Live by the Beach? These 7 Home Upgrades Prevent Environmental Damage

It’s wonderful to live by the beach, but the beach can take its toll on your property over time; salty sea spray, changing tides, and powerful storms can wear away and corrode your property. As a result, you’ll need to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting your beach property from the elements.

Here are seven ways you can help your property stem the tide of time—and, of course, the tide itself!

Elevate the Building

While elevating your entire property might not be an easy task if it’s already built, it’s a great option for new properties—and, at times, a necessary option for existing ones. As water levels slowly rise around the world, many beachfront properties are at risk of being flooded by unusually high tides and storm surges.

In most cases, elevating a building requires elevating the base through strong piles, usually made from either steel or concrete. As most beachfront homes don’t have foundations, it’s usually possible to elevate an existing property.

Use Weatherproof Paints and Finishes

Weatherproof paints and finishes are among the most effective means of protecting your property from the ocean environment, particularly salty sea spray. Paints and finishes act as a sort of “barrier” between corrosive elements and your property’s structure, which can help significantly to prolong life.

However, waterproof paints and finishes need to be replaced regularly—the salty air and ocean water have to corrode something, after all! Be on the lookout for signs of worn finish or, if your property isn’t already painted or finished properly, be sure to apply the right finishes as soon as possible.

Put Covers on Your Furniture and Store Your Belongings

Your home isn’t the only thing that can be damaged by the ocean air: Your outdoor furniture and belongings can be too! Unfortunately, unlike your property, outdoor furniture usually doesn’t have the same corrosion-resistant finishes.

As a result, be sure to put covers over outdoor furniture and secure unused belongings in secure locations. Doing so will not only protect these things from corrosion but also help keep them secure and undamaged during major storms.

Use Corrosion-Resistant Hardware

When most people think of weatherproofing, they immediately think of larger surfaces such as siding and framing. While these components are crucial to your property’s structural stability, the hardware holding it all together—nails, screws, and so on—are easily ignored. Worst of all, it’s the hardware that keeps everything held together!

Be sure to select hardware that is weather- and corrosion-resistant, such as that made with galvanized metals. Unlike hardware in plain steel or iron, galvanized hardware won’t rust or corrode in the presence of salt or water.

Keep Up with Regular Maintenance

Even the strongest materials and finishes wear down over time, especially those used in beachfront homes. Nothing on your property is permanent; nearly everything will have to be replaced at one point. The key to keeping your property in top shape is to regularly maintain surface finishes and fittings and, perhaps most importantly, replace damaged areas as soon as possible.

Deck Waterproofing

Most beachfront homes have large decks, and for good reason—they’re usually the best place to enjoy the ocean view! Unfortunately, with their large, exposed surface areas, decks usually endure most of the damage from sea air, water, and storms.

One way to keep your deck in top shape is to invest in a waterproof deck coating. For more information on deck waterproofing solutions, call our deck treatment specialists at (888) 508-2966.

Do You Really Need Deck Waterproofing in Southern California?

Southern California does have a “rainy season” that brings a lot of rain to the area. Your home should be properly waterproofed to prevent water from getting inside. Some aspects of home waterproofing that need to happen annually include:

• Roof and Attic Inspections
• Resealing/Caulking Around Windows
• Replacing Weatherstripping Around Doors

Yet, one area of the home many people overlook is the exterior of the home—like their decks. Regular deck maintenance is necessary to get the most life out of the deck. Part of this process is having the deck resealed and deck waterproofing performed annually.

Why You Need to Protect Your Deck

Decks can be made from all sorts of materials, ranging from concrete and fiberglass to composites and wood. Rain can cause these materials to slowly degrade and break down over time. An unsealed deck will not last as long as one that is properly maintained.

With concrete decking, excess water can result in pooling. The water is also absorbed by the concrete, which can go through the same wet-dry cycles as wood and become brittle, crack, chip, and break.

Annual deck waterproofing after repairs and resurfacing ensures your deck is protected and able to bring years of enjoyment. Plus, the newly resealed deck will look nicer and help maintain your home’s appearance and value.

Signs of Home Exterior Water Problems

Besides taking steps to protect your deck, there are other things you should watch for that indicate potential water problems. When it is raining outside, take a moment to check the following:

• Is water pooling anywhere on the yard, driveway, patio, deck, or walkways? If it is, this indicates a drainage problem that needs to be corrected. The ground is not elevated enough to direct the flow of water away from the home and toward the street.
• Is water pooling up near the house? This is another drainage problem where the ground next to the house is lower than the rest of the yard. If this problem is not fixed, water could get into the basement or crawlspace and cause damage to the foundation.

• Does the pool overflow when it rains? Most pools have an overflow system built in where the excess water is released out into the yard through a series of underground pipes. If you notice your pool is overflowing, then the issue may be a clog in the overflow system.
• Does water pool around storm drains? If you have storm drains in your yard but notice water is pooling, you need to check to see if the drain is clogged. Leaves, grass clippings, and other debris could be blocking the drain inlet.
• Does water pool in decks, balconies, or patios? If it does, the deck, balcony, or patio may require resurfacing so that it is slanted to direct water away from the home. Alternatively, you may need to have a drain installed to remove excess water.

As can be seen, deck waterproofing and home waterproofing is necessary in Southern California.

For professional deck waterproofing, resurfacing, repairs, and restorations in the Greater Los Angeles Area, please feel free to contact Capital Deck & Stair for waterproofing at (888) 508-2966 today!