Usually, wooden decks require the most upkeep. Maintaining a wood deck need not be an expensive undertaking, you just need to clean them with standard deck cleaner each spring to take away dirt and debris. Once finished, the deck should be sealed to protect it from the elements. Now you can rest assured that your wooden deck would look great and also more resistant to splintering, rot, and mold.
After years of use, even if you carefully maintain your deck, it would need to be stained or repainted to stay in good shape. This consumes a lot of time, a given for wooden decks but necessary to keep property values high. When you repaint your deck, first remove the old paint, then sand the wooden planks, then finally, repaint. It is recommended to use high-quality paint designed for outdoor use. It’s not just staining a deck; one must prep the wood before applying a new coat of stain. Both stained and painted wood should be coated with a sealant for maximum weather resistance.
Wood decks need a lot of care and because of this, vinyl planks are a popular option for property owners. Although vinyl decks are easier to manage, they still need to be cleaned. Because vinyl is already extremely durable and weather-resistant, most vinyl planks will need a good scrub with warm water and mild soap to stay looking like new.
If your Grand Rapids property has a patio instead of a deck, you might assume that there is no maintenance required. But that is not the case. Regular sweeping can only do so much, concrete and stone patios can still become dirty and stained. Therefore it is a must to thoroughly clean the patio at least once or twice a year. Concrete can be hosed off, and pressure washed or scrubbed with a bristle brush. For stubborn stains, a degreaser can be used. But for natural stone pavers, you must clean carefully since it could damage the surface. By sealing both concrete and stone, cleaning would be a lot easier since dirt and stains cannot easily settle in.
Finally, what is a deck or patio if it has no outdoor furniture? Outdoor décor or furniture also needs to have scheduled cleaning and maintenance. Most outdoor furniture can be cleaned with mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a soft-bristle brush. If possible, when items are not in use, they should be covered and stored indoors. Every year, wooden furniture should be cleaned, sealed, or repainted just like wooden decks. For fabric cushions or pillows they should be surface cleaned using mild soap solution and then air-dried to prevent mildew.
These simple maintenance tasks can make your rental property’s deck or patio the outdoor oasis all renters want.
Need more advice for the upkeep of your property? A Grand Rapids property manager at Real Property Management Investment Solutions is always there to help you. You can contact us online or call us at 616-419-4578 for more information.