This guide explores how to prepare your deck or patio for the summer months.
We'll look at techniques to easily clear your deck or patio surface.
In no time you are going to have an backyard area for you to enjoy by yourself or with your friends.
Given the wide array of decks and patios we will quickly examine both concrete or cement decks and patios as well as wood and timber decks and patios.
While maintaining your outdoor living areas and surfaces is one thing keeping the furniture you use in these areas equally maintained will ensure that you are able to fully enjoy these spaces throughout the entire year.
Outdoor tables, chairs, and lawn chaises are built from materials that are usually tough enough to hold up against sunlight, rainwater, and the wind.
Routinely, they require little more than regular hosing down.
Particular care is essential, however, when staining, scratches, and gashes appear.
Most of the time, cleaners and waxes designed for the treatment of automobiles, watercraft, and patios are applicable for use on outdoor pieces of furniture.
At the close of the season, take care of outdoor furniture with canvas or cotton tarps to continue to keep them dust free and protected from moisture.
Hold the furniture in a shed, a garage, or on a covered patio.
Or, if it cannot be kept in a covered location, wrap it well in waterproof tarps intended for outdoor safe-keeping of furniture.
Outdoor woven fabrics typically endure a chemical treatment method during manufacturing to improve stain and moisture prevention, regardless of whether they are manufactured from synthetic fibers, such as vinyl-coated polyester or acrylic, or from cotton blends.
Once a week, spray fabrics off to get rid of dust, filth, and body oils.
To deep clean, scrub with a utility brush and a formula of mild soap and lukewarm water.
Stay away from detergents and hot water, which can remove the protective coating off of outdoor fabrics.
If fabrics are badly stained or mildewed, scrub with a solution of 0.
5 cup oxygen bleach and 5 gallons of warm water.
If the label says "machine-washable," place it in a washing machine filled with cold water and a dose of oxygen bleach.
Agitate to mix and now let the cover sit overnight.
Next, drain the water and spin, then launder the cover in cold water using mild soap.
Bring it back to the frame, in the open position, to dry in the sun.
Rinse regularly with a spray hose all through the outdoor season, or all year if you live in a warm climate or humid environment.
If mildew is found, strip off the cover from the frame, if possible, and scrub away any mold.
Place all outdoor cushions in a protected area to protect them from bad weather.
If cushions become drenched, place them on end to speed up drying.
For both your cement and wood patios and decks we recommend a easy routine to take care of the surface and maintain cleanliness.
Each week, sweep deck floors and thresholds with an outdoor push broom (or more frequently, if necessary) to remove leaves and other dirt.
Dust rails and windowsills with a hand brush.
Consistently shovel your patio after snow.
The heaviness of snow can deteriorate the deck and the excess water can deteriorate untreated wood.
For your cement or concrete decks as water seeps through small cracks in the surface or under the edges around the perimeter it can expand and contract with freezing weather.
This expansion and contraction can lead to cracks forming or pre-existing cracks becoming larger.
Over the course of the entire summer and the other seasons we suggest these steps for long-term preservation and care.
To wash a deck by hand, first sweep thoroughly and use an old saw blade or putty knife to get rid of any clutter wedged between the boards.
Next, hose down the patio and clean it with a long-handled deck brush and a solution of all-purpose cleaner and water, running in strokes that run parallel to the grain of the panels.
For hard spills, use a industrial patio brightener or oxalic acid, which lighten up run down, gray wood.
If you have a sizeable deck or porch, a power washer will save you time.
This appliance uses high-pressured water to blast away soil, mildew, and some stains.
However, power washers can open the pores in untreated wood surfaces, subjecting the surface to the elements and lessening the deck's life time.
The power washing technique is a good way to maintain your cement decks, however if your cement or concrete deck is stained, it may eventually wear down this stain.
Awnings need to be sprayed regularly with a spray hose all through the outdoor season.
Allow the awning to air-dry adequately after cleaning; always open awnings after rain to let them dry thoroughly.
For a heavy cleaning, first rinse the awning, then use a handled brush to scrub in a solution of water and mild soap.
Rinse again.
Stow awnings off the ground to decrease the likelihood that they will turn out to be winter homes for rodents.
When the deck is clear, check for wobbly nails that have come unfastened over the wintertime.
Remove them, and exchange with galvanized, all-purpose deck screws, which are less likely to come out of wood than nails are.
Fill holes with wood filler, and sand smooth.
Take care of any other repairs, along the lines of replacing a splintered or out of shape plank, before the harm worsens.
