How to Spot Summer’s Environmental Damage on Your Deck or Porch

by Distinctive Deck Designs

Summer’s East Coast weather is incredibly unpredictable. Since we are a leading Northern Virginia deck designs company, we see everything from raging hurricanes to an abundance of glorious sunshine. Chances are your home has taken a beating over the years. For those of us in the construction industry, too often than not, we set out to do a new project on a property only to discover we have to fix pre-existing problems first.

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As we go into our random weather summer months, prepare to think about the following questions:

- If your enclosed porch’s roof has shingles, have you inspected them recently?

- Is your painted wood for your deck, porch or sunroom peeling or showing signs of rot?

- Has there been any indication of termite damage, or does someone in your neighborhood have a serious termite problem?

- Have you had any ceiling leaks?

- If you have gutters, when was the last time you cleaned them?

- Have you seen unexplained mold, moss or algae growth?

- Does your roof appear to be several different shades of color (color fading due to sun exposure)?

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The above questions will speak to every property owner since purchasing a property with a 30-year mortgage is unfortunately not where the costs end. There is always maintenance and repairs that need to be carried out as a home ages. All of these questions mostly refer to the home’s exterior, since it endures tough winters and harsh conditions year after year. Extreme weather can damage its exterior, which calls for extensive repairs. Be cautious and brace yourself for repairs when asking an expert to lend a second opinion regarding the condition of your home.

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Some of the conditions mentioned above are easy fixes. If your gutters are showing wear and tear or simply need to be cleaned, this is usually an inexpensive weekend’s work. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint and sealer is al that is needed to revitalize the color and seal the exterior wood materials from the next big storm. Other times, when it comes to moss or algae growth, it simply means relocating the watering system for your home’s plants so that moisture does not gather too quickly near the base of your home and cause more serious issues.

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If your home requires more work than you are able to carry out yourself, a certified professional such as a contractor can assist you. They will assess your home, provide a quote and an expert opinion, and in some cases, provide options to help ease your pocketbook.