Deck Care and Maintenance

While a deck will certainly add value to your home, it will only retain its value if you maintain it. Luckily, maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of your deck isn’t difficult, it just takes a little bit of time and planning. Below we will go into everything you need to do to keep your deck looking brand new – let’s jump in!

1. Keep It Clean

The best way to keep your deck looking new is simply by keeping it clean. Regularly sweeping works well, as dirt, leaves, and other debris are not only unsightly, but they can also stain your deck. It’s also important to keep your potted plants on cement blocks to prevent dirt and water from being trapped on the deck’s surface.

Those with grills should always use a grease catcher as grease stains are frequently the most difficult to remove. Not to mention wood decks and grease are a fire hazard! And if you live in a snowy climate, you’ll also need to stay on top of shoveling your deck to remove snow build up. Working these tasks into your regular routine of household chores will ensure your deck always stays clean and looks new.

2. Maintain Its Seal

No matter how old your deck is, you’ll need to make sure it’s sealed. Sealing your deck protects the wood from water which can cause the deck to swell. Sealant will also protect your deck from the sun; sun exposure can shrink and dry out the wood planks of your desk. The cycles of expansion and shrinking will cause your wood to warp, crack, and gray – making your deck look old and rickety.

Even if your wood is pressure treated, it needs to be sealed. Contrary to common belief, wood that has been pressure treated is actually extremely porous and is more vulnerable to weather that causes the damage we mentioned above.

If your deck has been sealed in the past, the easiest way to determine if you need to reseal it is by adding a few drops of water to the surface of the deck. If the water absorbs, it’s time to reseal the deck. However, if it stays in drop form, your seal is still working and you still have time before you need to reapply it.

3. Keep Up With Repairs

While it can be tempting to leave exposed nails, loose boards, and exposed railings to repair another day, it’s in your best interest to address these issues as soon as possible. If you haven’t kept up with your deck sealant, or lapsed on sealing it, you’ll have to be especially careful of rotting boards – if the wood feels soft, you most likely have rot and will need to replace the affected boards. If you can’t make these repairs yourself, call our experts at Austex for all of your decking needs. Give us a call today!