Winter doesn’t officially end until March 19th, but here in Marietta, it’s already beginning to feel like spring! Make sure you’re ready to enjoy the beautiful spring weather on your deck with these deck maintenance tips from C&M Residential. We’re your local experts on all things outdoor construction, from building decks and patios to designing and installing landscape and hardscape features.
Deck Maintenance Tips
Give it a scrub down
Decks here in Georgia are especially prone to accumulating mildew and mold due to the high humidity levels, so it’s important that you give your deck a fresh start each year.
- Apply a deck cleaner to kill mold and bacteria.
- Scrub areas that are heavily soiled or mildewed with a stiff brush.
- If you use a pressure washer, do so carefully; improper technique can actually damage the wood of your deck, leaving you with gouge marks. Use a fan nozzle for better results.
- Use a “fireman” style nozzle with your hose to rinse your deck thoroughly without the potential to damage the wood.
- Remove debris caught between boards with a putty knife or laminate scorer. Leaving debris in the cracks not only looks dirty, but also causes rot to set in if left undisturbed over time.
Inspect and repair
Walk around your deck and inspect it top to bottom. Identify any rotting wood, cracks, etc. Replace rotten boards, fill holes, and mend damaged areas. Look for nails sticking out or anything that could hurt a bare foot.
Reseal
Once your deck is nice and clean, protect the wood by applying deck sealant if needed.
- You can tell if your deck needs to be sealed again with this simple test. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the wood. If it beads up, you’re good. If it soaks in, you’ll need to apply sealant.
- Use a semi-transparent stain if you have any repairs that might show.
- If you paint your deck, make sure to protect the paint with a final sealant coat. Unsealed paint does not stand up to the high traffic and elements a deck is subjected to.
Protect
In addition to sealant, you can also protect your deck by using rugs* to minimize scrapes and scratches from chairs. *DO NOT use a natural fiber rug like jute. The fibers of the rug will absorb water and can lead to rot. There are many options in outdoor rugs made from recycled materials, and they’re generally much easier to care for.
If you’re dreaming of adding a comfortable, useful outdoor space to your family’s home, we can help with custom deck building in Marietta and around Atlanta. Just give us a call at 770-509-5191 to discuss your project with our experienced team.
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