces in a tiny flower, while another person would walk right past that flower.

I don’t know about you, but I want a God that knows ME – the deepest parts of me.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

May you find blessing in my sharing my journey as I know I’m not alone. Please feel free to share as well!

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

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