Maintaining Your Deck, Patio and Porch
Your home’s internal environment is generally kept around the same temperature on a daily basis, so your flooring material withstands wear and tear in a generally constant environment. Outside your home, however, your ground material is exposed to conditions ranging from freezing cold to wet to hot and humid, and it is maintained less frequently. Most homeowners will install durable outdoor flooring materials for this reason. You can still take steps to maintain and update the strength and aesthetics of your deck, patio and porch. During the spring, sweep the surfaces and gather up debris, and then inspect your outdoor floors for loose boards, cracks or other damage and perform the needed repairs.
For decks, check the framing, posts and footing for wood rot and damage and make sure handrails are contiguous and secured. Look out for signs of wearing like checks and cracks, Inspect the fasteners and replace nails with screws where necessary. If you are unsure is your deck is safe, contact the local building inspector or your contractor.
This Buildipedia video shows you how to refinish your wood deck:
Once all deck repairs are completed, you can begin cleaning. Approach wood decks with caution and splash some water on the surface first. You can rinse the deck with a hose if the water beads and sits on the wood. If the water absorbs into the wood and darkens it, however, you will need a special cleaning solution such as oxygenated bleach. As chemicals can resurface over time and erode the finish, be sure to rinse your deck and apply a wood preservative afterwards.If you have a composite or vinyl deck, you can just use soap and water; however, use caution if cleaning with a pressurized hose as you may damage the deck.
Stone surfaces can be cleaned with a high-powered pressure wash. Pavers may require additional care. Remove oil stains with a liquid detergent followed by a hot water rinse. Efflorescence (white lime residue) will not cause damage and will wear away with time, but you can remove it with specially made cleaners. Applying a sealer can improve aesthetics and performance, but be sure to find out which sealer will work best for your srface. If your paver base has an uneven surface due to settling, the psettlement should be adjusted and the pavers replaced by a professional.
