Top Deck: 10 Tips for Wood Decks Maintenance
Installing a new deck outside your home will usually cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 on average.
To avoid having to replace your deck too often, make it a point to maintain your deck on a regular basis. You can keep your home’s deck strong and make it last for a long time by doing routine wood decks maintenance.
There are a handful of things you can do to maintain your deck and keep it looking its absolute best. Here are 10 wooden deck maintenance tips you should put into practice after you have a new deck installed on your property.
1. Sweep Dirt and Other Debris Off Your Deck Regularly
The easiest way to prolong the life of your deck and keep up its general appearance is by taking a broom and sweeping it off every few days.
Something as small as a leaf can cause discoloration on your deck and drag its aesthetic appeal way down. Sweeping dirt, leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris off your deck will make a big difference in how long your deck lasts.
2. Check the Cracks of Your Deck for Debris
While sweeping your deck should remove most of the dirt from it, don’t let any debris slip through the cracks and stay there.
Over time, debris can build up in between your deck boards and eventually cause you problems. You should make every effort to clean the cracks of your deck so that there isn’t anything left behind when you’re finished sweeping.
3. Avoid Trapping Dirt on the Surface of Your Deck
A lot of homeowners like to put planters out on their decks to grow plants, flowers, and more.
You’re more than welcome to do this. But when you do, consider placing something in between your decking and your planters to stop dirt from building up underneath the planters.
The dirt that ends up under your planters could do damage to your deck and cause discoloration before long. Place a slab of cement or something like a welcome mat under planters to keep dirt off your deck’s surface.
4. Seal Your Deck At Least Once Every Few Years
When is the last time you sealed your deck?
You should seal a deck when you first get it and then continue sealing it at least once every two to three years. Deck sealer will prevent dirt from working its way down into your decking.
Deck sealer will also protect your deck from the sun, rain, and other weather conditions. If you don’t have a sealer on your deck already, apply one to it immediately.
5. Set Up a Grease Catcher Under Your Grill
Grease stains are just about impossible to get out of wooden decking. Once you have a grease stain, you’re most likely going to have to find a way to cover it up as opposed to cleaning it away completely.
Therefore, if you keep a grill on your deck, put a grease catcher underneath of it. A grease catcher will capture any grease from your grill and prevent it from touching your deck.
6. Prevent Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes From Coming Into Contact With Your Deck
It’s not uncommon to see mildew caused by bacteria growing on the surface of a deck. Most decks are surrounded by trees, shrubs, bushes, and other greenery.
If you have any of these things growing right next to your deck, trim them every so often so that they’re not coming into direct contact with your deck. This will cut down on the mildew and grime you have to deal with over time.
It’ll also stop your wood from turning green. That’s a problem that won’t be easy to fix if you end up facing it.
7. Remove Patio Furniture From Your Deck From Time to Time
Most people put patio furniture on their decks so that they can sit out on them and enjoy the sun.
Although it’s perfectly fine to do this, you should be careful about accidentally scratching your deck with chairs and tables. You should also move your patio furniture off your deck every now and then to clean any dirt located underneath it.
Additionally, you might want to consider repositioning your deck furniture every few months so that your deck surface fades evenly in the sun. Otherwise, you might have certain parts of your deck that look new and others that look very dated.
8. Call on the Professionals to Pressure Wash Your Deck
No matter how hard you work to clean your deck on your own, you could likely benefit from having the pros come in to pressure wash your deck for you.
A reputable pressure washing company will be able to clean the surface of your deck and bring it back to life in just a couple hours. They’ll remove deep-down dirt, stains, and more from your deck.
9. Inspect Your Deck for Any Signs of Rot, Mildew, or Disrepair
Take a step back and take a good, long look at your deck.
Is the wood fading in certain spots? Are there deck boards that need to be replaced? Do you have any rotting that’s going on?
Inspecting your deck will allow you to see any potential problems before they spiral out of control.
10. Repair Your Deck When Necessary
In the event that your deck needs to be repaired, don’t put off making repairs to it!
A small problem with your deck could turn into a big problem in a matter of just a few months. By repairing your deck accordingly, you can keep it in good condition for many years to come.
Doing Wood Decks Maintenance Is Very Important
When you make wood decks maintenance a priority, you can make a wooden deck last for several decades, if not longer.
The key is keeping an eye on your deck and performing simple tasks to clean it. By following the tips listed here, you should be able to extend the life of your deck and avoid having to replace it anytime soon.
Contact us today to schedule a deluxe pressure washing treatment on your deck.
