Owning a pool can be great, especially in the summertime. For many people, it’s a place to gather family and friends to have a great time. Pool owners often build decks around their pools for aesthetic and functional reasons. However, people do not realize that they could be causing damage to their decks. We know there are lots of things to take care of when caring for a pool including the pool toys, chemicals, temperature, cleaning, and safety but most people don’t think about the deck right beside the pool.
So, are your pool chemicals hurting your deck? The answer is probably. There are a lot of factors to consider before determining if your deck is being damaged by pool chemicals. The first factor is the type of material the deck is made out of. Many composite deck material like Trex tends to be more durable than standard wood decking. However, it doesn’t make them immune. The chemicals in pool water can damage the surface of both materials over time. Even if Trex is resistant to the damage, it still can become a problem if left alone. There are other things to consider as well such as foot traffic and sun exposure.
You might think that hot tubs might be safer due to their small size but they can be just as damaging. This is because of the chlorine and bromine used in hot tub water. Due to them being strong oxidizers, these chemicals can cause rot in your deck if you are not careful. With the pool water splashing on the deck, the sun beating down, and people in, out, and walking all over the deck through the summer it takes a toll on your deck. You will gradually see the color fade, cracks, holes, and the wood breaks down. But how do you avoid these outcomes?
To protect your pool, there are a few steps that you can take. One way to help with this wear and tear is to change what chemicals you’re using in your pool. There are many options for keeping your pool clean without using such harsh chemicals. We recommend talking with your local pool and spa supplier to get more info. Another way to keep your deck healthy is to clean your deck once a week to get rid of the build-up. If you have a wood deck, we recommend replacing it with composite wood for extra endurance.
If you need help repairing or replacing your deck, you can count on Miles Bradley! We can repair and give your deck a new coating to protect it from next year’s pool water damage. We can guide you on the best option for your deck:
Are you ready to repair or completely rebuild your pool deck? We do complete deck remodeling or repairs whatever your deck needs. Want another color? Style? Advice? Call TODAY 248-478-8660 serving Michigan and the Chicago Land area.
Are you in the market for a new deck? Does your home look like it’s missing something? A deck is a great way to go! Whether you’re replacing a new one or adding a deck to your home, your deck becomes part of your home and it is important to choose the right materials to use. Choosing what materials to have your deck built out of is one of the first things to decide. You have two main choices; composite wood or natural wood.
To decide which one suits better for you and your home you will need to consider four things;
When choosing natural wood you will need to stain and seal your deck every year. Composite decking requires less maintenance than natural wood material. Composite wood will need to be cleaned but will not need to be stained like natural wood.
To consider the life span of the different materials you have to assess that wooden decks can crack and splinter from weather conditions and can also get more damaged from water and rot if they are not maintained properly. To repair wood decks can be stained and replaced if necessary. Composite decks do not crack or splinter but can fade and warp. They also have a tendency to scratch and stain. To repair composite decks can replace the scratched, warped, or faded pieces.
Choosing what type of appearance you want your deck and home to have is very important. Composite deck materials are made to look like wood and vary less in appearance than natural wood. It is not stainable and if it fades it will need to be replaced rather than stained. Natural wood decks are more attractive and can add a lot of value to your property. There are many stains and types to choose from than composite deck materials and can be re-stained when the color starts to fade not have to be replaced.
The final decision is cost; Natural wood tends to be less expensive than composite deck materials.
This decision will depend on preference and what works better for you and your home, there are pros and cons to both types. Whichever you decide you, your family, and guests will have a wonderful deck for years to come and we can build it for you!
Do you have a composite deck but don’t know how to properly take care of it? Because composite decks are made from wood byproducts (i.e. wood chips, sawdust) and plastics, they require less maintenance work than other wood decks. These types of decks come in a variety of styles, colors, and grains to choose from.
Taking care of your deck isn’t a 
hard process at all. The first thing you should do is to grab a broom and dustpan and begin sweeping your deck. Sweeping frequently will help keep your deck clean. As you’re sweeping, make sure to sweep all of the debris off of your low-maintenance deck. Pick up any leaves or sticks that might be stuck within the cracks of your deck board. Composite decking material cannot be sanded nor refinished so if you see any stains on the deck, be sure to address them quickly so that they can be removed.
Next, scrub your deck with soap and hot water or composite deck cleaner. Use a deck brush while scrubbing the surface of your composite deck. The deck brush that you use should have soft bristles to make your deck even smoother.
Finally, rinse off your low-maintenance deck using the water hose. Make sure all of the soap’s residue is removed. If your composite deck has any marks on it, use nail polish remover, rubbing it in a circular motion, on a wet cotton ball to get it off. Once finished, allow your deck to dry.
Miles Bradley Building and Remodeling, INC specializes in building composite decks. If you’re interested or have any questions, contact us at any one of our locations.
Over time, the decking industry has made drastic improvements to materials used to create your dream deck. Trex or Timbertech is a very popular composite deck company. Also, manufacturing composite decking materials that give homeowners the wood look they want, yet easy maintenance and longevity. As time continues to pass, composite decking continues to transform and other composite decking manufacturers are being introduced.
If you are planning on having your dream deck constructed out of low-maintenance composite decking materials, Trex or Timbertech both supply high-quality decking materials and have very similar collections for you to choose from. So what is the difference between the two? Which should you choose? Looking for tips on maintaining your Trex deck? Click here.
The decision on when to choose Trex composite decking or Timbertech composite decking is completely up to you. As far as the product goes, they are very similar and both offer the same low maintenance aspect that everyone is searching for. You may realize that your decision on which company to select may come down to texture, color, or customization you wish for your deck or landscaping project to have.
When searching for a Timbertech installer, look no further than Miles Bradley!
Miles Bradley Building has been installing composite decks for decades. Our experienced staff can help find exactly what you are looking for. At Miles Bradley, we construct your low-maintenance dream deck with the highest quality Trex or Timbertech composite decking materials. Our decking professionals will review your deck plans and help you determine whether Timbertech or Trex composite decking is right for you. Finally, contact our professional deck builders today so we can get started.
View Trex Composite Decking Collections
View Timbertech Composite Decking Collections
Getting your deck’s ledger, framing, and hardware checked can help you avoid any future pains
Miles Bradley Building is participating in deck safety awareness all throughout the month of May in Michigan. With all the storms that have been rolling through, you never know if your deck has sustained any damage from falling debris or regular wear and tear. Letting your old wooden unsealed deck rot doesn’t make your time outside enjoyable or safe.
This point especially rings true for all the DIYers out there who may have missed a step or safety code when building their deck. Getting a professional deck inspection will not only give you peace of mind but will ensure that your investment will pay off in the long run. We encourage everyone to get their old deck regularly inspected by a licensed professional to ensure that they are safe and up to code.
Over the years, code requirements for decks have changed. Older decks may not be built to adhere to today’s code requirements and can cause a safety hazard. One example of an overlooked Some older decks were not built using the correct deck tension hardware which can cause ledger failures.
Code requirements were established to protect the consumer and any future buyers of the consumer. Repairing an old wooden deck can be costly, and in some cases replacing a deck may be the only option. That’s why getting an inspection can help you catch any problems before they start.
As a supporter of NADRA or the North America Deck and Railing Association, we are highly qualified deck builders that can provide a deck inspection for you. Miles Bradley has the training, expertise, and special knowledge to provide deck inspections and repair your damaged deck. We can help repair and replace your old deck with new composite deck materials that can stand the test of time. All decks that we construct are up to code and will pass any inspection with flying colors.
Contact us now or get a free quote on your next professional deck inspection!
