With deck maintenance, a lot goes into the seemingly simple task of taking care of your deck. Simply cleaning it is not enough, as a deck requires more than just the occasional sweep to keep it in top shape. Cleaning and maintaining your deck includes annual inspections, repairs, stains, sealing, and more. Below are common tips, tools, tricks, and practices to care for and maintain your deck.
Know The Deck
First, to take care of your deck, you should know a thing or two about how it was built and the proper tools needed to take care of it. A deck is made from various materials, including concrete, wood, composite, stone, asphalt, etc. To maintain a deck, you need to know the materials used to construct it. Most homeowners either have a wood or composite deck, and there are some similarities and differences when maintaining them.
Keep this in mind when reading more on the basics of deck maintenance.
<H2> Gather the supplies
To care for your deck, you must have the proper tools. Overall, it’s good to have these few items on hand:
● Power or Pressure washer
● Stain/Sealant
● Hose
● Broom and brush
● Paint scraper
● Deck cleaning solution (DIY or store-bought)
These are just some basics to prepare you for any minor damages or regular maintenance you conduct throughout the season. For the most part, you can interchange some items for others, like a standard hose in place of a power washer and DIY cleaning solution, compared to one bought and mixed at the store. It’s a good rule of thumb to stock up on these items and keep them stored away for a rainy day.
Conduct Annual Inspections
You need to conduct annual inspections to help keep your deck in optimal shape, healthy, and strong throughout the years. A yearly review includes a visual inspection noting anything that has deteriorated or needs repairs. The annual assessment is the best time to perform upkeep and maintenance treatment, like resealing your deck to waterproof it for the next season, enhancing the faded colors of the deck by staining it and replacing any broken or faulty deck boards. Maintaining and repairing your deck is the key step in taking care of your deck. Let’s dive into a checklist of items that may need your attention after the inspection.
Replace Faulty or Damaged Deck Boards
An integral part of caring for your deck is replacing and repairing damaged deck boards, which applies to both wood and composite decks. Not only does it keep your deck stable, but it’s necessary to maintain the structure, stability, and safety of your deck. Some loose or damaged deck boards will appear off-kilter, but for the most part, take a quick physical examination. Walk around the deck, test the boards, and take note of where and how many need to be replaced. When the time comes, use a hammer to remove the board, cut and measure the correct dimensions for the replacement, and use a power drill or screwdriver to reinstall. This can be a good project for DIY enthusiasts or a quick job for professionals.
Time for Spring Cleaning
It doesn’t have to be spring to clean, but it should happen yearly. Consistently cleaning your deck at least once a year will help it maintain its beauty while fixing minor damages. Move your furniture, sweep away dirt and debris, use a scraper to remove gunk caught between the boards, and thoroughly hose everything down. This is the perfect time to use that deck cleaning solution you made or bought to clean the deck boards.
Seal and Stain your Deck
If you have a wooden deck, sealing and staining it is critical. Decks that do not take these preventative measures are more susceptible to damage from water and inclement weather, which can erode the deck boards over time. There is a difference between sealing and staining your deck, with some deck materials needing special sealants/stains. Here are the basic steps and supplies needed to complete this mandatory maintenance.
Step 1) Prepare your Deck: This ties into the above steps of cleaning and clearing your deck but also has a timeline. It’s a good rule of thumb for new unsealed decks to allow the deck to withstand the weather for 60-90 days before sealing it. That way, you can see if it needs to be sealed or stained. Overall, wait up to 3 months before deciding if your deck needs to be sealed or stained.
Step 2) Sand down the Deck: Sanding down the deck will eliminate any grime and grit, giving the deck a smooth, clean surface for applying the product.
Step 3) Apply the Sealant/Stain: Apply the sealant or stain over the deck, using paint brushes on handrails and smaller boards for precision and paint rollers for the large deck boards. You can apply a sealant over a stain, but ensure the sealant is fully dry before applying the stain. If the stain is oil-based, use a synthetic paint brush so it doesn’t fully soak into the bristles, making it harder to apply. You will want to avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight. Apply a second coat of stain if the wood is porous. Leave the deck to dry for up to 48 hours before moving items back onto the deck.
After applying the initial sealant and stain, repeat this process every season. While it may seem tedious, you have already stocked up on the right supplies and materials, so repeating this every year will be a breeze.
If you are still on the planning phase of your decking building or deck replacement, you will enjoy reading our blog Top things to consider when choosing your deck builder.
