Decking Maintenance Archives - Page 9 of 11

Is Composite Decking Maintenance Free?

December 19, 2011July 29, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

If You Think Composite Decks are Low Maintenance, I Have A Unicorn to Sell You There’s no such thing as stain-free, or maintenance free man-made decking. Period. End of story. The only thing in flux is “resistance.” How does a decking material resist getting mold damage? What about excessive heat? Bitter cold? Everything on this …

How to Remove Stains from a Wood Deck

March 7, 2022July 5, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

So, you were the lucky one…the one who got to host a 4th of July BBQ blowout extravaganza. There was beer, wine, kids, hot dogs, overcooked hamburgers (Wait, that was just me!)…lots of laughs, stories shared….and one more thing… Spills…stains…the works! We’re talking ketchup, chocolate, mustard, oil, all of OH MY! We sell a great …

Staining Exotic Hardwood Decking, Is It a Good Idea?

August 15, 2011June 8, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

We often get asked, “Can I stain my exotic hardwood deck?” Politely, we ask in return, “Do you want to change the color of your existing hardwood deck or do you want to bring back the color of your existing deck?” You see, what often happens is that people think a hardwood deck is just …

Deck Safety Tips – How to Grill On a Hardwood Deck

March 7, 2022June 3, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Keep Your Owner’s Manual
Read your owner’s manual from cover to cover. Because there are so many types of outdoor grills, you can’t assume that they all work the same. Your grill’s owner’s manual will tell you the best way to use and maintain your grill. It also should guide you to proper safety guidelines that will keep you and those around you safe. Your grill’s warranty and customer service information are important pieces of information that your grill will contain.

Look Up…Do You See The Sky? GOOD!

Don’t grill under a covered porch or other enclosed area. Carbon monoxide poisoning is not something you want to take a chance on, ever.

What’s a Really Quick Way to End a Good Party? Start a Fire, of Course!

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How to Refresh Your Hardwood Deck this Spring

June 21, 2011April 21, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Learn how easy it is to apply hardwood deck finish.

Shielding your deck from the sun’s UV rays is a safe and cost-effective way to extend the life of your outdoor retreat.

Spring is FINALLY here. At Advantage, one way we can tell it’s getting warmer is the influx of calls we get from customers and general deck owners like you who are looking for a fast and affordable way to finish their deck.

Do you need a way to liven up the color AND protect your hardwood deck from ultraviolet rays without having to apply coat after coat of chemical sealers? Simply follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll extend the life and beauty of your deck:

Sweep excess dirt, debris & leaves from your deck surface (make sure gaps are cleared).
Pre-rinse the surface with a garden hose.
Wait until the deck surface is completely dry (at least 24 hours in most areas).
Using a standard 3/8″ nap paint roller, apply a specially formulated deck oil finish for hardwood decking (like Ipe Oil™).
Rub in any excess or pooled liquid that remains after 5 minutes using a dry rag.
Let dry completely.

FOR BEST RESULTS:

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Don’t Use Rock Salt on a Deck

December 6, 2013January 12, 2011 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

I’ve written about this before, but given the fact that winter’s in full force, it bears repeating: Don’t use rock salt on a deck! There is a line from a Percy Shelly poem that says “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” As eloquent as that sounds, you can apply it to winter deck …

Deck Maintenance: How to Shovel Snow off a Deck

May 31, 2022December 7, 2010 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

It might seem like removing snow off of a deck is a simple task. Take your snow shovel and put your back into it, right!? Just one look at this picture should tell you right away that it’s not that simple.

deck maintenance, shoveling snow — Shoveling snow off your deck will increase its lifepan. Learn how to do it right!

In fact, you can’t just use any ole’ shovel. You also can’t take a shortcut and use rock salt on your deck…that’s a recipe for disaster, no matter what kind of decking you have! You also might not want to let this much snow just sit on top of your deck and melt on its own. This begs the question…

What’s the best way to shovel snow off of a deck?

Think of it this way, shoveling snow on a deck is a lot like the first rule of shaving, “Go WITH the grain, not AGAINST it!” Using a plastic, or rubber-tipped shovel with rounded corners, gently shovel the length of each deck board. If you shovel across, you will scratch, or dent the decking. While you might be able to live with a mistake like that in winter, come Spring and Summer you will regret not taking your time to be careful.