Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Your Deck

Well, ‘forever’ might be a strong word, but that’s the aim anyway. Everyone seems to forget, but your deck deals with a lot. The summer sun, downpours, piles of fresh leaves, snow and ice, all those footsteps and weight it handles – it’s not easy and all those things (and more) leave their toll on the deck.

After a while of all of this, you might notice cracks, fading, warping, and even rot. As a result, you’ll need to spend a small fortune to fix your deck and you’ll start to wonder if that deck was worth it in the first place.

You may not want to hear this, but a worn-down deck is kind of your fault because you either didn’t maintain it properly or you simply ignored maintenance altogether. Now, issues have piled up and there’s no more room for small seasonal tasks you could have done to prevent it.

If you have a deck and it’s still in good condition, don’t let this nightmare happen to you. All it takes is a little maintenance every now and then and your deck will stay strong and beautiful for a long time.

In this article, I’ll walk you through some simple steps that will help protect your deck year-round.

Maintenance Tips

Taking care of your deck isn’t complicated, but you need to be consistent with it so you can stay ahead of potential damage and catch small issues before they become big, expensive problems.

Here’s what I mean.

1. Deep Clean

Dirt, mold, and mildew build up fast, especially in areas that are damp and shaded. If you don’t handle this on time, it will eat away at the wood and stain composite materials, so your deck will look ancient and worn out. You should deep clean it at least once a year to remove grime and prevent damage.

If your deck is made of wood, mix soap with water or a specialized deck cleaner. For composite, use warm water and a gentle detergent. Use a brush with stiff bristles for tough spots and don’t use a power washer because it will strip away the protective sealant. I’d recommend getting in touch with a custom deck builder (preferably the one that built your deck) to see what the safest option is.

2. Check for Damage After Winter

Winters are rough on decks because low temperatures, moisture, and heavy snow can cause cracks, warping, and other structural issues. Even before it gets warmer, inspect the deck closely, and try assessing for possible signs of damage. A classic place to identify is the pooling of water; that’s because rot occurs due to moisture.

Check for any loose nails, screws, or any board wobbling, and then tighten or replace. If there’s anything soft or if the wood is splintering, it could mean there’s rot, which you’ll want to handle right away.

3. Reapply Sealant or Stain in Spring

Sealing and staining is how you keep your deck safe from moisture, sun damage, and wear and tear in general. The protective coating will fade as time goes on and spring is the best time to reapply it because the temperatures are pleasant and the wood will have enough time to dry out from winter.

Before you apply anything, make sure the deck is completely dry and clean. Then, apply your sealant with a roller or brush. All the cracks and edges need to be fully covered.

Let it dry for at least 24 hours before you walk on it.

4. Trim Overhanging Branches and Plants

Overhanging trees and bushes nearby can damage your deck, believe it or not. When branches hang too close, they drop leaves, seeds, and moisture, which causes stains and mold. Sometimes, roots from the trees can even push up your deck’s foundation and make the surface uneven.

Vegetation needs to be trimmed back at least once every season, especially before a heavy storm because that will reduce the chance of branches falling and damaging your deck.

5. Protection From Heat and UV Damage

UV rays will continuously dry up the wood; over time, fading and even cracking may occur (especially if the deck is facing north or east). If your deck is receiving sunlight at all times, put a UV-protective finish to let your wood avoid fading or damage. It’s not hard to do and neither is it expensive; so you should perhaps do this regardless of the amount of sun the dec receives – just in case.

Such sealants are able to reflect much of the passing sun’s heat and minimize wear. You can also use outdoor rugs, umbrellas, or shade structures for areas with much foot traffic.

Conclusion

The deck is the most efficient and versatile addition to your yard, as it’s usable for a lot of things: from entertainment to relaxation. Unfortunately, it seems that many people don’t quite know what it takes to maintain it, or they simply don’t think it’s necessary; hence the deck ends up ruined rather than lasting for years and years.

I guess it’s quite obvious that deck maintenance isn’t something complicated and that it does not require too much time and investment, so there is absolutely no reason why your deck should not continue looking brand-new for decades to come.

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