Regular cleaning is essential in maintaining your deck’s appearance. If you let it go too long, the stains, algae, and sometimes mold can set in and find a resting place. Then it can be hard to remove those unsightly marks. Power washers are an excellent tool to get your deck as clean as possible. They blast away dust, dirt, and debris, while also helping reduce stains and scars. Aside from that, you could at least scrub it or use a cleaner with a hose attachment.

Paint should be applied every couple of years to keep the protection going. Otherwise, the old paint will peel, crack, or even fade so that a new layer will have variations in tone. If you wait too long, you will have to strip the surface down and start from scratch.

Stain should be applied every one or two years. Some premium stains allow up to 4 or 5 years, but monitor them closely to ensure they are doing well. If you let the surface go beyond the specified time frame on the can, you may end up needing to strip the surface down, just as you would with paint. You’d be starting over from scratch.

Regardless, the reason you need to reapply these products is because they won’t adhere strongly to partially damaged surfaces and they would begin to show the issues 6 -12 months later. You don’t want sections peeling off or areas that look like they are fading because of the back surfaces. You want to keep that deck looking good for years.

By routinely monitoring your deck surface and taking action when the time has arrived according to the product, you will have a long-term deck that looks spectacular. Nobody will be able to tell how long ago it was installed. Moreover, you will appreciate your efforts and take pride in a job well done!