How to Avoid Costly Deck Board Replacement in Great Falls, VA
Few pleasures in life can compete with the quality time we spend with our family and friends outdoors. That is why many homeowners look for a deck as one of their main requirements of owning a home. You get functional outdoor space that you can use to entertain in your home in Great Falls, VA. It adds to the beauty of the property, and will significantly improve your property value.
At Hal Co Fence, we normally get many queries from our clients on the cost of repairing their deck boards. When we conduct a site visit, we may find that the client requires a full deck board replacement.
Yet, the truth is they can avoid some of the costs by being more careful about how they treat their decks. Some practices, such as having a fire pit or not using a grease catcher, may seem like a small issue but could result in the burning of the surface of the deck.
Other clients also have potted plants without the accompanying saucers to collect water. Every time they water the plants, some may spill over. Over time, wood will start to rot.
Let us look at the things that may be contributing to the deterioration of your wood deck below. You will realize that most of them are things you could be doing without even knowing the impact it may have on your wood deck.
- Neglecting Inspections
Think about your outdoor space like you would any other part of your Great Falls, VA home. If, for example, you regularly inspect your septic system, you should do the same for your deck. At Hal Co Fence, we insist upon our clients the importance of routine inspections of their wood decks. It allows you to arrest any problems before they get to critical levels. The deck is outdoors and has to face the impact of the elements such as sun, rain, or snow. The result is rotting or rusting of some of the parts. Pests such as termites also cause a lot of damage and could lead to situations where you will need an entire deck board replacement, among other costly repair work.
Carrying out an inspection is not as simple as looking for visible signs of wear and tear. Some of the damage could be in places that are out of sight. That is why we recommend that you consider it a worthwhile investment to engage the services of experts to carry out the inspection. We know what to look for and where to look for it. Due to our years of service in the industry, we have the relevant tools and knowledge to identify any problem areas, as well as recommend the best way to resolve them.
- Neglecting Cleaning
Since the wood deck is outside, it will, therefore, collect a lot of dirt. You must ensure that you incorporate routine cleaning. In the same way you clean the interior of your house, so should you do the same for the deck. Sweep it every day if possible, and occasionally wash it to remove any buildup that sweeping does not take care of.
You have the option of using power washers or even the normal garden hose. You will need a strong blast of water to dislodge any buildup that is stuck between the boards. You want to be careful about where you direct the water so that it does not damage the deck board. The PSI range for the power washer should not exceed 1000. Anything stronger than that may dislodge the wood resulting in repairs you could easily avoid.
When looking for cleaning agents, avoid those that may discolor the wood, such as bleaching agents. You may also want to include mildewcide to help with the mildew and those with UV protection. The latter is important if you start to notice discoloration. Restoration products are also excellent for making your deck look new again.
Any time you are doing a thorough wash, remove everything from the deck if you can. It allows you to reach all the areas, giving you a chance to take note of any problem areas. You may, for example, find that the wood may be starting to rot under some of the appliances or furniture. Ignoring or neglecting to do this can result in the need for a deck board replacement.
- Neglecting Repairs
We always advise our clients to take care of small repairs to avoid larger issues in the long run. You, for example, do not need to call in The Professionals to nail back popping nails. With a simple screwdriver, you can tighten the screws that may have come loose. You can avoid accidents from splinters with the use of sandpaper to smoothen it down. The more you let the problems get out of hand, the more repair work you will have to do in the long run. Do a cursory check every so often, and take care of what you can immediately.
- Neglecting Painting, Staining, and Sealing
Many of our clients at Hal Co Fence show a lot of interest in wood for their valued decks in Great Falls, VA. The main reason is that wood is very attractive and tends to blend in well with most décor ideas. However, by its very nature, wood will deteriorate faster than other materials. You have to be especially careful about protecting it. The typical deck handles a lot of foot traffic, and it may lose its natural beauty if you neglect the painting and staining.
Unless you have relevant experience, you should call in our team to handle this maintenance aspect for you. We use products that have alkyd primer or stain blocking oils. We advise on avoiding heavy pigments and work with those that soak in for better protection. The products must also have waterproofing and water-repellent capabilities. You will avoid rusting and rotting on any parts of your deck. Working with professionals will ensure that you give the same treatment to the areas that are hard to reach.
Please note that you will have to undertake all the maintenance aspects, even on pressure-treated lumber. While the pressure treatment preserves the wood a bit longer, over time, you will need to step in with the right treatment. If not, the weather will impact the wood leading to rotting. Ultimately you may need to replace the deck boards, which is inconvenient and can be costly.
- Neglecting Impact of Pesky Pests
Termites, Carpenter bees, ants, and rodents are enemies of any wood products. They will burrow into the wood, and despite their small size, can bring down your deck. Rodents are dirty and carry disease, which they can spread to you and your family members. If you notice signs of such pests in your Great Falls, VA home, call in the exterminators immediately. Meanwhile, you can also take certain steps, such as sealing your deck correctly and clearing bushy areas. Make sure you have proper drainage so that you avoid standing water. A mesh screen between the deck and ground, as well as special lights, can help keep the pests away.
Taking care of your deck is critical if you want to enjoy long-term use out of it. Some of the maintenance aspects are very simple, and you can usually do them on your own. For others, you will need professionals due to the level of complexity. Neglecting maintenance will have an impact in the long run. You may eventually need to replace certain parts such as the deck boards, which can be costly. You always want to ensure that you have full access and use of your wood deck in Great Falls, VA.
Taking care of your deck is critical if you want to enjoy long-term use out of it. Some of the maintenance aspects are very simple, and you can usually do them on your own. For others, you will need professionals due to the level of complexity. Neglecting maintenance will have an impact in the long run. You may eventually need to replace certain parts such as the deck boards, which can be costly. You always want to ensure that you have full access and use of your wood deck in Great Falls, VA.
If you have been inadvertently making some of the mistakes above, do not despair. Talk to us, and we will inspect your deck and give you the best recommendations on what you can do. We have been in the deck business for over 40 years, and understand everything to do with the installation and maintenance of wooden decks. We partner with suppliers who provide us with high-quality products for the benefit of our clients. Talk to us today and start the process of enjoying your outdoor space again.