If you have a lush landscape near your deck, then drape plantings using a sheet because you work and choose the mildest cleaning solution first -- say, dish soap or baking soda -- until you attempt harsher chemicals.

DO seal your wooden deck every few decades real estate lawyer in Toronto . This measure is merely a fantastic idea if your deck's surface has gotten too rough for relaxation, since it provides several actions to your finishing process. "Sanding strips off the top layer of stain, so to do things the ideal way, you'll need to put on three coats of stain and sealer afterward rather than just one," Kalamian states.

DON'T sand your wooden deck before sealing unless it's really vital. "Priming and painting is always a two-step process, and any moisture trapped beneath will come through sooner or later," Kalamian says. "Painting wood creates maintenance that you absolutely need to do no matter what." Where a stain simply fades -- and may be substituted as needed with a single coat of the right product -- paint will chip and flake and is a hassle to redo.

DON'T paint your deck if you can help it. "If you desire a wet appearance all the time, then seal your hardscape," Kalamian says. "But you're creating maintenance, because you'll have to reseal your terrace every 2 years." Organic materials like slate and bluestone really tend to self-seal under foot traffic and do not require the extra layer of security if you don't simply enjoy the glistening aesthetic.

DON'T feel bound to seal your own patio. "You want to wash frequently, but not too frequently," Kalamian says. Regular wear and tear plus constant pounding by the sun's UV rays takes its toll on the wood's surface, and if you scrub or power wash too aggressively -- or even just wash with water too frequently -- you can actually cause additional damage. Additionally, if you reside in a damp climate, introducing an excessive amount of moisture to the wood may result in mold and splitting. Wash only when there's observable dirt, stick to plain water out of a hose when possible, and save power washing for each couple of years through the sealing process.

DON'T go washing your deck. Natural rock tends to flakeout, and overzealous washing can actually wear the outside away. It's best to wash as needed rather than on a regular schedule. Use a mild household detergent sometimes if you see heavy grime or stains; stubborn mildew and stains can be removed with a very dilute mix of muriatic acid and water. (Muriatic acid can be found at hardware, big-box or pool-supply shops; be sure to wear protective equipment because you work with it.)

DON'T overdo washing a stone terrace, either. Too much stress can damage stone and wood surfaces. "Stress washing should be done by an experienced hand," Kalamian states. "If you are knowledgeable, you can certainly do yourself, but you may make some errors the first time. A man that does it daily knows how much pressure is too much." To be safe, Kalamian recommends hiring a licensed, bonded, insured pro to do your power washing --and make sure you seal your wooden deck right afterward.

DO be cautious with washing. It is overkill and may damage surfaces.

DON'T utilize a wire brush to scrub stains off wood, stone or concrete. Trapped dirt and leaves lead to mold, rot and stains -- prevention is always better than the cure.

DO sweep debris away regularly. This is especially important in mildew-prone areas of the nation, because furnishings and rugs tend to trap moisture beneath.

DO rearrange furniture at minimum once a year. It can alter the color of your deck material. Again, begin with the mildest choices first -- even plain water and work your way up to products made especially for the job.

DON'T utilize chlorine bleach to wash your deck or terrace. When you are consumed in getting your deck in tip-top shape, it's easy to forget that your garden plants are in front of fire. "Don't hose muriatic acid off into plantings unless the solution is very dilute," Kalamian says. If you have a lush landscape near your deck, then drape plantings using a sheet because you work and choose the mildest cleaning solution first -- say, dish soap or baking soda -- until you attempt harsher chemicals. (Remember that plants' roots are sensitive as well as the leaves, so anything you hose off onto the floor can impact their health.)

DON'T get harsh cleansers on nearby plants. "In case your deck was installed correctly, you should not have a great deal of that happening," Kalamian states. "But wood expands and contracts as it ages, so anyplace there is a period of timber, like a handrail or floorboard, you might get some creaking or anything coming loose." Screw everything down correctly and sand any sharp splinters as soon as you locate them, as little problems have a way of becoming bigger problems over time.

DO fix nail pops, split wood and missing planks instantly. A regular check for signs of rot, excessive movement and structural issues is almost always a fantastic idea. Wood can warp and split along its normal grain and cause a security issue before you realize anything has gone wrong.

DON'T dismiss stress points such as railings and stairs. "Hairline fractures are still an acceptable industry standard," Kalamian states. There is no need to fix them and trying to mend them with additional grout or cement usually looks worse than the crack itself. Same holds for the whitish film which often collects on the surface of concrete, called efflorescence. It is the natural migration of moisture and salts into the surface, also may be considered a harmless color variant rather than something you Want to clean. However, if yours is extreme or you simply don't like the look, power washing will remove it briefly. Sealing is necessary if you would like to prevent it indefinitely, and will require a rigorous maintenance schedule.

DON'T be worried about real imperfections. A container garden is a fantastic thing for ambiance, but it can wreak havoc on your deck or terrace's surface. Overwatering contributes to puddling, which contributes to mold and stains brought on by mineral buildup as the water disappears. "Anytime we install a deck, we constantly use saucers for potted plants, connect the pots to an irrigation system, and install a drain tied into the below-ground drainage system if possible," Kalamian states. "This way no water pools around the ground or flows throughout the deck" Stains caused by pots often can not be eliminated, so prevention is your best option.