Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Alexis, IL

Q: What do you put down before decking?

• <div><p>Before installing a deck, you must build a base for the deck to rest upon, often made of compacted soil or gravel. While gravel is an optional material, it helps with drainage. Some contractors also recommend installing a weed control membrane, which helps provide a solid foundation for the frame. In the case of an elevated deck, a pro will often lay down a concrete slab as a foundation. </p></div>

Q: How hard is it to build a deck yourself?

• <div><p>Building a deck isn't too hard if you&rsquo;re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don&rsquo;t have experience in those areas.</p><p>Note: You&rsquo;ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don&rsquo;t have an extra set of hands to help.</p></div>

Q: What is the proper and most comfortable height for a stair riser or deck step?

• <div><p>The proper height for a stair riser or deck step is between four and seven inches, with seven inches often considered the most comfortable. Building your stairs to this height ensures a strain-free step position and minimizes the risk of trip and fall injuries. For optimal safety and comfort, especially on deck stairs, a rise of around seven inches should be paired with a tread depth (or run) of at least 10 to 12 inches. While it is possible to design stairs with risers up to 12 inches, this height can be challenging for children, pets, or individuals with mobility issues. Always check with your local building codes, as they may mandate specific dimensions that differ from these general recommendations.</p></div>

Q: How often and at what time of year should I clean my deck?

• <div><p>It is recommended to clean your deck once or twice a year to prevent the accumulation of dirt, debris, mold, and mildew. The ideal times for cleaning are in the spring and fall. A spring cleaning removes grime that has built up over the winter, preparing your deck for summer use. A fall cleaning washes away messes from summer activities, preventing them from setting into the wood over the winter. The exact frequency can depend on factors such as how often the deck is used, its exposure to pollen, and whether salt was used on it during the winter. Regular cleaning helps protect the wood and its finish from damage.</p></div>

Q: Do you need to prime composite decking before painting?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s best to prime composite decking before painting. This promotes better paint adhesion, helps create a smooth finish, and can mean the paint job will last longer. Always follow the manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions for application, allow ample primer drying time before painting (typically 24 to 48 hours), and thoroughly clean the deck boards to promote the best adhesion. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Alexis, IL

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Alexis, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Alexis, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

Last update on April 25, 2025

Reviewed in April 2025
We had an excellent rental house with a worn out asphalt shingle roof that became damaged in a windstorm and started leaking. Trenton black and quality roofing pro came to our rescue and were timely and professional in their assistance. The job was reasonably priced and completed quickly....
Quality Roofing Pro
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Reviewed in July 2021
Josh arrived on time. When he saw that the job was not large, he went to work immediately. In just an hour the deck railing was repaired and the work area swept clean. The rotted board is replaced and the railing is much sturdier.
Joshua Moore's Home Maintenance, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2020
Did a great timely job. Yard cleanup, power wash my house and rebuild a deck. And when asked after completion to seal and coat the deck he offered for half the cost of the other guys. Absolutely recommend for all available services.
The Outsiders, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2018
Their Polylevel product was used to raise/level 32 yr old concrete deck around pool. Cracks were also repaired and sealed. Looks terrific and no longer a tripping hazard for the grandchildren!
MidAmerica Basement Systems
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Reviewed in May 2018
Simon, Tom and the crew are amazing. It is incredible how fast they work!!! They did a major project for us. They installed a beautiful retaining wall in our front yard and re-did most of our landscaping: front yard, side yards, and part of the back yard, which included demolishing an old deck,...
LUCKY STAR LANDSCAPING, INC.
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Reviewed in May 2017
Shane and his crew did an amazing job taking down my tree. It was a very large tree and was just a couple feet from a privacy fence which I was afraid would cause a problem for them. They also had to navigate around a pool, a deck and the house and managed to bring the whole thing down without...
Trees, Lawns and More
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Reviewed in May 2017
Careful attention to detail, willing to take the time to do it right, stayed on schedule, demonstrated knowledge of the craft of building a deck. Everything first rate.
Paradise Home Improvement, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2015
Replaced a couple old light switches and reestablished electrical connection to some (but not all) of the lights on back deck. Made the mistake of not checking work until long after they had left. On the invoice, I indicated that some lights in back still didn't work. The owner promptly called...
Mangieri Electrical
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Reviewed in December 2012
This was one of the best home maintenance/renovation experiences we've had. Robin's estimate was fair and his estimate is exactly what we paid. Robin and his helper (sorry, can't remember his name) were there every day from start to finish. They did an excellent job installing everything, were...
UNITED SIDING CO
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Reviewed in September 2012
They asked for half down on the garage and began work. They asked for a cashier's check made in the wife's name, which should have been a red flag. They began work on the garage and did about 90% of the job when they asked for the final payment. <br /> I went ahead and paid and they promised...
ELGIN & SON CONSTRUCTION
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Alexis

The Handy Human LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Small jobs welcome

Hello, I'm John, owner and sole proprietor of The Handy Human. I've been doing general home maintenance and repair my whole life, and am not immune to the never-ending to-do list that can plague most homeowners. If your personal home or rental property needs an upgrade or general maintenance, I am your human. There is no job too small for a helping hand in this world. Let's work together to shorten that list so you can get back to enjoying your home as it is meant to be.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

My name is James botkin with 1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC. We are professionals in replacing Windows, doors, siding, floors, metal wraps, soffit, and fascia, and with 15 plus years experience me and our team will be sure to make sure the homeowner is as happy as can be with the work we do!!\nWhy?, because we are the 1

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Agape Construction & Improvement

4.0(

)

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"
Brady is the best you'll ever find for home remodeling projects.
Showed up on time. Took the time to make ever job right.
Projects were worked on over a number of months, one at a time.

