As summer comes to an end in Minnesota, the climate is quickly shifting to cooler temperatures and rainy weather conditions. To help protect your deck against severe thunderstorms and cooler climate changes, UglyDeck.com offers homeowners a few tips to help prep their decks in time for fall.
Water and moisture can cause severe damage to an outdoor deck area, so it’s essential that every homeowner uses a professional waterproof deck sealer to prevent water damage, mold, or wood rot from destroying the deck’s foundation and decking materials. A good rule of thumb is to seal a deck every one or two years. In addition, Uglydeck.com encourages homeowners to also check for signs of splits in their decking materials and to repair any loose nails to protect the integrity of the deck. If there are any openings in the deck, caused by loose nails, cracks, or exposed edges, the water will seep into these vulnerable areas.
UglyDeck.com recommends that after it rains, homeowners check to see if the water is beading or soaking into the wood. If the water is seeping into the decking material, contact a professional deck builder to inspect for water damage.
Another outdoor element that can damage an outdoor deck is rapid shifts in temperatures. Throughout the long summer months, a deck is exposed to extreme heat and sunlight, which puts stress on the decking materials. The same can be said for colder temperatures that create added moisture and thaw cycles during the early fall mornings. This causes wooden decks to expand and shift, sometimes pushing out nails.
Uglydeck.com reminds homeowners to perform a thorough inspection of their deck areas and check for loose screws and/or boards. Replacing weakened materials with new decking supplies may help prevent future damage and major repairs down the road.
If your deck needs repairs, refinishing, or a full deck replacement before the winter months, contact the experienced deck builders at UglyDeck.com. The contractors at UglyDeck.com can help you build a new deck with maintenance free decking materials to help eliminate some of the preventative maintenance responsibilities listed above.
For more information on how to protect your deck and ensure the safety and longevity of your materials, contact UglyDeck.com today for a free quote.
