A deck or patio is a beautiful addition to your home. Like other spaces inside your residence, it needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained to remain safe and appealing. It can be made from a variety of materials, including wood. Whether your deck is wooden or made of composites, it will need proper cleaning to remain in great condition.
Doing the right things while avoiding mistakes is essential for the maintenance of a good deck. Here are some of the simple steps that will keep your patio looking good.
Do’s
1.Seal and coat your wooden deck only when necessary
Sealing and deck coating Los Angeles will transform your deck significantly. Staining will help your aged wood achieve a fresh and clean aesthetic. You, however, need to remember to be hands-on with your maintenance. Maintaining your patio well will keep it looking new for much longer. There is a wide range of high-quality sealants and coats, and some products even combine the two into one.
2.Fix split wood, nail pops, and missing boards
If your patio was correctly installed, there shouldn’t be many issues with the boards. As wood ages, it does expand and contract. Because of this, any space on your deck might at times come loose or begin to creak. Whenever you notice such issues be sure to screw everything down in a timely fashion. Additionally, sand down any sharp splinters whenever you find them. Fixing all these minor issues immediately will save you from dealing with more significant problems over time.
3.Be careful when power washing
Using too much pressure when cleaning your wooden deck can cause a lot of damage. When you want to power wash, ensure that you hire an experienced hand. You can also do this cleaning yourself as long as you control the pressure of the water. After your power washing, ensure that you seal your wooden deck immediately.
Don’ts
1.Sanding your wooden deck right before sealing
Sanding is only necessary when your patio’s surface is too rough for comfort. When this is not the case, it is unnecessary to sand it as this will only add extra steps to the finishing process. Sanding strips off your top stain layer; thus, you will have to add more sealer and stain coats to achieve a neat result.
- Getting harsh cleaners on surrounding plants
When you are engrossed in making your deck beautiful and neat, you could be carried away and forget about your plants. To avoid destroying the plants around, don’t hose muriatic acid off onto your plants. An exception is if the solution is dilute. If your patio is surrounded by lush landscape, drape your plants with a plastic sheet and use mild cleaning solutions. This will keep your plants safe from damage by harsh cleaning chemicals.
Being keen on details is essential when you are maintaining and cleaning your patio. These do’s and don’ts will help you care for the deck properly and, therefore, improve your patio’s overall look.
