5 Things you Need to Know About Deck Maintenance

There’s only 6 more weeks of winter, and if you’re not looking forward to spring by now you are the minority! The sun, green grass, and flower buds are only too welcoming after this rough winter.

If you haven’t begun making a list of all the wonderful jobs you’ll need to do once the weather warms up now is the time to start thinking about it. As a homeowner, the jobs never cease; if you’re not repairing the leaking roof from all this snow, you’re sealing the driveway, putting fertilizer on the lawn, and cleaning up after the dog.

Have you stopped to think about where you’ll relax when all of this is done and spend time outside? Think about where you like to relax when the weather is warm and sunny? Most people enjoy reading a book, or eating a savory steak on their deck. But wait a minute - that needs to be maintained too!

Maybe this is already on your to-do list, or maybe you only just notice it while trying to enjoy your day off. Either way, in order to keep enjoying it for many years it’ll need to be maintained. Here are some helpful hints when approaching your deck maintenance.

1. The age of your deck matters! This helps determine what type of product to use to seal it.

2. Once you colorize your deck, you can’t change it. Take time to think about what matches best with the surroundings. Keep in mind that it takes more time to colorize than just sealing.

3. Cleaning your deck regularly is important to the quality. When the deck is clean the sealer or stain will take to the wood better, making the finished product look nicer. Just like regularly washing your car, your deck will maintain a new appearance for longer.

4. Which direction your deck faces makes a difference. If the deck is in an area where it gets a lot of sun exposure it can wear out faster. To avoid this, stains should have UV inhibitors.

5. Deck maintenance depends on wood type.  Most decks are made of pressure treated wood which hold up a little better in the elements than say, cedar wood. Even so, periodic maintenance is still required to keep that new look for years.

We don’t have control over the weather - this winter is the perfect example. We do have control over protecting our valued property from damage by it! Don’t let the elements wreck your day off. Start planning now so you can enjoy your deck when the weather is nice!

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