Your deck is an extension of your home where memories are made and moments are cherished. While it might seem like just a wooden platform, it is an outdoor living space that when cared for properly, can add valuable square footage to your floor plan. As experts in contracting, Home Care Contractors understand the importance of deck maintenance. By investing time and effort into caring for your deck, you’re safeguarding your investment and enhancing the overall value of your home.
The Benefits of Regular Deck Maintenance
Regular deck maintenance offers a multitude of benefits. Prolonging the lifespan of your deck and ensuring the safety of your family and guests. Investing time and effort into caring for your deck not only preserves its beauty but also protects your investment.
Key Do’s and Don’ts for Ensuring the Longevity of Your Deck
Do:
1: Regularly clean and inspect your deck to remove dirt, debris, and possible hazards.
2: Protect your deck from moisture and sunlight by applying high-quality sealant, paint, or stain.
3: Address any signs of damage promptly to prevent further deterioration.
4: Cleaning your deck regularly with the mildest solution of dish soap and plain water can help to keep your deck free from mold.
Don’t:
1: Forget about regular cleaning and maintenance, it will reduce costs.
2: Use harsh chemicals or pressure washers, they can damage the surface.
3: Ignore signs of damage or structural issues, such as loose boards, rotted deck boards, excess water, moss growth, or rusted fasteners.
4: Delay necessary repairs, this can worsen the problem and compromise the deck’s safety.
5: Don’t forget to move furniture around to prevent staining and uneven fading.
6: Never place a fire pit that burns real wood on your deck, this is a fire hazard, it may cause severe damage.
7: Never place potted plants directly without saucers onto wood decks as this causes excess moisture and damages wood.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make is waiting until a problem arises before adequately learning about proper deck care. Waiting too long to address issues such as wood rot, rough edges, and loose railings can not only cause expensive repairs but can be dangerous. Additionally, using a wire brush or the wrong cleaning agents, or neglecting to stain or seal your deck can accelerate wear and tear, reducing its lifespan.
Properly staining or sealing your deck is essential for protecting it from the elements. Even using paint can be detrimental to the wood, as paint often peels and and chips, exposing the underlying wood to dirt, debris, and stains. Choosing the right product for your deck material and climate is crucial to ensuring a smooth surface and a wonderful place for years to come. Rgularly inspecting and re-staining deck boards as needed are especially crucial for a standard wooden deck.
Moisture and sunlight are two of the biggest threats to the longevity of your deck. Excessive moisture, even in an inconspicuous area can lead to less protection of that area, causing discoloration and stains as well as many other moisture-related problems. Proper maintenance including regular sanding and staining will also help to make your deck more durable in harsh sunlight, which can cause fading, warping, or cracking.
Expert Tips For Proper Deck Maintenance
To keep your backyard deck in optimal condition remember to sweep your deck regularly to remove dirt and debris and prevent stains caused by surrounding plants. Invest in professional deck inspections and repairs to ensure the safety and longevity of your deck. Never use a plastic bristle brush as this can leave rough edges and seriously damage pressure-treated wood and composite decks. Trim nearby plants and trees to promote airflow and minimize debris.
The Importance of Hiring Professional Contractors
While some maintenance tasks can be DIY endeavors, complex restoration projects, repairs, and even cleaning are best left to the professionals. Proper installation of handrails and a fan attachment are best done by professionals to prevent accidents. Proper pressure washing, application of stain, and finally deck cleaner will protect your deck for years to come, and when done professionally will not injure nearby plants or your favorite tree nearby.
Deck Design to Last a Lifetime
When it comes to designing your deck, the possibilities are endless. At Home Care Contractors we know that your deck is more than just a wooden platform, and each of the decks that we help to build or repair will be a seamless transition from your home to your backyard oasis.