DECK CARE AND MAINTENANCE

DECK CARE AND MAINTENANCE is one of the most misunderstood warm weather chores for homeowners, and yet an important part of maintaining your homes appearance and functionality.  As one expert put it “if you ask 10 people how to care for a deck, you’ll get 11 answers” which is why I decided to put together this information post for my clients.

The bottom line is, you need to do SOMETHING, each and EVERY YEAR, in the way of preventive maintenance in order to keep your costs to a minimum, rather than creating a situation where you need an expensive overhaul. A properly maintained deck can be a jewel, but a deck not properly maintained can be an eyesore and even a value-drain to the property.  Here are a few simple tips to help keep your deck the envy of your neighbors…

1.    Clean your deck. A power washer will clean your deck quickly and effortlessly, but first sweep it clean with a stiff broom to remove the surface dirt. Next apply a cleaner to your deck and allow it to soak for a few minutes. This should remove oxidation and dissolve hard to remove dirt. It also should kill mold and bacteria. Two good choices are Deckwash by Sherwin-Williams and Simple by Biowash. After the cleaner has had a chance to soak, go ahead and give it a light pressure wash.

2.    Inspect your deck. Walk around and listen for any squeaks. Try to feel for soft spots or sagging areas. Use a screwdriver to poke and apply pressure to any suspect areas. Be sure to check where there is wood to wood contact, where the deck meets the house and where the stair stringers make contact with the ground.

3.    Repair your deck. Replace any rotting, cracked or warped boards. Use pressure-treated wood and screws. Fix nail pops by removing the nail and replace it with a screw that’s longer than the nail to reattach the board.

4.    Seal and finish your deck. It’s recommended to sand the deck surface with 80 grit paper in order to prepare the wood for the stain or finish.  This will help prolong the finish for a year or two. After the deck boards have had a few days to dry out, you’ll want to apply a finish coat. There are 3 common types of deck finishes. a) clear finish- these products add no color and typically contain only a water repellant and sometimes preservatives. b) semi-transparent alkyd stains- actually penetrate into the wood. They are opaque in color and the grain is still visible. Because they actually soak into the wood, they don’t peel off. They will just fade over time until it’s time to re-apply. c) solid stain or paint-  this kind of finish sits on top of the deck surface and has pigment for color. Solid stains or paint do not withstand the wear and tear placed on horizontal surfaces very well, so they are not recommended for decks unless you are prepared to re-apply them annually. They tend to crack and peel and are best suited for siding or fences rather than deck finishes.

Need more help?  Sensing consumers’ uneasiness and uncertainty over maintaining and preserving wood decks, Cuprinol, one of the leading manufacturers of wood stains and preservatives, has put together a program that simplifies the entire process.

Launching the industry’s first "Deck Care Center", Cuprinol’s consumer-friendly display, located at major retail outlets, guides homeowners through an easy-to-follow, product selection for deck maintenance, while also offering how-to information.For more information on caring for your exterior wood deck, or for treating any wood surfaces, visit the Cuprinol website at www.cuprinol.com.