A beautiful deck is a dream for any homeowner. However, maintaining your deck is something that can easily be overlooked come fall. After a long summer of barbeques and pool parties, your deck is in some desperate need of some TLC. Here are some ways to keep your deck looking great in the fall:
Waterproof Your Wood Deck
If you have a wood deck, it requires frequent sealing to prevent damage from moisture. You can tell if your wood deck needs resealing by observing how water interacts with your deck’s surface. On a well-sealed deck, water should bead up and form small droplets. If it looks like the wood is absorbing the water, then another coat of waterproof sealant is necessary to protect your wood deck from detrimental water damage.
Hose Off Your Vinyl/Composite Deck
While vinyl and composite decks don’t require sealing to be waterproof. You should clean it at least once a year to keep it looking great. Fall is the perfect time to take care of this as it is unlikely that you are going to have any wild pool parties from this point on. Not to mention any grease stains left over from summer barbeques can become permanent if left uncleaned, Simply rinse your vinyl or composite deck down with a hose and use mild soapy water and a sponge to tackle tough grease and grime.
Use a Broom not a Rake!
When clearing leaves off from your deck, it’s important to note that your deck is not your lawn. Using a rake on your deck can cause unsightly marks and permanent damage to the boards of your deck. Instead, use a commercial push broom to push off any fallen leaves.
Be Aware of Overhanging Branches
While surrounding trees provide shade and atmosphere for your deck, falling branches will leave a mess and even cause damage to your deck. Violent winds and snowfall can cause larger branches to fall and cause significant damage to your deck. Be aware of any large branches that hang over your deck and consider making arrangements to get them removed for the fall and winter months.
Proper deck maintenance is important to helping your deck remain beautiful over the fall and winter season. If you notice your deck is in disrepair, you can rely on the decking experts at By Carls for all your decking needs. There are so many benefits to planning out your new deck built in fall! Call ByCarl’s at 732-505-1749 to get started.
