Wood Deck Maintenance Tips
Posted on May 28, 2021
Summer is here and its a great time of year for outdoor entertaining and activities. Decks and patios with wood features are a common feature on homes in the Milwaukee area and we have been helping homeowners If you are lucky enough to have a deck to enhance your outdoor space, hosting barbecues and after dinner drinks could be first on your mind. Make sure your deck is up to the task with these wood deck maintenance tips for spring.
As a wooden element, your deck is subject to all of the elements outside. Precipitation and temperature changes can cause a mess within the wood. Make sure you take time each spring to fully inspect your deck’s visible and structural pieces. Skipping this could result in a big, messy and most importantly expensive project. Follow these tips and your deck will be well protected for seasons to come.
If you need help from a professional team be sure to check our deck painting and staining service line, or contact us for a free estimate.
1. Inspect
You cannot move forward without knowing where you stand now. Take a good look around your deck. Look for any protruding nails, discoloration, splintering or potential wood rot. Nail down any sharp nails sticking out for a fully smooth surface. If you find staining or rot, it might be time to replace those areas of the deck.
2. Clean
Debris tends to accumulate on your deck as fall and winter move through. Leaves, twigs and other tree cast offs can cause damage to underlying wood. Start with a broom and then move to a stiff bristled brush to remove the remaining stains. If you choose to power wash, be cautious with the PSI. Using too high pressure can cause divots and gouges in the wood.
3. Stain or Paint
Protect your deck for the summer to come by either staining or painting it. Stain will allow a more natural wooden color, while paint gives you more opaque options of colors. Either will repel water and protect against UV rays. Some paints offer specialized UV resistant coatings to avoid color leaching for longer.
4. Seal
Sealing your deck is a further step beyond stain and paint. It is another layer of protection between the wooden deck and the elements outside. It can help prevent a bevvy of issues listed above for a longer period of time.
5. Refinish Regularly
While you may have to make minor repairs annually to your deck area, most stained or painted decks should remain protected without annual painting. If the paint or stain is prepared and applied as directed, it can last up to 3 years between reapplications.
6. Call the Pros
Keeping your deck in order can be a large task depending on the size and complexity of your outdoor space. Our expert teams are knowledgeable about deck issues and repairs. If you’re ready to have your deck inspected and repaired, call us now. Schedule a no-obligation estimate with our crew today.
