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As another season approaches, it’s best to prepare your home’s exteriors so you can welcome the changing weather without any worry. Your deck and fence are two of the most crucial components to enhance your property’s curb appeal. And now’s the best time to give them the tender love and care that they deserve.
It’s common for your home exteriors to experience wear and tear over time, but you can make them last longer with proper maintenance tasks. Regular inspection of your deck and fences are necessary so you can know what steps to take to keep them in mint condition.
If you’re wondering what the necessary maintenance tasks for your deck and fences are, here are some of them:
1. Power Wash Your Deck And Fence
man cleaning terrace with a power washer – high water pressure cleaner on wooden terrace surface
Washing your deck and fences weekly or monthly is essential, but you should also perform a deeper clean every year. If your deck seems to look old and dirty, you can avail of power washing Metairie services if you live in this locality. Hiring the right professionals to do the power washing of your deck and fences can assure you of quality services. They usually know what cleaning solutions are suitable for the decking material. Whether you have a wood, vinyl, or composite deck, they can apply the right pressure for washing debris away.
If you don’t have any knowledge in power washing wooden fences and decks, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Choosing someone with experience and skills in power washing decks is better than doing it yourself or freelancing uncertified ones.
Power washing your deck and fence surfaces is a sure way to remove dirt, grimes, algae, molds, and other stains that accumulated on them through time. These professionals know the proper pressure level to use and the distance they need to wash away from sensitive materials. You may clean your deck and fence regularly with the ordinary hose but avoid power washing often. Once a year is more than enough to retain their sparkling condition.
2. Coat Them For Protection
If you want your fence to remain in pristine condition and last a long time, you can coat it for protection. In painting, staining, or sealing your fence, you should apply the coating or sealing product within one month of installation. To protect your fence against the elements and prolong its lifespan, you will need to use a protective coating product every two years. Here are the different protective coatings you can consider:
- Stain
After setting up the fence, you may stain it right away. There are stain solvents that are intended to protect the raw nature of your wooden fence or deck. Wood becomes brittle and dry when there is no stain protection applied. This can quicken the decaying of the material. Oil stains work best for this.
- Reseal
It’s recommended to reseal wood fences once or twice a year. This is also advisable after you paint your deck or fence. Resealing can be done by sealing companies near you if you prefer professionals to handle this task. They know the best products to use, and they can offer sound advice on how you can maintain your deck and fence better.
- Paint
The ultimate advantage of a painted fence or deck is that they last longer. However, to retain their condition, you’ll need to repaint them every three to five years. In this way, you can protect your fence while also improving its appearance. You may research some exterior paint colors suitable for your deck.
Because of outdoor elements, paint can chip and peel off, affecting your home’s curb appeal. Hence, when some paint starts to peel, it’s best to conduct a repainting job.
3. Address Issues Right Away
No matter what material you use for your deck and fence, they can still deteriorate over time since they are susceptible to harsh weather and external threats. Especially when your deck is frequently used, you can expect some issues to arise on the flooring. As for your fence, harsh winds, frequent rain, and snowfalls can affect their original condition.
Any signs of damage, such as sagging, loose boards, rotting, or splitting, need to be addressed immediately. It’s wise and cost-effective to resolve the issues right away. These minor issues can expand and become too complex when left unresolved. Therefore, call a professional fence and deck contractor right away when you spot some problems with them.
4. Don’t Overlook The Hardware
Aside from your decking and fencing material, you shouldn’t overlook its hardware too. There are other materials used to put up your fence and deck. They can be stainless steel, metal, or copper hardware that don’t easily rust but still require maintenance and care.
Replace any fencing hardware that is damaged so that the fence’s structural integrity is not compromised. Inspect hinges, frames, knobs, and locks to ensure that they’re properly lubricated and secured in place.
Conclusion
When performing routine maintenance tasks for your home, it’s crucial not to bypass your deck and fence. Having an excellent curb appeal affects the overall value of your home. When they’re well taken care of, you can enjoy more savings from repair and replacements. Hopefully, you can apply some if not all of the tips enclosed in this article, so your deck and fence can remain in pristine condition in the long run.
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