One of the most anticipated pastimes of spring is all the backyard fun and relaxation you finally get to enjoy. Springtime barbequing, badminton, croquet, or simply enjoying the view of everyone’s smiling faces from an attractive patio or deck is what the season is all about! But if your wooden patio or deck is not well-maintained, it isn’t such a charming place to spend time. Things like warped boards, wood rot, and moss infestations can not only make a deck unattractive, it can make it unsafe to use.

Continue reading to learn how to properly maintenance and repair a wooded deck so that you may enjoy your little piece of paradise all spring and summer long, and for many more springs to come!

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Wood Deck Problems

It is important to regularly inspect your deck for problems so that you may solve them before they get out of control, become a hazard, or wind up being very costly to repair. A small problem can evolve into a major one over a short amount of time, which is why you must stay vigilant when it comes to routine deck maintenance and repair.

Here are a few common issues to look for:

☑ Loose Nails – Replace damaged or corroded nails on floorboards, posts, sills, joists, railing, stairs, and more. Hammer down any protruding nails until they are even (or below) the wood surface. You may also replace protruding or loose nails with deck screws.

☑ Warped Floorboards – Cracked, warped, splintered, or protruding floorboards are hazards. Replace them as needed.

☑ Dry Rot – This type of fungal growth digests wood, rotting it from all over. Signs include soft or moist floorboards, musty odors, discoloration, or shrunken floorboards. Replace immediately upon discovery.

☑ Mold and Mildew – Additional types of fungal growth, like mold and mildew, are hazardous for wood decks and patios. Also, mushroom growth, moss growth, green or black algae, lichen, and more make for dangerous patio conditions.

☑ Debris – Leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, and more are examples of debris that needs cleared regularly from decks and patios. Accumulation can provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, and more.

Wood Deck and Patio Care

All of the above problems, and more, should be addressed right away in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable deck or patio this spring. Nails should be hammered in or replaced with deck screws, organic growths should be sprayed with an eliminating solution, rotted or damaged floorboards should be replaced or patched, and debris should be swept away on a daily basis. All of this should prevent costly and hazardous wood deck problems.

In order to preserve your wooden deck or patio, it is important to implement certain strategies and chores that will safeguard it all year long. For example, dry rot can be prevented by painting a layer or two of wood preservative underneath the bottom of the wood deck.

Also, applying a quality sealcoat and deck protectant is vital for safeguarding against natural wear and tear. It is helpful to know that replacing boards with dry rot right away will evade the potential for it to spread to other boards. And last, continue to retreat your wood deck with fungal protection to keep it mold and mildew free all year.

Consult a professional general contractor for advice, information, and assistance with deck maintenance and renovation. They retain the experience, knowledge, and tools to get you and your patio ready for spring!

Looking For Professional Deck Repair?

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Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional deck and patio repair services and information. We provide home remodeling, renovation, repairs, and more for homes and commercial properties in Indianapolis and throughout the Metro Indy areas. Request an estimate, today!

Ideal Temperatures to Stain a Deck

Is it ever too hot or too cold to stain a deck? The answer is yes. One of the most significant elements to deck staining is weather. It is vital that you choose a mild day to stain your deck so that you can avoid a botched job.

If it is too hot outside, the stain will dry too fast. This leads to uneven permeation and visible lap marks. Avoid deck staining projects in temperatures near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you must stain your deck during a time when temperatures are consistently high, try completing the project very early in the morning before the temperatures get too high. Once the stain is applied and begins to dry, rising temperatures shouldn’t affect the finished result.

If the weather is too cold, staining a deck is a challenge. In contrast to hot temperatures, cold weather will extend the drying time. This has many disadvantages, primarily in terms of time and schedule. For this reason, stick to days with temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, you must also check the forecast for overnight temperatures. If they drop below freezing, it could be detrimental to the quality of the stain adhesion and the curing process. If you have no choice but to stain a deck in colder temperatures, you can try to use space heaters to speed up the drying time.

Sun Exposure

Not only do you need to be cautious of the temperatures, it is equally important to avoid staining a deck in direct sunlight. This will cause flash drying, which inhibits stain penetration and leads to blotchy appearances. Instead, choose a day that is mildly sunny or partly cloudy to ensure good results.

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Suggested Maintenance for Wood Decks and Patios