Just like any valued home investment, quality deck and fencing using any form of exterior lumber products require a certain amount of care and maintenance. All exterior lumber products will undergo a drying process once they are installed, while certain species of lumber are affected by the drying process more than others. Some of the typical results of this drying process are: warping, cracking, twisting, splitting and shrinking. This is a natural part of the drying process and does not affect the structural integrity of the lumber, nor is this covered under the manufactures warranties. However, there are some steps that can be taken to greatly reduce some of these issues.
In order to protect your deck or fence from environmental elements, a quality wood stain or sealer is definitely recommended 30 to 90 days after completion. You can find these products at most local home centers that are usually applied by a pump up sprayer or by hand. Mid Atlantic Deck and Fence also offers the service of staining your wood for you, if you wanted to skip the “do it yourself” method.
Power washing another recommendation for the maintenance of your deck or fence, simply to clean the wood and remove any excess dirt or stains. Post power washing, your going to need to re-stain or seal the wood once it has dried, due to some of the sealer being washed off by the extreme water pressure. This is a simple, yet effective, way to give your deck or fence the necessary “face lift” to keep it looking polished, clean and maintained. Staining and sealing is not mandatory for exterior lumber, however it does keep your deck or fence looking new for many years to come.
These are just a few tips for the care and maintenance of your deck or fence. For more information or your free estimate, visit us at www.midatlanticdeckandfence.com!
Tags: deck estimates, deck maintenance, Decks, exterior lumber products, fence estimates, fence maintenance, fencing, home investment, Mid Atlantic Deck and Fence, powerwashing, wood drying process, wood sealer, wood stain