You made the decision to have a new deck built. Whether you decided to use plywood or concrete, you love the way it looks and you can’t wait to start using it. What’s more relaxing on a summer evening than putting some meat on the grill and sitting out on your deck with a cold soda in your hand? But be aware, your nice new deck isn’t indestructible. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to keep your deck strong and looking like new.
Plywood Deck Damage
If you have a plywood deck, the biggest threat to the life of the wood is precipitation. When precipitation hits your wooden deck, it will soak in and cause damage to occur. Although some types of wood, such as redwood, cedar, and teak have some levels of natural preservatives, all types of wood, including these, will eventually crack and rot when exposed to the natural elements. When water enters the wood, it causes the wood to expand. Contraction occurs when the wood dries. And these work together to form cracks. Problem is, as this cycle continues, those cracks get bigger, allowing the water to soak deeper into the surface of the wood. This will cause big problems, allowing rot to occur deep inside the wood.
Water damage can also cause the wooden boards of your deck to warp over time. Although there are some steps you can take to try to correct the damage of warping, there really isn’t much that can solve the problem of warped wood short of replacing it. The best thing to do is to prevent the warping before it occurs.
When rot, warping, and water damage occur, it makes your deck less than beautiful. The trouble is, that’s not all it does. This damage affects the strength and durability of your deck, and that is a safety concern.
Concrete Deck Damage
You may have opted to use concrete on your deck construction, thinking that it will be less susceptible to wear and tear than a plywood deck. Believe it or not, your concrete deck will also sustain damage due to exposure to the elements. If your concrete deck is located near your pool, it could be coming in contact with chlorine and other chemicals that can damage your concrete. These days, salt water pools are becoming more popular, and exposure to salt can also cause damage over time.
What To Do
There are some things to consider before you have your deck waterproofed. The temperature is a consideration; you shouldn’t have your deck waterproofed if it’s too cool. Also, you’ll want to watch the forecast; rain too soon after waterproofing can also cause problems. In fact, the best way to make sure that your waterproofing is done right is to hire professionals to do it for you. When you call the professionals at the Concrete Décor Store, you know that you will have knowledgeable and experienced workers who know how to waterproof and what products will work best for your waterproofing needs. You’ve invested in a beautiful deck; now, protect that investment by calling in the best in the business – the expert staff at the Concrete Décor Store.