Pergola Maintenance 101: Tips for Keeping Your Outdoor Structure in Top Shape

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Having a pergola outside your house gives your outdoor space functionality, elegance, and style. Pergolas also provide much-needed shade during the summer months, and they create a perfect place for relaxation and entertainment.

For pergolas to serve their purpose, and stay elegant and stylish for a long time, you need to maintain them properly. Pergolas can be a huge investment, and just like any investment, we need to ensure that they are in top shape so that they can last for many years.

There are various aspects to keeping your pergola clean and maintained. And we’re here to share everything we know about pergola upkeep with you. 

Why is regular pergola maintenance important?

Before we start talking about proper pergola upkeep, we should first discuss why regular pergola maintenance is important. 

Pergolas are outdoor structures which means that they are exposed to all kinds of weather. Maintenance can help prevent any damages caused by rain, hail, wind, or UV rays. Since pergolas are made of different materials, the levels of this damage can vary. 

For example, elements can cause wood pergolas to warp, or crack, vinyl pergolas to fade or become brittle, and aluminum pergolas to deform. 

Regularly maintaining your outdoor structures can help you spot any issues and damages before they get out of hand and require costly repairs.

How to wash and clean pergolas

Regular washing and cleaning are the best ways to ensure that your pergola is properly maintained. Not only will regular cleaning improve its appearance, but it will also prevent the buildup of dirt, debris, and grime which can lead to serious damage.

The best way to clean your pergola, according to trained professionals for pergolas inSydney, is by using a broom or a leaf blower to remove loose debris such as leaves and twigs. The rest will depend on the material of your pergola.

If you have a wood pergola, a gentle bristle brush, and warm water will be enough to clean your pergola. If you have some stubborn stains, you can use a pressure washer to eliminate them.

A vinyl pergola you can wash with a garden hose or pressure washer. For more persistent stains you can use warm water and oxygen bleach mixture.

To clean your aluminum pergola, you will need a soft bristle brush and a mild cleaning solution. A warm water and oxygen bleach mixture can remove obstinate stains but make sure you rinse the pergola thoroughly with a garden hose after this kind of cleaning.

How to inspect your pergola

Regular pergola inspection can prevent a lot of headaches. An inspection can help you detect any problems early on and prevent them before they get any bigger. 

Visual inspection is the easiest. All you have to do is take a good look at your pergola and search for any signs of damage - cracks, splintered wood, loos boars, missing screws, and so on.

Then, gently shake your pergola to see how stable it is. If there is movement or the structure feels wobbly, you may have problems with loose connections, and you should address this as soon as possible.

Loose or missing screws and bolts can be a huge hazard, so make sure you regularly check the hardware and tighten it when needed.

If you run into serious damages or issues during your inspection, we suggest you call the professionals. 

How to prevent pest infestation

Regularly inspecting and cleaning your pergola can also help you prevent any pests from doing damage to your structure. Pests such as termites, ants, or bees can do some serious damage to your pergola. Especially if you own a wood pergola.

Termites, for example, can seriously compromise the structure of your pergola. If, upon your inspection, you notice signs of pest infestation, the best would be to call pest control.

However, you can take some steps to prevent pests. There are protective finishes or liquid repellents, both natural and chemical, that you can apply to your pergola to prevent pest infestation. If you can consult with professionals to find out which options are better for you and your pergola. 

How to seal and stain pergolas

The best way to protect your pergola from elements is by sealing and staining it. Not only will this protect your outdoor structure, but it will also make it look good.

You can choose the appropriate sealant or stain depending on the kind of pergola you have. Both sealants and stains can be applied with brushes or rollers, or they can be sprayed on. 

Wood pergolas should be re-stained every 3 to 5 years. Doing this will ensure that your outdoor construction is protected and that it looks good. If you own a vinyl or aluminium pergola, you don’t have to worry about staining it.

Bottom Line

At first, pergola maintenance may seem like a big, daunting job. The truth is, that cleaning and maintaining a pergola is very easy. As you’ve read, the most important part of maintenance is regular inspection. Check out the state of your pergola whenever you can, and keep it clean as best as you can.

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