November 19th, 2008 — Clean, Handy Man, Refresh, Refurbish
Your deck is subject to all kinds of weather, and within a few years, it’s easy to end up looking like you need a completely new one. If you want to keep your deck looking brand new for years to come, there are a few techniques that you can use. Some should be applied when you first install the deck, but the rest can be implemented as simple maintenance chores.
Let’s start with picking the right kind of wood for your deck. If you love redwood or cedar, keep in mind that these woods are going to need to be sealed more often. Pine is the most durable, but then again, it will end up looking the roughest over time. The key is finding the right kind of sealant that is rated for your area. If you get a lot of rain, look for a heavy duty waterproofing sealant. If sun is the main issue, look for a sealant that is fade resistant. When you apply the sealant to your deck, make sure that you use enough and let it dry completely between coats for the best effect.
Now, let’s move onto maintenance. The first step you’re going to need is powerwashing on a regular basis. Don’t blast off your sealant with too much pressure, but make sure that you do keep your deck clean. Light woods in particular will need some extra care to make sure they don’t end up looking dingy. Aim for washing it at least once a month and more often in areas that are prone to more wind and dirt.
If your deck is already in trouble, don’t worry! Fixing it is a snap. Most people can do this on their own and will not need the help of a professional. First, you’ll need to completely clean off your deck and then sweep it to make sure that all dust and debris has been removed. If the wood is cracked, misshapen or overly rough, you’re going to need to sand down these spots. This has the added benefit of revealing the healthy wood under the surface.
Once you’re ready with either clean or sanded wood, you can either restain your deck or add new sealant and keep it the same color as it already is. Once again, allow for enough drying time in between coats and do it on a day where there is no wind to avoid bubbles in the finish. After the stain is dry, apply a least a few coats of sealant to give it a great shine and protect it from water.
If your deck never got these benefits in the first place, it’s not too late to seal it for the first time. Clean it, sand it, stain it and then seal it. It will look like new in just a few hours. Decks do best when they are regularly cared for, so make sure that you schedule more than enough time in to do your part.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Articles
Related Stores
November 16th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man, Maintain
The Carey brothers achieved great fame with their first Dummies title that focused on home renovation so hopes were pretty high with this latest book on how to maintain your home. This is an area that many people fail to understand how important it can be, which is why we decided to focus on this title first. No matter how much effort you put into renovating your home, if you don’t maintain it, there simply is no point.
The audience for the book is definitely beginners, or those that really don’t have a lot of time to familiarize themselves with a lot of DIY work. Weekend warriors might be a little disappointed in some of the tips, but overall, this is a great read. There are a few tips that everyone can use, regardless of their experience level and this is a book that deserves at least some space on your shelf.
We appreciated the fact that the book covered a lot of home maintenance ideas that are simply overlooked or never carried out. We all know that we need to keep our eaves clean, but how many of us know how to spot potential safety hazards in our home? This book covers pretty much everything you could ever need to do to keep your home running in tip top shape and chances are, if you follow this advice, you’ll find that you have a lot less repair and renovation work to do over the long term.
The section on how to prepare for freezing weather was particularly useful. It is all too easy to assume that everything is going to be alright, only to end knee deep in water. You’ll learn exactly how to winterize your home to make sure that this doesn’t happen. This one tip can save you hundreds in plumber fees and thousands in damages. They also cover some great winter tips for the rest of your house to make sure that the elements don’t over stress it.
The book takes you room by room, showing you what you need to look out for and how to take care of little problems before they become big problems. If you’re mystified by a lot of what goes on behind the scenes in your home, the systems section will make it completely easy to understand. This really is a perfect title for those that are getting into home ownership for the first time, especially if they are used to living in an apartment where all of this stuff is taken care of by the landlord.
The best part by far is the fact that the book includes calendars to help you schedule regular maintenance on your home. Everything from cleaning a fireplace to fixing cracks is covered and will end up saving you time and money on your home. We would have liked it if they had gone into gas fireplace tips as well, but overall, this is a terrific book that should be purchased by all homeowners.
Related Articles
Related Stores
