Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
It's important to stay on top of deck maintenance
An outdoor deck provides great comfort and luxury for spring and summer outdoor entertaining. But, even the most well-constructed deck needs to be well-maintained and inspected every so often. Wood decks require the most maintenance, but even composite decks need to be checked. Follow these steps to ensure a safe deck season for your family.
Inspect your deck
At least once a year, conduct your own inspection of the deck to identify problems and prepare for the season.
Sweep it clear of debris, furniture, toys and so on. You want a clean surface to check out, and sometimes furniture can get in the way of what you need to see.
Debris and leaves that remain in the same spot for a long time can contribute to mould.
Carefully check all the nails, screws and other fasteners. Any fastener that is loose, corroded or rusted needs to be tightened or replaced.
Check all railings, banisters and stairs for stability and tripping hazards. If a rail or banister can move when you push against it, or a stair has loose boards, hire a professional to repair it.
Inspect all the boards for weakness or decay. In particular, look for small holes in wood boards — they can indicate insect infestation. If you can push a screwdriver into the wood, it’s too weak and should be replaced.
Deck cleaning and sealing
Wood decks can last for decades, but they need to be regularly cleaned and sealed to stay in top condition. Wear and tear, rain and sun take their toll. A dirty deck poses many problems. Not only can it make the deck less attractive, the slippery surface creates a safety risk.
Mould and mildew will cause long-term damage if not removed.
If you’re not sure if your deck needs to be resealed, sprinkle some water on the surface. If the water beads up, your sealant is still effective. If it seeps into the wood, you need to reseal the deck.
Every few years, hire a professional to perform a cleaning and sealing process. The money you pay will be well worth it for the extended lifespan of your deck.
A professional should use the correct power washing settings to avoid splintering the wood.
Also make sure that they use cleaning chemicals that are recommended by the manufacturer for your particular type of wood.
Even if you don’t get it resealed, a deck can use a good cleaning at least once per year.
For smaller decks, you can do the work with a long-handled scrub brush. A larger deck will require a pressure-washing job.
When you’re cleaning and sealing your deck, also consider re-staining it. Wood stain loses colour over time as it accumulates damage and debris.
Removing the grime will restore some of the colour, but after a few years, a new coat of stain will brighten it up.
— TNS
Renovation & Design
White vinegar and water best for blinds
QUESTION: I love green pea soup. I haven’t been able to find it in stores for a few years now, so I suspect manufacturers have stopped making it. I have tried various recipes that I have found, but none of them have the same taste as the canned green pea soup. Do you have a recipe for green pea soup that tastes just like the canned soup used to taste?
Thank you,
— Robert
Answer: If anyone reading this column has a favourite pea-soup recipe, please email it to me and I will pass it on. To be honest, I have never eaten pea soup, so I don’t have a spectacular recipe to share.
Question: I am in the process of spring cleaning and wonder if you have an easy solution for cleaning plastic blinds. I am too old to remove them from the brackets, is there an easier way?
— Laura
Answer: Yes, absolutely. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water into a bucket.
Place an old, clean sock onto your hand. Dip the sock into the solution and run your hand over each slat to remove dirt, dust and grime.
After the blinds are dry, wipe each slat with a fabric softener sheet to repel dust.
Outstanding Tips!
Keep a bag of lemons in the freezer — grating zest is much easier off a frozen lemon than a fresh one!
— Noreen
When purchasing a used camper trailer, be sure to slide yourself underneath and take a look at the wood on the bottom to ensure there are no holes. Sometimes camper floors rot and owners cover the rot with vinyl flooring on the inside of the camper.
— Darren
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca
