BECOME A PRO
Decks and Porches

Setting Up for Summer: Deck Cleaning and Remodeling


With summer finally here homeowners are just starting to throw open their windows, open up their pools, and dust off their grill. But summer doesn’t really begin until you first start entertaining your friends and family out on your your home’s beautiful back deck. The only trouble is that with winter’s weather your home’s back deck may not be quite as beautiful as you’d like. Which may mean that it’s time to perform some deck cleaning, deck staining, and possible deck repair to get your property ready for a long season of summer fun.

Inspect your Deck

Whether you have aluminum decking, synthetic decking, or classic wood decking the cleaning process begins exactly the same way: with an in-depth assessment of the condition of the materials. Check over everything from the entertaining surface to the beams and posts that support it, to the railings and awnings. During this inspection keep an eye out for any loose boards or fittings, as well as any obvious buildup of mold/mildew or any spots of damage from wood rot or pest infestation. The conditions you find will determine the sorts of treatments needed, as well as the involvement of contractors.

Pressure Cleaning

Once you’ve found out the extent of work needed it’s time to start the cleaning process. If there’s any significant damage, particularly on the supports that hold up the deck you’ll need to make use of a power washing system which can either be very effective or very harmful based on how it’s used. Power washers spray highly concentrated water and cleaning solution into the deep cracks and grooves of your deck’s material, blasting away all the dirt, grime, mold, and mildew which may have formed during the deck’s off-season. Pressure cleaning is a very precise task and if performed improperly can cause serious damage to your deck and your home. If you need a pressure cleaning treatment it’s highly advised for you to contact a power washing contractor.

Deck Repairs

After your deck has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to repair the spots where damage has occurred over the winter. Depending on the type of damage you and your contractor notice this may require a number of different techniques ranging from a simple wood putty application to a full replacement of decking panels. However, if your deck is made of natural wood then these repairs will definitely include an overall sanding to smooth out any rough points in the material. This can be performed by hand as a way to save some money, but will be done much quicker if you use a belt sander with medium grade sand paper.

Deck Staining

After your deck has been cleaned and had all of its damage repaired, it’s a good idea to have a fresh coat of deck stain applied. The stain acts as a lasting protective layer for your deck’s surface and helps to prevent wear and tear through all the entertaining that you have planned for the months ahead. Furthermore, a properly applied coat of wood stain, in particular, helps to bring out the natural beauty of the material making the entire structure look as beautiful as it did when it first was built.

Comments

Sign in with

or Pick a name

Be the first comment.

© 2024 eHARDHAT - All Rights Reserved.