6 Quick Steps to Spring Clean Your Deck

Decks are an important part of the home and if your home has one, you sure must enjoy it. Keeping your deck in a healthy condition will, however, save you a whole bunch of stress and reduce your calls to deck contractors in Los Angeles.

This article is aimed at giving you some simple tips which will help you get your deck ready for the summer faster than you ever thought of.

These tips are aimed at helping you get work done quickly so you can spend a bunch of the remaining time relaxing and enjoying the summer.

Step 1: Prep

Proper cleaning of your deck to prevent against degradation requires that you clean and clear it as regularly as possible. Cleaning of your deck does not necessarily have to be a hard task. It can begin with as little as a simple trimming of the vegetation around it including the back branches. Trimming should be done to at least a foot from the edge of the deck to reduce the chances of insect infestation and dropping of sap and leaves on your deck.

After clearing the surface, proceed to remove the patio furniture, barbeques, plants, and décor then sweep out the deck being careful not to remove leaves and other debris.

Step 2: Inspect

Inspect the deck as winter weather can spell a whole lot of doom on your deck. Some of the havoc wreaked by the winter weather may need you to contract the services of a Los Angeles deck construction expert while others may be fixed readily. Inspect the deck for possible Loose or cracked trim, Peeling or missing caulk, detached or rusted flashing, signs of decay or soft spots, gutter separations, torn seams (for vinyl decks), insect damage, improper slope, rodent or bird holes, shifted curbs, water retention, and cracked or leaking faucets. Should any of these damages be noticed, it is advised to call your deck contractor in Los Angeles to have a look.

Step 3: Wet

After a thorough inspection of your deck to be sure it’s in good condition, proceed to thoroughly wet down the deck with a garden hose. Should you choose to use a pressure washer, avoid exceeding the 150 psi mark or pointing the nozzle directly at any seams or attachments.

Step 4: Scrub

Proceed to properly scrub the deck by using mild cleaners as some cleaning agents may cause damage to the deck. Avoid the use of powered abrasives, steel wool, dry cleaning fluids, or lacquer thinner solvents when cleaning your deck.

Tip: For proper cleaning of the deck, employ the use of products like Oxiclean which can be used alongside a bristled scrub brush. The cleaner is also effective in killing mildew and in removing dirt in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse

Properly rinse the deck to remove any cleaner residue from it and make sure to scrub properly all spots to avoid uneven dirt buildup.

Step 6: Dry

For low maintenance decks like vinyl or composite, you are set to enjoy your deck. However, for persons who own wooden deck, you are not out of the woods yet as you will need to properly dry it out before you can stain or seal it.

Tip: it is recommended that you wait 2 to 3 days for proper drying before applying the sealer.