Hello & Welcome Back to #FabulousFriday! Maintaining the value of your house is crucial to ensure it remains a wise financial asset for years to come. Your home is not just a place to live; it’s also a valuable investment. Moreover, thirty million homes in the U.S. have decks, so with warm weather on the way, it might be time to perform some deck maintenance and upkeep.
Deck Upkeep
Some older decks will begin to show signs of dry rot. The symptoms include spongy and discolored wood that may flake off and fall apart when wet. You can use a screwdriver to test the wood for soft spots. In certain conditions, even pressure-treated wood can rot and decay. Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay. Because dry rot is a fungus, it can spread like a cancer throughout a deck. Dry rot is caused by microorganisms that eat the cellulose from the wood leaving it brittle. Dry rot will also attract wood-eating insects such as termites, which will compound the problem.
How often should you refinish your deck? There are many factors to consider: is the deck covered? How much use does the deck get? Do you have dogs or other pets whose toenails mar the surface? Check with your local home improvement store on the best products to use when refinishing your deck.
Whether bare wood or previously stained/finished, make sure your deck’s surface is free of oil, grease, dust, dirt, loose wood particles and all other debris. Using a hose isn’t enough—use an appropriate wood cleaner/brightener (again available at your local home improvement store). To remove mold, mildew or algae, products specifically designed for that task are available as well. Good old fashioned chlorine bleach can be used for this purpose as well, but it can break down the coating.
A variety of products are available to coat your deck, from clear wood finishes to translucent to semi-transparent to solid-color stains. The amount of protection your deck needs (covered vs. uncovered) will in large part determine the type of product you choose. How much you want to see the natural grain of the wood also will help you decide.
When staining your deck, follow the manufacturer’s label instructions. It’s important not to apply too much of the product. Apply stain in the proper weather conditions. Avoid applying the product in direct sunlight, and be sure there is no chance of rain for the next 24 hours.
If you discover areas of dry rot on your deck, those portions must be removed and replaced immediately to prevent it from spreading further. It’s important when replacing rotten deck boards and cracked deck posts to be thorough in your inspection of the compromised areas. Be sure to inspect all areas directly adjacent to the rotten wood, as even early signs of decay will eventually contaminate your recent repairs. If you’re at all unsure about how to identify or fix areas of rot on your deck, call a professional. After all, your deck is an investment and a valuable asset to your home’s value. It’s important to keep it healthy and safe.
If your deck does have a run-in with dry rot, there are ways you can prevent it from coming back. First, locate the cause of the dry rot. This could be anything from a plumbing leak, gutter alignment, uneven boards that cause water pooling, a sprinkler system issue and more. Locating and resolving the water source issue will be your biggest anti-rot solution moving forward. In addition, you’ll want to clean your deck regularly to keep it free of dirt and mildew as they can encourage water retention. And finally, make sure to preserve your wood with sealer and/or stain to help keep moisture from penetrating into the wood.
If you are interested in additional tips and tricks for maintaining your property value, reach out to one of our helpful friendly professional agents @ Shaffer. We are here to help you with all your real estate needs. See you next Friday for more real estate tips and tricks. See you soon! Warmly, Susan