By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your wood deck.
To keep your decking captivating and extend its lifespan, you need to take proper care of it. This includes following all of the necessary maintenance procedures. Depending on the type of decking you have, your maintenance requirements will vary. Wooden decks often require a good amount of maintenance to stay in top shape. By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your wood deck.
A Wood Deck Should Be Cleaned Once Per Year
There are many types of wood out there. However, once part of maintenance that is universal among all of them is the need to keep your decking clean. While some tight-grained natural wood decks make claims about being water-resistant, they will still absorb water eventually. This will cause your deck to warp, rot, and get moldy over time. To keep this from happening, clean off your deck annually. A broom can take care of small bits of debris that accumulate on your deck, while a power washer may be better suited for stubborn stains. These cleaning practices go for pressure-treated woods as well.
Always Clean Your Deck Before Staining It
If you’re going to stain your wood decking, make sure you clean it off first. This is especially true if your deck is brand new because they often have mill scale on them. Mill scale is a grain of the wood. It gets crushed when the boards get milled. If you clean your deck before staining it, you remove the mill scale. This makes it easier for the stain you pick to soak into the wood.
For New Decks, Wait At Least A Year Before Cleaning Them
When having a new deck installed, it’s going to be in good condition the moment it’s finished. This means you won’t have to clean it for the entire first year of having it installed.
Inspections and Repairs
Occasionally, you’ll want to perform a deck check, inspecting its sturdiness and seeing if it has any wear. If there are any boards that have come loose, either nail them back down or get them replaced. All boards that have been severely damaged need to be replaced without question and the same goes for boards that seem to show rotting or mold. You should also inspect any boards that have made contact with the infected ones because mold is known to spread.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC, has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
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