In some cases it may be needed to use sanding paper to smooth down worn edges that become splintered.
With cement and concrete patios and decks it is is recommended to utilize the services of a professional concrete general contractor.
Using the wrong concrete or applying it in the incorrect method may only make the problem worse.
Various wood care solutions have a different gains for various wood surfaces, giving you the capacity to tailor-make a complete wood care process.
This system begins the very first day and proceeds all through the life of your wood.
Here are some solutions you may consider.
New wood treatment will shield brand-new wood from the problems of sun and rainfall.
Deck cleaning agent and brightener restore life into filthy and graying patios.
Stain/Finish removers are more potent than a wood cleaner, this actually gets below and lifts off old sealers, finishes, and grime that have accumulated on your patio over time.
Clear wood preservative with UV protection revives the beauty of your weathered deck while defending against the elements with a clear finish.
External stain is usually solid or semi-transparent.
Deep penetrating formula repels rain.
One per year (or when drops of water no longer bead on the surface but are absorbed into the planks), coat the patio with a water-based waterproofing sealant.
Choose a sealant that contains a UV protector to help block the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.
There are additional concrete or cement sealants that can be used on your concrete decks and patios.
These can help with eliminating the problems we talked about earlier when the freezing weather comes.
The final thing that we want to point out is weeding and maintaining any vegetation that is around your deck or patio.
Just as you do with your home's foundation maintenance the same methods can apply to your deck or patio.
With wooden decks they most often use cement or concrete anchored support posts.
These can move overtime altering your deck or patio surface accordingly.
Maintaing proper water flow off of and around the perimeter of your deck or patio is a key step.
Continually removing any weeds that pop up through your cement or concrete patio is a must throughout the entire year.
If you live in a heavily wooded lot or area, it is important to weed out unwanted plants routinely as some of these weeds may actually be newly sprouted trees.
These root structures can become quickly entrenched and hard to permanently remove.
Please keep in mind that there are many more thorough and informative guides if you simply want to refinish or restain your deck.
In our guide we hope you gained a more well-rounded insight as to what methods and year-round strategies you can employ to maintain your decks and patios throughout the entire year.
Through these steps and tips you should be able to lengthen the life and quality of your decks and patios and their stains or finishes.
We'll look at techniques to easily clear your deck or patio surface.
In no time you are going to have an backyard area for you to enjoy by yourself or with your friends.
Given the wide array of decks and patios we will quickly examine both concrete or cement decks and patios as well as wood and timber decks and patios.
While maintaining your outdoor living areas and surfaces is one thing keeping the furniture you use in these areas equally maintained will ensure that you are able to fully enjoy these spaces throughout the entire year.
Outdoor tables, chairs, and lawn chaises are built from materials that are usually tough enough to hold up against sunlight, rainwater, and the wind.
Routinely, they require little more than regular hosing down.
Particular care is essential, however, when staining, scratches, and gashes appear.
Most of the time, cleaners and waxes designed for the treatment of automobiles, watercraft, and patios are applicable for use on outdoor pieces of furniture.
At the close of the season, take care of outdoor furniture with canvas or cotton tarps to continue to keep them dust free and protected from moisture.
Hold the furniture in a shed, a garage, or on a covered patio.
Or, if it cannot be kept in a covered location, wrap it well in waterproof tarps intended for outdoor safe-keeping of furniture.
Outdoor woven fabrics typically endure a chemical treatment method during manufacturing to improve stain and moisture prevention, regardless of whether they are manufactured from synthetic fibers, such as vinyl-coated polyester or acrylic, or from cotton blends.
Once a week, spray fabrics off to get rid of dust, filth, and body oils.
To deep clean, scrub with a utility brush and a formula of mild soap and lukewarm water.
Stay away from detergents and hot water, which can remove the protective coating off of outdoor fabrics.
If fabrics are badly stained or mildewed, scrub with a solution of 0.
5 cup oxygen bleach and 5 gallons of warm water.
If the label says "machine-washable," place it in a washing machine filled with cold water and a dose of oxygen bleach.
Agitate to mix and now let the cover sit overnight.
Next, drain the water and spin, then launder the cover in cold water using mild soap.
Bring it back to the frame, in the open position, to dry in the sun.
Rinse regularly with a spray hose all through the outdoor season, or all year if you live in a warm climate or humid environment.
If mildew is found, strip off the cover from the frame, if possible, and scrub away any mold.
