HOW TO PROTECT YOUR OUTDOOR DECK
FROM RAIN AND SNOW in the winter months

HOW TO PROTECTING YOUR OUTDOOR DECK FOR DURING WINTER MONTHS
Hi Everyone I'm Chris Town owner of Town Construction and Development. Ok, folks, winter is here for some people and just around the corner for most. Some areas of the country get rain others to get snow or both rain and snow. Don’t panic as it’s never too late to protect your deck. Of course protecting your outdoor deck before the cold, rainy, and snowy grips of winter is always the best solution. But we don’t always have time or are too lazy until it’s too late.

So here are some solutions and tips that can help save your outdoor deck/patio just before and during those cold winters months.

How Winter Weather Affects Wood:
If you’ve ever wondered why winter is so tough on wood, it’s the moisture and cold temperatures. Wood is a very porous material and when left unprotected, these porous areas can easily get filled with particles such as water, fungi, and bacteria. As temperatures lower, the water inside the wood contracts, then freezes and expands, and causes the wood to bend and eventually crack or break. Not only that, but fungi (mold) that thrive in damp environments like mold and mildew can spread and cause rot.

PROTECT YOUR OUTDOOR DECK/PATIO JUST BEFORE THE RAIN AND SNOW
Clean your Deck Thoroughly:
Exposure to moisture and snow can create perfect conditions for the growth of mold, mildew, moss, and algae. All these conditions make it important to clean your deck thoroughly before winters grip.

If you still have time – begin the sealing process:
Don’t seal a deck below 50 degrees. You don’t want to begin the sealing process until you can safely guarantee that the temperature will remain above 50 degrees for at least 48 hours… A 65-degree day may easily become 40-degree at night or lower, and your seal will become a deck nightmare.
if you’re looking for a clear water repellent to protect against water damage without changing the color of the wood, choose a Premium Water Sealer. It will protect your deck against the elements for two to three years. Don’t go cheap here folks, I said the best “Premium Water Sealer” money can buy. In this specific case, you do get what you you pay for.

Ran Out Of Time and Winter is Here? Don’t Panic!
Remove Snow From the Deck Surface:
Any time you notice snow any accumulation on your deck, shovel the snow off the deck. While you can cover portions of your deck in a tarp, you’ve probably left stairs, railings, and other areas uncovered. Use a broom or shovel to keep snow accumulation to a minimum on the deck. Avoid salt or other commercial products to do the job for you, as these products will discolor and damage the finish. Snow removal is one job you want to do the old-fashioned way.

“Town Tips” by Chris Town
Use a plastic shovel, which does not have harsh on the wood as a metal shovel.
Shovel parallel to the boards rather than perpendicular so that the shovel does catch and gouge the planks.

“Town Tip ” by Chris Town
One of the best ways to protect your deck from snow and Ice as I mentioned above, is a clear plastic Tarp.
Spread a Tarp Over the Deck:
No matter how well you’ve prepared your deck, your deck can still suffer underneath layers of snow and ice all winter. Keep your wood looking great by covering the deck with a tarp in the harsh winter months. This covering provides an added barrier between the wood and moisture. Too much-melting snow can cause the boards to warp, and ice will worsen cracks in your deck.
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In conclusion, don’t leave your deck to battle the elements alone. A few weekends of work and some regular attention (again use a clear thick torp) throughout the winter will protect the wood and finish so you have a beautiful outdoor space to return to when the weather warms up again.

Visit Us for more Home advice, solutions, and tips.
Town Construction and Development
https://www.townconstructionanddevelopment.com/
Chris Town

All solutions for home -living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”
Chris Town/

HOME MILDEW AND MOLD SOLUTIONS

 

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THREATS TO HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE IS MOLD/MILDEW. WITHOUT PROPER CLEANUP AND CONTAINMENT, MOLD CAN LEAD TO COMPROMISED HEALTH CONDITIONS AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES ALONG WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND BELONGINGS.

The most common type of mold found in homes is mildew. Mildew is a mold that grows in warm, damp places like your bathroom, kitchens, and any damp areas. Mildew begins as a gray or white powdery colony. It will turn black or brown if not removed promptly.

Hello, I’m Chris Town Owner of Town Construction in the Seattle area, the Mold, and Mildew hotspot in the US! You’re here to get some insights on the best solutions for getting rid of Mildew and Mold. Being a Home Builder /Home Remodeling Expert and a Home Water Damage Restoration Specialist, I have seen my share of Mildew and Mold for sure. If you are lucky enough to afford a person to come out and fix the problem every time you spot mold good for you. But for customers like myself, I prefer saving a little money. For severe Mold/Mildew damage call a specialist.

Know Your Enemy!
Mold is a form of fungi that sprouts from microscopic spores that are everywhere in our environment. These spores are inactive, however, they will propagate once the humidity surpasses 70 percent. Temperature that is more than 65 degrees increases the chance of mold growth. Once the cluster of mold spores spread on surfaces, they begin to reproduce and become noticeable to the human eye. You may not be aware that there is mold in your home until you see it or smell a damp, musty, moldy odor. And when you notice your allergies and asthma tend to flare.
There are key ingredients needed for mold growth in homes which are the presence of mold spores, a surface for it to grow on, oxygen, warmth, and darkness. When the moisture is present in these ingredients whether from stagnant water, high level of humidity, or a water leak, the mold problems begin.
If you have mold in the basement or crawl space, its spores will rise throughout the house. This is called the “Stack Effect”. Because of the stack effect, the warm air rises in the home and exits through the upper levels and attic. When this occurs, a vacuum is created on the lower level which draws air upward from the crawl space and basement. Mold spores, dust mites, odors, and anything in the air will be drawn into the main area of the home that is where you breathe. A mold infestation can colonize within 1-14 days.
(Courtesy of Green Home Solutions)

What helps kills mold permanently?
Hydrogen Peroxide 3% – Saturate the moldy surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area with just enough force to remove black mold and mold stains.
Bleach – Use at your own discretion!
White Vinegar – You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly.
Baking Soda – It’s safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mold, it absorbs moisture that attracts mold.
Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that cleans up mold quickly and it helps prevent mold spores from coming back.

The best approach is preventing mold before it becomes a problem.
1: Fix Problem Areas in Your Home and Correct Them
2: Dry Wet Areas Immediately (Mold can’t grow without moisture)
3: Prevent Moisture With Proper Ventilation (Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.)
4: Equip Your Home With Mold-Resistant Products (mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints.)
5: Improve Air Flow in Your Home (open a window when cooking or washing dishes or showering, or run an exhaust fan.)

“Town Tips” by Chris Town
As a Custom Home Builder and Remodeling Expert I’m asked this question repeatedly…what can I use that’s environmentally friendly to me and my family for getting rid of Mildew/Mold?
I use Hydrogen Peroxide 3%,  White Vinegar, and Baking Soda mixed together in a plant type spray bottle.
Hydrogen Peroxide – 20%
White Vinegar – 60%
Baking Soda – 20%
For a paste-like texture, add more Baking Soda (for cleaning kitchen and bathroom tiles grout areas). After application wait 5-10 min. then clean try. Then I spray the infected area with Tea tree oil (helps prevent mold spores from coming back).

All solutions for home living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”
Chris Town/