Homeowners want to spend time outside on their deck visiting with friends and family in Leesburg, VA, or just relaxing, soaking up the sun or grilling a big steak. This is the great thing about summer, but if your deck is cracked, dry rotted, warped, or infested with insects, it can be an eyesore and also a dangerous place for anyone to be. Take these steps for wood deck repair and regular maintenance for your deck in Leesburg, VA.
Check for problems that might need wood deck repair.
- Loose nails. This is a relatively easy wood deck repair that just requires you to drive any protruding nails flush with or a little below the surface of your decking boards. If you can easily remove the nails, you might want to replace them with deck screws. Also, check your handrails to see if they are sturdy. Examine the bolts, screws, or nails that attach your deck to the house in Leesburg, VA, and make sure they are not corroded or loose. If they are corroded or loose, a wood deck repair would require you to replace the corroded ones and tighten the loose ones.
- Warped or cracked boards. Check to see if any of your decking boards for your deck in Leesburg, VA are cracked or warped. Examine the posts, joists, and handrails as well. If any boards are starting to crack, you may just need to apply a new coat of stain. Fill in the cracks before staining. If any of the boards have begun to split, your wood deck repair may require replacing the damaged boards. Any boards that show signs of dry rot should definitely be replaced to prevent the problem from spreading.
- Damaging growths. Mold and mildew can also be a problem for homeowners in Leesburg, VA. You can buy Wet and Forget Outdoor that comes in a no-scrub solution from your local home improvement store in Leesburg, VA. The solution will wipe out mold, mildew, moss, lichen, and algae without even scrubbing. Just spray it on, and it works with the wind and rain to get your deck clean. Your deck should stay free of these growths for several years.
Regular maintenance is needed on any deck you add to your home in Leesburg, VA. Wood deck repairs tend to be more prevalent because of the wood material. Regular staining or painting every couple of years is required to keep your deck at your Leesburg, VA home appealing to the eye. This also preserves the wood and prevents dry rotting, cracking, and warping.