A beautiful patio or deck can be a major magnet for people looking for a single-family rental house in Ocala. A rental home with an outdoor get-together space is typically a property in excessive demand. But bear in mind, this is only possible if the patio or deck is in good condition. Splintered wood, stained concrete, and dirty vinyl planks are likely to, not just push tenants away but eventually develop into potential hazards as well. For this reason, it’s necessary to fulfill regular maintenance on your rental property’s deck or patio, and also not to forget to maintain the condition of any fixtures.
In the matter of maintenance, wooden decks are normally on top of the list of those needing the most upkeep. Maintaining a wood deck ought not to be an expensive difficulty, but you’d do well to clean them with a standard deck cleaner each spring to clear away any dirt and debris that has gathered. After being cleaned, the deck should then be sealed to protect it from the elements. This will ascertain that your wooden deck looks beautiful and, more importantly, is more resistant to splintering, rot, and mold.
With several years of usefulness, however, even a carefully maintained deck will need to be stained or repainted to keep it in good order. This is likely among the most time-consuming parts of having a wooden deck, but necessary to keep your property values high. If your deck is painted, the old paint must be cleaned off, and the wood planks sanded before being repainted. It is a brilliant plan to apply high-quality paint designed for outdoor use. Staining a deck is a bit more hassle-free, but the wood still needs to be prepped for the new coat of stain. Both stained and painted wood should be coated with a sealant for the greatest weather resistance.
The kind of attention that wood decks require has led to more property owners choosing vinyl planks instead. Vinyl decks also need to be cleaned but are normally quite a bit easy to maintain and handle. For the reason that vinyl is already extremely durable and weather-resistant, a lot of vinyl planks may just be given a good scrub with warm water and mild soap to continue looking like new.
If your Ocala property has a patio instead of a deck, you might presume there is no maintenance required. But that isn’t true. Granted that regular sweeping can help maintain surface dirt at bay, concrete and stone patios can still become dirty and stained. This makes it crucial 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. A degreaser can be used for stubborn stains or specks. But natural stone pavers should be cleaned carefully to avoid damaging the surface. Both concrete and stone can also be sealed to keep the worst of the scum and stains away and completely make cleaning a much easier process.
The last note to take into account, is that no deck or patio is complete without outdoor furniture. If your property includes outdoor décor or furniture, these items will demand regular cleaning and maintenance, too. Most outdoor furniture can be cleaned with mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a soft-bristle brush. If items are not in use, they must be covered and stored indoors. Wooden furniture, just like wooden decks, should be cleaned and either sealed or repainted each year. Fabric cushions or pillows should be surface cleaned with a mild soap solution and then afterward fully air-dried to prevent mildew.
By doing just a few simple maintenance tasks, you can have your rental property’s deck or patio looking like the outdoor oasis renters want.
Need a little more advice on upkeeping your property? An Ocala property manager at Real Property Management Diversified would be available and eager to talk to you! You can contact us online or call us at 352-854-2221 for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
