Articles about decks and deck ideas, of interest to homeowners. A well designed deck can add both pleasure and value to your home!
Decks have become an extremely popular, low-cost way to add living space to a home. Decks make it convenient to enjoy sitting outside day or night. They also open up the home and facilitate entertaining and outdoor dining.
Q: I am having my deck stained. I would like to paint or stain the bottom of the deck since there is an entrance to the patio level. One painter said he will paint or stain the bottom of the deck, and another painter said it is not necessary. Will I hurt the deck if I paint or stain the deck bottom?
Q: My deck is about 4 years old. I used a stain on it after it was 6 months old but I haven't done anything to it since. I now have a lot of boards with cracks and splinters. Do you have any advice on how I should fix the problem?
Have the long months of winter taken a toll on your wood deck? Is it dirty, mildew-stained and wearing a coat of gray?
Q: I need to replace both a redwood deck and a rotten exterior wood panel. What is the most durable material to use for both projects?
Replacing a bad deck board.
Q: I have what they call cool deck around my pool and it has lifted in certain spots. There is about a ten square foot area that has to be replaced. Can it be replaced or does the whole pool area have to be redone? How much will it cost and who do you recommend to do the job?
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about repairing your deck.
If the summer has taken a toll on your deck - or if you've just invested in a new one - fall is the time to clean, restore and protect the wood from possible moisture damage during the winter months. Here are some tips for "winterizing" your deck from the experts at Wolman Wood Care Products.
It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors.
But, before you do, make sure you clean, restore and protect your deck so you can get the most out of it during the spring and summer months. Here are some deck care tips from the experts at Wolman Wood Care Products.
Q: I hired someone to power wash my deck. The wood has severely splintered and several chunks of wood have come out of the boards. What can I do?
Q: We have a large deck that has a buildup of mold and mildew on the underside because of poor ventilation. We have now solved the ventilation problem, but are not sure what, if anything, should be done to kill the existing growth. Is there something that could be sprayed on the underside of the cedar decking?
This guide will help you understand the need for deck maintenance as well as explain the process:
A new wood deck provides a warm, handsome connection with the outdoors, adding to a home's beauty and setting the stage for a world of outdoor activities.
Q: I cannot seem to get good ground cover under my deck. The sod is always damp and grass does not do well. I tried seeding with shade seed, etc. A concrete slab would be my last choice.
Q: A product is available to install under an existing deck to drain water away from the patio below, so that you can use your patio for dry storage. Do you know what it is or where I can get it?
Debris clogging the spaces between deck boards is blasted out with a powerful nozzle on a garden hose or a power washer. Products with a base of non-chlorine bleach base or oxalic acid are used to eliminate discoloration and stains. Bleach-based products eliminate mildew, acid-based materials handle graying and stains. But bleach used to kill mildew can also leave a surface drab and washed-out. For these problems, an acid-based deck restoration product is used.
Easy deck maintenance tips:
Q: I would like to add on a deck that is 9' off the ground. I have never built a deck before. Is this something I can do myself or do I need to hire a professional?
Q: We are going to build a deck. I saw a deck that was built from synthetic lumber. I was told they purchased the material from Home Depot. I would appreciate any information you can provide.
Adding a deck to the exterior of your home can expand your living space during the warmer months, but if you add a spa or hot tub, you can use your new deck year round! You can enjoy sitting outside under the stars on cool evenings and soak sore muscles after playing hard on weekends.
Q: My deck and surrounding patios are stamped (Bomanite) concrete in a Spanish tile pattern. The driveway is in the fishtail pattern.
We are researching how to bring back the original terra cotta color and then seal it with a sealer that won't be slippery to walk on when it rains.