How to Unwreck Your Deck
Summer is a great time for everyone and with it comes the many hassles of keeping our decks and patios in perfect shape. This is the time when your deck comes in handy since most of your time is spent outdoors, most probably sunbathing. Like everything else, these decks are prone to wear and tear but with proper maintenance, you will enjoy the benefits for a lifetime. Here are the tips and tricks that will help you unwreck your deck.
1. Regular cleaning.
You can buy deck cleaner or simply use a mixture of water and bleach in the ratio 3:1 respectively. Spray it lightly onto your deck making sure to cover any plants that may get damaged and scrub using a hard bristles brush making sure to remove all the dirt and peeling paint. Rinse the deck completely to prevent the cleaner from drying on the deck as it could cause stains and discoloration or rotting of wood from absorbing the water or growth of mold and mildew. Regular cleaning promotes hygiene and creates a peaceful and serene environment as well as makes it easier to spot stains and damages that may need repair and prevents further damage like rotting of wood.
2. Repair and maintenance.
Everything in the world has to undergo this process as it gets old. It could range from simple maintenance like sanding off stained spots and reapplying sealer or stain to replacing the whole floor. Since most decks are made of wood, they should first be inspected for any rots since lumber that's not pressure-treated may absorb moisture and water thus becoming soggy. Most of them occur under stair treads and under the decking boards thus not easily spotted. For broken or rotting floor boards, they should be replaced with good quality wood and if there are any loose or rusty nails, they should be removed and replaced with new longer ones or decking nails or screws. The rails and the entire deck should be checked for any signs of looseness or brokenness and repaired.
Your deck will usually develop stains and scratches with time. Some parts will get chipped and discoloration could take over. These can be taken care of by sanding and sealing. If your deck soaks up water when sprinkled on it, then it obviously needs to be sealed. According to your needs, you may consider using a sealer that is water resistant, has UV blocker or has insecticides
3. Prevention is better than cure.
Well that doesn't apply only in medicine. Pounding back slightly protruding nails before they come out will help prevent more damage. Bracing your deck also makes it stronger and more stable while using concrete footings will help prevent termites from reaching the wooden parts of your deck.
These three tips will help unwreck your deck and in turn have you enjoy the benefits of a more stable, stronger and more beautiful deck.
