2 tips to remember if you want the deck you build in your garden to last for years to come
Posted on: 6 May 2019
If a deck builder will soon be adding a deck to your garden, here is some advice you should follow to ensure that this new structure lasts for many years to come.
1. Take the presence of any nearby bodies of water into consideration when choosing your construction materials
If there are any natural or manmade bodies of water located close to the area of your garden where your structure will be erected (such as a pond, a stream or a swimming pool), then you should take this into consideration when your deck builder asks you to pick out the specific materials you want them to use to make your deck. The reason for this is as follows; if this nearby body of water often overflows and floods your garden during a bout of heavy rain, the floodwater may saturate your deck's framework. If the framework in question is made from timber (as is the case with most traditional decks), being repeatedly drenched in floodwater could eventually cause the framework to rot.
This will affect the entire deck's structural integrity, and may cause the floor of this structure to sag or perhaps even collapse. If this happens, the deck may need to be replaced. This is why, in this situation, it would be best to tell your deck builder to use steel to build the framework of your deck, as this material will be far better able to withstand being drenched with floodwater without deteriorating. This, in turn, will ensure that your deck stands the test of time.
2. Check for signs of termite infestations in nearby wooden structures before proceeding with the building of the deck
A few weeks before the deck builder begins their work, you should check for signs of termite infestations in any nearby wooden structures (such as a garden shed made from timber, a wooden bench or a wooden patio table). If you discover termites in any of these objects, you should address this infestation before the deck builder arrives.
The reason for this is as follows; if these structures are positioned close to the site in your garden where your deck will be located, the termites could 'migrate' over to your deck via the soil between these two areas. If this happens, all of the timber parts of the deck (including the floor and the railing) could be destroyed just a few months after the deck builder creates them. Eradicating this infestation prior to the arrival of the deck builder should help to stop this damage from occurring, which should then increase the chances of your deck having a long lifespan.
Share