Do you have a deck at your home? It could be time to get it refinished. You may not realize this, but decks that are made out of wood will start to rot or become more brittle from the sun over time. If this is happening to your deck then now is the best time for you to call in a professional deck refinishing company.
While a a refinished deck looks great for your home’s exterior, it will also extend the life of your deck. Refinishing the deck protects the wood from further damage. Additionally, when you hire a company to refinish your deck, they will also be able to fix minor issues that can grow into major ones.
Your deck is one of the most important features of your home. It provides a great space to hang out on with family and friends, and it can also be used as an extension of your living room or kitchen. But if you don’t take care of it, then all these benefits go away. That’s why we’re here to tell you about the 6 signs that could mean you need to have your deck refinished!
Some Signs of a Bad Deck
- The wood is warped
- There is visible mold and mildew on the planks or frame
- Raised screws and loose boards
- The wood is faded and discolored
- Peeling or flaking paint
- You’re looking for a way to increase the value of your home
1. The Wood is Warped
Some decks sit in a state of disrepair for so long, that the wood is warped beyond repair. This isn’t usually due to poor workmanship or by sitting in one spot for too long; it’s mostly because of moisture and constant exposure to heat while out in the sun. Having your deck refinished prior to this phase can drastically reduce the cost of deck refinishing and repair.
If you have warped deck boards, then you will want to replace them with new wood instead of refinishing them. Warped boards don’t sit flush against each other, making it very hard for a clear finish to cover everything.
2. There is Visible Mold and Mildew on the Planks or Frame
Even if your deck is treated, the wood can still rot. Some areas where there is mold or mildew are able to be scraped away and cleaned. However, new boards may be needed if the rot is too advanced. This way, when the staining and refinishing is done, you can rest assured that you won’t have more problems int the future.
3. Raised Screws and Loose Boards
One of the most common deck problems is nails popping out of the boards and boards becoming loose. Here on Long Island, the extreme hot and cold weather will cause the wood to expand and contract. As a result, the deck nails will pop up, planks will split, and the boards will loosen over time.
Obviously, nails, screws, and loose boards are dangerous for your family. But, if not fixed, can cause further damage to the structure of your deck. Addressing these minor fixes will allow you to refinish your deck to its original luster. Letting them go, however, may result in needing a new deck.
4. The Wood is Faded and Discolored
If the finish on your deck is faded and discolored, this means that the protective layer of the finish is beginning to fail. This wears in weather, sun, and with normal wear and tear. If not addressed, any type of wood will eventually rot.
Additionally, a faded deck does nothing for your curb appeal. While it not cause any immediate damage to your feet, a drab looking deck is plain unsightly. A refinished deck will look just like it did when it was new.
5. Peeling or Flaking Paint
Peeling and flaking is the next sign that your finish is failing and needs to be refinished. If you fail to protect the wood when your paint is coming off, then the wood will not withstand the weather in the coming seasons. Flaking paint exposes the wood to water. The moisture content of your decking boards can swell and the wood will eventually split or rot.
6. You’re Looking for a Way to Increase the Value of Your Home
You’ve finally decided to sell your home, and you want to increase the value. A freshly refinished deck will look like it did when it was installed.
If you don’t have enough time or if you cannot do this yourself, then hire a professional deck refinishing company. By making this small investment, you should be able to get more for your house than what you would without it.
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Are You Seeing Any of These Signs? Call 631-459-1131
We know that it can be hard to keep up with all the different maintenance tasks your home needs. But if you don’t take care of a deck, then you will start noticing some alarming signs such as cracking or rotting wood. If this sounds like something your deck is experiencing, give us a call today!
Our team at RK Painting has been refinishing decks on Long Island for over 20 years and we would love to help yours become more beautiful than ever before. So stop waiting and give us a call now!
