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News Flash!
How to Maintain and Repair your Home’s Deck
A deck in Wichita, Kansas? Yes! You can enjoy the weather, gather with loved ones, prop up your feet and just relax with the breeze in your hair.
A deck in Wichita, Kansas? Isn’t that a crazy idea? Think of the deck maintenance! The deck repair! The Kansas weather!
Is a home deck worth it if you live in Kansas? Yes, with some awareness of deck upkeep, deck cleaning and deck repairs that will keep your deck looking great.
First of all, don’t panic – you’ve got this! Deck maintenance is a matter of staying on top of the smaller steps each year, so you don’t end up with a deck that needs many repairs or even a deck that needs to be rebuilt.
For your deck enjoyment peace of mind, here is a quick checklist to help you stay on-top of what tender-loving-care your deck needs to keep you happily outside for years to come:
Deck Maintenance To-Do List:
Decks require some occasional maintenance to keep them safe and attractive.
One important piece of upkeep is simply to keep your deck clean.
Throughout the year, be aware of what’s going on outside with the Kansas weather. In the autumn, if leaves pile up on your deck, clean your deck by sweeping them away. If rains or melting snow create puddles, don’t let them sit on the deck’s wood for too long, creating the beginning of deck wood rot.
So, deck maintenance is pretty-straight forward most of the year. But then, there is springtime in Wichita. Time to spring-clean your deck.
Every lovely Kansas spring, block off some time on your calendar and spend that time cleaning your deck to fight back against the mold and bacteria that will darken and eventually cause deck damage. You will need at least two days, because your deck will need time to dry after the deck cleaning, before you tackle the deck staining.
(Even pressure-treated wood needs this step. Use products that indicate they are specifically made for pressure treated deck wood. Not sure if you have pressure-treated wood? Give us a quick call at Ace Handyman Services. We are happy to help you figure it out!)
- Aim for deck cleaning on a mild, springlike day.
- Closely examine your deck for damage.
Give your deck a close look, inch by inch. Are there any spots with visible splinters? Are there places where the wood is soft? Do you see any loose nails or screws? Remember to go higher, too, and look at deck attachments (like spindles) that may need upkeep. Check for split or rotten planks.
These problems will grow worse over time, reducing your home’s value and becoming health and safety concerns for your loved ones.
Ace Handyman Services recommends you complete any repairs before starting your annual deep-clean.
On the days of the deck cleaning, you may want to cover the side of your house to protect it. Now, you are ready for deck cleaning step three:
- Use a deck-specific cleaning solution such as those found at a hardware store such as your local Ace Hardware (avoid using bleach on your deck.)
Also pick up a deck sprayer, most of them hold about a gallon and can be found for around $25 or less.
Apply solution using a sprayer. Use a steady hand, applying too much water pressure can put small holes in your deck permanently.
- Give your deck 2 – 3 days to dry.
Now that you have a lovely, clean deck and it is completely dry, you are ready to protect your deck from wear and weather elements for the coming year.
- Look at your deck for any spots you wouldn’t want to walk on barefoot. Take sandpaper (our Ace craftsmen say 80-grit is best) and sand away splinters or any places the wood is not smooth on your deck.
Time to get your deck ready for barefoot weather!
- Head to the hardware store to get your sealant.
Some tips: Consider weather to apply paint or a sealant/stain. Paint looks nice but may eventually crack and show weather exposure, and then you’ll end up with the job of stripping paint from your deck. One alternative is deck stain or sealant. Our Ace Handyman Services craftsmen look for a label that indicates the sealant is synthetic. Other kinds of sealants will actually allow in the mildew and algae you are fighting.
- Give your sealant time to dry, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Put your furniture and plants back on your lovely deck.
You did it! Now get out there and enjoy your deck and our beautiful Kansas weather! If you have any problems or questions, we always welcome calls. Our Ace Handyman Services staff loves to help solve deck repair problems.
And, remember, you’ve got this!
News Flash!
We have a new name and new ways to help you! Ace Hardware is our new owner and we are now operating as ACE HANDYMAN SERVICES WICHITA.This is the perfect pairing between Ace Hardware's quality supplies and our technical expertise.
We are now even more well-equipped to help you with home and business repairs and upgrades.
Continue to look to us for quick & easy scheduling, on-my-way text notifications, superior customer service, and as always, quality craftsmanship.
We can't wait to serve you!
Zach Vinduska Franchise Owner
Ace Handyman Services Wichita
OFFICE: 316.773.0303
AceHandymanServices.com
Drywall Services (To the Rescue!)
When the strong young man from the moving company released his hold on my piano, he lost his balance. Wind-milling his arms wildly (but unsuccessfully) in the air, the poor fellow –finally- fell backwards, leaving a derrière-shaped hole in the wall of my newly mortgaged home. That is when I learned about drywall. Drywall: those little-thought about layers that cover the wall frames, separating a bathroom from a bedroom, a kitchen from a dining room,…a music room and moving guy’s bum from a living room. I didn’t even know it was called drywall. I thought it was called…well, “wall.” Then the moving company sent Ace Handyman Services Wichita my way. The craftsman smoothed over the hole in the wall, paying me several visits (critical to allow the drywall to dry with a smooth finish) and finally, painting it. Each step of the way he educated me about drywall and the importance of having it professionally installed. Thank goodness for my education. I then knew what service was required when my 15 year-old son and his punching bag somehow made an oval-shaped hole in his bedroom drywall. (Darling son liked that he had created a second entrance to his closet. His father, not so much.) And, thanks to my drywall education, I knew who to call when my 9-year old’s guinea pig vanished into that tiny crack between the fridge and the pantry. I wasn’t home at the time, but his big brother saved the day –and the pig- by cutting “a small hole” in the wall of our pantry. Ah, drywall. How we love you, when there are no holes in you. Whether I need a hole mended or an entire wall created for some additional space for my boys, I now know about the miracle of professionally installed drywall. If you have a hole in your wall You know who to call For drywall… Ace Handyman Services Wichita (Cha-cha-cha!) ACE HANDYMAN SERVICES WICHITA - NEW ON-LINE SCHEDULING MADE SIMPLE! http://www.acehandymanservices.com/offices/wichita/#book-online
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