The sun is starting to show up and the temperatures are rising quickly. April is upon us in Portland and we are getting excited to see sunny summer weather soon. When the sun comes out we will want to be outside grilling and hanging out with the family. Many of us own homes with decks that we can enjoy this time of year. Before we go out and start enjoying our decks we should take a look to make sure they are ready for another year and they are safe.
First off we want to make sure our decks are safe especially if they are up off the ground very far. You should look to see if you have any rotted wood in the deck framing. Look for rotted deck boards that could be a safety issue. Check out your handrails and make sure they are not coming loose or in poor condition. At Absolute Painting & Power Washing have our own deck specialist that can come inspect your deck to let you know how safe it is.
Once you have decided your deck is safe and ready for the season you should check to see how well the stain is holding up. You can do a pretty simple test by pouring water on your deck boards when it is dry out and find out if the wood repels the water or if it soaks in easily. If the water soaks in easily then your deck is not protected and should be stained soon. The normal staining season in Portland is April-October but it is really weather dependent and can be much shorter. You may have a composite deck that does not need to be stained but it may need to be cleaned to remove any mildew growth.
Taking a few easy steps by yourself or with the help of a professional can really save your deck and keep you safe in the long run. Decks can quickly get damaged and be extremely dangerous if not cared for. Feel free to call Absolute Painting for any questions regarding your deck maintenance.
