As a homeowner, it is normal to want the best for your NJ house. This includes keeping your porch in its best condition for a prolonged period of time. With proper screened porch maintenance, you can rest assured that you will get to enjoy your porch while still keeping it looking as good as new. The article below covers various tips you can follow to help you maintain your porch to prevent signs of aging.
Maintenance Works
You are the one to decide how much effort you are willing to put in for porch maintenance as time goes by. The decisions that you make today will determine the works that need to get done in the future. The factors that you need to consider include selecting the right materials and quality of construction. With the right choices, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and money in the future.
Porch Materials
Materials like PVC and composite products are costlier but future maintenance will be relatively cheaper. This is due to the ability of these materials in preventing any cracking or warping when exposed to external elements. For those who prefer cheaper materials will have to anticipate much more expensive maintenance works in the future. One of the materials that is lower in costs is pressure-treated wood which creates a rustic outlook. Another material that is just as exotic is hardwoods which is both expensive to install and to maintain. Thus, making the right choice today can help you cut down on maintenance costs later in the day.
Cleaning Regularly
The first step to properly maintain the porch of your house in New Jersey is to clean it regularly. Sweep your porch every other day and dust its windowsills. For those with a ceiling fan, clean its blades to prevent any dust buildup that will be tougher to clean. For the floors, use a cleaning solution that is suitable for the material you have.
Spring Cleaning
The spring brings along with it plenty of natural beauty including pollen. Rinse off the screens of your porch with a garden hose to get rid of the pollen at least once every year. This process will prevent your screens from having any grime buildup in the long run.
Re-Sealing
If you had earlier selected the pressure-treated wood material, you need to re-seal the wood after several years or as and when it is necessary. Observe any signs of wear and tear to determine when you actually need any re-sealings. The recommended re-seal period is once every 5 to 7 years.
Re-Alignment
If you have a porch door, you may notice that it may have misaligned over the years due to regular usage. This may make it harder to close or open and in time, you may not be able to open it at all. Adjust your door accordingly to make future works more affordable.
Re-Screening
A well-constructed porch utilizes high-quality screens that usually last an exceedingly long time. Nevertheless, due to daily impact from birds, pets, children, and others, you may need to re-screen your porch to keep its outlook looking stunning as always.
