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Outdoor Living: The Basics of Wood Deck Maintenance
Are you the type of person who enjoys landscaping and keeping your home in pristine condition? Do you meticulously make home repairs to ensure that the exterior of your home is exceptional?
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Your home's deck isn't only an extension of your home: it's also a reflection of your personality as a homeowner. To keep your deck in great condition and extend its life, you need to conduct regular wood deck maintenance.
Summer is a time full of social gatherings, food, and leisure. Our decks allow us to be outside without needing to get dirty in the grass. They are also a platform promoting a sense of gathering and community.
Decks are also useful for adding appeal to our homes. A deck can make your home look bigger and more sophisticated. But, when a wood deck begins to rot or changes color, it can do more harm than good to your home's function and appearance.
To get the most out of our wood decks, there are routines we need to adopt. Otherwise, our deck's lifespan may shorten and we may be left paying for a new one or socializing in the grass. Read on to learn more about wood deck maintenance.
Basic Wood Deck Maintenance Routines You Need to Know
Building a deck is an exciting way to add additional space to our homes. But, it can also be a costly expense. For this reason, it's important that we protect our investment by regularly performing wood deck maintenance routines and making repairs as needed.
As a homeowner, you have a lot to keep up with in terms of to-do lists and maintenance. You also have a lot of bills to keep up with. But, you can lessen these costs significantly over time if you regularly engage in wood deck maintenance.
Instead of needing a full deck replacement, you can simply make repairs as you go. This will significantly lower the total costs of having a wood deck giving you more room in your budget to take care of other homeownership needs. Before getting started, make sure you have the right repair tools, check out WoodJoy Tools for helpful tool reviews.
Explore the following wood deck maintenance tips and routines to protect and expand your wood deck.
1. Inspecting Your Deck
Thoroughly inspect your deck at least one time per year.
However, it's a good idea to inspect your deck before and after each season. Look for signs of rot, loose planks, and damage to the wood.
If you do discover rot or damage, then promptly address these issues by repairing them.
2. Cleaning The Deck
Cleaning your wood deck helps to keep it in tip-top condition and to remove debris. This is an essential routine to conduct before painting, staining, and sealing your deck. To clean your deck, you should use a power washer or a high-pressure hose.
Learn more about power washing to ensure you're doing it correctly.
3. Painting, Staining, or Sealing
Painting and staining your deck helps to retain its beauty. To enhance the wood's appearance, you'll want to invest in deck approved wood stain. What's most important when shopping for paint or stain is to purchase products that will thoroughly soak into the wood.
If paint products, for example, don't soak into the wood then peeling and chipping may result. Follow each product manufacturer's instructions to ensure you get the best outcome possible.
Sealing your deck provides a moisture repellent barrier. You can opt for sealing your deck instead of painting it or staining it. Consider which option is best for you and your home and follow the manufacturer's directions.
Whenever you're painting, staining, or using a sealant, it's important to protect nearby objects. Cover your plants, air conditioning units, and any other objects nearby as these chemicals can be harsh on them. You should also remove any deck furniture and store it in a safe location until the project is complete.
4. Regularly Remove Debris
Debris on your deck can cause mildew and rot to form. Regularly remove leaves, branches, and puddles by sweeping them off your deck with a broom. Do this on a daily or weekly basis or after a storm.
5. Annual Deep Clean
Once a year, you should deep clean your wood deck using a wood deck cleansing solution. This cleansing solution with help to remove bacteria and mold growing on your wood deck.
Spray the solution on the deck and then use a scrubbing brush to address problem areas.
6. Trim Surrounding Plants
Regularly trim surrounding plants to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Plants near your deck can easily grow in and around your deck which can make it rot over time. Make sure there is always enough room between your plants and your deck or remove the plants entirely.
7. Hiring A Professional
If you routinely perform these wood deck maintenance routines, you can expect your deck to look great and last longer. But, sometimes we need the help of a professional to analyze and correct problems that develop. And, some of these problems need to be addressed and repaired by a professional to avoid further damage and to keep ourselves out of harm's way.
This is especially true if our decks are significantly rotting or are built high off the ground.
To find a reputable wood deck contractor, it's important to conduct online research. To start, read any wood deck company's online reviews. Determine how satisfied previous customers were with the professional's work before giving them a call.
You can visit the Better Business Bureau website to read reviews.
It's important for any labor worker professional to be licensed, bonded, and insured. When the company has these credentials, it protects you as a homeowner from potential lawsuits.
Ask the company directly about these credentials, their policies, and how much they estimate the project will cost. Gather multiple quotes to ensure that you're getting the best deal possible.
Wood Deck Maintenance 101
Keeping up with these wood deck maintenance routines and projects can help you to enjoy your deck for years to come. If you're ever in doubt, consult with a professional or read the manufacturer's directions for the products you're using.
Want to learn more about outdoor deck materials? Keep browsing our blog to learn more.
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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