Wood Deck Maintenance Checklist

What could be more perfect than a nice spring evening spent sitting out on the deck, enjoying the fresh air? That experience is pretty tough to beat; however, in order to get the most of it, it’s a must to complete routine spring deck maintenance.

Be sure to check the following items off your list this season:

Inspect your deck. Hire a deck professional to check things out, or do the legwork yourself. Things to look for:

• Rot — check the surface, the steps, the areas where the deck attaches to your home and the underside of the deck
• Loose nails
• Loose boards
• Split wood/splintered areas
• Debris
• Moss and algae

Clean the deck. First, sweep off the deck to remove any dry debris. Then use a commercial deck cleaner, along with a power washer, to move any remaining dirt and debris. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for both the commercial cleaner and the power washer. Allow to the wood to dry before moving on to the next step.

Make repairs. Whether hiring a contractor or doing it yourself, be sure to make necessary repairs to problem areas found in the deck inspection. Replace loose nails, repair loose or splintered boards, address any rot, remove debris, etc.

Restain and reseal. After making necessary repairs, keep your deck in its best condition — and preserve its looks — by restaining it and coating with a waterproof/UV-proof sealant.
With these simple maintenance steps, your deck will be enjoyable both now and for years to come!

And for those house-hunters looking for a new home with a new deck this spring, be sure to contact me, I would love to help you find a new home!