3 Steps for Maintaining Your Home Deck
Deck maintenance should be a yearly endeavor for homeowners. A deck increases the value of your home and creates a warm and friendly connection with nature. However, decks endure much abuse: Storms batter the wood, sun discolors it and foot traffic causes general wear and tear. Home Tips recommends including deck maintenance in your annual home repairs.
Most deck problems are not structural in nature because decks usually comprise durable wood, but they do suffer cosmetic damage. Additionally, some property owners treat the wood with pesticides to prevent parasites and decay, but insects can cause structural problems if not detected in time.
Allied Restoration Company specializes in deck maintenance. Call 425-458-5756 for help restoring a neglected home deck.
- Inspect the wood for rot.
Wood is vulnerable to rot if it is frequently wet, and you can help keep it dry with a broom or blower after heavy rain. Areas that receive frequent downpours are more susceptible to rotting decks, but all homeowner should inspect their deck every year. Rot typically gathers in unused sections such as under decking boards, near ledgers and beneath stairs. Crawl under the deck to check for signs of rot.
- Clean the deck.
You should sweep or blow away debris before cleaning. It is easy to clean a small deck using a stiff broom and a mixture of washing powder and water.
A large deck may benefit from a pressure clean to blast and rinse the wood. A commercial deck cleaner or heavy-duty cleaning product may be necessary if dirt is adhering to the wood, and you should scrub and rinse repeatedly until the deck is clean.
- Remove any stains and discoloration.
The color of wood fades under the sun’s harsh rays, and every deck will gather a few stains during its lifespan. You can remove mildew stains with soap, water and bleach, and there are several effective products available for removing stains and discolored patches. However, some products may cause the wood to darken, so you should always test an invisible area before applying it to the wood.
Stains that prove frustratingly stubborn may require sanding, according to HGTV. You should sand your deck anyway every few years to get the wood back to its original color. Never use ammonia on a wooden deck because the smell gets into the grain, and the product causes its own stains.
Far too many homeowners put off deck maintenance, and this can lead to more expensive and involved repairs. If you need deck repairs or simply do not have the time to maintain your outdoor space, contact Allied Restoration Company at 425-458-5756 to inquire about home repairs in Seattle.