Vancouver, while known for its beautiful natural landscape, is also known for its notoriously expensive real estate. Having cleaned a deck or two (or a few hundred) at Imagine Maintenance, we’ve seen outdoor spaces of all sizes.
But even if you have a smaller outdoor space in your home, you can still enjoy the summer with some planning, thought and maybe some professional help from our property services team 😉
Prep your deck in advance
While Vancouver might seem to be covered in perpetual rain, summer does come – but when it does, it’s a hot one. July and August traditionally see less rainfall than the rest of the year, so you can’t count on nature to wash your deck for you.
If you live in an apartment or townhome complex, then it’s likely your strata corporation has rules or bylaws in place around deck / patio maintenance. Some strata councils designate a deck cleaning schedule in advance, by floor. Why? Imagine you’re on the 1st floor and you clean your deck one day. Then the very next day the neighbour above you cleans theirs, with all the dirty water running down into your freshly cleaned space. So be sure to check with your strata ahead of time to avoid this mistake.
Choosing a reputable company that’s fully insured (like ours!) could be a cost-effective option – we’ll be able to determine if pressure washing or soft scrubbing is the best cleaning option for your space.
Choose your furniture wisely
With less square footage, comes less furniture options – right?
Well, that doesn’t have to be the case. Furniture retailers have become savvy to their consumer needs, as they know that not everyone has a large lot. If they weren’t adaptable with their product offerings to suit outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes, they’d be out of business pretty quickly in Metro Vancouver.
Choose pieces that have multi-purpose functionalities, such as a storage deck box that also serves as a bench for additional seating or a folding picnic table to save space. Also consider the materials that your furniture is made of. Pieces made of teak wood, aluminum, wicker or stainless steel are great options that provide both durability and easier maintenance.
Get your BBQ ready
The start of the summer season inevitably also means the start of the BBQ season. In Vancouver, popular items to grill include BC wild salmon or locally grown sweet corn from Chilliwack – some of our team’s personal favourites.
A smaller deck or patio shouldn’t limit your menu options for your summer BBQ. You don’t need a ton of space to fit a grill that can still cook a meal for an entire family.
However, many strata corporations have rules and bylaws in place around what types of BBQs or grills are permitted. While charcoal might produce delicious results, many buildings prohibit them due to fire risk and safety concerns. Propane and electric grills appear to be more in favour – fortunately, smaller propane tanks are readily available, making it an ideal option for smaller outdoor spaces.
Enjoy nature
Whether your view is of the Howe Sound in North Vancouver or the lush Fraser Valley fields in Langley, summer is an idyllic time of year for all to enjoy. But even if you don’t have a picturesque view, you can still enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer.
Bird feeders can be both an aesthetic and functional addition to any outdoor space. If you live in a strata corporation, be sure to check your bylaws and rules first to see if they’re permitted.
You can also add plants to your outdoor space to bring nature closer to you instead. If your deck is north-facing or doesn’t get much sunlight, low-maintenance plants like begonias or snake plants don’t need direct sunlight. And if a green thumb isn’t your thing? There are plenty of artificial plants that look like the real deal.
No matter how you choose to use your deck this summer, above all else make sure you savour every moment. And if you didn’t get your deck cleaned in time this year? Then there’s always next summer.
Do you want to get your deck ready for the summer? Reach out to us today to learn more about our power washing services: https://imagineservices.ca/imagine-contact/