Prepare your Patio and Outdoor Spaces for Spring

The official start of spring is here!

Even though it may be chilly, early spring is the perfect time to start working on your deck. If you wait for the hot summer weather, your deck boards could shrink and make maintenance more difficult. Taking advantage of the cooler spring months will keep you and your deck refreshed and safe from the relentless sun.

So now that you’re excited to get started, let’s take a look at 10 tips for cleaning your outdoors!

  • Scrub any patio furniture cushions. Even though you stored them very well, sometimes smells get trapped or dust settles in. The last thing you want is someone sitting on the furniture and choking on a cloud of stinky dust.
  • Clean your deck surface. If you have Brazilian hardwoods like Ipe, Cumaru, or Tigerwood you may want to use Messmer’s Cleaner & Brightener. If you have other types of wood, a power washer may be sufficient. Just make sure to follow the appropriate guidelines for your type of wood.
  • Take all furniture out of storage. Get it in the fresh air so they can begin looking beautiful in your backyard.
  • If your patio is looking a little worn out, buy some cleaner specific for the type of material. If it’s metal, use Rust-Oleum. If it’s some sort of wood, use a cleaner and oil to brighten it up once more.
  • If you have any light features installed, make sure all the bulbs or LEDs are working. Change bulbs or LEDS as necessary to light up the night.
  • Have a grill? Give it a good cleaning. Take out the grates and scrub every inch of it so when summer time comes around, its ready for burgers, hot dogs, steak, or whatever other food you’re craving.
  • Do you have trees or shrubs around your deck? Trim any obstructing branches. Be careful not to cut anything that will bloom.
  • Using fresh mulch in flower beds or landscaped areas will protect against any fluctuation in weather.
  • Get rid of weeds around your garden or lawn. These may have grown during the winter when it was too cold to go outside! While you’re doing this, clean up any trash that may have piled up thanks to the snow.
  • Bring new elements to your outdoors! It may be time to buy new furniture, cushions, or maybe even a new grill!

Take the time to look over these tips and do them over a span of a few weekends. The last thing you want is to get caught off guard and have to do everything in one weekend before your first party.

If you need a quick guide on deck inspections and what to look for, check out our Inforgraph: How to Prevent Deck Deterioration

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