Maintaining a Wood Deck: What You Should Know

Does your home or workplace have a wood deck? If so, you'll need to maintain. Wood is the most common material used in the construction of decks. It's inexpensive, easy to install and supports weather-resistant finishes. Wood decks still require maintenance, though. Neglecting to maintain your wood deck can shorter its lifespan while potentially creating safety hazards that increase the risk of injury.

Pressure Wash Once Per Year

Pressure washing your wood deck at least once per year will make it last longer. It will remove superficial debris, as well as mildew, to create a cleaner deck that's less susceptible to the hands of time. At least once a year, run a pressure washer over your wood deck. Sweeping the pressure washer's nozzle across your wood deck will make quick work of stubborn debris and mildew.

Check for Loose Nails

You should check your wood deck for loose nails. Most wood decks are built using nails. Nails offer a fast and effective way to secure the wood planks to the deck's frame. Over time, however, nails can come loose. Loose nails aren't just an eyesore; they can jeopardize the structural integrity of your wood deck. Fortunately, you can fix them by hammering the loose nails back down.

Apply a Sealant

Assuming your wood deck doesn't already have one, you should apply a sealant to it. Sealants are coatings that, as the name suggests, are designed to seal the surfaces on which they are used. After painting your wood deck and allowing it to dry, you should use a sealant. Applying a sealant to your wood deck will create an invisible barrier over the underlying wood. Neither moisture nor any other contaminants will be able to reach the wood. As a result, your wood deck will be better protected against the weather.

Rake Leaves

During the late summer and fall months, you should rake any fallen leaves off your wood deck. Coniferous trees will typically shed their leaves during this time of year. If a tree happens to be directly over your wood deck, some of these leaves will inevitably land on it. Leaves are generally harmless, but they can stain your wood deck when left unchecked. To prevent stains, try to get into the habit of raking any fallen leaves off your wood deck as soon as you discover them.