If you want to enjoy your deck for the rest of your lifetime without having to spend an enormous sum of money on expensive repairs and parts replacements then you need to perform small maintenance operations from time to time. Don’t worry, these tasks don’t take a lot of time and they will prolong the lifespan of your deck. Here is what you have to do in order to enjoy a beautiful and practical deck all the times.
Wash your deck on a regular basis
Obviously, the first and probably the most important maintenance operation consists of washing your deck. This can be done relatively easy and you don’t need expensive or complicated tools to do this job. All that you have to do is to remove dust, dirt, leaves, and other debris using your garden hose and let the deck dry naturally. This maintenance operation can be performed whenever it is necessary or once a week. You can also use a pressure washer if your deck is very dirty. Make sure that you constantly move the pressure stream, otherwise the wood of your deck might get damaged.
Use deck stains and seals
In most cases, decks are vulnerable to decay and insects and they need additional protection in order to last for a longer period of time. You can take advantage of various stains and seals from the market in order to make your deck more resistant to wear and tear. For example, wood preservatives add UV protection and they do not affect the looks of your deck. They can be bought from most home improvement stores at reasonable prices.
Similarly, exterior stains can be either transparent or featuring a solid color. Stains which feature colors can be used if you want to give a certain tint to your wooden deck. When applying seals and stains, make sure that you wear adequate equipment. For example, use protective gloves and eyewear all the times and apply a second coat if it is necessary, to ensure maximum protection.
Replace nails before damage is too big
Loose nails should be quickly replaced, otherwise worse damages can occur. Make sure that you periodically inspect your deck, maybe once every two weeks, and look for nails which are going loose. Use cat’s paw or a hammer in order to remove those nails and replace them with longer ones. Similarly, you might want to use long screws to secure the wooden boards in place.
Trim nearby bushes and trees
Another excellent maintenance operation you can put into practice consists of trimming any trees, shrubs or bushes you might have around your house. Experts say that trees and bushes should be at least 12 inches away from the deck, so that they can successfully slow down the development of mold and the accumulation of moss and rot.
Do not let leaves pile up in the corners of your deck
Similarly, you should immediately eliminate piled up leaves and other debris which might be blown away by the wind. When these things accumulate, they will make your deck look bad and facilitate the development of mold and mildew. Make sure that you take 10 minutes from your spare time to remove piles of leaves and debris and everything will be fine.
Move planters, chairs, and tables around your deck occasionally
With the passing of time, decks have the tendency to become discolored because of the UV radiation which comes from the sun. If you want to prevent this, make sure that you move planters, chairs, tables, and other furniture items around your deck on a regular basis. As a result, the UV rays won’t act on the same spot for a long period of time and the discoloration of your deck is kept to minimum.
Make sure that the gutters and downspouts are not damaged
Your house’s gutters and downspouts are essential in controlling rainwater and they need to be in a good condition all the times. If the gutters and downspouts are blocked, the water will fall all over the place and accumulate in puddles on your deck. As a result, the deck will become seriously damaged and you might need to spend a lot of money repairing it. To prevent such unfortunate situations, make sure that the gutters and downspouts are repaired and they don’t feature blockages and clogs. Inspecting the gutters and downspouts once a month is recommended.
Check for cracks in the wooden boards
Small cracks in the wooden boards might not appear problematic at first, but they can get larger with the passing of time. Similarly, rotten wooden boards can also threaten the structural integrity of the deck. Make sure that you periodically inspect your deck and look for cracks or rotten wooden boards. If you find signs of damage, replace the boards as soon as possible and you will avoid expensive repair processes in the future.
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