How to Prepare Your Deck for a Memorial Day Barbecue

Memorial Day weekend is the best time to gather your family to bond or enjoy an outdoor barbecue. You can even invite friends over for a picnic.

In this post, your leading home improvement expert, Handyman Connection of Matthews, discusses ways you can prepare your deck for a Memorial Day barbecue.

1. Tidy Up – Wooden decks can swell, shrink or warp in the colder months due to snow and freezing water. Check your deck for any signs of rot and loose screws. Immediately contact a professional to fix any issues before your Memorial Day barbecue.

Make sure to use a proper deck cleaner and a scrubbing brush to remove dirt, mildew and grime. Using strong chemicals and a power washer can compromise your deck.

2. Clean Furniture – Wood furniture must be cleaned at least twice yearly. Use cleaning products that are meant for wood, and if they are not available, use a mild soap and water mixture. Pillows and cushions should be stored during the colder months. Clean them using a mixture of mild soap and warm water.

Plastic furniture can be cleaned using an all-purpose cleaner. Moreover, metal furniture should be checked for rust. Steel wool and sandpaper can get rid of the rust. Give the metal a fresh coat of paint to keep it looking new.

3. Decorate – Make your deck more inviting and cozy by stacking the seats with cushions and pillows. They can also add a beautiful accent to the area. There are fabrics that work well with outdoor and indoor use, you can use these in different weathers.

4. Shading –  You can use outdoor fabrics to protect your deck and guests from the sun. Then there are also operable awnings which you can pull down when it becomes too hot and pull up when not needed.

You can rely on Handyman of Matthews for your decking needs. We also offer high-quality carpentry, painting, plumbing and electrical services. Call us at (704) 255-5626 or complete our online form for an estimate.