• Clean the decking thoroughly at least once a year. Many homeowners might opt for pressure washing because it is easier than a bucket and a scrub brush. Although power washing is a great time saver, be careful not to use too powerful a setting. Sometimes a good old fashioned scrub brush & bucket is best at getting to all parts of the deck.
• Check the label on the cleaners you use, ones that contain bleach will fade the wood and harm sealants.
• Check all railings and make sure they are secure. This should go without saying, but they can be a safety hazard that can cost you thousands in medical bills, too.
• Leafs & other debris can accumlate between boards if not dealt with regularly. Insects also love to hide there. Clean between every board.
• Even if not staining, be sure to seal the deck annually. A sign that you need to reseal your deck is when water stops beading. Watch out for problems caused by moisture such as splitting of the wood that is caused by expansion & contraction.
• If boards are secured with nails, when they loosen, remove them and replace with deck screws. Most deck boards are screwed down, although some cheaper and older decks have nails, which will need to be hammered down every year. After a while, replacement of certain boards will be necessary due to warping & splintering that can’t be fixed with just sanding. Careful attention should be paid to loose boards for safety reasons, too.
• Store deck furniture where it won’t rust on the deck over the winter months. Metal furniture may cause a problem with this, but plastic or resin tables & chairs just might.
• Immediately sweep any leaves and other debris from the decking to keep it clean and keep fungus or mold from growing and rot from occurring. If you have a wood deck, make sure to keep it clean and dry as often as possible.

Keep the above tips in mind & you could extend the life of your deck by two or three times.

This article was provided by Automated Homefinder, LLC.

  First things first! Pay a visit to City Hall.  Speak to a building inspector and find out what the code requirements are in your area. This will ensure you don’t have to tear it down when you’ve completed your deck because you have gone too far over property lines etc. The can also always offer some sound advice about what you can and cannot do to ensure you pass the inspection.

  If you are not sure what type of deck you want, browse through some books to get some ideas on what you would like.  There are so many things that can be done to suit your property and your tastes.

  It’s time to start planning which is the most important part of the deck project. Be sure to cover any issues that may come up while building, including safety issues.  As well as books, there are software packages to get you set up right.  They will guide you in all your planning and designing needs.

Buying a software package will enable you to plan effectively by showing you a materials list which you can use when getting quotes from a building center or speaking to a deck contractor. It may just save you some money because of the information you have learned.  A software package can also show you a layout of what your deck will look like ahead of time. This may allow you to see any major issue that you may encounter during building.