Deck and Patio Prep for Summer

There’s a certain moment every spring in Connecticut when everyone collectively realizes that summer is actually coming. Suddenly the deck furniture comes out, the grill gets uncovered, and people start looking at their patios a little more critically.

Unfortunately, winter is not exactly gentle on outdoor spaces around here. Between snow, ice, moisture, freezing temperatures, and the occasional “I’ll deal with it in the spring” procrastination, decks and patios can take a real beating over the colder months. The good news is that a little attention now can help prevent expensive repairs later and make your outdoor spaces far more enjoyable all summer long.

The first thing homeowners should do is simply take a slow walk around the area and inspect everything carefully. Winter damage is often subtle at first. Look for loose boards, popped nails, cracked pavers, rotting wood, unstable railings, or areas where the surface feels soft or uneven underfoot. If something feels questionable now, it probably won’t improve after a season of heavy foot traffic, summer storms, and backyard barbecues.

Decks in particular tend to collect moisture damage over time, especially in shaded areas or spots where that long spell of snow sat all winter. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming that a deck only needs attention when it looks bad. In reality, preventative maintenance is what gives a deck a long lifespan.

A proper cleaning is usually the best place to start. Dirt, algae, mildew, pollen, and old leaves make a deck look dingy and they can break down materials over time, creating unsafe surfaces. While pressure washers can be effective, they also have the potential to do a surprising amount of damage if used incorrectly. Too much pressure can gouge wood, splinter surfaces, and shorten the life of the deck. In many cases, a gentler wash combined with the proper cleaning solution is the smarter option.

Once the surface is clean, homeowners should check whether the deck still has adequate protection from the elements. An easy test is to sprinkle a little water onto the wood. If the water beads up, the protective seal is likely still doing its job. If the wood absorbs the water quickly, it may be time to reseal or restain the surface.

Patios require attention too, especially after a Connecticut freeze-thaw season. Pavers can shift over time as the ground expands and contracts, creating uneven surfaces and tripping hazards. Small cracks in stone or concrete can also worsen surprisingly fast once water starts getting inside them. Early repairs are almost always simpler and less expensive than waiting another year.

Spring is also a good time to address drainage issues around patios and outdoor living spaces. If water pools near the house after rainstorms, or if certain sections stay wet for long periods of time, it’s worth investigating before summer humidity arrives. Standing moisture is rarely a homeowner’s friend.

Furniture and outdoor accessories deserve a little preparation as well. Cushions should be checked for mold or mildew, umbrellas inspected for tears, and grills cleaned before the first big cookout of the season. Nobody wants to discover a propane issue five minutes before guests arrive.

For homeowners considering upgrades, summer is often when people realize how much they actually use these spaces. Simple additions like lighting, planters, privacy screens, or a refreshed seating area can dramatically improve how a deck or patio feels without requiring a full renovation.

At the end of the day, outdoor spaces are meant to be enjoyed. A little maintenance now can help prevent bigger headaches later and ensure that when the warm weather finally sticks around, your deck or patio is ready for everything from quiet morning coffee to busy summer gatherings.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Moment for Mulch in the Spring

Mulch doesn't exactly get all the landscaping glory but it’s easily one of the highest-impact things you can do for your yard without spending a fortune or tearing up your lawn. When you do it right, your house looks sharp, your plants thrive, and you spend way less time watering and weeding. 

Why Mulch Actually Matters

Let’s start with why we even bother, because this is where mulch quietly earns its keep:

• It holds the water: A good layer acts like a sponge, meaning you don't have to water constantly during those brutal July and August heatwaves.

• It controls the thermostat: It keeps roots cooler in the summer and acts as a cozy blanket during cold snaps.

• It chokes out weeds: By blocking the sunlight, it stops weeds before they even start.

• It feeds the dirt: As natural mulch breaks down, it actively adds organic matter back into your soil.

Timing is Everything

Don't rush out the first time it hits 50 degrees. The sweet spot around here is mid-to-late spring when the soil actually has a chance to warm up. If you mulch while the ground is still cold and wet, you trap that chill in the soil and stunt your plants. Wait too long, and you miss out on locking in that spring moisture. A light top-off in the fall helps protect roots for winter, but spring is definitely your main event. Be sure to wait until the pollen has fallen too. 

