Installing a pergola is one thing, but maintaining this beautiful structure is a completely different thing. If you want to know how to maintain a pergola and keep it in good shape, then these tips from pergola builders are good to remember.
Clean The Dust
This is probably a no-brainer, but since a pergola is an outdoor structure, it’s going to be covered in dirt and dust and even though some materials might not show it, you still want to clean it up.
You don’t need to do much however, a simple dusting of the pergola is enough and if it’s too high and you can’t reach the slots on the roof, then you can get a long broom and sweep the top part of the pergola and that’s going to keep everything neat. Try to do this at least once or twice a week, because the more the dust builds up, the harder it’s going to be to clean.
You can also use a wet washcloth to clean the sides and the pillars of the pergola, as that’s going to keep the dust from flying everywhere. A wet washcloth is going to contain all of the dust and you’ll be surprised at how clean the pergola looks when you opt for this method. Dust is a pretty normal thing, but you need to be able to clean the pergola regularly to make it look spotless.
No Need For Special Cleaners
A lot of people think that they need special cleaning solutions to make the pergola look sparkling and clean, but that’s not the case at all. The goal is to keep cleaning simple so that you can do it on a daily or regular basis.
You don’t need to buy any expensive cleaning agents to get the pergola to look spotless. You can clean the pergola with things you have lying around in your home. There are things you can find in your kitchen or pantry that will do a great job of cleaning and maintaining the pergola. You can use normal dishwashing liquid with some water and make a sudsy solution and with a microfiber cloth, you can clean it. It’s going to make the pergola look cleaner and it won’t damage the material either.
For other maintenance purposes, you can use baking soda and vinegar or lemon to make a scrubbing solution and you can put it on the spots that are too grimy that is going to get rid of all of the grease and stains, and your pergola will look spotless.
Check The Material
The general maintenance of the pergola depends on the material that you have just as the maintenance of your patio depends on the patio material you have. Different materials have different needs and they are maintained differently as well. If you have a wooden pergola then the maintenance is going to involve sealing, polishing, and cleaning.
If you have a pergola that’s made out of metal, then the maintenance is going to consist of different steps like covering the surface with anti-rust paint, protection from water, and all that. So, depending on the material, maintenance is going to vary, so you need to think about how you can maintain the pergola better, based on these things.
Look Out For The Plants
Pergolas are surrounded by plants, that’s a given, but what you need to ensure to maintain it, is to look after the plants and shrubs, because these very things can also lead to damage and that’s not a good thing at all.
Plants can get old and they can be the source of decay especially if the pergola is made of wood or other materials. This is why you need to ensure that you’re maintaining the plants around and on top of the pergola too. If you can, try to downsize the amount of plants on and around the pergola. Get rid of any dying or old plants that are not serving their purpose any longer.
If you want to make future maintenance a breeze, then try to go for fake plants and succulents, as they require little to no maintenance, they look pretty and the best part is that they don’t need to be watered at all, so you’ll be in for a treat. Plants add a lot of beauty to the pergola, but you must maintain these shrubs as well because things can take an ugly and unpleasant turn quickly if you’re not too careful.
To Seal Or Not To Seal
This dilemma is something you need to deal with, if you have a wooden pergola. Wooden pergolas are beautiful and all, but they are also one of the toughest ones to maintain because wood requires a lot of attention. Wood is not a weather-friendly material and it won’t do well outside unless you take some precautions.
Wood is generally a porous material and you know what that means. Water can instantly find many ways to penetrate the material and it can wreak havoc if you’re not too careful. Water is the main source of damage in wooden pergolas, which is why sealing is a must when you’re getting it installed. There’s no reason for you to not seal it because sealing the material is saving it from further damage and since wood is not a cheap material, you want to take steps to prevent things from taking an ugly turn.
So, if you’re getting a pergola installed that’s made out of a material that’s porous and can lead to damage, then it’s best that you seal it for good because you will be saving yourself from a load of trouble in the future.
It’s applicable to any structure you build in your outdoors like a gazebo, deck, or anything else. If you have a gazebo, get some tips from the gazebo builder Long Island who installed it for sealing and maintenance.
Regular Inspection
The most important part of maintaining a pergola is the fact that you need to inspect it now and then. If there’s been a particularly rainy or windy day, then it’s a good idea to go out and have a look at the pergola for any visible damage.
There can be dents if your pergola is made out of metal, there can be fungus or mold formation if you have wood pergola, and so on, so you need to keep your eyes peeled for any kind of unwanted damage. If you see something that’s out of the ordinary, then you need to jump into action right away, because preventing the damage from getting worse is key.
If you see fungus formation on the base of the pergola or any leaks in the ceiling, then it’s better to call someone in to take a look at the pergola. It’s good to repair the damage right then and there because it’s going to prevent major problems from occurring in the future and you will pat yourself on the back for being vigilant and quick, at the time of action.
Conclusion
A pergola is pretty easy to maintain, but the main battle is to be consistent with its care and maintenance because that’s going to make it look new and tidy for longer. If you need help in repairing or maintaining your pergola, call in a pergola contractor Port Jefferson.