As the weather begins to warm up and Northern Virginia homeowners begin to think about moving to the great outdoors for the next few months, there are a few things that should be taken care of before moving the patio furniture to the deck. Your deck is an extension of your home, and spring is the time to perform the routine deck maintenance you may not look forward to. These spring deck maintenance tips will make the task faster and protect your deck for use in coming seasons as well.
Spring deck maintenance tips include:
- Clean the deck thoroughly. Take the time to wash the deck surface to remove the dirt, fungus stains, mold spores or other debris that may have accumulated during the winter months. Use a manufacturer-approved cleaner on the deck surface at the beginning of the outdoor season to prepare it for safe use throughout the summer months.
- If the deck is stained or painted, strip the areas of the deck that are showing signs of deterioration or dislodged finish. Deck stripping solutions are sold at most home improvement and hardware stores and in as little as 15 minutes, you can remove years of built-up stain and paint.
- After cleaning and stripping the deck, consider resealing it to ensure it lasts if possible. Deck sealing can be done as a do-it-yourself project, or for those less inclined to take-on this task, call a professional deck sealing company to ensure it is done properly. Deck sealing is a way to protect the material it is made from and serves as a water-barrier to prevent water damage to the deck boards.
- Check for any loose boards or raised nails to ensure the deck is safe and hazard-free for the coming months. Replace loose or missing boards and remove any raised nails to prevent accidents and injuries while using the deck.
For more deck maintenance tips in the NOVA area, contact the deck professionals at Halco Fence. Northern Virginia\’s deck experts, Halco Fence serves all the Northern Virginia area including Gainesville, VA, Haymarket, VA, Leesburg, VA and Oakton, VA.