Basic Deck Maintenance

To keep your deck looking like new (and to protect your investment) it's necessary to perform seasonal maintenance to ensure that the wood doesn't sustain damage over the years. Specifically, you have to protect it from nature and everything it can dish out through the seasons. The sun's rays, rain, and extreme temperatures all contribute to the basic wear-and-tear of wooden decks, but there are several things you can do to prevent major problems.

Rain. Unfortunately, rain is the leading cause of problems with wood decks. Water seeps into weak spots and openings, including exposed edges, nail and screw holes, splits, knots, and cracks. As a result, rotting is something you will have to contend with unless the deck is protected by a waterproofing sealer. Certain wood types, however, are a better match for rot – cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine are more resistant to rot, but no material is entirely rot-proof. If water soaks into your deck after a storm instead of beading on the surface, you should consider sealing it, a job that will need to be done every few years.

Mold. Mold can be a big problem even with sound wood, as damp climates or areas with heavy shade can lead to a mossy deck even under the best circumstances. Too much dirt, a large amount of leaves, needles, and other material left on a deck also lead to the growth of mold and mildew. The best way to remove this type of mold is to scrub it off with a deck cleaner or mild bleach solution. To prevent too much buildup from ever accumulating, sweep the deck on a regular basis and use a crevice tool to dislodge debris from between the boards. A garden hose with a spray nozzle is a good way to rinse away dirt particles but don't use power washes, as they can damage wood.

Sun. Sunshine causes wood to fade, but it also dries it out. A deck that is too dry is, ironically, more vulnerable to water retention and rot. You can brighten a dry deck by applying a special solution designed for the job. When the wood's natural color returns, avoid future sun damage by spreading a penetrating deck finish with UV inhibitors on the wood.

Temperature. Wood becomes stressed when it is exposed to temperature changes throughout the year. Freezing and thawing during the winter and high temperatures in the summer make boards expand, contract, and shift. Popped-up nails are a sign your deck is under stress. You can replace loose nails with longer nails or deck screws to avoid this problem, and use corrosion-resistant fasteners for deck boards.