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.
When you live on the lake, home decks can be a wonderful addition to your home. Living on any shorefront, you want to experience the full view of the lake and more. So, you need to have a place to embrace the full wonders of living on the lake. Just like with other decks, the deck can add something special to your home. Furthermore, it can increase your quality of life!
Many of the reasons to have a deck on the lake is the same as getting any other deck. Decks can be an amazing investment by adding value to your home. It can provide additional living space and a new area to relax. Furthermore, it allows you to spend more time outdoors. This is especially important when you live on the lake. After all, you are not able to get full use of your property. Most of all, it gives you an area to enjoy quality time with friends and family. You can enjoy the full view of the lake alongside your friends and family.
So, what types of decks and docks can be built at the lake? First of all, let’s talk about the materials that can be used in conjunction with a dock. Out of all the materials used, cedarwood and PCV wood is popular. Just like regular decks, these materials give the natural feeling of wood. All the while, they also have different pros and cons. At Miles Bradley, we build wood and composite decks made out of the same material. As for dock options, there is a large number of designs. These designs include:
If you are looking for lake home decks, then contact the professionals at Miles Bradley! Our company has full-service custom design and building deck builders, who can help you create your dream deck. If you need a custom deck to match your dock or a replacement, then you can rely on our professionals. We are licensed and insured, meaning you do not have to worry during the entire building progress.
Getting a deck built is a big decision to make. Consider these 2 things before getting your deck built.
Did you just want to create a snug spot in the backyard for you and your family? Design your deck to accommodate lounge chairs and a patio set based on how many people are in your family. Also, try to plan ahead for sunny spots by building a shade with greenery or build a shade.
Most decks are designed to support up to 60 pounds per square foot including the weight of the deck. Overloading it could be very dangerous. If you plan to have huge parties or heavy furniture, you may want to have a stronger supporting structure built. You also want to make sure that your deck is large enough to fit a lot of people, furniture, and appliances.
There is a wide variety of materials that you can choose to have your deck built from as well as many benefits that go along with each type of material.
Pressure- Treated Wood: This type of wood takes stains and waterproofing easily. It is also cheaper than many of the other options for deck building in Michigan or Chicago
Composite Decking: This wood-look alternative is known for its long-lasting nature and durability. You can get composite decking in a variety of colors or textures. Composite decking doesn’t splinter, crack, warp, or rot significantly reduced the need for maintenance.
PVC Cellular Decking: PVC is easy to clean and not prone to rot or termites which makes it stand out over wood. Having a cellular PVC deck built can be beneficial as it is moisture resistant and will not swell or shrink with temperature changes.
Cedar: Used for decks has a natural insect resistance which can help eliminate termite problems that often arise in regular wood decks. Cedar decking is very easy to work with during installation and can be easily stained.
After selecting the material that you wish to have your deck built you then need to decide where do you want your deck or patio to be built? Can you accommodate the lifestyle that you want to live on your deck or patio? Based on this, plan how you want to build your deck in Michigan or Chicago.
Finally, contact Miles Bradley to get started on building your dream deck today!
Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a deck or a patio? They are very similar but one might fit or look better than the other in your backyard. It is important to understand the differences between a patio and a deck in order to make an informed buying decision.
Decks are platforms made of wood or composite materials. Also, decks work best if you have a sloped yard and you want to create a flat area. Homes that sit high above the ground are also good for decks. In addition, decks can be built as high as you need them, unlike patios.
Patios are normally built on flat ground. They are made of wood, concrete, or flagstone. It is also possible for them to be built on a sloped lot but building it can be more costly. If your door is ground level, then many people choose to have them built instead of a deck.
When deciding to get a patio or a deck 
built, you should consider how many people you want it to accommodate and what activities you want to do outside. This will help Miles Bradley figure out traffic flow, safety measures, and size estimates. A growing trend in the deck industry is to build a multi-level deck with steps leading down to a patio. This is a great way to enjoy the benefits of both if you still can’t decide which one to get.
Let Miles Bradley in Michigan build your next deck or patio. We have over 20 years of experience constructing decks on a variety of landscapes. We do great work and have excellent testimonials to prove it. A Miles Bradley deck comes with exceptional workmanship and is built with high-quality materials. Finally, contact Miles Bradley today to start your deck or patio project!
Azek Building Products offers a large variety of products such as decking, railings, molding, lighting, and much more. In addition, they offer TimberTech brand products as well. TimberTech offers composite decking in a wide arrange of colors to choose from. Similar to Trex, TimberTech is a composite decking that is easy to maintain and requires less maintenance than a traditional wood deck. Miles Bradley is an experienced installer of TimberTech composite decking.
Backed by a 50-year warranty, Azek decking is a great choice for your new deck. In addition, they have three unique collections to choose from. Those collections are the Vintage Collection, the Arbor Collection, and Harvest Collection. Each collection has its own unique look and feels with different widths and colors available. At Miles Bradley we offer Azek and TimberTech, also we offer Fiberon deck options as well.
Fiberon composite decking is a good choice for your decking as well. Their product is an eco-friendly wood alternative. Also, their product looks and feels like hardwood but without maintenance. Like Azek, Fiberon is available in a wide variety of colors to choose from. At Miles Bradley Building and Remodeling, we offer a large option of brands of decking to choose from. Also, we offer wood decks as well as composite decks.
As you can see, we have a multitude of composite decking to choose from. Here at Miles Bradley Building and Remodeling, we recommend Trex decking. Trex decking is a durable and reliable decking that we have installed for years. Also, Trex decking will maintain its beauty for decades to come.
No matter what brand of decking you choose, make sure to hire expert installers like Miles Bradley. We can install the deck you have always wanted. Finally, give us a call today at 248-478-8660 and see what Miles Bradley can do for you.