Importance of Deck and Fence Maintenance

How often should I clean my deck and fence?

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Deck and fence is a big investment and therefor it should be cleaned and cared for as much as possible. Fences in general will not need as many cleaning sessions as a decks will. Horizontal surfaces collect dirt, moss, algea and debris quicker than vertical surfaces. A wooden deck should be cleaned at least throughout twice every year, one time during spring clean-up and one time just before the season ends. If you have many birds or trees releasing dirt and debris onto your deck, cleaning it every week would be a good practice in order of having a long lasting deck. Fences should be cleaned once every year or every second year, depending the amount of dirt collected and positions your fence is in. 

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How long should my fence and deck last?

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A well maintained deck and fence should last you for decades. Quality installation is very important as the foundation can shift if the craftsmanship is not performed well. By following good maintenance practices your wooden structures will last you long time.

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Should I stain my deck and fence?

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Canadian cold winters and harsh summers are not forgiving. Such environment can be very tough on wooden structures and therefor staining your deck and fence could be very challenging and very costly if not done properly. We recommend to seal deck and fences before choosing to stain them.

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Why is sealant better than staining?

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Clear sealant is not always better than stain, but when it comes to newer decks, a clear sealant is all perhaps you need. Clear sealant will be washed away over time instead of peeling and fading like many stain choices.

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How long does the stain last?

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Horizontal surfaces such as deck will last between 1-3 years and vertical surfaces (fence) will last 2-5 years depending on the amount of exposure to the elements, exposure to dirt and debris.

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When should I consider renovating my deck and fence?

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While many damages to wooden structures such as loose posts, railings or big cracks and broken planks are very easy to spot, some damages can only be seen to the trained eye. Wooden posts can shift over time, making a deck and fence unsafe to have on the property. Deck foundation can rot and it can be very challenging to spot. If your deck is 5 years and older, it would be a great practice to let your local deck and fence contractor inspect it for any damages visible and invisible to the naked eye. 

 

 

How expansive is deck repair?

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There is no general answer as how much a deck repair service will cost. Rather, a visit by your local deck and fence repair contractor is needed to determine the extent of damages. The cost will also depend on current material prices. As you already know, inflation in Canada does not help in reducing deck and fence repair costs. A deck repair service could be as little as $300 and could go well beyond $5 000.

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My fence is shifting what should I do?

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If your fence is shifting, most likely the posts became loose doe to wrongful installation, soil movement or damage of some sort to the posts. A inspection needs to be done in order to determine the extant of the damages. Contact you local fence repair contractor as soon as possible for damage inspection and a repair cost estimate.

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How difficult is it to repair a post?

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If a fence post is damaged and it needs a replacement, at least two fence portions (often 8 feet each) would have to be removed in order to replace a post. Depending on location and if existing concrete can be dug out, fresh concrete must be poured in existing hole or a new hole must be dug in order to place the new post. This should be done by a trained professional as digging a new hole could be very difficult and underground cables or pipes could be damaged in the process.

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