Sunny afternoons spent on a backyard deck are hard to beat. But, the sun’s warming rays are also giving the wood of your deck a beating. Add rain or snow to the mix, and the deck’s fibers are aging and breaking down faster than you’d like. To help counter these harsh effects, follow these Today’s Homeowner tips for wooden deck maintenance and wooden deck cleaning.
Wooden Deck Maintenance Tips
Follow these tips to maintain your wooden deck, combat aging and extend its life:
- Clean or wash your deck at least once a year.
Washing your deck ensures that it looks good year-round and that it stays strong and rot-free. - Use a pressure washer or scrub brush with mild detergent.
Using a pressure washer on your deck allows you to get up any built-up dust, dirt, or grime which means your deck will last for longer. Be sure to check the detergent you use (it should always be mild) and be sure it won’t damage the wood of your deck. - Apply stain or sealer to your wooden deck regularly.
Sealer and stain isn’t a “one and done” deal. If you want your deck to stay looking beautiful for years, you’ll want to be sure to add staining and/or resealing to your wooden deck maintenance plan. This keeps the color looking nice and bright and keeps the weather from working its way down into the wood grain. - Use a back brush technique into the wood grain for maximum protection.
Back brushing into the wood helps to get every bit of the grain covered with sealer or stain which means you’ve got the best protection possible for your deck.
