Find out what mistakes people make during deck maintenance so that you know how to avoid making them yourself.
Getting a new deck installed, or taking care of a new one, can be an expensive endeavor. If you have one, you’ll want to avoid spending too much money in the long run, which is why deck maintenance is extra important.
It’s easy to make mistakes while maintaining your deck, and these mistakes can cost you. Find out what mistakes people make during deck maintenance so that you know how to avoid making them yourself.
Cleaning That’s Too Aggressive
It may be odd to hear, but there is such a thing as too much cleaning. If you clean your deck too much or too intensely, sealant can get stripped away sooner than normal, causing the wood to start getting worn down. While cleaning should be a normal part of deck maintenance, doing it too often can be more detrimental than helpful.
Neglecting Deep Cleaning
In contrast to excessive cleaning, ignoring deep cleaning allows debris to slowly eat away at your deck. Many homeowners believe that weekly sweeping, combined with re-sealing every couple of years, is all you need to ensure that your decking is in good condition. However, it’s still best to make deep cleaning a part of your deck maintenance procedures so that you address any debris that may have gathered on your deck.
Debris will start piling up as time goes on, getting stuck in the cracks of your deck. Moisture can find its way onto this debris, exposing your deck to moisture whenever it rains. Whenever your deck retains moisture for too long, the wood starts to erode, and you can run into bigger problems such as mold.
Depending on DIY Deck Maintenance
Some people will tell you that DIY deck maintenance is easy. Hypothetically, you could save money when you don’t have to hire a deck cleaning company to come and help you. This is one of the main incentives homeowners have for attempting DIY projects. However, it’s not as easy to maintain a deck as you may think, and you could put yourself at risk for more damage to your deck if you try to handle everything on your own.
If you don’t have either the training or expertise needed for the job, you may not know what procedures to follow to guarantee your deck stays clean. It’s easy to mess up while taking care of your deck. You could end up sanding or power washing too aggressively, for example. For these reasons, it’s usually safer to hire a professional to handle deck maintenance. You’ll pay more upfront, but you’ll save time and money in the long run because you’ll know everything is done to a professional standard.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC, has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
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