I've had similar issues with leaves clogging up drainage setups. One thing that helped me was installing some mesh gutter guards—pretty easy DIY job, and it cut down maintenance a ton. Might be worth trying out if leaves are a recurring headache...
I installed mesh guards too, but then found myself forgetting to check the deck underneath. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Last spring, I finally peeked under there and discovered a whole ecosystem thriving—moss, mushrooms, and a very startled chipmunk. Lesson learned: gutter guards are great, but don't let them lull you into a false sense of security...
"Last spring, I finally peeked under there and discovered a whole ecosystem thriving—moss, mushrooms, and a very startled chipmunk."
Haha, sounds like nature reclaimed your deck! Honestly, how often do most people really check underneath? I probably should more often... but who remembers until something scurries out?
Haha, that's pretty common actually... decks are easy to overlook until something unexpected pops out. Quick tip: once a year, grab a flashlight and peek underneath—checking for moisture, rot, or critters. Takes just a few minutes and saves surprises later on.
Gotta admit, I'm guilty of neglecting my deck more than I'd like to admit. I mean, I know the flashlight trick is solid advice, but realistically, I only remember to check when something weird happens—like the time my dog started barking like crazy at the deck boards. Turned out we had a family of raccoons setting up shop underneath. Cute, but definitely not ideal.
Anyway, here's what I've learned from experience (and a few mistakes):
- Checking once a year is great advice, but honestly, twice a year is even better—especially if you live somewhere rainy or humid. Moisture sneaks up fast.
- Don't just look underneath; give the railings and stairs a good shake every now and then. Loose railings are sneaky hazards.
- If your deck is older, keep an eye out for rusty nails or screws popping up. Stepping on one barefoot is a special kind of pain (ask me how I know...).
- And speaking of critters, if you spot droppings or nesting materials, don't just clean it up and forget about it. Figure out how they're getting in and block it off. Otherwise, they'll be back with friends.
I know it's easy to put off—life gets busy and decks seem sturdy enough—but trust me, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way. Plus, it's way cheaper than repairs down the road.
