Question: Is it important to prepare your outdoor space – deck, porch, patio – for summer?

Answer: Yes!

A better question to ask is “WHY is it important that these areas are ready for summer?” We’ll tell you!

There are a few reasons why it is crucial that you take time to prepare these areas. First and foremost is safety – the safety of you, your family, your pets, and guests. That rickety fence railing? You need to fix it. Second, you’ll be spending more time outside than during other parts of the year. If these areas aren’t ready, you probably won’t be able to have as much fun if they were. Third, keeping up with regular maintenance each season will mean less costly repairs for you (and less money spent) down the road.

In this blog, we’ll answer the question: “How do I prepare my deck, porch, or patio for summer?” and give you our top Ace Handyman tips for outdoor space maintenance!

1. Inspect

The first thing you need to do to prepare your home’s deck or patio for summer is inspect it. Inspecting your deck or patio will give you a good idea of the state of your outdoor space, and can help you identify any work that might need to be done.

Look over areas of these spaces that are most likely to need touchups or repairs, including:

  • Boards
  • Nails
  • Steps
  • Railings
  • Gate
  • Hardware
  • Concrete
  • Places that your deck/porch/patio are connected to your home

Ace Handyman Pro Tip: Always inspect before doing anything else. You may need to sweep a little in order to inspect closely. A good inspection will tell you exactly what is most important to work on.

2. Clean

Before you pull out a drill or hammer, get out a broom! To truly know the state of your outdoor space, you’ll want to do a cursory clean of it. A simple sweep of the deck or patio will do the trick to allow you to inspect the condition.

To truly clean your outdoor space, you’ll need to power wash. Some homeowners might have their own washer, but if you don’t or are a novice at using one, hiring a professional is a good idea. Using the wrong nozzle or pressure setting can cause damage to your deck, porch, or patio instead of cleaning it!

3. Repair

Not every situation requires a complete replacement of materials. If you have loose deck boards or railings, you may not need an entirely new deck. Before moving into the realm of complete remodeling or removing an element from your exterior, consider tackling minor repairs or touch-ups to bring your outdoor space back to its original state.

Repairs are not only important for enjoying your space, but they’re also necessary for safety. Missing railings, weakened steps, damaged fencing, or cracked pavement can be unsafe, and lead to worse conditions if not addressed. Tackle repairs while they are simple before they become a larger problem. Beyond repairs, touch-ups of stain or paint can also bring new life to your deck or porch.

4. Update/Upgrade

Ask yourself this question: “What would make my outdoor space better?” This goes beyond just maintaining what is already there. What would you like to replace or upgrade? Does your pool need to be updated so it is safer? Could the area use more shade? Is your deck or fence beyond just a simple repair? These, and questions like these, are important to consider.

This where you can get creative! However, this is the step in the process that will likely take more time and can be more expensive. Don’t make these updates or upgrade for your deck or patio until you do the other steps to improve it first. Once you’ve done the three things above, look for areas where something new is what is needed.

Ace Handyman Pro Tip: Keep safety in mind first. Just because something is cool, doesn’t mean it’s safe!

Now is the time to prepare your deck, porch, or patio for summer! Working through this checklist will have your outdoor space ready in no time. Throughout this process, always keep safety in mind. This will likely guide you to fix some things before others.

When tackling these projects, it’s always good to consider hiring a professional if you want to ensure a project is done correctly. The multi-skilled craftsmen at Ace Handymen Services are experienced, professional, and can help make your home exactly what you want it to be. Contact us to book your appointment!