Outdoor Weathering Worries: 3 Simple Cleaning, Painting And Sealing Projects For A Longer Lasting Wood Features
Posted on: 26 August 2017
Wood is a great material to use for outdoor projects, but it is also a material that needs a lot of maintenance to ensure it lasts. Cleaning the wood features around your home will ensure they last and do not wear too quickly. To extend the life of outdoor wood features, you also want to stain and seal them every few years. Here are some simple cleaning, Paint and staining projects that will ensure you get the most out of outdoor woodwork:
1. Cleaning Wood Features to Prevent Fungus and Mildew Growth
Fungus and mildew are the worst enemy when it comes to wood, and grime buildup is the main cause of these problems. Simply cleaning wood to prevent dirt from caking up will help to keep fungus growth at bay that can lead to rot. Make sure to clean wood features regularly and more often when there are more particles like pollen in the air. In addition, protect fencing, wood siding and deck areas for dirt splashing up by using a good ground cover material in your landscaping design.
2. Regular Painting of Untreated Wood Features and Preventive Maintenance
The wood features outside of your home are not always treated lumber or other materials that are ideal for outdoor use. Often, features on your home such as, wood trim, window casings and wood railings beneath porches, are just plain softwood products like pine or spruce. These materials will rot away quickly if you do not clean and paint them regularly. You want to make sure the non-treated wood features on the exterior of your home are free of cracks where moisture can get in and cause damage. Inspect paint regularly for cracks, and when you do paint, make sure to seal any joints and cracks with good silicone caulking.
3. Getting More Life Out of Outdoor Wood Features with Proper Stain and Sealants
The wood areas around you home that often get neglected outdoors include, fences, decks, gates and wooden garden paths or platforms. Just like any other wood feature around your home, you want to make sure these materials are clean and free of buildup of dirt. Every few years, you will also want to do a thorough cleaning and reseal the wood to keep it protected.
Wood is a versatile and attractive material that will last for generations if you take care of it properly. Doing these simple maintenance tasks will ensure the wood features outside of your home are safe from weathering. Contact a pressure washing service to help with thoroughly cleaning woodwork before you get ready to paint or seal it.
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