Few Tips for Year Round Maintenance of Your Deck |
Posted: July 18, 2017 |
Decks are meant to last decades without losing the initial shine and texture. Ensuring that decks retain their old look requires regular maintenance. Preventive and corrective maintenance will go a long way in ensuring that the life of the deck is prolonged while retaining the gradually maturing look. A few quick tips to maintain your decks are outlined below. Keep pots and plants elevated Pots and plants can add great charm and warmth to decks with greenery and colorful shrubs or flowers. However it needs to be borne in mind that pots that are placed directly on the deck surface are likely to cause stains difficult to remove. Pots that continually drip muddy water are a source for stubborn stains and discoloration. The best way to get over the situation is to elevate the pots and plants through pot feet and proper drainage to let the water run through and clear. UV blocks to prevent the wood discoloring Hardwood will retain the grains and color better if protected with a good UV blocker. Decking wood will turn a natural grey over time when exposed to the elements of nature. Preventing the wood from turning grey involves the use of a UV blocker. This helps to lock in the natural shades and present a look that remains unchanged over the years. Replace dislodged nails with galvanized screws Nails in the framing that get dislodged due to various reasons need to be replaced with galvanized screws to ensure that the decking is firm. Posts and railings that begin to shake need to be immediately set right by strengthening measures involving the use of longer screws. The right preventive maintenance will ensure that the deck lasts really long. Proper procedures during application of sealant The application of sealant needs to be undertaken after removing of existing layer covering the surface. Sanding, if required, needs to be undertaken to smoothen out surfaces and indentations on surfaces. The sealant needs to be applied only when the surface is thoroughly dry to ensure complete absorption. Attending to thick spillages Decking generally doubles up as a space to dine on special occasions or to enjoy a round of beverages. Spillages that are thick in nature, need to be cleared at the earliest. Thick syrupy spillages, if left uncleaned, will result in accumulation of grime and discoloration. The best option is to clean the spillages at the earliest. It is best not to use hard and abrasive materials to scrape or scoop up the spillages. A moist mop is all that will be necessary if the cleaning is undertaken at the earliest. Hardened spillages tend to become difficult to clean beyond a point, and may require sanding to sort out. Hardwood used in decking material rate high on the Janka hardness scale, making it relatively easy to maintain. However, minimal maintenance is a must to retain the sheen and texture of decking wood. A little bit of care and preventive maintenance is all that is required to ensure that decks last long. About the Author: This article is written by Bruce Master. He gained an interest in woodworking at an early age. Bruce Master started working with contractors in the 1970s as a salesman at Ace Hardware in Miami. Over the years, he discovered and fell in love with Brazilian woods. He has built decks, docks and specialty items using many of the Brazilian woods. Today, Bruce loves his job as Operations Manager for ABS Wood, a Brazilian wood retailer.
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