Picking the Right Stuff

Not all mulch is created equal. Here is the quick rundown:

• Shredded Hardwood: The reliable workhorse. It’s an affordable, all-around choice that stays put in the rain and breaks down at a decent pace.

• Bark Nuggets: Looks super clean and lasts longer, but has a nasty habit of sliding down slopes during heavy rain.

• Dyed Mulch (Black, Brown, Red): Gives you that instant crisp, uniform look. Just remember it’s mostly for aesthetics and it breaks down slowly, so it doesn't do much to improve soil health.

• Natural/Compost/Straw: The absolute best bet if you want to boost your soil, especially for vegetable gardens.

The Golden Rule: 2 to 3 Inches

This is where things usually go off the rails. You want a layer about 2 to 3 inches deep. Any less, and weeds will just push right through. Any more, and you risk suffocating your plants and trapping too much moisture.

Crucial Tip: Keep the mulch a few inches away from the actual base of your trees and shrubs. Piling it up against the trunk creates those infamous "mulch volcanoes," which just invite rot, pests, and long-term damage. Let the trunk breathe!

A Little Prep Goes a Long Way

Before you start dumping bags, take a few minutes to prep the area. Yank the existing weeds, cut a clean edge with a spade, and loosen the dirt a bit if it's super compacted. If you want to use weed fabric, make sure it’s breathable. You'll still need to do occasional maintenance as dirt and leaves break down and birds drop seeds that will sprout on top of it.

Getting it Down

Keep it simple. Drop small piles throughout your garden beds, then spread it out evenly with a rake (or your hands, just wear gloves unless you really love splinters). Step back every few minutes; this is one of those jobs where eyeballing it from a distance helps keep things looking consistent.

Mulching is basically a cheat code for a great-looking yard. Do it once, do it right, and you get to spend the rest of the season actually enjoying your landscape instead of working in it. Which, let's be real, is the whole point.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Power Washing Problem

This time of year, you can spot it all over town. The first warm weekend hits, someone drags out a power washer, and suddenly every surface around the house is getting blasted.

On the surface, it feels productive. The house looks cleaner and the grime disappears. You stand back and think, great, my spring cleaning is done. The problem is, power washing is one of the easiest ways to accidentally damage your home if you don’t know what you’re doing.

I see it every spring. The biggest misconception is that more pressure equals a better clean. But it really means you’re forcing water into places it shouldn’t go or stripping away materials that are supposed to protect your home.

Take siding, for example. Vinyl siding is designed to shed water, not withstand high-pressure spray at close range. Aim a pressure washer upward or get too close, and you can drive water behind the panels. That moisture gets trapped and over time it can lead to mold, mildew, and even rot in the structure underneath.

Wood is even less forgiving. We’ve seen plenty of decks and trim that looked fine before a weekend cleaning and came out rough, splintered, and permanently damaged. Once you tear up the surface fibers of wood, you can’t undo it. You’re sanding, repairing, or replacing it entirely.

Then there are windows. High-pressure water can break seals, force moisture into frames, and shorten the lifespan of the window itself. Again, it might not show up immediately, but it’s the kind of damage that creeps in over time.

And don’t forget about paint. A pressure washer in the wrong hands can strip paint right off siding and trim. Sometimes people think they’re “prepping” a surface and end up creating a much bigger project than they planned for.

So what’s the right way to do it?

First, understand that most homes don’t need high pressure at all. What they need is the right cleaning solution and a controlled rinse. A soft wash with low pressure, combined with a cleaner that breaks down dirt, algae, and mildew is usually far more effective and a lot safer. One of my favorite products is Wet It and Forget it which doesn’t require any pressure washing at all and is great at removing common outdoor stains and grime.

Second, distance matters. Standing too close is where most of the damage happens. If you’re using a pressure washer, keep your distance and let the water do the work gradually instead of trying to blast everything off in one pass.

Third, know what you’re cleaning. Concrete can handle pressure. Your siding, trim, windows, and deck? Not in the same way. Treating everything the same is where people get into trouble.

Lastly, timing matters. Early spring is a great time to clean up your home’s exterior but it’s also when materials are still coming off a long winter. They’re not always in their strongest condition, which makes aggressive cleaning even riskier.

The goal here isn’t to scare you off from cleaning your house. It’s to do it in a way that actually helps instead of quietly creating problems you won’t notice until later. If you’re going to power wash this spring, ease up on the trigger. Your house will thank you for it.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.