Deck and Patio Care: Enhancing Outdoor Spaces for Summer Fun
For many, summer means spending more time outdoors, entertaining, and enjoying outdoor spaces. If you haven't touched your deck or patio since last year, maintenance can turn a useful area into something breathtaking. Since outdoor spaces, even covered spaces, are exposed to the elements 24/7, you might need to do a little prep work to get them spruced up and ready for summer fun.
Inspect outdoor surfaces for damage
Before you begin the initial cleaning, inspect your outdoor spaces for damage. Things to look for include:
Rotted decking
Loose railings
Protruding nails
Wobbly pavers
Cracks in concrete
Spending the time and money to repair outdoor surfaces enhances their appearance, safeguards your investment, and can add value to the home.
Perform an initial cleaning
Begin the initial cleaning by removing all patio or deck furniture. You want to begin with a clean slate. While the furniture is off to the side, take the opportunity to wash it, too.
For the initial cleaning, sweep leaves, sticks, loose dirt, and other debris from the surface. A push broom works great for this project. Next, use a deck brush dipped in soapy water and gently scrub the deck or patio. Once the surface is soapy, hook up the garden hose and rinse it off.
If you have more ground in dirt or moss, consider power-washing the surface. You can purchase power washers at local home improvement stores, or if you prefer to take a hands-off approach, you can hire professionals to power-wash outdoor surfaces for you. You can also take this time to add a concrete sealant or anti-moss treatment to your patio. This can help minimize future cleaning.
Paint or stain outdoor surfaces
Often, after power washing, you might discover you have parts of your outdoor surfaces that need repainting or staining. If it has been several years since you've had your outdoor surfaces stained or painted, it's more likely that you'll notice these issues. It's a good idea to touch up the areas affected by power washing to protect the integrity of the construction materials.
If you are staining or painting wood, be sure to match the sealant type to what was on before. Water-based sealants and oil-based sealants work differently and should not be combined. Varnish often needs to be sanded off before being reapplied. Oil-based paint and water-based latex paints also don't mix well. If you have a plastic wood decking like Trex, it does not require paint or sealant to protect it.
To get more outdoor deck and patio summer cleaning tips, follow our Facebook and Instagram pages. We can connect you with expert local professionals for power washing, deck repair, and concrete services to help you with your next home improvement project.
