Every deck takes a beating, and for good reason. No doubt your deck is one of the happiest places in your home. People play on it, run on it, and enjoy an evening under the stars, but all that foot traffic can lead to damage, not to mention weather and other factors. We’re going to explore some pro tips for keeping your deck looking brand new all year round.
Use Planters Wisely
One of the most important things that you can do is use your flower planters wisely. You want to prevent dirt from clinging to your deck, so place those planters on top of cement blocks in order to remove the dirt and the moisture.
Avoid the Grease
If you have a grill on your deck – as you should – then you want to make sure that there’s a grease catcher to prevent grease from hitting the wood. Once there is grease there, it’s seriously hard to get off.
Sweeping
Be sure to regularly sweep your deck. When debris such as dirt and leaves accumulate, they can do damage when they sit on the wood for too long. Try to sweep your deck once a week.
Take a Shovel
Similar to regular sweeping, you want to regularly shovel snow off of your deck. When the snow sits there for too long it can seriously do some damage.
Call the Professionals
Even with sweeping and shoveling, you’re still going to need the professionals to come in from time to time. That means professional cleaning and sealing at least every 2 to 3 years. If you don’t want to use a professional, be sure to do this once a year. Sometimes it’s worth it to call in the big guns.
Clean a New Deck
You may think that because your deck is new that you don’t need to do a thing. This couldn’t be further from the truth. When your deck is fresh, wait 60 days for the wood to age and then have it cleaned of impurities and sealed. This is vital for the longevity of your deck.
Pressure Treated Wood
You may think that just because your wood is pressure treated that you don’t need to seal it, but this is not the truth. Even pressure treated wood needs sealing to protect it from the elements.
Avoid Solid Colors
Be sure to never paint or use solid stains on your deck. These finishes will eventually peel off or require a lot of upkeep. When this happens, it makes your deck look older than it really is. The more natural your deck looks, the better.
Don’t Avoid Repairs
When something needs fixing, fix it right away. If there are signs of rotting on the boards, do something about it as soon as possible before it hurts the entire deck.
