Balconies and decks, wherever they may be situated in your home, have an important role to play in terms of your outdoor space. It’s one thing to have a beautiful home, but it’s quite another to have a beautiful home with somewhere that you can go to relax, outside.
Being able to step out and get some fresh air, without having to leave your home, is a godsend for those without big yards and gardens, and this is where balconies and decks can make such a huge impact on your overall enjoyment of a property, not to mention its resale value. If your home doesn’t already have one, or both of these, it might be worth chatting to a general contractor about the possibility of adding one.
With this in mind, as important as having a balcony or deck, is maintaining them well. Good maintenance doesn’t just keep these spaces looking attractive and feeling welcoming, but it keeps them safe, too.
To keep your balcony or deck (or both) in excellent condition, all year round, here are some inexpensive maintenance tips:
Clean them regularly
Cleaning decks and balconies on a regular basis should always feature on your outdoor maintenance checklist, particularly following bouts of inclement weather and storms.
Over time, debris, dust, and moisture can build up on a deck or balcony, and if not addressed, can quickly lead to the growth of mold, mildew, and rot. All of these things are unpleasant to look at, but they also contribute towards the overall degradation of these spaces.
To clean your deck or balcony, use a stiff brush, mild detergent, and a pressure washer. Once you’ve finished washing them, take time to brush away any excess water, as puddles and standing water may damage them, or cause unsightly stains.
While regular washing is always beneficial, you may find that doing this thoroughly once a year, is enough.
Have them professionally inspected
Decks, and balconies in particular, must be safe for use at all times, and the best way to identify any potential structural issues or safety hazards, is by scheduling a professional inspection.
While you likely won’t need to do this every year, as the deck or balcony ages, wear and tear can take its toll, and issues may arise such as warped supports, rotting boards, or rusted metal. It’s always best to tackle any problems that you, or an inspector find, right away, to prevent the problem worsening and costing you a lot more further down the line.
Stain and seal them
By staining and/or sealing your deck or balcony, you can help to protect it from environmental factors such as sunlight and moisture. How often you choose to re-coat these spaces once you’ve done it for the first time, may depend on their condition, but usually, resealing and/staining can be done every couple of years or so.
Ensure and maintain proper drainage
Having somewhere for water to go on your deck or balcony is vital if you want to keep it free from mold or rot. If your deck or balcony was installed by a professional masonry contractor, then you should have no issues with inadequate drainage, but if you did the work yourself, or hired a less experienced contractor, water may not flow away from the structure as it should. If this is the case, you’ll need to fix the problem as soon as possible, and ideally, with help from a professional.
Keep up with repairs
If you identify any issues with your deck or balcony between scheduled inspections, such as damaged railings, sagging supports, or loose boards, you should address them immediately. Regularly checking and tightening any screws, bolts, or fasteners, is also a good idea.
Your deck or balcony is an asset to your home; make sure it stays that way with regular maintenance.