Not every person is a sandy beach lover; some people want more solid ground to walk on. Not every backyard in Clearwater has that stereotypical beach, especially if you’re not keen on being surrounded by sand all the time. This doesn’t change the fact that coastal towns are exposed to lots of salt particles in the air. If you already make sure that your car doesn’t fall victim to rust issues, you likely think the same way about your property’s exterior. However, living on the coast doesn’t stop wood lovers from building things with wood-based materials, starting with your deck.
Your local Clearwater handyman is a specialist deck builder who encourages choosing pressure-treated wood that contains bug- and moisture-resistant preservatives and additives. Unfortunately, this doesn’t make your wood indestructible, especially in Clearwater’s high-salinity and damp climate. To have your wooden deck live up to your standards, it will require periodic maintenance and inspection. Common emergency service requests around summer also include repairs for termite damage. This happens if your deck has suffered from moisture damage or UV rays causing cracks and openings that allow termites to feast on your wood decking.
An additional issue includes saltwater. While the sun dries out the wood and fades its natural shine, salt that settles inside the timber will crystallize and force fibers to break. If fasteners and anchors are made of poor material rather than corrosion-resistant stainless steel, they can pose a safety hazard to your deck’s overall stability. Although salt may minimize fungal and mold growth on your hardwood or pressure-treated wood, you’ll still need to pressure-wash and stain it every year. If this is too much of a bother for you, your handyman recommends opting for composite decking, which will more likely live up to your expectations. It’s made of a blend of wood fibers and plastic materials, is resilient, durable and can last up to 30 years with minimum maintenance. That said, annual inspection, pressure-washing and sealing services will still help ensure safety.
Whether you plan to host a baby shower or barbecue on your deck in Clearwater, it has to look good and serve your needs. Maintaining a deck can be hard work, especially if you haven’t been able to use it during a long, wet season. As part of your home’s outdoor extension, you want to reap the benefits. Your local Clearwater handyman has the expertise and tools to ensure your deck is in working order. Some important points to cross out on your maintenance checklist include:
- Replacing rotten boards
- Repairing loose railings
- Installing footings
- Replacing stairs
- Staining, painting or refinishing
- Pressure washing
Pro Tip: Pressure washing your deck is the best way to remove salt and recover its original shine. Still, we only recommend it after a thorough inspection, so you’re not using a high-pressure jet on damaged boards. Our high-pressure jet ranges from 750 to 3000 psi, reaching a strength that can blast away stubborn grime and salt stains. Feel free to contact your certified Clearwater handyman about any deck-related issues that you may have.
OTHER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SERVICES:
While it is especially important to keep your home’s wood deck clear from damage caused by salt and termites, your local Clearwater handyman’s popular services also include these areas, to make your life easier:
Fence
We install, repair and maintain fences for your safety. For many homes, it’s important to have a fence that marks your territory, gives you privacy and keeps intruders out. Similar to decking materials, many fences are made of pressure-treated wood. With the appropriate maintenance, you’ll be able to make the most of your fence.
Gutter Cleaning
This service is most popular before and after Clearwater’s rainy season. When it’s cold, windy and rainy, you need your gutters to perform well by diverting water away from your home. It’s not only one of the most overlooked jobs around the house, but also the most dreaded one. Who wants to climb up a ladder and scoop out grimy debris? Unfortunately, if you want to protect your roofline, and siding, gutter cleaning needs to be done. The good news is that you can rely on your local handyman. Clearwater FL property owners don’t need to worry about climbing their uninspected ladder or gearing up for the job themselves, because we have the tools and knowledge to get it done. Furthermore, we’ll inspect your gutter’s condition and ensure it’s working properly, so that you’re set for the next rainy season.
Pressure Washing
As we have alluded to before, power washing in Clearwater is necessary for protecting your home from corrosive salts. Operating a pressure washer can pose a danger to inexperienced users because this device can potentially cut through some material. For this reason, we don’t recommend Clearwater homeowners use it on their own, particularly if they haven’t inspected the target material yet. Your certified Clearwater handyman will always carefully inspect your fence, gutters or siding before they carry out the service, and ensure that your pressure washing provides the results you want, without any accidental damage.
Popular areas that would benefit from routine pressure washing services include:
- Hardscapes, like rock used for decorations
- Decks, porches and patios
- Fences
- Siding
- Gutters
- Garages and driveway
- Tile stone
- And more!
