Over the years, having a deck/porch has become a desirable aspect of homes. Those on the house hunt are often searching for homes with decks, and those already owning a home are adding on porches- front, back, and wrap-around decks. It makes sense; Porches are perfect for morning coffee sipping, late-night family chats, birthday parting entertaining, or midday reading. The deck provides the ideal space to create memories with loved ones! To continue to utilize this valuable outdoor venue, it is vital to keep up with maintenance.
If you have been turning your eyes when you step foot on your deck or have been avoiding this space entirely because of its poor condition, it is time for you to restore what has been lost! Read on to find out why it is so important to keep up with the maintenance of your deck. It is not as hard as you may believe it to be!
Don't let the quality get out of hand!
One of the biggest downfalls of not regularly maintaining your deck is that the minor issues
can turn into significant issues, and big dollar signs follow these big issues. Keep an eye out for loose, rotten, or damaged boards to catch the problems while they are still yet small. It is best to pay attention to that squeaky board. The deck's built-in alarm system is loosening, rotting, and squeaking. Listen to the alerts and analyze those damaged boards further to solve the problem. When you take the time to replace those few wounded boards instead of ignoring them until the entire deck screams at you, you will be thanking yourself in the long run!
Some preventative measures of care for your deck:
-pressure washing
-cleaning
-painting
-staining
-sealing
Don't worry; you do not need to break out that pressure washer daily! In fact, most maintenance is only required annually. Some tasks' requirements are every few years so that you can breathe! However, if you see an issue arise, don't wait a year to fix it. It is best to resolve any problems or clean any mess as soon as you know. This habit will set you up to enjoy many happy years on your deck!
Say no to splinters and slipping!
If you maintain the quality of your deck, the safety of this area can quickly increase. For example, when you have kids, grandchildren, and other guests enjoying your porch, you want to ensure your time together is full of injury-free fun. Porches tend to attract bare feet, and unmaintained decks tend to produce splintered wood. This combination results in splinters, and splinters are no fun for anyone!
More fun-spoiling occurrences are falls and slips. With decks being an outdoor area, the rain will inevitably find its way there. The resulting wet conditions can cause moss or mildew to grow. However, this does not only damage the deck, but can also create a slippery surface that increases the risk of injury by slipping, tripping, or falling. Therefore, we want your porches to develop only the fondest of memories. By maintaining the condition of your deck, you are creating a safe space for the best memories to be made.
Time to sell!
When it comes time to sell your house, things can get stressful pretty quickly! Don't let your deck be another burden on your list of things to get replaced, fixed, or cleaned. If you do what it takes throughout the years to keep up with its aging, then your porch will be ready for sale when you are. Also, a well-maintained porch will increase the value of your house at sale time!
If you need a hand with your deck, call Karga Construction! We can replace and waterproof your deck. Before you know it, you will be on your beautiful porch sipping coffee in the morning and flipping delicious burgers in the evening!