Spruce Up Your Deck

Entertaining on your deck can be fun, and it’s a great place to enjoy warm summer days and evenings. But before you plan that next big bash, take a good look at your deck. Decks and patios are often used extensively during the warmer months and all but forgotten during the winter months. This can lead to some problems in its appearance. This article looks at some affordable ways to spruce up your deck.

Underdecking: This is a great time to go below your deck and inspect it for any signs of dry rot or mildew. You can also look for any other type of damage or sign of trouble. Inspect the footings to make sure that they are solid and secure. While this inspection does little to add to the appearance of your deck, it is an important task that should be conducted at least once a year. This is especially true if you have several people on your deck at one time.

Decking Surface: If your wooden deck is beginning to show signs of wear or if the stain is beginning to fade it may be time for a new application of either paint or stain. Many homeowners prefer to do this work on their own, while others prefer to hire a professional to do it. Either way the surfaces of the deck will need to be prepared before you apply paint or stain to the wood.

At a minimum you must get all of the loose wood, paint, and other debris off the old surface. This usually involves scraping and sanding. After this is done, you will need to patch any holes or scarred areas. If needed, you should replace worn out boards at this time. Once this is done, you can apply the new stain or paint, following the instructions that come with the product.

Depending on the condition of your deck this work can be easy or it can be somewhat involved. If the deck is in bad shape, you may wish to consider hiring a professional contractor to do the work for you. Should you decide to do the work yourself, make sure that you have access to all of the tools that you will need in order to complete the job.

Screen Doors: This is also a good time to inspect your screen doors. Sliding doors often lead out onto decks and these doors often have sliding screen doors. Check your screens for any tears. You can also inspect the rubber tubing, also known as spline, which holds the screen inside the door. Over time this tubing can become dry and begin to crack. Replacing this spline is easy and affordable and will add life to your screens.

Power Wash: If the stain or paint on your deck is in good shape, you may simply need to clean it up. A quick and affordable way to do this is with a rented power washer. Make sure that you do not put too much pressure onto the surface as this might actually chip off the paint. A good washing will often brighten up the deck.