A nice patio or deck is very attractive for people looking for a single-family rental house in Reile’s Acres. A rental home with an outdoor gathering space can bring its value up. But you can only say this if the patio or deck is in good condition. Splintered wood, stained concrete, and dirty vinyl planks not only discourage tenants but also become potential hazards. Because of this, it is a must to perform regular maintenance on your rental property’s deck or patio, as well as keep up the condition of any fixtures.
When we speak of maintenance, wooden decks usually are right up there that need the most upkeep. Maintaining a wood deck doesn’t have to break your bank account, you just need to clean them with standard deck cleaner each spring to take away the dirt and debris that might have accumulated over time. After this process, the deck should then be sealed to protect it from the elements. This gives you peace of mind that your wooden deck would not only look great but is also more resistant to splintering, rot, and mold.
Even if you carefully maintain your deck, the years of use would require you to stain or repaint it to keep it in good shape. This is probably the process that requires the most time in maintaining a wooden deck but it is necessary to keep property values high. If your deck is repainted, remove the old paint first, then sand the wood planks, and finally repainted. It is a wise decision to use high-quality paint designed for outdoor use. You cannot just stain a deck, as the wood needs to be prepped before you apply the new coat of stain. Both stained and painted wood should be coated with a sealant for maximum weather resistance.
Because a lot of care is needed for wood decks, property owners look for vinyl planks instead. Vinyl decks are very easy to maintain but still need to be cleaned. Because vinyl is already extremely durable and weather-resistant, most vinyl planks will need a good scrub with warm water and mild soap to stay looking like new.
If your Reile’s Acres property has a patio instead of a deck, you might be thinking that there is no maintenance needed. But this is not accurate. Regular sweeping helps in keeping surface dirt away, but concrete and stone patios can still become dirty and stained. That’s why it is required to thoroughly clean the patio at least once or twice a year. Concrete can be hosed off, and pressure washed or scrubbed with a bristle brush. For stubborn stains, a degreaser is a perfect solution. But carefully clean natural stone pavers since it could damage the surface. Sealing both concrete and stone helps keep the worst of the dirt and stain away so cleaning them is easier.
Lastly, your deck or patio would need outdoor furniture. If your property includes outdoor décor or furniture, these items need cleaning and maintenance too. Clean outdoor furniture using mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a soft-bristle brush. Items should be covered then stored indoors if not in use. Wooden furniture and wooden decks have similar maintenance procedures. Clean, seal, or repaint every year. For fabric cushions or pillows, air-dry them to prevent mildew after cleaning the surface with a mild soap solution.
Follow these simple maintenance tasks and you’ll make your rental property’s deck or patio the outdoor oasis every renter wants.
Are there other maintenance issues you want to discuss? A Reile’s Acres property manager at Real Property Management Optimum is standing by to answer your call. You can contact us online or call us at 320-289-4649 for more information.
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