6 Ways to Get Deck-Ready for Dads & Grads
June means graduation and celebration -- get party ready
June means graduation and celebration -- get party ready
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and birds are back tweeting away in your back yard; it's time to get your deck ready for summer. Winter was long. Spring was windy. Now it's time to get back outside and spend some time outside in the fresh, warm glow of summertime sunshine. Even better is it's almost the month of June, the perfect time to celebrate with friends and family as we celebrate graduations and the Fathers who helped make it happen. Check out these 6 crucial steps towards getting your outdoor space ready for entertaining, and get ahead of the curve with DecksDirect.
Before you start sending out those graduation and open house invitations, let's start by giving your deck, porch, and patio spaces a thorough deep cleaning. After the long months of fallen leaves, drifts of snow and winter salt, pollen and seeds; get your deck ready for barefeet again by cleaning it with water and a mild soap, such as a dishwashing detergent. If possible, a gentle pressure or power washing can help remove stubborn dirt from your decking. Want your deck to look extra sparkling clean? Purchase a convenient Deck Cleaner and Brightener. This easy-to-use two part cleaning system helps remove dust and debris from the deck surface, and then restores the decking to it's original color and tone.
Inspect the substructure, framing, and surface of your deck for any possible hazardous areas. Be on the look out for corroded hardware, disconnected deck boards, exposed nails, and a loose ledger board. All of these issues could lead to an accident during a get-together due to the increased weight load of friends and family coming to join you. Prevent any mishaps and keep everyone safe by removing and replacing and damaged hardware or lumber immediately. Switch out corroded hardware for durable, structural hardware from Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents, which are crafted from powder-coated and galvanized steel for true lasting power.
If you're noticing loose or splintering deck boards in your outdoor space, or perhaps nails are rising from the long-ago installation time; give your deck a quick makeover by choosing to swap out your treated lumber for the low-maintenance beauty of Composite Decking. Create a unique board design to catch your guests' attention, or simply install with a Hidden Deck Fastener system to keep the deck surface smooth, clear, and barefoot-ready for decades to come. Browse through the stunning looks of Trex decking and TimberTech decking to find the color palette and style that enhances your home.
Be sure to walk around your deck, patio, or porch perimeter and inspect all of your deck railing posts, hardware, railing sections. Lightly shake and move each deck post as much as you can to ensure that your lags and attachment bolts are still structurally sound and installed deep enough into the blocking beneath the post. Do you have moving post? Remove and replace your hardware with the hardened steel and Climatek coated strength of Structural Screws. Have some noisy balusters within your deck railing? Secure them in place with a dab of Waterproof Silicone Sealant to reduce noise and enhance safety.
Increase the space in your home and add a whole new room to the party with an Under Deck Drainage system on your deck. Whether for entertaining, seasonal storage, or a place to keep the celebration alive even during some bad weather; Under Deck Drainage systems can help make the most of your unused space while adding a finished look to your lower level patio. Building a new deck for the summer? We recommend installing Trex RainEscape directly onto your joists for lasting structure strength. Wanting to quickly update an existing deck? We recommend installing either the ZipUP UnderDeck system or the UpSide Deck Ceiling system. Both of which can be installed in an afternoon and provide a polished ceiling for your lower level space.
Want to create a magical atmosphere to celebrate in? Adding deck and outdoor lighting to your back yard can both keep family and friends safe as the sun goes down while helping illuminate the space and creating a warm atmosphere. Choose from LED deck lighting systems or solar deck lighting fixtures; install post cap lights, recessed stair lighting, or rail lighting. Make your home a backyard destination through the glorious glow of deck and landscape lighting into the night.