When we speak of maintenance, wooden decks usually are right up there that need the most upkeep. You don’t have to spend so much when maintaining a wood deck. Schedule maintenance and use a standard deck cleaner each spring to take away dirt and debris. After this, the deck should then be sealed to protect it from the elements. Doing this makes your wooden deck look great and makes it more resistant to splintering, rot, and mold.
After years of use, no matter how you carefully maintain the deck, you would need to stain or repaint it to prolong its lifespan. This is probably the process that requires the most time in maintaining a wooden deck but it is necessary to keep property values high. Should you repaint the deck, first remove the old paint, and then have the wood planks sanded before having it repainted. It is important to choose high-quality paint designed for outdoor use. It’s not as simple as just staining a deck, since the wood needs to be prepped for the new coat of stain. Both stained and painted wood should be coated with a sealant for maximum weather resistance.
Because wood decks require a lot of care, property owners often choose vinyl planks instead. Although vinyl decks are way easier to manage, they still need to be cleaned. Because vinyl is already extremely durable and weather-resistant, most vinyl planks will need a good scrub with warm water and mild soap to stay looking like new.
If your Spring property has a patio instead of a deck, you might be thinking that there is no need for maintenance. But this is not the case. Regular sweeping can only do so much, concrete and stone patios can still become dirty and stained. That’s why it is required to thoroughly clean the patio at least once or twice a year. Concrete can be hosed off, and pressure washed or scrubbed with a bristle brush. For stubborn stains, a degreaser is an answer. To avoid damaging the surface of natural stone pavers, these must be cleaned carefully. Sealing both concrete and stone helps keep the worst of the dirt and stain away so cleaning them is easier.
Finally, outdoor furniture is a must for your deck or patio. Outdoor décor or furniture also needs to have scheduled cleaning and maintenance. Use mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a soft-bristle brush to clean outdoor furniture. If possible, when items are not in use, they should be covered and stored indoors. Wooden furniture should be cleaned, sealed, or repainted each year just like wooden decks. For fabric cushions or pillows, air-dry them to prevent mildew after cleaning the surface with a mild soap solution.
Just make sure to perform these simple maintenance tasks consistently and you’ll have your rental property’s deck or patio the outdoor oasis that all renters want.
Got more questions about maintaining your property? A Spring property manager at Real Property Management Republic is standing by to answer your call. You can contact us online or call us at 281-362-5001 for more information.