The best and most honest tradesmen I've ever found.
We moved to Texas in January of 2014. We whish Brady could have come with us.
I've found some good (and bad) people to work on the Texas home. But no one who comes close to the quality of work done by Brady Brower.
"

Recommended by90%of homeowners

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Green Earth Enterprises Inc

4.7(

)

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I hired the company to do a make ready [clean up & prep] on a single apartment in a building which I own in the town where I live. I needed the property to be cleaned up so I could rent it again. I have been a landlord for over 20 years & hadn't found a vacated property in such a mess in all my years. They did the complete interior clean-up which took about five hours. And, the complete prep of the property. they took out all the trash & junk, and cleaned up all debris left in the yard. They did such a great job with that I decided to use them for the yard maintenance also. They cleaned all my flowerbeds & got them ready for spring, placed mulch & trimmed the shrubs and flowering trees. On the inside they made everything look brand new! Cleaning the walls, painting, cleaned the carpets & stripped & polished the wood floors...making them look brand new. The appliances that stayed were cleaned inside & out. They even remembered to get all the light fixtures clean for me. Dusted all window seals & doorways. Shine mopped all they tile floors. To top it all off they even gave the bathrooms a fresh clean look by putting a new caulk seal around the tubs, sinks & shower...which gave the bathrooms a fresh face. All in all I found it to be a very stress free pleasant experience. And, I will definitely call on them for the next project because if they could do so well with a nightmare like that I'm sure the less difficult will be equally affordable and easily handled. Everything just looked so nice when they were finished. Thanks, Green Earth
"

Recommended by71%of homeowners

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I had a dishwasher install and an outdoor access stair replaced(3steps). Done on 2 different days. He arrived one time and the jobs were completed satisfactorily."

Response time4 hrs

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went well. He was timely. He did the work and the work was good. He got everything done in a day and no complaint. He made sure that I knew what he's doing."

Recommended by57%of homeowners

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Laura and the crew are very professional, courteous, nice people. They tried to save money and help me afford to get everything done that I needed to get done."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Custom Homes

5.0(

)

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"I would like to start off with precise, warm welcome and highly responsible of what they are doing. They really know what they are doing and from start from start to end it has been a great project with new experiences and great craftsmanship. Thanks again guys and i hope to have more work for you soon...
"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Self-Made Services LLC Handyman&Mobile Mechanic

4.5(

)

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It was very good. He was very friendly and on time. He got the job done."

+13

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Alexis, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Matt was very professional when giving us a quote and the entire time he was at our house painting. He was very efficient and respectful. We would definitely hire him again. Highly Recommend!!!!!!!!!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 24

Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

Before installing a deck, you must build a base for the deck to rest upon, often made of compacted soil or gravel. While gravel is an optional material, it helps with drainage. Some contractors also recommend installing a weed control membrane, which helps provide a solid foundation for the frame. In the case of an elevated deck, a pro will often lay down a concrete slab as a foundation.

Building a deck isn't too hard if you’re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don’t have experience in those areas.

Note: You’ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don’t have an extra set of hands to help.

The proper height for a stair riser or deck step is between four and seven inches, with seven inches often considered the most comfortable. Building your stairs to this height ensures a strain-free step position and minimizes the risk of trip and fall injuries. For optimal safety and comfort, especially on deck stairs, a rise of around seven inches should be paired with a tread depth (or run) of at least 10 to 12 inches. While it is possible to design stairs with risers up to 12 inches, this height can be challenging for children, pets, or individuals with mobility issues. Always check with your local building codes, as they may mandate specific dimensions that differ from these general recommendations.

It is recommended to clean your deck once or twice a year to prevent the accumulation of dirt, debris, mold, and mildew. The ideal times for cleaning are in the spring and fall. A spring cleaning removes grime that has built up over the winter, preparing your deck for summer use. A fall cleaning washes away messes from summer activities, preventing them from setting into the wood over the winter. The exact frequency can depend on factors such as how often the deck is used, its exposure to pollen, and whether salt was used on it during the winter. Regular cleaning helps protect the wood and its finish from damage.

It’s best to prime composite decking before painting. This promotes better paint adhesion, helps create a smooth finish, and can mean the paint job will last longer. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, allow ample primer drying time before painting (typically 24 to 48 hours), and thoroughly clean the deck boards to promote the best adhesion.

The Alexis, IL homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

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•
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Cost to Seal or Waterproof a Deck [2026 Data]
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It's important to know the right terminology when taking on the task of staining your deck. Take a look at the deck maintenance terms every homeowner should know.
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How to Hire Someone to Seal a Deck
Learn how to hire a qualified deck sealing contractor. Find reputable pros, ask the right questions, and protect your deck investment.