Protect Your Deck Investment in 3 Steps
If you’re thinking of adding an outdoor spot where you can unwind and soak up some sunshine, there’s no better investment than a deck. In the realm of home improvement, decks can be affordable and long-lasting. Yet, even decks made with composite boards require some care.
Here are three steps to protect your investment in a new deck:
Keep Water Away
According to builders, more than 90 per cent of a deck’s timber substructure starts to split and rot at around 8 to 10 years if not protected from moisture. A simple and cost-effective way to preserve the life of your deck is by using joist protection tape. Trex Protect is a peel-and-stick joist protection tape that allows the timber to breathe because it is applied directly on top of joists and bearers. The tape protects water from entering the screw holes and acts as a barrier against moisture. Joist protection tape will protect your timber from decay and will help ensure that your foundation lasts as long as the decking it supports.
Shield from the Sun
If your deck sits in a sunny spot, consider adding an overhead structure to shade it, and protect it from fading. Adding an overhead structure is simple and can be a DIY project, or you can have your builder add one for you.
Clean It Off
Debris on your deck boards can cause moisture to get trapped — again, water is not a friend of timber. Sweep your deck regularly. If you have pets that walk on your deck, keep their nails trimmed, as even pet nails can damage certain types of wood. High heels can also do damage to the timber or a composite deck.
To clean your deck, use a synthetic bristle brush and scrub the deck with a cleaner made for your decking material. To allow the deck to dry fully, scrub it down when the weather is forecasted to be dry for at least three days in a row. Be careful if you’re going to use a pressure washer. Too much pressure can damage your boards. Check out these helpful pressure-washing tips on Decks.com.
As summer winds down, don’t neglect your deck maintenance. A clean and dry deck will help you enjoy those barbeques for years to come!