Crisp air. Colorful, crunchy leaves. The spooky season is creeping up around the corner. But what lurks under your deck?
If you haven’t peeked beneath your deck lately, there’s no better time than the present. Just brace yourself for a possible scare. Fall moisture, mold, and creepy-crawly critters can turn unused spaces into a real fright fest. But fear not—this Halloween, we’re offering up more than candy. We’ve brewed up a checklist for underdeck health that will help you spot the signs of trouble before they become full-blown nightmares.
Your Fall Checklist for Underdeck Health
- Musty Smells: If your underdeck area smells like a damp basement or wet dog, that’s not the ghost of Halloween past—it’s likely a sign of poor drainage, mildew, or mold. Don’t ignore it.
- Standing Water or Damp Soil: Water that pools under your deck and soggy soil are also red flags indicating drainage issues. Left unaddressed, this moisture can lead to structural damage and invite pests.
- Mold or Mildew Stains: Dark splotches on joists or beams? Those aren’t supernatural shadows. Mold and mildew thrive in dark, moist areas. And they’re harder to remove the longer they’re left unchecked.
- Rotted Wood: Deck framing should be solid and dry. If boards are soft, crumbling, or discolored, it means they’re past their prime, and it’s high time to act before the rot spreads.
- Critters and Nests: Spiders, mice, or insects tend to take up residence in a moist, neglected underdeck. Give your space a good sweep (and then give these icky intruders an eviction notice.)
- Rusted Fasteners and Hardware: Worn and rusted brackets, screws, or nails signal excess moisture. Over time, this corrosion can compromise the safety and integrity of your deck’s structure.
- Wasted Space: Perhaps the scariest thing of all? Letting the entire area under your deck go completely unused. With a quality water diversion system, you can transform it into a functional, dry, and inviting extension of your home.
Don’t Get Spooked—Take Control with DEK Drain®
Why settle for a haunted hideaway beneath your deck? With a water diversion system from DEK Drain®, you can banish moisture and reclaim your underdeck space, turning it into a bright, dry space perfect for storage, lounging, or even a covered outdoor living area.
And when you want to finish the ceiling beneath your deck in style, our TOPSIDE® system is the perfect complement. Easy to install, clean-looking, and adaptable to your aesthetic, TOPSIDE® gives your underdeck a polished look (no spiderwebs included).
So, grab your flashlight, check that list twice, and let DEK Drain® help you enjoy your outdoor spaces year-round, without any scary surprises.