If you’ve ever had a deck, you know how wonderful they can be. They provide a great place to have dinner, enjoy the views, talk to family, and even host parties. Decks are a wonderful addition to any yard. However, they can be pricey. So, you probably want to make sure that you help the deck flooring last as long as possible. So, here are a few ideas to help you keep your deck floor looking new longer.
Know What Material it is and Proper Care Instructions
Is your deck made from trex, wood, composite, or something else? It’s important to find out if you aren’t sure. A lot of the maintenance and care that you need to give your deck can be better understood by simply knowing what it is made out of. Then you can do a bit more research on the following things:
- What do I need to do as far as yearly maintenance?
- What’s the typical lifetime of a deck like mine?
- Does it require special care, such as being resealed or re-painted?
- Will it be alright in certain kinds of weather?
- Do I need to do anything to prepare it for rain, snow, ice, or a lot of direct sunlight?
If you’re unable to determine what kind of deck you have, it might be worth it to pay a contractor, handyman, or a deck building company to come out and do a deck check up. They’ll be able to tell you more about the type of deck, maintenance, and maybe even how much longer the deck will last.
Keep in Clean
A good rule of thumb when it comes to decks no matter the material is to keep them clean. They often get covered in leaves, snow, ice, dust, and anything else that’s blowing around your yard. To prolong the life of your deck, make sure you’re keeping it swept and if you’re using it during the colder months, consider shoveling it, as well.
During the warmer months and right before it gets cold during the fall season change, it can’t hurt to wash your deck and get all of the leftover dust and dirt off of it. Some people like to use soap and a pressure washer, but you can also just use a plain old hose. It won’t get it quite as clean, but it’ll certainly make it look much better!. Some people like to use soap and a pressure washer, but you can also just use a plain old hose. It won’t get it quite as clean, but it’ll certainly make it look much better!. Some people like to use soap and a pressure washer, but you can also just use a plain old hose. It won’t get it quite as clean, but it’ll certainly make it look much better!
Watch for Items that can Scratch It
Sometimes decks have items like grills, furniture and toys on them. While most decks should be sturdy and tough enough to handle items, if you’re too rough, you might scratch the deck. So, if you’re sliding chairs around it or kids play with their toys on it, watch closely for scratches or dings from items falling over or getting dragged. You can also keep items stowed away in one of Keter’s beautiful deck boxes. This will prevent items from falling over and dinging or scratching the deck and keep it from getting too cluttered.
If you had a contractor install the deck, you can always ask them about the maintenance, but if you move into a home with a deck, you might not be 100% sure what you’re getting into. So always make sure to keep the deck clean, clutter free, and have it looked at to see if there’s any special maintenance or repairs needed.
