How to Keep Your Wooden Deck Looking Great
Wood decks are by far the most common types of decks. They are traditional and wood is relatively easy to work with for building. However, over the course of several years, they will need a little bit of maintenance to stay in good shape.
You won’t have to do it terribly often and it won’t take more than a day, but following these steps will help prolong the life of your wood deck:
Step #1: Clean thoroughly. Like anything else in your home, your deck needs a good cleaning every once in a while. There are commercial deck cleaners (make sure to follow the instructions!), but often a good pressure washer does the trick. Just be careful to keep the washer moving—too long on one spot can damage the wood.
Step #2: Repair as needed. Over time, your deck takes damage. Wood pieces might get broken, worn, or rotten. Nails can come out of the floorboards and easily tear shoes or cut feet.
Once the deck is clean, inspect your deck. Replace damaged or missing wood pieces and nail down loose nails. If there are any rough spots that could cause splinters, grab a sander and sand them smooth for a safer deck.
Step #3: Seal if needed. If your deck’s seal or stain has worn off, it’s important to re-treat it. You can test this by spraying water on the surface of your deck. If the water beads up, your seal is still good. If the wood absorbs the water, you’ll need to do this step.
It’s important to choose a seal or stain that is specifically designed for decks. Look for one that is water repellant and designed for outdoor use or you could find yourself re-sealing in a few months!
