Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Decks are a great way to add character to a home. They enhance visual appeal and change the design lines of the exterior walls. If built correctly using high grade materials, they will last many years. But you have to perform maintenance tasks to keep everything looking good. A lot of decks are made of pressure treated pine, which can last for 30 years or more. However, discoloration and splintering can begin after only a short period of time. This is the reason most people schedule a regular cycle of maintenance. Failure to do so won’t cause your deck to rot, but it will become discolored and rough with splitting and warping. To ensure that a new deck is adequately protected, it should be sealed after waiting a few weeks once construction is completed. This gives the new lumber time to dry. Be sure to purchase a high quality sealer. The better types apply evenly and penetrate sufficiently to give good protection against water damage. The staining process begins with clearing the deck of all movable items. Be sure to remove or cover fragile plants and shrubbery. Deck stain can kill plants and grass, so be careful during application. Next, sweep away all debris. Check carefully for loose boards and nails that stick up. If nails were used during construction, they will probably loosen and start pulling out. Replace the loose ones with deck screws. Warped or badly cracked boards will need to be replaced. Let them dry for a couple of weeks before staining ...