Did you know Google, Angie, and Facebook reviews can help your local business thrive? It cannot be overstated how important reviews are for a business. People hear it all the time but it’s true. Positive and negative reviews can affect the success of a business. Don’t believe us? Miles Bradley is here to explain the importance of reviews and how powerful they can be.
First of all, let’s go over some statistics about reviews. 90% of customers use online reviews before visiting a website. As a result, reviews can be the first introduction for many customers to a business. However, potential customers don’t just look at one review before deciding to trust a business. Most people will read between 4-6 reviews before deciding to trust a business. The most important thing about reviews is that they are a trust factor. The majority of customers believe reviews as trustworthy. Consequently, people will use these accounts to help decide if they should trust a business or not. It is very hard to build trust with customers and reviews can help that. In addition, reviews have a lot of power.
To say a review is powerful is an understatement. Online reviews have a major impact on the reputation and success of a business. About 72% of customers say that positive reviews make them trust a business more. Furthermore, the majority of people will use a local business that has at least a 4-star rating. Also, negative reviews are just as powerful. Most people will hesitate to visit a business that has a negative review. In fact, one negative review can make a business lose 30 customers. As you can see, reviews are influential. That is why you should support your local businesses with reviews!
Since 1991, Miles Bradley has offered full-service design and building for custom decks. Our company strives for excellence as we have built a reputation nationwide as experts in low-maintenance decking and building products. Over the years, Miles Bradley has gotten many testimonials about our services. Now, we want to hear about your experience with Miles Bradley. Your reviews can help us continues to improve our services and strive to be the most trustworthy deck-building company in Michigan! Just use the button below to get to our review page!
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Are you worried about cleaning your composite deck before winter? Don’t, it’s easy! Although composite decking is very low maintenance, cleaning is important. An exterior deck does require a basic deck cleaning for composite decks. Ideal times to clean your composite deck are after installation and in the fall or spring. You may purchase a composite deck cleaner at your local hardware shop. If you prefer, you may use a combination of hot water and a soft-bristle brush.
Dirt and grime can build up over the spring and summer months. As a result, it is important to clean your deck before heavy rain and snow set in. This will prevent your deck from deteriorating over the winter. If you leave dirt and grime on your deck, it can accumulate and allow moisture to get locked in. As a result, your deck can suffer from structural and integral damages.
For Dirt and Debris, your deck should be sprayed with a hose to remove dirt from the surface. After you remove the loose dirt and debris from your composite deck use warm, soapy water and scrub with a soft bristle brush. This will allow you to remove the dirt and debris from the crevices of the embossing pattern. A thorough cleaning will allow your deck to be able to drain and ventilate moisture, preventing buildup.
It’s important to be careful when using Chalk Lines on your deck. You must make sure you are using the right type of chalk. High-performance chalk lines are likely to discolor a composite or PVC deck, we recommend using a dust-off marking chalk-like Irwin brand in purple you can find this at www.Irwin.com. If you accidentally snap a chalk line with permanent or bright chalk immediately scrub the line with soap and hot water to remove it.
Just like with dirt and debris, it is important to remove oil, grease, mold, or mildew from your deck. Treating your deck will prevent the accumulation of these residues, protecting your deck from permanent staining and damage.
You definitely want to try to remove any Oil, Grease, or Food stains on your composite deck before the winter comes. To remove these stains spray them off with a hose and use warm soapy water with a soft bristle brush.
Mold and Mildew are always possible. Due to it feeding on biofilm you want to remove it as soon as you see it forming. Leaving mold and mildew untreated will lead to additional deck damage by the end of winter. Owners can use simple solutions on their deck to remove mildew from your deck. Just allow the solutions to set before rinsing it off. If you happen to find mildew stains, you can use a soft bristle brush to remove them.
It is not unusual to experience snow before winter even starts, especially in Michigan. So, when you need to remove Ice and Snow from your composite deck early, you should take some extra care. If you are shoveling your deck, use a plastic snow shovel. Plastic shovels reduce the risk of damaging the surface of the deck when removing hardened snow and ice. It’s safe to use rock salt or calcium chloride to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface.
While cleaning your deck, it is the perfect time to check for rot and decay. Regardless of how much you winterized and sealed, decks age with time. Even if you have low-maintenance composite decking, looking for potential problems will save you in the long run. Some things that you should be looking for are:
Outside of visually inspecting your deck, you can run a few simple tests that expose if your deck needs maintenance. For example, if you walk the entire length deck, you will be able to feel if any boards are bouncy or creaky. In addition, you should check underneath the deck. Looking under the deck can expose any mold, mildew, wood rot, and other damage.
Cleaning your deck should be a high priority this fall!
If you need help or have any questions about cleaning your deck call us at 248-478-8660.
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Miles Bradley recently just did a new installation in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Our decking professional did a complete overhaul, creating a new outdoor space for the clients to enjoy! So, what went into this new deck installation?
