Deck Maintenance and Care

Is Your Deck Getting the Care It Deserves?

Taking care of your deck is essential for protecting your investment and extending its lifespan. Regular maintenance not only keeps your deck looking great but also prevents issues like mold and rot, ensuring you can relax and entertain outdoors without worry.

Michael Kayne, the lead designer and quality control manager at Main Street Home Improvement Company in Vienna, Virginia, recommends a semi-annual cleaning routine. This is crucial for preventing wood damage, and even if you have PVC or composite boards, regular cleaning can stop mold from taking hold. Mold is not just unsightly; it can be hazardous to breathe and makes surfaces slippery when wet. A clean deck is a safer space for your family and friends.

But safety and aesthetics aren’t the only reasons to keep your deck clean. Many manufacturers require regular maintenance to honor warranty claims. Yes, you read that right! If stains are allowed to sit for too long, they can become difficult to remove and may void your warranty against discoloration.

In addition to cleaning, Michael suggests conducting annual inspections of the framing beneath your deck. This is vital for ensuring a structurally sound space for your loved ones. Remember, even maintenance-free decks have pressure-treated lumber underneath, which can be susceptible to mold and decay. Keeping these areas clean is just as important.

For those looking for top-notch wood preservative products, Sherwin-Williams offers some of the best on the market. Their DeckScape and SuperDeck products are excellent choices for preserving and staining your deck, helping it last a lifetime.

At Main Street Home Improvement, we proudly carry Madison Lumber from Madison, Virginia, and stand behind its warranty for the lifetime of your home. If you encounter white mold on your framing boards, Madison Lumber will cover the cost of new lumber if needed.

Your outdoor deck should be a space for enjoyment with family and friends. By keeping your decking surfaces and structures clean and free of mold, you can ensure that your deck investment lasts a lifetime. So, roll up your sleeves and give your deck the care it deserves!

Dangers of Old Pressure-Treated Lumber

Understanding the Dangers of Old Pressure-Treated Lumber

In the world of home improvement and garden maintenance, few materials have endured as prominently as pressure-treated wood. Fondly (or sometimes not so fondly) remembered, the clunky decks and fences of the 70s, 80s, and 90s are often still a part of our landscape today. While these structures stand as testaments to durability, they also harbor a less desirable legacy—the use of hazardous chemicals.

Back in the day, the pressure-treated lumber commonly utilized across the United States, including northern Virginia, was infused with chemicals like arsenic to enhance resistance against insects and elements. Although effective for fortifying the wood, these toxic preservatives had a dark side, posing significant health risks to humans, pets, and the environment. Alarmingly, these chemicals were banned in Europe over fifty years ago due to these dangers.

One of the critical risks associated with old pressure-treated materials is their interaction with the food supply. Planting vegetable gardens near these materials can result in contamination, as toxins leach into the soil and ultimately enter the food chain. Similarly, anyone involved in cutting, removing, or handling these materials must remain vigilant—never burning them, as this could release harmful toxins into the air.

Fortunately, advancements in pressure treatment technology offer a safer alternative. Modern pressure-treated wood is infused with copper, a much safer preservative. Unlike its predecessors, this material does not pose a threat to humans or animals. However, a new challenge emerges when combining the old with the new. Old hardware can react adversely with the new copper-treated lumber, resulting in corrosion that could compromise the integrity of the structure. Hence, using modern fasteners and hardware is essential for any project involving new pressure-treated wood.

We recall the transition period vividly—it marked a significant shift in construction and renovation paradigms, emphasizing safety and sustainability. The introduction of non-toxic materials meant a complete overhaul of practices, encouraging a conscientious use of compatible hardware to safeguard against corrosion.

As we navigate these changes, it’s vital to remember that burning any form of pressure-treated lumber, old or new, is ill-advised. Both can release toxins when burned, which is particularly risky in enclosed spaces like campfires or barbecues.

In summary, while the pressure-treated wood of yesteryear carries warnings and hazards, the strides we have made offer peace of mind, safer structures, and an environmentally friendly approach. Embracing these changes allows us to preserve safety without sacrificing the aesthetic and functional benefits of pressure-treated wood, ensuring that decks, fences, and outdoor structures remain a staple in our lives for years to come.

Underdecking Space

What is Going On Under Your Deck

Your new deck looks fantastic, and your family and friends are thoroughly enjoying the leisure time spent together in this inviting space. You’ve truly nailed the perfect gathering spot. You’ve carefully planned a space for your children and guests to dine and relax after a long day. But what about the area beneath your deck? Many people overlook the potential of this space, yet it can be transformed into something both beautiful and functional.

Did you know there are materials available that allow you to enhance your deck while also creating valuable dry space underneath? Companies like Dek Rite, Dry Space, and Trex offer innovative products that can turn the underside of your deck into a practical area for storage or even a new living space. This improvement can come at a minimal cost compared to constructing an entirely new structure. With some thoughtful planning and design, you can expand your deck project to include a bonus outdoor space below, enhancing the utility and appeal of your home.

Deck with Storage Below

Additionally, there are intriguing design possibilities for creating outdoor screened-in porches with flat roofs. These spaces can be conveniently accessed from second-floor windows converted into doors, transforming traditional roof-top decks into beautiful, flat roof bonus rooms. The shift from an A-frame roof with shingles to a flat, usable surface can provide additional living space, offering a unique vantage point and functionality.

Whether you’re considering rooftop decks over porches or exploring the potential of under-deck living areas, some advanced planning and design can elevate your next deck and porch project to a whole new level. Whether you build up or down, the possibilities are endless, and you can genuinely say you’ve maximized every part of your home’s outdoor spaces.