With spring on the horizon in Northern Illinois, it’s time to start looking forward to utilizing and enjoying your deck and other outdoor living spaces more frequently. First, however, you may need to tend to some maintenance.
Decks are a considerably valuable investment that can be used for a variety of purposes: enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, watching over your children as they play in the yard, sharing a family meal or entertaining guests for a festive get-together. On the other hand, being an outdoor space means your deck is constantly exposed to the elements and subject to normal wear and tear. If you want to help your deck remain functional and visually appealing for years to come, you have to take good care of it.
Spring Maintenance for Your Deck
Spring is the perfect time for deck maintenance at your Fox Valley home. The days are longer, the sun is out more and the rain is less frequent. Depending on when the last time was that you worked on your deck, there are several tasks that may be useful in sprucing up the space before summer. Here are a few basic deck maintenance tips to help you get started:
1. Inspecting Your Deck
The first thing you should do to prep your deck for spring is inspect it for protruding nails, loose boards or other structural or visual problems. Take stock of any minor or major issues that have cropped up in the past year or two and assess what other maintenance work your deck requires at this time.
2. Cleaning Your Deck
Next, give your deck a good cleaning. Clear away movable furniture, toys and planters and put covers over elements that must remain in place. Sweep away large debris and then use a power washer or garden hose to rinse away dirt, mildew and smaller debris. You then should apply a cleaning solution that’s suitable for your deck material. Products that contain oxalic acid or non-chlorine bleach are useful for eliminating stains or discoloration, while bleach-based products help kill mildew. After applying bleach to your wood deck, you may need to use an acid-based restoration product to brighten its appearance. Additionally, composite and painted decks need a gentle cleaner with non-caustic chelating detergents.
Keep in mind that most solutions can be brushed on or applied using low water-pressure. High-powered jets can negatively impact the wood. Also, since you are using chemicals, they should do most of the work and you won’t need to do excessive scrubbing.
Another option for adding space to your master bathroom is to take over an adjacent closet, bedroom or hallway. With this solution, you gain the necessary square footage for a larger bathroom without disrupting your home’s existing floor plan. You don’t want to borrow a room or closet that you could potentially use or that provides critical storage for your family. However, there may be nearby nooks and crannies that are currently underutilized and would better serve your home by being incorporated into your master bathroom. You could also commandeer just a portion of a larger nearby space, like a guest bedroom or home office, while leaving the room with enough space for a desk or twin bed.
3. Sealing or Painting Your Deck
For most wood decks, you should plan to seal and stain the surface about once per year. Don’t go more than three years maximum before re-sealing your deck. Take advantage of the wood’s natural beauty by using a clear or lightly stained finish. It should soak into the wood so as not to show wear patterns or peeling. If you decide to paint your deck, first apply an alkyd primer or stain-blocking oil.
When selecting a stain or finish for your deck in the Fox Valley, look for a product that is waterproof or water repellent and offers ultraviolet (UV) protection. If you struggle with mildew, consider a finish that includes a mildewcide. After your deck is painted or stained, apply the sealant. You can typically spray, brush or roll it on with the right tools. Be sure to lay down tarps and protect your plants from being directly exposed to the solution.
4. Repairing or Replacing Your Deck
Depending on the condition of your deck, it could also be time for repairs or replacements. The average lifespan of a quality deck is about 20 to 40 years, depending on the materials used and your maintenance routine. If your wood deck is older than 20 and showing significant signs of aging, start thinking about a replacement. It could be that the main structure of your deck is in good shape, and you simply need to remodel it with new decking, rails and stairs as opposed to a complete re-build.
Composite decks are designed to last longer than natural wood decks. You also don’t need to worry about sanding, sealing and refinishing. However, they can still suffer damage from severe weather events or accidents. If that’s the case, a professional exterior remodeler can help you with repairs.
5. Enhancing Your Deck
It’s a new year, which means you may be interested in expanding or enhancing your deck. Perhaps you started out conservatively when you first constructed the deck and now you would like to add square footage or special features, like a fire pit, misting system, built-in storage, custom seating or post heaters. Use your annual maintenance schedule as an opportunity to consider constructing these upgrades in preparation for the upcoming spring and summer months.
Deck Remodeling Services in Northern Illinois
Outdoor living spaces are an important part of maximizing the enjoyment you derive from your residential property in the Fox Valley. Whether you are replacing or upgrading your existing deck or wanting to add a brand new one to your home, our team at Ken Spears Construction can help. We offer a range of exterior remodeling services to increase and optimize your outdoor living space and give you more to love about your home in Northern Illinois.
