Patios and decks are the first impression that people will have on your home, aside from the curb appeal, thus it is necessary to keep them looking their best all year round. Furthermore, these areas suffer the most since they are exposed to various climate conditions, so it is even more necessary to maintain them well.
The most important step in prolonging a deck’s life is to refinish it at an appropriate time. Depending on the finish, usage and exposure, there are some decks that should be refinished each year while others every few years. The first step for you to do is to check the deck for any physical deformities like cracks or splinters or warped board or rails and many more. Make sure to replace deteriorated boards and if a crack is more than halfway through the board thickness, then it has lost its structural integrity and must be replaced.
Before refinishing your decks or patio, make certain that they are cleaned thoroughly. A good solution is a cup of detergent and one cup of bleach to a gallon of warm water. You can also use commercial deck cleaning products that are available on the market. Wear protective clothing and gloves.
Here are steps in making your decks and patios looking their best:
Begin by removing furniture, plants and other obstacles that could slow down the cleaning process. Sweep the area with a common brush to remove leaves and other dirt.
For weeds nestling between your paving slabs, make certain to remove these as much as possible. This slows them from respouting and cleans up the area.
When cleaning patios, use the fan setting on your pressure cleaner to avoid streaks or use alternatively the optional patio cleaner attachment.
One of the best features of patio floors is low maintenance. Sweep floors often to remove grit that could scratch the surface.
Use damp cloth or mop once or twice every month and change the water often for best cleaning results. Wipe up spills right away on your patio or decks.
To prevent staining and keeping patio surfaces looking fresh, it should be finished with the correct sealer.
When the patio has been cleaned thoroughly, make sure to redecorate the area to show it off at its best. Try to use come colorful pot plants or shrubbery for a neat and welcoming effect.
Scrub outdoor stains using a soft-bristle and nylon pad with the use of a neutral-pH detergent cleaner. Avoid using steel wool for cleaning tiles.
If you have a painted deck and you notice sap bleed through, you might want to seal the knots with a Bin sealer and repaint the deck.
A peeling deck requires bigger deck maintenance. Consider sanding the whole deck surface and repainting it.
These simple deck and patio maintenance tips should be able to keep both patios and decks looking like new, looking their best and extend the life for years and years.
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