Getting Ready For Spring - Check Your Deck Now

Every Ithaca deck needs a good wash after a hard winter, whatever material it is constructed from or wherever it is located. There are many different deck cleaners on the market so you may need to do a few minutes label reading at the local home store before you find the one that is right for your deck.

Once back home and ready to work, read the manufacturer's directions again and follow them to the letter. A hard bristled broom is the best tool to apply most deck cleaners and make sure that the deck is thoroughly rinsed after the cleaner has been sitting for the appropriate amount of time. Hiring a power washer (or a cleaning company with a power washer) is possibly the best way to go as it saves a lot of time and effort and ensures that all those chemicals are efficiently washed away.

You should also inspect your Ithaca deck for actual physical damage. Over time boards become loose and wood may rot, making the deck a potentially dangerous place to hang out. If your deck is wooden be on the lookout for weak spots that may not be a problem right now but are bound to get worse over time.

If you do find structural problems with your deck unless you are very, very handy, call in a professional to repair the damage. What may look like an OK patch job on that loose step may look alright to you but will it actually stand up to the increased traffic when your guests arrive for that first summer BBQ? Nothing ruins a party faster than a trip to the ER.