Your outdoor deck is more than just a part of your house. This is a place in your home where you relax and spend time on your own terms. Sitting back with a good book or cherishing time with your loved ones can be infinitely more joyful if you have a space in your house to enjoy the fresh air and create lifelong memories.
Many factors can come between you and a beautiful deck, such as pests or bad weather. This is why it needs regular maintenance to keep looking fresh. Besides that, you can always take some extra steps to make sure your deck is not just structurally strong, but also aesthetically appealing.
If you’re having issues with your outdoor space or simply want to refresh it with some new details, this blog is definitely for you! From choosing the correct sealant to tips on how to protect your deck from the rain, we tried to create a guide that covers any question you might have about decking.
Regular Inspection
Pests or element exposure can be equally damaging for all types of decks, timber or composite. That’s why it’s extremely important to routinely check your outdoor space and try to identify the problems that might damage it in the future.
Cleaning
Wooden decks are meant to blend in with the environment, and it might seem to you that natural debris, such as fallen leaves, can make them more appealing. The truth is, however, that dirt can result in wood rot and discoloration.
This can easily be taken care of by a weekly cleaning routine, including sweeping the floor and getting rid of any debris that can later cause problems. However, even if you tidy your deck daily, a yearly deep-cleaning routine is still necessary.
The simplest mixtures can be used for deep cleaning. For example, hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach are ideal for eliminating fungus. While not recommended for treated wood, chlorine bleach still has a strong anti-mold effect.
Structural Maintenance
A tidy deck can only go so far if the structural integrity is not maintained. Processed wood can degrade over time and cause issues much worse than just discoloration. Bolts and screws, the tiny details that keep the deck intact, can start to move around due to shrunk lumber. The threat that this problem can cause is obvious, therefore, loose screws and bolts need to be regularly tightened.
Strong railing is also necessary if you want your deck to be a safe space. You can strongly push the rail with your hands to make sure it doesn’t fall over. The railing needs to be immediately changed if you notice that it’s shaky or wobbly.
Seasonal Tips
Different times of the year bring different challenges and call for adapted maintenance techniques. The tips that keep your deck tidy and safe in summer can be completely ineffective in winter and vice versa.
Sealing and Staining
Sealing is crucial to caring for your deck, as it can protect it from cracking or splitting. Applying a waterproof sealant will prevent rain damage, which can harm the wood. In summer, you should look for a product that additionally protects against UV rays.
Once you treat your wood by sealing, you should apply a high-quality stain to maintain it and keep it looking good as new.
Weather Resistance
The best thing you can do for your furniture to protect it from the English weather is to store it in a dry place during fall or winter. If that’s not an option for you, investing in weather resistance is crucial. Protecting the furniture with water-resisting covers can ensure it looks fresh for a longer period of time.
Pest Protection
Generally, pressure-treated wood or composite decks are less attractive to insects, so you have less to worry about if your deck is built with such materials. However, lumber is a safe shelter for pests, and regular inspection is needed to prevent any damage.
Regular cleaning and applying pest-repellent sprays is the least you can do to get rid of insects. Any gaps or cracks through which the pests can enter need to be sealed, plants should have minimal contact with the ground to make it more difficult for insects to find their way in.
Pests are attracted to stagnant water, this is why proper drainage is essential when maintaining your deck. Preventing the accumulation of water also prevents the insects from settling in it.
If you feel like your pest problem is getting out of hand, you can always call the professionals. They will quickly identify the problem and design a targeted plan of action that will get rid of any insects living in your deck.
Final Thoughts
In general, quite a few issues can arise if you’re trying to maintain proper decking in London. From water damage due to the city’s gloomy weather to various pest infestations, you definitely need some extra attention to ensure your outdoor space looks well-kept.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the correct maintenance technique. You might have to change your cleaning routine depending on the type of decking, weather, and overall condition of the deck – this is why routine inspection and regular maintenance are key to keeping healthy and beautiful decks.
