Your home’s deck is where you usually hold parties for family and friends. And if your home is located in a picturesque location, it’s also where you can enjoy the view. However, due to being the favorite area for social gatherings and being located outside, decks, especially the wooden kind, are susceptible to natural wear and tear and moisture damage.
Fortunately, with regular maintenance, you can keep your wooden decks in tip-top condition. Harmony Home Improvement, one of the top residential roofing contractors in the state, shows you how.
Clean Your Deck Regularly
It might seem obvious, but with the number of people using the deck as well and its exposure to the elements, residential and commercial roofing contractors alike can’t emphasize enough the importance of regular cleaning.
Leaves falling from the trees should be swept off regularly. You should also be especially wary of grease dripping from your grill, as their stains notoriously hard to get rid of. Use a grease catcher to prevent grease from spilling on to the deck.
Seal the Deck Every Two to Three Years
In the same way a TPO roofing installation uses a synthetic membrane to protect itself from the sun and rain, a deck uses a sealer to form a layer that will protect it from dirt and moisture. However, that sealer needs to be reapplied at least every two to three years.
Inspect Your Deck Frequently
But even with regular maintenance, there is still a chance the layer protecting residential and commercial roofing systems will get damaged. In the event that it is, it’s important to have the damage fixed or part of the deck replaced immediately to prevent the damage from spreading.
In particular, you should frequently inspect your roof for the following:
Mold and Mildew – Slippery gray, black, or whitish streaks on your deck indicate the presence of fungal growth.
Moss and Green or Black Algae – Both can make the deck slippery.
Dry Rot – This fungal growth eats away wood, resulting in shrunken, soft, and spongy boards as well as a musty odor.
If you find any of these, call a contractor with certifications, like Harmony Home Improvement. We are a GAF Master Elite® contractor. To get a free estimate, call [company_phone] or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Hartford, CT.
