A deck is the perfect outdoor space for enjoying nature, relaxing after a long day, and entertaining guests. You want your deck to stay in good condition for as long as possible, so there are specific steps you should take to maintain it. Here are three helpful tips for proper deck maintenance.

Inspect

The first helpful tip for proper deck maintenance is to inspect it. It’s essential to check your deck regularly for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If you have any broken pieces of wood, make sure to repair them. Then, you’ll also want to check for mold, mildew, and termites. Inspecting your deck regularly will help you keep it in the best possible condition and allow you to take proactive steps to guard your deck against any potential damage. You may also want to protect your wood deck from inclement weather by water sealing it.

Sweep

Sweeping is the second tip for regular deck maintenance. Weather and wind can cause leaves, dirt, and other debris to collect on your deck. Taking the time to sweep your deck will get rid of any unwanted debris and keep your deck clean and looking its best. You should take the necessary steps to clean and sweep your deck before using it to entertain friends and family to ensure that it looks nice and presentable. You can sweep your deck as often as you need to or whenever you notice that leaves and debris are collecting on the surface.

Wash

The third way to maintain your deck is to wash it. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to wash your deck at least once a year. However, depending on how dirty it gets over time, you can wash your deck as often as necessary. You can use a powerwasher to clean your deck or a sponge and a cleaning solution. You want to ensure that you address every part of your deck, including the floorboards, railings, stairs, posts, and other areas. Once you finish, you should let it air dry for at least 24 hours before using it again.

Now that you have three essential deck maintenance tips, you can use these strategies to maintain your deck. Taking the necessary steps to perform regular deck maintenance will keep your outdoor space looking beautiful all year long.

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. Garage doors are no exception to this rule. It may seem strange at first; maybe you think that your garage couldn’t possibly become that technologically advanced. We promise these trends are becoming more popular every day. Check out our top three technological advancements for garages in 2022.

Smart Garage Door

We’ve seen many of these door types in recent years. Imagine that you and your friends are prepared to pull into their garage. They reach up, tap a button, and their garage door opens on its own. There are even apps that make this possible. Technology is so advanced that you can have the door automatically open the moment you drive up—you don’t even need to press anything. In some cases, you can program your garage to open or close on a schedule, lock or unlock remotely, or give you notifications if someone is trying to get in. The remote garage revolution is in full effect, and you have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy it.

Insulated Garages

We think about insulating our homes but rarely consider insulating our garage doors. But your garage has a door, too, especially if it’s attached to your home. If it’s attached, it will become a point of heat loss during the cold winter months. If it isn’t attached, it will get cold more quickly in winter. Cold weather negatively impacts your car’s performance, so it’s in your best interest to keep it as warm as possible. Insulating your garage is the best way to do that.

Solar Garage Doors

Did you know you that can install a garage door with solar panels? These panels can also store energy throughout the day and recharge your car in the evening. You can use solar energy to charge your electric car, but if that’s too futuristic for you, you can also use it to charge your car’s battery, power your lights, or even power your security cameras. It’s perfect for most of your needs, so don’t immediately dismiss the choice! This is one of the most exciting garage door technologies of all.

In short, garages will only advance further with time. It helps to be on top of the trends so that you can benefit from these advantages and make your life easier. We hope you’ll choose one of these technologies to enjoy for years to come!

The DIY home improvement projects can be fun, but if you’ve ever gotten into a bad situation, you know they’re not always worth it. It’s better to leave some jobs to professionals, and luckily, there’s no shortage of those in the market. There are many considerations before starting a renovation project, and this list will help you avoid the mistakes homeowners can make when attempting projects themselves.

Electricity Issues

Electrical work is dangerous; you can injure yourself or even cause a fatal accident with electricity. There’s a good chance that any electrical project could cause serious damage to your home and property.

That said, electric work is a home improvement project you should never DIY. Hire a licensed professional trained specifically in working with electrical systems. They can ensure that you won’t have a fire hazard in your home at the end of your project.

Roofing Repair

You’ll need to get up on the roof to replace it, which means climbing ladders and working with heavy materials. Even if you’re not uncomfortable with heights, this can be alarming. Additionally, you must use specialized knowledge and equipment to properly remove your old roofing materials and install new shingles or tiles. So while replacing your own roof may seem like a great way to save money, it also comes with all kinds of risks that aren’t worth taking.

Roofs are expensive—and they can get even more expensive if you don’t install them properly! As mentioned above, there are many dangers associated with changing out your shingles and many benefits of hiring a professional roofing contractor.

Plumbing and Sewage Lines

Plumbing and sewage lines are home improvement projects you should never DIY. They’re dangerous, and if you do a poor job installing them, they can cost you tons of money to fix. Many plumbing mistakes can cause flooding or damage your home’s foundation.

Gas Repairs

If you smell gas, you should immediately leave the building and call for help from professionals. Gas leaks can be difficult to repair by yourself. Even if you have experience working with tools and equipment in general, dealing with something as volatile as natural gas requires special training and safety precautions that only licensed technicians know how to handle safely.

Foundation Work

If you’ve ever seen a home improvement show, you’re probably familiar with the idea that foundation work is a big project. This isn’t just true for HGTV; there’s a reason why it’s so expensive. It’s potentially dangerous to do on your own. If you need this service, hire someone to do it for you and be sure that they have the necessary experience and certification to complete the project properly.

Hire a Contractor

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to tackle these projects yourself. Keep in mind that many DIY projects miss key steps that would improve the quality of work and save money in the long run. It could be an expensive mistake if you don’t have experience with the task at hand. Additionally, some projects require special permits before moving forward with them—and even then, there may still be restrictions.

Renovations are excellent for expanding and modernizing your space while increasing your home’s value. This process can be exciting, but it’s also daunting and overwhelming for a homeowner.

Before hiring a contractor and jumping into a project, you should consider a few things before starting your renovations, like building a timeline, your budget, and planning the space you have available.

Let’s take a deeper look at the top five things to think about before starting a renovation project.

Think About Your Budget

One of the most important things to think about when starting your repairs and upgrades is your budget and how flexible you’re willing to be. When renovating, prepare for surprises and issues hidden under the surface that appear once your contractor begins tearing down walls.

It’s essential to know much you can reasonably afford to spend on renovations. This budget will help you as you consider the materials you choose and determine what labor costs you can afford.

Have a Realistic Schedule

There are a lot of components that take time in a renovation project, and it’s always best to create a realistic timeline. Try to get a sense of how long your project will take so that you can make arrangements for yourself and prepare accordingly.

Take the Time of Year Into Consideration

You can complete indoor renovation projects, such as updated kitchens, entertainment spaces, and bathrooms, any time of year. However, suppose you’re interested in adding an outdoor space or a deck. In that case, you will need to schedule your renovation project around warmer months so that colder elements don’t delay your project.

How Much Space Do You Have Available?

Before starting your renovation project, you should consider the space available for your dream upgrades. If you have larger-than-life plans for your family room, like adding an indoor bar and home theater, knowing if your space is large enough is essential. If not, try to scale down your plans to ensure everything fits perfectly and is aesthetically pleasing.

Stay Open to Recommendations From Contractors

You and your construction team will work closely in your home for a while, so having a good, respectful relationship is essential. Stay open to recommendations from your contractors if they’re telling you something won’t work or would look better from their point of view.

When you’re excited about renovating your home, you want to start immediately. However, it’s always best to weigh your options and plan out your project before diving in. Taking your budget, schedule, space, and environment into consideration will make your renovation project smoother than someone who didn’t consider those things.