Your Wahoo aluminum deck – your outdoor living area – is your happy place. You designed your deck to be an oasis where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. So, when looking for decking ideas, you are careful and thoughtful. Your deck and dock deck are also an investment. Therefore, you want it to last and retain its beauty for many years.
To make sure your Wahoo aluminum deck or dock lasts, you need only to do two things:
- Regular safety inspections
- Keep It Clean
A low-maintenance aluminum deck is built to last, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more you can do to keep your deck looking brand new all year long. These two simple decking ideas and tips will ensure that you have a safe deck and beautiful one!
Yet, even if you are not yet a Wahoo Building Products aluminum deck owner, these two tips apply.
Of course, additional maintenance will likely be needed, but these two points are excellent places to stay in maintaining your deck!
1. Check Your Deck
“Twice a year – usually in spring and fall – it’s a good idea to check on the structure and overall state of your deck” (5 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Outdoor Wooden Deck).
- Check for split or decaying wood.
- Look for bur holes; this means insects have made a home.
- Check for a widened gap between the house and the ledger, which may signal that the bolts need tightening.
- Flashing around the ledger board prevents moisture from building up and causing rot. See if it has pulled away from the house, and ensure the caulk that seals overlapping pieces is intact. Inspect for mud or debris stuck between the spacer and the exterior wall, a sign the flashing’s been breached.
- Firmly grasp and wriggle the railing to make sure they’re secure. Also, double-check whether they meet local codes, which generally call for a railing at least 3 feet high with balusters no wider than 4 inches apart.
- Look for loose connections between posts and the deck’s beams.
2. Keep Your Deck Clean
“Don’t let leaves, sticks, and so forth pile up on your deck.” (5 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Outdoor Wooden Deck).
- Look for bees and wasps building nests. Then treat the area accordingly. Leaving lights on all night around your deck attracts bugs. So, if you want to light on your deck at night, choose one that does not attract insects. (5 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Outdoor Wooden Deck).
- Clean your aluminum deck regularly using warm soapy water. The best method of cleaning your aluminum deck is by regular washing using a solution of warm water and a non‐abrasive, pH-neutral detergent. After cleaning, you should thoroughly rinse off your AridDek aluminum deck to remove all residues. AridDek should be cleaned using a soft cloth, sponge, or natural bristle brush.
Cleaning your aluminum deck regularly or as needed protects an investment and keeps your deck in excellent condition. Cleaning your AridDek watertight aluminum deck will only prolong the longevity of an already long-lasting deck!
About Wahoo Building Products
Wahoo Building Products, in Gainesville, GA, is a leading manufacturer of award-winning outdoor products. Wahoo products have been engineered to be uniquely low maintenance and more resistant to natural elements than traditional decking products. We offer AridDek, a waterproof aluminum decking product, and Fortis, a non-watertight aluminum deck board. Additionally, Wahoo Building Products offers DryJoist and DryJoistEZ, a revolutionary waterproof and structural aluminum joist system. Wahoo Rail is a complete line of aluminum railing kits, and Wahoo Complete is an all-in-one pre-fabricated aluminum balcony product. For more information about Wahoo Building Products, visit http://www.WahooBuildingProducts.com.