Place all outdoor cushions in a protected area to protect them from bad weather.
If cushions become drenched, place them on end to speed up drying.
For both your cement and wood patios and decks we recommend a easy routine to take care of the surface and maintain cleanliness.
Each week, sweep deck floors and thresholds with an outdoor push broom (or more frequently, if necessary) to remove leaves and other dirt.
Dust rails and windowsills with a hand brush.
Consistently shovel your patio after snow.
The heaviness of snow can deteriorate the deck and the excess water can deteriorate untreated wood.
For your cement or concrete decks as water seeps through small cracks in the surface or under the edges around the perimeter it can expand and contract with freezing weather.
This expansion and contraction can lead to cracks forming or pre-existing cracks becoming larger.
Over the course of the entire summer and the other seasons we suggest these steps for long-term preservation and care.
To wash a deck by hand, first sweep thoroughly and use an old saw blade or putty knife to get rid of any clutter wedged between the boards.
Next, hose down the patio and clean it with a long-handled deck brush and a solution of all-purpose cleaner and water, running in strokes that run parallel to the grain of the panels.
For hard spills, use a industrial patio brightener or oxalic acid, which lighten up run down, gray wood.
If you have a sizeable deck or porch, a power washer will save you time.
This appliance uses high-pressured water to blast away soil, mildew, and some stains.
However, power washers can open the pores in untreated wood surfaces, subjecting the surface to the elements and lessening the deck's life time.
The power washing technique is a good way to maintain your cement decks, however if your cement or concrete deck is stained, it may eventually wear down this stain.
Awnings need to be sprayed regularly with a spray hose all through the outdoor season.
Allow the awning to air-dry adequately after cleaning; always open awnings after rain to let them dry thoroughly.
For a heavy cleaning, first rinse the awning, then use a handled brush to scrub in a solution of water and mild soap.
Rinse again.
Stow awnings off the ground to decrease the likelihood that they will turn out to be winter homes for rodents.
When the deck is clear, check for wobbly nails that have come unfastened over the wintertime.
Remove them, and exchange with galvanized, all-purpose deck screws, which are less likely to come out of wood than nails are.
Fill holes with wood filler, and sand smooth.
Take care of any other repairs, along the lines of replacing a splintered or out of shape plank, before the harm worsens.
In some cases it may be needed to use sanding paper to smooth down worn edges that become splintered.
With cement and concrete patios and decks it is is recommended to utilize the services of a professional concrete general contractor.
Using the wrong concrete or applying it in the incorrect method may only make the problem worse.
Various wood care solutions have a different gains for various wood surfaces, giving you the capacity to tailor-make a complete wood care process.
This system begins the very first day and proceeds all through the life of your wood.
Here are some solutions you may consider.
New wood treatment will shield brand-new wood from the problems of sun and rainfall.
Deck cleaning agent and brightener restore life into filthy and graying patios.
Stain/Finish removers are more potent than a wood cleaner, this actually gets below and lifts off old sealers, finishes, and grime that have accumulated on your patio over time.
Clear wood preservative with UV protection revives the beauty of your weathered deck while defending against the elements with a clear finish.
External stain is usually solid or semi-transparent.
Deep penetrating formula repels rain.
One per year (or when drops of water no longer bead on the surface but are absorbed into the planks), coat the patio with a water-based waterproofing sealant.
Choose a sealant that contains a UV protector to help block the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.
There are additional concrete or cement sealants that can be used on your concrete decks and patios.
These can help with eliminating the problems we talked about earlier when the freezing weather comes.
The final thing that we want to point out is weeding and maintaining any vegetation that is around your deck or patio.
Just as you do with your home's foundation maintenance the same methods can apply to your deck or patio.
With wooden decks they most often use cement or concrete anchored support posts.
These can move overtime altering your deck or patio surface accordingly.
Maintaing proper water flow off of and around the perimeter of your deck or patio is a key step.
Continually removing any weeds that pop up through your cement or concrete patio is a must throughout the entire year.
If you live in a heavily wooded lot or area, it is important to weed out unwanted plants routinely as some of these weeds may actually be newly sprouted trees.
These root structures can become quickly entrenched and hard to permanently remove.
Please keep in mind that there are many more thorough and informative guides if you simply want to refinish or restain your deck.
In our guide we hope you gained a more well-rounded insight as to what methods and year-round strategies you can employ to maintain your decks and patios throughout the entire year.
Through these steps and tips you should be able to lengthen the life and quality of your decks and patios and their stains or finishes.
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