1. Check for surface damage. Look for signs of stress, like excessive curling, cracking, or rotting in the boards that make up the surface of your deck. Replace any questionable planks with new wood that matches the existing deck. Inspect all the nails, screws and/or bolts that hold your deck together. Tighten screws that have worked loose and re-drive any nails that are not slightly lower than the surface.
2. Check for structural damage. Look for any signs of animal or insect damage, such as chewed wood, holes or brittle areas. If you find any signs of insects or insect damage, you may want to schedule a visit from a pest-control expert. If the damage appears to be animal-related, consider adding lattice or some type of barrier around the edges to keep critters out.
3. Clean the deck. Dirt, algae, moss and smog can discolor a deck and keep sealers from working effectively. Even newly built decks should be cleaned prior to treatment to remove mill glaze or excess wax, which will affect a sealer’s ability to penetrate the wood. Use a reformulated deck cleaner or oxygen bleach and a stiff brush to scrub the surface. Be sure to loosen any debris that has built up between the planks. You may need to consider using a power washer for more difficult stains. Let the washed deck dry for 24 hours before applying a sealer.
4. Seal the deck. No finish, even pressure-treated wood, is weatherproof. No sealer lasts a lifetime either. Until recently, experts recommended sealing decks yearly. With advances in finishes, treatment time now varies; check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Summer Maintenance Tips
- Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors. Caulking helps keep your house weather-tight and lowers cooling bills. It can also help keep insects and other "critters" out of your house.
- Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap. Because lint is very flammable it poses a fire risk. If a gas clothes dryer is not properly vented, it can force carbon monoxide back into the home and that can be deadly.
- Repair cracks in concrete patios and driveways. For cracks less than 1/4" wide, apply concrete caulk; just clean the crack out with a high-pressure hose nozzle, let it dry and then apply the caulk into the crack. For larger cracks, substitute concrete patch for caulk.
- Wash the exterior of your house, using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent. Beware of pressure washers, they are powerful enough to force water under the siding where it can encourage mildew and rot.
- Clean and seal your porch or deck. Ideally, you'll need three consecutive warm, sunny days. On day one, dry out the deck. Apply deck cleaner and scrub the deck on the second day and let it dry 24 hours. On the third day, apply deck sealer.
- Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap. Because lint is very flammable it poses a fire risk. If a gas clothes dryer is not properly vented, it can force carbon monoxide back into the home and that can be deadly.
- Repair cracks in concrete patios and driveways. For cracks less than 1/4" wide, apply concrete caulk; just clean the crack out with a high-pressure hose nozzle, let it dry and then apply the caulk into the crack. For larger cracks, substitute concrete patch for caulk.
- Wash the exterior of your house, using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent. Beware of pressure washers, they are powerful enough to force water under the siding where it can encourage mildew and rot.
- Clean and seal your porch or deck. Ideally, you'll need three consecutive warm, sunny days. On day one, dry out the deck. Apply deck cleaner and scrub the deck on the second day and let it dry 24 hours. On the third day, apply deck sealer.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Cost Saving Ideas for Kitchen Renovations
New Paint
Repainting can be one way to renovate your kitchen without spending very much. A new paint job can make a dull kitchen become vibrant again. When repainting, you can play with different design ideas also.
Replace the Sink or Fridge
If you want to replace your appliances and have to choose only one, you should consider changing either your sink or your refrigerator. These items tend to draw attention because they are used so frequently.
Change the Lighting
To create softer lighting, use smaller lights along the bottom and top of cabinets. Use recessed lighting or hanging light fixtures, known as pendant lighting, for the ceiling. If you want more natural light during the day, choose a larger window design for the kitchen.
Repainting can be one way to renovate your kitchen without spending very much. A new paint job can make a dull kitchen become vibrant again. When repainting, you can play with different design ideas also.
Replace the Sink or Fridge
If you want to replace your appliances and have to choose only one, you should consider changing either your sink or your refrigerator. These items tend to draw attention because they are used so frequently.
Change the Lighting
To create softer lighting, use smaller lights along the bottom and top of cabinets. Use recessed lighting or hanging light fixtures, known as pendant lighting, for the ceiling. If you want more natural light during the day, choose a larger window design for the kitchen.
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