Tag Archives: maintenance

Maintaining Your Deck

Now that the weather has turned warm it is time to get your deck ready for barbeque season. To extend the life of your deck you will need to routinely clean it.

Before cleaning your deck, remove everything from the floor and sweep away all debris.  Now to the cleaning, you can use a oxygen based cleaner, which is safe for the environment, pets and kids.   Dissolve the cleaner into water and apply across your deck with a mop, handled brush or sprayer.

You will need to wait 10 minutes before you wash away with either a garden hose or pressure washer.  If you use a pressure washer it is very important to set the dial to 1,500 pounds of pressure per square inch, any higher and you can risk damaging the wood.

For further instructions please watch this short clip from DIYNetwork.com.

Weatherizing for the Winter-Wise

Maintenance and cleaning can go a long way in extending the life of your outdoor living spaces. From gardens to grills, here’s how to winterize your backyard bastion and shield your spaces from the elements this season.

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• Keep your plants frost-free. Whether it’s as aesthetically pleasing as a glass cloche, or as simple as a sawed-off milk jug or plastic bucket from the garage, take extra care to protect your cool-season crops from frost. For larger areas, try draping sheets or fabrics over the plants, making sure they hit the ground to trap heat around the plants’ base. For more ideas on extending the harvest season, see garden.com
• Perform the required maintenance on your grill and outdoor islands, so your first spring fling (or clean!) won’t involve the heartache of replacing favorite items. Scrub and rinse your grill and island to release built-up grease and grime. Reseal the grout on tiles exposed to the elements.
• Protect your furniture. Use durable, weather-proof vinyl covers for lounges, tables and chairs. Wrap or tie covers around legs to keep in place. Check cushions for mold; store all cushions indoors; wrap in a light cotton sheet to keep critters away.

A quick clean now will pay off later—hopefully on that first beautiful spring day!