Maintenance Required to Avoid Deck Board Replacement in Manassas, VA
Your deck experiences a lot of wear and tear daily. Since it is outdoors, it takes a lot of exposure to some of the harshest elements. Such elements include ice, snow, and the sun. Depending on how much you use it, it also experiences a lot of foot traffic. Know the signs to look out for in your Leesburg VA deck board to determine whether or The outdoor space is a wonderful place to entertain or just spend some quiet time. You already have a beautiful deck in your Manassas, VA, home; you use it quite often, but then, you begin to notice signs of wear and tear. Talk to any deck expert, and they will tell you that many people incur costly repairs due to avoidable mistakes. You may be contributing to most of such problems, without being aware that you’re doing it. In our article below, we will look at what you could be doing wrong. Some of them may genuinely surprise you.
- Not Carrying Out Routine Inspections
You cannot enjoy long-term use of the deck in your Manassas, VA, home if you do not carry out a routine inspection. Your installation company probably advised you to ensure you call them in annually. You have never done this because to-date, you see nothing wrong with your deck. You, however, do not know what kind of damage could be going on in places you cannot see. Rust, rotting, pest invasions, cracks, among others, can get to dangerous levels. It could lead to costly repairs and entire deck board replacements.
Since it is something that you need to do only once a year, it would be in your best interest to let an expert carry out the inspection; they have the tools and expertise to check areas you would never think of. They will look at the structural integrity, and recommend the best way forward.
- You Neglect the Cleaning of Your Deck
You may think that you do not need to do so much cleaning on your outdoor space. Yet, due to the very fact that it is outside, it accumulates a lot of dirt and grime. Ensure you sweep the deck routinely. Washing is also critical so that you can get rid of the tougher dirt. You can use a power washer or garden hose with a powerful nozzle. The strong blast of water will dislodge any dirt or debris, especially those that are stuck in between the boards. Be careful about how you use the power washer. Directing it to one spot for too long may damage the wood.
You will find a range of products that you can use when washing your deck. Avoid chlorine bleach because they will discolor the wood. If you notice any signs of mildew attacks, look for products that have mildewcide. Get those with UV protection, to avoid the adverse effects of the sun. Restoration products can restore your deck surface, giving it a new appearance.
An important tip is to remove any appliances, furniture, or plants when you want to do a thorough cleaning job. You will tackle all the surfaces, and can notice any areas requiring special attention.
- You Neglect to Take Care of Small Repairs
The main advantage of some of the maintenance aspects is that you can take care of them yourself. Things such as nailing down loose nails or screws are a simple job. Taking care of splinters using sandpaper will also not take up too much of your time. Looking out for things such as loose rails just requires a level of attentiveness on your part.
- You Do Not Paint or Stain Your Deck
One of the things that attracted you to your wood deck is how beautiful natural wood looks. However, the more you expose the wood to the elements and foot traffic, the more wear and tear it will undergo. Very soon, you will no longer enjoy that aesthetic appeal that you so desire. Do not neglect the painting and staining of the deck. Go for products that have stain-blocking oils or alkyd primer. Ensure the product is the type that soaks in, and avoid those that have heavy pigments.
If you want to avoid board replacement in your Manassas, VA wood deck, buy products that give you water repellent or waterproofing capabilities. Rot and rust are significant issues that could result in costly repairs and parts replacements. That is why you need to let an expert inspect your deck thoroughly for any signs of trouble.
- You Do Not Seal Your Deck
Sealants provide that ultimate protection for your wood deck. It is also critical that you buy the right product and use it in the right way. Some of them, for example, have pigmentation and chemicals that could affect your plants. Others are specific to pressure-treated wood, which many people think do not need sealing. Pressure-treated is susceptible to the effects of weather.
- Not Understanding the Impact Pests Can Do
Pests may be small but can cause terrible damage requiring board replacement to your precious deck in Manassas, VA. Be aware of the following:-
- Termites will leave tunnels in the wood, thus affecting the integrity of the structure.
- Mice and rats burrow through the material.
- Carpenter ants will invade your wood deck for accommodation. It will result in a service that looks a lot like Swiss cheese. You will also have to contend with piles of dead insects and sawdust, resulting in an unsightly appearance.
- Carpenter bees will bore through the deck while searching for nesting material.
- Powder post beetles are typically active at night, but you will notice pinhead size holes in the wood. They will eventually cause enough damage to interfere with the structure of your wood deck.
- Rodents such as mice and rats leave droppings, greasy trails, and have no problem chewing wood. They are very dangerous because they carry diseases. Larger rodents such as skunks, opossums, and raccoons are equally destructive.
Do not underestimate the damage pests can cause on your wood deck. If you suspect or have noticed any of them, call in pest control immediately to get rid of them. You can also take additional steps, such as:-
- Ensuring proper sealing of the deck
- Avoiding bushy areas around the deck
- Getting rid of standing water
- Using a mesh screen between the ground and deck
- The use of special lights to keep pests away
Additional Mistakes to Avoid
There are certain things you need to avoid doing on your deck. Such include:-
- Having potted plants on the deck without saucers or concrete blocks to prevent water from reaching the wood deck.
- Using a grill without the grease catcher, hence resulting in stains from the grease.
- Cleaning your deck using the wrong products. You should, for example, not use bleach because it will result in streaking and discoloration.
- Cleaning your deck using the wrong equipment, such as wire brushes.
- Not taking note of the pressure washer recommendation. Keep the PSI range to 1000. Anything above could damage the wood, thus require deckboard replacement.
- Placing fire pits on the deck- The fire may burn the wood and could be a hazard if you leave it unattended.
- Not preparing the deck properly before you start the sealing or staining process.
- Neglecting to clean areas that have rugs or furniture. It will result in uneven fading and dirt, as well as moisture build-up.
- Using paint on your deck. The primer might bubble or chip, making it a poor choice of material to use in a maintenance.
- Taking on some of the maintenance work without the relevant knowledge and tools.
- Not having professional contractors carry out an inspection at least once every year.
We Can Help you Avoid Costly Mistakes
You can avoid costly board replacement on your Manassas, VA home deck by avoiding some of the mistakes we have highlighted above. Some of the mistakes are very easy to rectify, and you can take them as DIY Projects. It also helps to have a professional partner who understands everything regarding the installation and care of decks. We have been in the business for a long time and have, over the years, helped our clients maintain their wooden decks. We are ready for a consultation at your convenience. Our highly professional team will conduct an inspection and recommend the best course of action. Call us and start the process of enjoying long term use of your wood deck. We will give you invaluable advice that you can use in your day to day wood deck maintenance.