If you have decided to install a deck in your outdoor space, you have made a decision you will not regret. Having a place to enjoy time with family and friends is a necessity for any home. Of course, you want to preserve this space and make sure it lasts a long time without needing major repairs or rebuilds. If you care for your wood deck and stay on top of your deck’s maintenance, you will help to preserve your deck and keep it lasting longer. The great thing about a deck is as long as it was properly installed and sealed, your upkeep should be minimal. Keep up on the daily cleaning and follow a few simple steps around the fall and spring time to prep for the winter and summer months ahead.
Care for Your Wood Deck All Year Long
No matter what time of year it is, simply care for your wood deck by keeping the surface of your deck clean. Rinse the surface off with the hose so no dirt, leaves, or debris sits on the surface for too long. In the summer, consider getting a pergola or an awning to provide shade and protection from the sun. Doing this will help decrease the chances of color fading from the sun. In the fall and winter months, keep snow off your deck so that it doesn’t soak into the material and cause it to bow and warp.
During The Spring
During the spring, the main concern for your deck is mildew. It is important that at the start of the spring you go through and do some light touch up to avoid any mold and mildew growth. By sealing your deck once every year, you can decrease the chances of mold and mildew growing.
The first step to sealing your deck is removing any debris that is on the surface and going through each board to repair the cracks that have occurred during the winter. On a day that is warmer, but semi cloudy use warm water and some soap to clean your deck. If you have a wood deck use a stiff brush to scrub the surface. While washing the deck off, make sure that it doesn’t pool anywhere so that your deck doesn’t sink in.
Once you have washed the surface off and let your deck dry for at least two days, you are ready to seal. Choose a sealer that is clear and enables the wood grain to show through, this will enhance the overall look of your deck. As you are going through sealing the deck, make sure you don’t notice any nails or screws that have popped up or splinters. If you do notice any, make sure you remove them. Make sure you apply the sealant evenly and reapply every year to prolong the life of your deck.
Early Fall
Just like in the springtime, lightly wash off the surface of your deck to clear it of any debris from the summer months. If you did not get the chance to reseal your deck in the spring, you can do it now, just use the same steps as above. Trim back any trees or bushes that have grown over the summer to avoid them falling and damaging your deck during the winter. Check all your boards just like in the spring to make sure you don’t have any splinters, nails and screws that popped up. Now that your deck is up to par, move any planters, seating, umbrellas, and décor into storage in preparation for the summer. While you are outdoors, you can also check on your gutters to make sure they do not need any repairs to be ready for the winter rain and snow storms.
All of these tips are good to follow every year as a precaution to not only care for your deck, but also make it look great no matter what time of year it is, but to also preserve your deck and allow it to have a long lifespan. We hope you understand that if you keep up with maintenance and small repairs you will hopefully rarely need to make any big repairs or rebuilds. Of course each type of decking has its own upkeep that should be followed, but as for wood decking, these are the ideal steps to keep up with during the seasons.
