Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Deck and Patio

Deck and Patio

Nothing adds more enduring value to a home than improving a deck or patio. Plus, think of the added enjoyment you receive by being able to comfortably sit on your deck or patio sipping a tall beverage to fight off the summer heat.

The house today without some sort of deck is the rarity so we’re going to concentrate on way to improve what you currently have. First, look at your handrails? Are they warn and splintered? You may want to consider painting them. I know, I know, that means they will have to be painted every few years but, trust me, it is worth it. I put two coats of a top end white enamel with a mildew additive and three years later I still happy.

Get the mildew off of your deck. Not only is it ugly, it can be dangerous. When wet, the mildew can be quite slippery and lead to a nasty fall. I prefer to use a professional cleaning service for this one. They are fast and, with a bit of shopping, you can find a reasonable price. You may also want to put on a sealer while they are there. I never bother with my concrete pads but I do apply it every other year on my wooden deck. Be sure to use a penetrating sealer, with or without color (I use Behr). I like the kind with a UV filtering component. Avoid the ones that are wax based. They look good for the first few weeks with the water beading but by the end of the season, you’ll be considering doing it again.

Like anything else around the house, one Saturday afternoon working on a project instead of frustrating yourself at the golf course can make a world of difference

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