What Should You Know About Maintaining Your Deck?

We all love how a deck can make the outer part of the home look and for some it’s crucial for their home to have a deck as they serve numerous purposes. From being great for entertaining and enjoying the great outdoors, for parents to find time to unwind and relax after the children are in the bed for the day, maintaining your deck is crucial to giving it a long life.

Decks are a great investment to any home and in fact return about 80% of their original cost when it comes time to sell your home. Establishing a routine to maintain it means less money over time and allows you to prevent future expenses that can be avoided. Here are a few pointers to help along the way.

Late Spring

In the late spring months, make sure you remove debris from between deck boards. This is because this is prime breeding grounds for mould and mildew which causes rotting of the wood. Where deck boards cross each other and where they cross the joists should be paid special attention to as well.

Make sure all shrubs and other plants are protected that may be on the deck, and be sure you are sweeping the deck from time to time. You want to make sure when you wash your deck you use a cleanser that won’t strip it from the paint or stain you currently have on it.

In the late spring months seal the deck with a sealer or a stain which can be found at your local home improvement store for about $30 per gallon. Clear sealers allow natural wood grain to show though and toners add some colour which reveals the grain of the wood. There are also semi-translucent stains that stain the wood and tint it while letting the grain show.

Midsummer

This is the time to inspect and repair any damage that may be done to the deck. Consider looking for signs of rot which can include checking for mould, mildew, loose joists, and any water damage that may have occurred. Inspect the ledger of your deck which is the framing that keeps the deck attached to the house.

Fall

Consider preventative measures that include washing and sealing the deck before the winter months arrive. This works best when temperatures are mild. You want to make sure all bushes and trees are trimmed nicely as to avoid knocking over and scratching the deck. Avoid leaves and other debris from piling up especially when it’s wet as it can lead to mould damage. These tips can ensure your deck looks great all year long.