Deck Care

A deck is a great outdoor space to hang out, relax and throw a backyard party for friends. Decks come in all shapes, sizes and designs. Many homes have them and for those that don’t you can bet the homeowner has at least considered adding one. They are so useful, but can be quite expensive to build, so it is essential for you to learn how to maintain your deck so it lasts a long time.

The first key to deck maintenance is cleaning it. With a deck being outside it often gets neglected when it comes to keeping it clean. However, keeping it free of debris and dirt will help to prolong its life. You should sweep it regularly and twice a year scrub it down to remove mold and debris. Be sure to clean in the cracks, too. They easily collect dirt and can rot away quickly.

You should also seal your deck with a water sealer or stain. This will keep water from seeping into the wood and speeding up decay and rot. You should reapply sealer or stain every two years to maintain a good coating. If it is pealing or water is not beading up then you should reapply even if it has not been two years. Make sure to get every area of the deck, including the sides and cracks between boards. The more protection coverage the less chance of damage from decay.

You should also replace any broken or damaged pieces right away. This is especially important for any rotting wood pieces or loose pieces. Besides keeping you deck looking good, replacing damaged pieces also keeps it safe. A damaged board that is stepped on could send you or someone else falling through, which could result in even worse damage. Do not forget to seal or stain the new pieces.

Doing these few simple things for your deck will keep it looking great. You will be able to enjoy great weather and great times on your deck for years to come. So do not neglect it simply because it is outside and out-of-mind for the bad weather months, keep it clean and in good shape so it is ready when you need it.

Fixing a Water Stained Ceiling

If you have experienced a roof leak then you, no doubt, have a ceiling with some water damage. As water seeps through the damaged roof it falls onto the ceiling area below and creates a yellow or brown stain that is visible inside the home. Water spots or damage on a ceiling can make a rather unsightly addition to your décor. Many people try to cover them, but end up with the spots showing through eventually. Learn how to fix these spots for good and make your ceiling look like new again.

The first thing you should do with a water stained ceiling is to fix any damage. If it is cracked or peeling then you should fix this before ever trying to cover the water stains. You may need to even fix some of the ceiling area if water has damaged it which can occur if the roof was leaky for a long time or the area was not properly cleared of water. Once you have repaired any damage and have a flat, smooth surface to work with you can begin to cover the water stains.

Water stains have a way of repelling or busting through paint, so simply going over them with some white paint will not work. What you need to do for areas that have a visible stain is to use a stain sealer first. Simply paint the stained area with the stain sealer first and then paint over that with the desired color. You will most likely find that you need to repaint the whole ceiling so the fixed spot is not obvious, especially if you had to do a repair job on a cracked or peeling area.

By repairing stained ceiling spots as soon as possible you will avoid problems with mold or further damage from the moisture. It is also a project that can easily be pushed aside and forgotten about once the actual roof leak is fixed. It is something that will only take a couple hours and is fairly simple to do and once you fix it, you will be happy to know that the eyesore is gone for good.