Brantford Handyman: Can Leaves Damage Your Deck?

When the fall season comes around, nothing can top the beauty of autumn-coloured leaves blanketing the landscape. Your own backyard might become a wonderful collage of orange and yellow hues as the leaves begin to fall. What you might not think about amidst the romantic atmosphere is the havoc that those leaves can wreak on your deck.

The fact is that leaves can and will cause damage to the wooden deck attached to your house. Professional deck maintenance in Brantford can prevent any dangerous condition that might result from excessive leaf damage. It is important to fully understand the nature and extent of the damage that fallen leaves can bring.

Understanding Leaf Damage and Deck Maintenance in Brantford

Fallen leaves can cause damage to wooden structures if you do not remove them in a timely manner. Decks are particularly vulnerable to leaf damage due to their wide surface area – it is very easy for large quantities of leaves to accumulate and pile up on your deck if you leave them unattended.

One of the main threats that leaves bring to your deck is moisture. Leaves are crisp and dry when they fall off the tree, but they quickly suck up water from rainfall and other sources. Wet leaves clump together into soggy bunches that retain even more dampness and tend to transfer harmful moisture into unprotected deck boards. These wet clumps also serve as prime breeding grounds for bacteria, fungus, and mould colonies that can all harm your deck in their own disastrous ways.

As the autumn season continues, piles of leaves begin to decay. Proper deck maintenance can deter the many critters that enjoy decaying leaves as food sources or even shelter. Decayed leaf piles on your deck can seem very inviting to mice, beetles, or even termites. These pests can chew right through your deck and leave behind waste material that causes several other problems.

When fall comes to an end and the first snows of winter arrive, any leaves left behind on your deck become covered in the drifts. Large leaf piles can become rather heavy when they absorb moisture from precipitation. Combine that with the weight of snow, ice, and any other debris, and it may become more than an already damaged deck can handle.

Preventing Leaves From Damaging Your Deck

The first step toward preventing damage and stains from leaves is to be proactive about removing them from your deck. Frequent use of a broom, blower, or specialized vacuum throughout the season will keep your deck leaf-free and healthy. You might also choose to cover your deck when not in use with an attractive canopy.

However, it is often best to avoid attempting a DIY deck maintenance project. DIY deck maintenance can take months, lead to unnecessary injury, and might become an endless cycle of extra repairs and permitting problems. If your deck does sustain damage from fallen leaves or any other source, you need a handyman in Brantford that homeowners can count on to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The team at Handyman Connection provides the best deck maintenance services and preventative treatments. We can safely use conditioners, oil sealers, and other professional-grade supplies to help protect your deck against a wide range of weather and nature-related threats.

Call Handyman Connection for Deck Maintenance and Repair Services

Handyman Connection takes a friendly, helpful, and professional approach to providing maintenance services. We help homeowners and business owners with repairs, remodels, or renovations that need to be done while also ensuring a high quality of work and amazing customer service. Contact us today to get a free estimate and learn more about deck maintenance in Brantford.