How Restoration can extend the life of your Fence and Deck
A good deck or fence can really be the crowning glory on your home, but over time, they find themselves at the mercy of two of the most destructive forces of nature: water and sunlight. It doesn’t take long for that sharp and clean wood look to degrade into something else, a gray and drab pile of sticks that eventually needs to be replaced. Not only will time take its toll on your fence and deck, but replacing these things to maintain your curb appeal will be very expensive.
How the elements affect your fence and deck
Water is a unique chemical compound for many different reasons. It is one of the rare substances that expands when it gets hot, as well as when it freezes. I can also carry with it many different dissolved compounds from the atmosphere, such as acids, bases, and other caustic substances. Water has a natural ability to fill spaces, absorb into porous surfaces such as wood, as well as facilitate oxidation of metals (like you will find in screws and nails). Water is also a good habitat for organic materials to live in, such as molds, fungus, and bacteria, which can also accelerate decay of wood. Over time, water will eventually damage the wood and fasteners of your fence and deck.
Sunlight is equally destructive, but in different ways. UV radiation in sunlight works over time to bleach and dry out surfaces by breaking down their chemical bonds at the atomic level. Without UV protection, just about any surface that comes in contact with direct sunlight will eventually break down. Combine that with the harmful effects of water and you will find yourself replacing your deck and fence regularly.
Wind brings in even more particulates, which create increased surface area which attracts and holds in moisture, as well as causing micro-abrasions that create more surface area for water and sunlight. These abrasions also strip off protective coatings, leaving your surfaces defenseless against the elements. Walking on these surfaces acts like sandpaper to further break down what little remains protecting the wood on your deck.
What you can do about it
Regular powerwash cleanings can help remove these abrasive materials to reduce abrasion and absorption of moisture. Once the surface is thoroughly cleaned, applying fresh sealer will protect your deck and fence from not only moisture (since water seal is hydrophobic and prevents standing water from soaking into the crenellations of your deck and fence), but an added UV protective coating will reduce the damage done by the sun’s rays.
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about how to extend the life of your deck and fence, contact us to find out more about regular powerwashings and restoration treatments! You’ll appreciate the savings, as well as the beauty it can bring for years to come.
