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Get Your Deck Ready for Spring, Graduation Parties, & BBQs

 NOTE:  This blog was written before the current world health epidemic. With heavy hearts and at the same time hopeful optimism, we’re posting this blog for its useful content for the future. We can still pressure wash or build your deck at this time, but contact us for any updates because things are changing by the minute. And always feel free to call with questions. We’ll get through this together. After we do, we’ll come over and celebrate on your safe, sturdy deck.

 

Keeping your family safe is the most important job year-round. This task becomes more challenging as the weather gets warmer and brings in the season of entertaining on your deck. With spring and summer come graduation parties, BBQs, and many other opportunities to entertain family and friends. With more people using your deck, it is imperative that you ensure your deck is safe for your guests. If you’re planning on entertaining on your deck this upcoming season, here are some spring deck maintenance and repairs you may want to consider.

 

Power washing

Once the weather warms up, it’s important to have your deck cleaned before you attempt any other repairs. The best way to do this is by having it power washed. Power washing will remove any of the dirt, debris, and mold. It also removes anything that has accumulated on your deck throughout the winter months.

On average, you should power wash your deck once a year, and doing it after winter is a great time to get it done. Having your deck power washed prepares it to be inspected for any further needed upkeep or repairs.

Repairing Rot

A common repair that decks may need after a harsh winter is the removal of rot. Whether just early signs of the wood chipping away, mold formation, or a more advanced case of wood rot, you’ll need to have it removed immediately. If your deck wasn’t well-maintained through the winter, rot may have had the chance to form and worsen. Rot is a dangerous condition that can impair the health and structure of your deck. At the beginning of the spring season, we’ll inspect your deck for rot and will take care of it right away before it gets worse.

 

Repairing Boards

Your deck may be susceptible to cracked or warped boards. Cracked boards can break, causing injuries to you and your guests. If the damage is minimal, you can have individual boards replaced to keep your deck safe and beautiful.

An even better solution is to take care of your deck by having it washed, refinished, and sealed on a regular basis. This way you’ll be able to prevent cracked or warped boards and avoid the chore of having them repaired.

 

Checking Joints

Checking the joints is another important deck repair to do before you entertain people on your deck. Joints can rust and corrode over time and they may eventually need to be replaced. Have joints and other hardware checked for signs of wear. If they look like they need to be repaired or replaced, a professional can take care of them.

 

Deck Expansion

If you enjoy entertaining, you may want to be able to fit a large number of people on your deck. If your deck is on the smaller side, you may want to consider expanding your deck’s size. Creating more deck space can involve simply adding additional foundation, support, and deck boarding, or can involve more intricate plans that involve multi-level deck space, built-ins, such as planters, and much more.

 

Deck Staining

Finally, deck staining is one of the most important spring deck maintenance measures you can take. The winter weather can wreak havoc on the wood of your deck. The hot summer sun can dry and discolor your wood or wood composite deck material.

Entertaining throughout the summer can also cause your deck to see a lot of wear and tear. Periodic staining and sealing of your deck will help you preserve the beauty of the materials used to build your deck. If your deck hasn’t been stained in a while, you may want to look into getting it stained to keep it looking great and free from preventable damage.

 

All About Decks Omaha is here to serve you and help with your spring deck maintenance, whether you need deck repair, power washing, cleaning, staining, refinishing, or a whole new deck.

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Is My Deck Safe?

Have you ever wondered, “is my deck safe?” Having a safe deck is one of the most important parts of owning a deck. Decks are great for entertaining, holding milestone family events, hanging out with friends, and relaxing on in nice weather. However, if a deck is not properly cared for, it can become a liability, and worst case, cause injury or worse to your friends or loved ones.

It is very important to consistently have your deck professionally inspected for defects. Here are a few things your decking professional should look at to ensure your deck is safe to use.

 

Deck Material

Your deck’s material is an important part of maintaining your deck’s structure. Inspect your deck for splitting or cracking wood, which can get worse as time passes. Additionally, your deck may have rot. This can quickly compromise your deck material’s integrity and cause soft spots, warping, and loose boards that can all become dangerous.

The use of plastic and composite-lumber for deck materials is becoming more common. However, the majority of decks are built with pressure-treated wood, cedar, or some other type of wood. Whatever type of deck material you have, be sure to have each board inspected for cracks, splinters, insect infestation, rot, popped fastener heads, warping, or other problems. Have the damaged decking replaced as soon as possible.

 

Ledger and Flashing 

The ledger is the long horizontal board that attaches your deck to your house. The flashing is the piece of plastic or metal that prevents water from getting in between the ledger and house. If the flashing is pulling up from its proper place, has a lot of mud and debris, or is cracking you need to get it repaired.

How important is it to maintain the integrity of the ledger and the flashing of a deck? It is extremely important, maybe a matter of life or death, to make sure that the ledger is not rotted and the flashing is intact. “The number one reason why decks collapse is because the ledger is badly decayed or not properly fastened to the house.” 

 

Hardware

Inspecting your deck’s hardware is another crucial part of keeping your deck safe. If your hardware is showing signs of rusting or wear, you should have a professional come and replace those pieces. Additionally, making sure all the screws and joints are tightly fastened throughout the year can keep your deck from collapsing.

 

Railings

Railings are a very important safety feature on your deck. Any decks taller than 30 inches above the ground, are required to have railings around the perimeter of the deck.

If your railings are wiggling or leaning, that is a sign they may be about to fall or break. Keep an eye on them as the moisture from different weather conditions sets in. This can wreak havoc on your deck’s railings. Sadly, most deck-related injuries are caused by a person leaning on a compromised deck railing and falling.

To inspect a deck’s railings, check to ensure that each rail post is attached to the deck’s frame. Next, be sure that the frame and the railings are free from all types of problems listed above.

Then, make sure that the posts are fastened to the frame with the correct bolts and screws. Each post should be inspected to make sure they’re well-secured and showing no signs of decay.

 

Cleanliness

While cleanliness may not seem important, a dirty deck can hide other factors that will tip you off to a splitting or rotting deck. Additionally, keeping your deck free of mildew is an important way to keep your deck free of rot and mold.

A small amount of bleach (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water) can be used to stop mildew growth on your deck. Use a mop to clean your deck with the solution and then use just water to rinse and let air dry.

 

Environmental Factors

Make sure your deck is also clear of environmental hazards, such as flammable surfaces next to fire pits, low-hanging branches, and shorted wiring. Use common sense and make sure that you are always looking for environmental hazards on or near your deck.

 

Know Your Codes

Lastly, make sure you are up-to-date on the various codes for your county or city. The city of Omaha has all of its residential deck guidelines available online so you can be sure that you have the most current safety features in mind when it comes to your deck.

If it’s time for your deck to be inspected, contact us! We’re happy to inspect your deck for you to ensure your deck is up to code and safe to use all year long.

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