Wooden decks were the standard for outdoor spaces for years. After all, it’s a classic material that has a natural smell and texture to it that is appealing. However, constant maintenance can be a hassle and it is vulnerable to infestations compared to other materials. Furthermore, it can warp and bend over time and change colors, requiring staining to return it to its original color. When our clients asked for low-maintenance decking, our professionals tore out the original, old wooden deck to prepare for the new materials!
The low-maintenance composite deck material is ideal for the perfect outdoor space. Wood-plastic composite decking (PVC decking) is created to endure the outdoor elements, allowing the deck to stand strong for years to come! Unlike wooden decks, you do not need to stain, paint, or seal composite decking! Furthermore, it is also resistant to warping, weathering, and insects. As a result, you will don’t have to worry about replacing uneven, rotting, and infested boards.
One of the most popular composite deck materials is Trex! Trex comes with a wide selection of colors to choose from! For this latest installation, our decking professionals used Trex’s enhanced coastal bluff for the deck and fascia! While the main project was done, it was not the end of the project. After all, there were certain additions needed to complete this deck!
Although the current project was low to the ground, it absolutely needed a railing. In addition to preventing a tripping hazard, it adds another function component to the deck area. In this case, Miles Bradley used Trex’s black signature aluminum rail and black post sleeves. These post sleeves provide a barrier between aspects of your desk from the elements (sun, rain, wind, ect.). This prevents any deterioration over time and lowers maintenance needs!
Our latest deck installation is just one of the many installations that Miles Bradley has done over two decades! Miles Bradley is a full-service designer and builds custom decks and sunroom firms serving all of Michigan and Illinois. This includes the entire Chicago Lands area! Our firm provides a variety of services and products for your deck projects! We have built a nationwide reputation as expert maintenance decking and building product. Contact our firm today for your next deck project! You can also submit a quote form!
Lumber prices are too high. Although COVID restrictions have ended, the supply chain is still suffering. As a result, the current cost of lumber is sky-high. For people looking for lumber decks, you should be expecting to pay a large sum of cash and expect a long project timeline. However, there are other options besides lumber decks. In fact, you should be looking at composite decks.
Without a doubt, lumber is the default material for decking. After all, it has been used for decking for centuries. Although wooden decks have to be constantly maintained and stained, it is still in high demand. There is a natural look, feel, and smell that comes from wooden decks. When pressure treated, wooden decks can be very affordable.
However, the current supply chain shortage has made wood decks more expensive than before. As a result, the price of materials has escalated. Furthermore, the large demand for lumber has made it harder to get shipments in.
While wood decking is traditional, composite decking is an excellent choice that is becoming more popular! Composite decking is crafted through organic and synthetic compounds. As a result, it is resistant to rot and decay. In addition, it is crack resistant and scratch resistant. Composite decks are also low maintenance and do not require staining. Instead, you can choose from a large variety of colors and types of composite decking like Trex.
The price of lumber is not going down anytime soon. However, composite decks are a great alternative. At Miles Bradley, we install wood and composite decks! All of your decks are installed by professionals who have decades of experience. In addition to decks, Miles Bradley has other services and products for your customers. Contact Miles Bradley today to get a quote on our services!
Do you know 4 great uses for a gazebo? Gazebos makes anyone’s backyard or outdoor space into welcoming place. If you have been considering adding this landscape structure to your outdoor area, you will definitely want one after learning some of these amazing uses! Any gazebo with be the centerpiece of your backyard and garden space. So, let’s find out the best ways to use this centerpiece!
When it comes to gardens, gazebos can bring the entire area to life. These pavilion-like structures make a great feature in a garden space because it can form a centerpiece for plants to surround. Furthermore, gazebos come in different designs, allowing owners to grow climbing plants. You can even add features to the design to have growing areas for plants. In fact, you can use the gazebo for potting plants to be used in the garden.
Hot tub spas are always a desirable feature for any backyard. Nothing is better than relaxing in a spa under a starlit sky. While you could have your entire spa directly out in the sunlight, having a structure around the building will prevent wear and tear from exposure. Furthermore, on those less than stellar nights, a beautifully designed gazebo can make up for any cloud sky.
Outdoor living areas are essentials for the summertime and other events. Most people’s patios have a living furniture for people lounge and interact or a full dinning set. Gazebos provides shade from the sun and cover from weather. Furthermore, it provides an excellent division between being in the backyard and being in the living area. In addition, you can have a gazebo installed on your patio, adding to your existing outdoor space.
One of the original uses of gazebos was to provide a space for a garden wedding. Nothing is more romantic than saying vows in a beautiful garden underneath a wonderfully constructed gazebo. You can use your gazebo for small or large ceremonies for private wedding celebrations or parties. In addition, it can provide an amazing, intimate location for people closest to you.
These are just 4 great uses for a gazebo. There are plenty of other ways to take advantage of outdoor structure. At Miles Bradley, we provide gazebos and other products to optimize your outdoor space. The specialists at Miles Bradley have decades of experience in providing the best in full-service design and building services. So, contact us today!