3 Tips To Keep Your Screen Enclosure In Great Shape
Whether you have a screen enclosure around your swimming pool, porch, or lanai, you might be wondering how to keep the structure strong and free of damage. Unfortunately, like any other exterior home component, screen enclosures are subjected to the weather and the perils of everyday use, which is why it is important to be mindful of their care. Here are three tips for keeping your screen enclosure in great shape.
1. Choose Outdoor Toys Carefully
You never know when your kids will decide to hit that baseball through your screened porch enclosure or when that diecast car will snag the screen as your son pushes it around the sunroom, which is why you should be careful about which toys you allow within your screened area. Inspect children's toys, recreational equipment, and even inflatable pool toys before they are allowed around your screened enclosure, and check them for sharp edges that could snag a screen. If your screened enclosure is used around a backyard area, keep objects like bicycles out of the space to prevent problems like tears.
2. Keep Your Screens Clean
Over time, moisture and airborne organic materials can cause algae and mildew to grow within the fine holes of screens, which can eventually attract bugs, rodents, and other pests to the area that could cause damage. To prevent problems, work on keeping the screens of your enclosure clean.
While applying a solution containing bleach to screens can help to kill organic material like mold and mildew, it is important to check with the manufacturer of your screen enclosure to see what they recommend for a cleaning solution. By using a soft cleaning brush, the right solution, and clean water, you can scrub your enclosure and remove debris to maintain the integrity of your screens.
3. Watch Your Pets
While outdoor enclosures may seem like the perfect place for curious pets, animals can also be hard on screened enclosures, especially if they like to chew and scratch things. Over time, they can rip holes in screens and damage structural supports, so consider keeping your pets away from enclosures, having them carefully trimmed to keep their nails short, or monitoring their behavior closely when they are inside the enclosed space.
Whether your screen enclosure needs a little tender loving care or you are interested in replacing the entire structure, turn to a porch contractor like Aluminum Concepts of Florida in your area. In addition to checking your enclosure for damage and repairing the structure, they may also have great ideas for how to improve the look of the space.