Tag Archives: Deck

Hot Tub Cover

May 6, 2025News, outsideDeck, hot tub, outsidebkrijger

The SaluSpa hot tub has been a great addition to Ozuye. But there were some issues with the cover, and the floating air cushion inside.

When I arrived this time, the air cushion was filled with water instead of air. That makes it close to impossible to take it out (due to the water weight) and totally defeats the purpose of the air cushion.

So after getting all the water out and re-inflating the cushion, I discovered a puncture in the inner section. So I patched that and now the cushion is fully functional again.

For future reference; the outer section is not to be inflated, nor unplugged, as the cushion is just the right size with only the inner two sections inflated.

To avoid the cover blowing away, the cord to tighten it is now going under the connections to the pump and heater. To uncover, release the cord and flip the grey cover over to the side next to the pump. Then remove the black cushion and store it so that the wind doesn’t blow it away.

The pictures below illustrate the proper way to place both the air cushion and cover.

A hose that can be connected to the air pump is in the bottom right kitchen drawer. With a little effort it just fits the black air cushion.

the outer section of the air cushion is deflated and plugged

the cover fits the tub nicely once the tightener has been released.

The tightening cord stays under the connections to the pump to avoid it getting blown away by the wind.

Copper Fire Pit

April 28, 2025outsideDeck, outsidebkrijger

It’s been here for a few months now, but I hadn’t seen it myself. This one is copper, hoping that it will last a bit longer than the previous iron ones, that had a tendency to rust away in 2 years.

Grill upgrade

December 24, 2024News, outsideBBQ, Deck, grill, outsidebkrijger

The old Huntington grill that Mart gave me when he visited back in 2017 has finally given up. After replacing the burner, ignition and hose in March, it just wouldn’t burn anymore now. So it was time for an upgrade.

Kept it very modest, but this one does have three burners instead of two. And a temperature gauge and a tray to keep things warm.

But it’s stainless steel only for the front plates and the tray, so we will see if this one holds up 7 years too. First test will be tonight, Christmas Eve with a nice big steak. 🥩

Update: it’s officially approved. 🤠

Deck repair

December 20, 2024News, outsideDeck, outsidebkrijger

About 5 years back, there was a period with frost and the deck boards on the east side were snow/ice covered for a while. As the sun doesn’t reach there, these boards suffered more than on the other 2 decks. I replaced the boards worst damaged and gave them a Federal Blue stain coat.

The lighter ones have been replaced.

As you can see from the picture below, some really weren’t very solid anymore;

Rain chain down spout

September 22, 2023NewsDeckbkrijger

Last time I was here, I installed a temporary fix to make rain fall off to the side of the deck.

It wasn’t very pretty, so now I replaced it with a pretty alternative; a rain chain down spout.

I had to fake the rain, as none is forecasted for the coming weeks.

It may need a little tweaking to make it spill less, but it looks nice.

Hot tub deck fun

September 15, 2023NewsDeck, hot tubbkrijger

I don’t know what it is exactly, but the hot tub deck seems to be the place to make out. These two were so pre-occupied with each other that I could approach them up to a few inches.

Gutter in action

May 8, 2023NewsDeck, roofbkrijger

Aesthetically not ideal, but functionality sufficient;

After I extended the rain gutter by a few inches, rain is now transported just off the edge of the deck.

One day I will install a downspout that ends up in a wooden barrel. Until that day, this will suffice.

Finally a little bit of rain; thunderstorms have been forecasted for days, but today the rain added up to a whopping 0.25 inch.

On my way back from my visit to HCPL I took the backroad that follows the river. It wasn’t as low as I thought although the river pass was completely dry.

Frost damage restored

October 13, 2022NewsDeckbkrijger

During the winter of 2019, an exceptionally long cold front passed the hill country. The deck on the east side suffered some damage; a few boards had frozen up and lost their structural integrity.

These boards have been replaced and after a new coat of stain should last years and keep the deck safe.

Practical and comfortable

May 24, 2022NewsDeckbkrijger

Eating outside sometimes means no table and holding up the plate you eat from with one hand, trying to eat with the other hand.

The Adirondack chairs function as a table too; my plate is on the left arm rest and my beer on the right, and I can still put my arms on the arm rests.

All the good things in life in one chair 🤠

And then there were four

May 21, 2022NewsDeckbkrijger

Although currently, I don’t rent out Ozuye to more than two people, in October I hope to get a visit from three friends. So instead of two, I made 4 Adirondack chairs.

I also ran into pillows at Target, so now they are comfortable. The brown one is stained, matching the logs. The other three will be grey, like one already is.

They all have 4 wheels at the back legs, so you can move them easily by lifting the front and then rolling them. The two wheels per leg prevents a wheel going into the gap between the deck boards.

Once painted, I will move two to the hot tub deck, and keep two on the main deck.

Ozuye Lodge

B's log home