Deck Maintenance - [MM]
09:14 |
Preventative Deck Maintenance
Most
of us in BC live our lives outside on our decks in the summer. Now is the time
to exercise preventative maintenance so your summer will be safe and enjoyable.
If
you check and repair things right away, maintaining your deck can be relatively
simple and inexpensive to do versus facing a big problem later.
To examine
and evaluate your outdoor deck, first ask: Is it tired and worn out? Does it
need replacement or just some cleaning and TLC?
Pressure
washing decks can be the first step to restoration. If you don’t have a
pressure washer, there’s many different cleaning products available designed to
remove moss, mildew, and mould, to keep your deck clean and in good shape.
Wooden Deck Maintenance
Is
your deck made out of wood? Once the dirt and grime has been removed, it may be
time to re-coat with stain or paint, depending on your deck design. Sun is hard
on wood, causing it to break and crack. You’ll want to take extra steps to protect
it from the sun and heat, depending on where your deck is facing.
Water
and sun attack materials differently. New products are available to protect and
even refurbish the finish on your deck as well as extend its life. These protective
agents are available in a variety of colors and applications. If your deck is
worn, a couple of thick quotes can salvage a distressed looking deck and buy
you more time to plan its replacement.
Vinyl Deck Maintenance
If
you have a vinyl deck, be gentle with the power-washer. It’s better not to be
too aggressive, or it can take off your vinyl finish and remove the color from
your vinyl membrane.
While
you’re cleaning, be sure to check out the vinyl seams. Are they intact or loose
or coming apart? If so, it’s time to apply a small amount of seam sealer. You
can use heat to soften – not melt – the seams for better bonding.
Doing
a little work now prevents you from doing a lot of work later. Once a seam
goes, and water seeps through the seams and spreads beyond underneath your deck
flooring, rotting could occur, and then you’ll have a much larger problem to
deal with.
Preventative Maintenance Check
Remember,
when it comes to outdoor decks, water needs to stay out. It’s your enemy and does all the damage. You
need to stop moisture from collecting and water from seeping into joints and
cracks where it could promote rot.
It
means taking a little extra time to inspect the overall condition of your deck,
but it’s worth it in the long run. Once you find these vulnerable areas, apply
a urethane sealant to caulk where needed.
Plastic or PVC deck Maintenance
Composite
deck materials are relatively low maintenance. As long as there’s no worries
with the foundation or structure itself, like any deck, you want to pressure
wash it and provide a clean, non-slip surface.
Aluminum Decks
Aluminum
decks are also low maintenance, but check railings to see if they’re sturdy and
solid. Thoroughly check the stairs to see if they need replacement. Again, be
diligent, as though you are a home inspector. Look below the surface for those
hidden details.
Take a good look around.
Be
sure to replace boards that are rotting and posts that seem loose. Check your
wooden railing. If pieces are rotten, you want to replace those as well.
It
may also be time to rebuild those stairs. Make sure they’re safe.
It’s
important to repair things as they come up, so you won’t be spending a large
amount of time and money later. Plus, you’ve have peace of mind that your deck
is safe and well-maintained.
A
little maintenance WILL save you a lot of money – perhaps even some headaches -
in the long run. That’s what preventative maintenance is. It’s taking the time
now to prevent bigger problems from happening later.
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1 comments:
Thank you for sharing! This article is very informative and helpful. I hope other articles will be as good as this article.
Water Blaster
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