A nice patio or deck is a beautiful feature for buyers looking for a single-family rental house in Dover. Demand is high for a property with an outdoor gathering space. But this is only true if the patio or deck is in good condition. Potential hazards like splintered wood, stained concrete, and dirty vinyl planks could become deal breakers for tenants. To avoid this, you must do regular maintenance on your rental property’s deck or patio, as well as keep up the condition of any fixtures.
In the subject of maintenance, wooden decks require the most upkeep. Maintaining a wood deck does not need to be very expensive, all you need to do is clean them with standard deck cleaner each spring to remove dirt and debris. After this, the deck should then be sealed to protect it from the elements. Now, your wooden deck would not only look good but it would also be more resistant to splintering, rot, and mold.
After years of use, no matter how you carefully maintain the deck, you would need to stain or repaint it to prolong its lifespan. This process is a given for wooden decks, time-consuming but necessary to keep property values high. Should you repaint the deck, first remove the old paint, and then have the wood planks sanded before having it repainted. It is a wise choice to use high-quality paint designed for outdoor use. It’s not as simple as just staining a deck, since the wood needs to be prepped for the new coat of stain. Both stained and painted wood should be coated with a sealant for maximum weather resistance.
Because wood decks require a lot of care, property owners often choose vinyl planks instead. Although vinyl decks are way easier to manage, they 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 Dover property has a patio instead of a deck, you might be assuming that this is maintenance-free. But this isn’t so. Regular sweeping helps but it has its limits since concrete and stone patios can still become dirty and stained. This is why it is important 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 helps. But for natural stone pavers, it must be cleaned carefully to prevent damaging the surface. It is also a good idea to seal both concrete and stone to keep the dirt and stains away so it makes cleaning easier.
Finally, no deck or patio is perfect without outdoor furniture. Regular cleaning and maintenance are also needed for outdoor décor furniture. Most outdoor furniture can be cleaned using mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a soft-bristle brush. Items that are not in use should be covered then stored indoors if ever possible. Wooden furniture should be cleaned, sealed, or repainted each year just like wooden decks. Using mild soap solution, surface clean fabric cushions or pillows then air-dry them to prevent mildew.
By following these simple maintenance tasks, your rental property’s deck or patio can become the outdoor oasis every renter wants.
Got more questions about maintaining your property? A Dover property manager at Real Property Management Seacoast New Hampshire would be very happy to serve you. You can contact us online or call us at 603-343-2202 for more information.
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