27 Jun 5 Tips to Maintain Your Deck’s Wood All Summer Long

Summer is here, and the time is right for spending time outside. In the Quad Cities, that means anything from entertaining family and friends to simply soaking up some sun with a great book and a cold beverage. And enjoying time on your deck is essential. Making your deck look its best doesn’t have to be a chore. Here we offer our tips to maintain your deck’s wood all summer long.

When you maintain your deck’s wood throughout the season, you’re ready for anything. In-laws coming by for an impromptu cookout? No problem! A summer birthday party with the neighborhood kids? You can handle it! Even a quiet evening with a few friends is easy when your deck’s wood is in tip-top shape.

5 Tips to Maintain Your Deck’s Wood

We want you to enjoy a stress-free and relaxing summer season, Quad Cities style. Follow out 5 tips to maintain your deck’s wood all summer long and be ready to kick back, put on some of your favorite summer tunes, and simply chill out. We’ve got you covered.

1. Inspect Your Deck’s Wood for Damage

After a long winter and wet spring, your deck’s wood likely has some damage to show for it. Before beginning maintenance, check your wood for damage. Dark spots may indicate mildew, which could infiltrate and degrade the wood. Wood that feels damp and spongy, or has fungus growing out of it, is ready to give way, causing serious injury to you, your family, or your guests. Look for cracks and gaps, and loose boards too. And don’t forget the railing.

When you’ve fully assessed your wood for any damage, make repairs before anyone sets foot out there. An afternoon or a weekend spent making the necessary repairs ensures you won’t need to fear any loose or rotted boards causing falls or injury, or a collapsed railing resulting in a tumble. 

2. A Thorough Cleaning

Your deck’s wood needs a thorough cleaning before you unveil it for the summer. There are a few ways to accomplish this task. You can begin by sweeping you remove loose dirt, leaves, and so forth that have accumulated over the last months. Next, take a hard bristle brush to remove any embedded grime or mold. Hose off your deck after removing all dirt and detritus, and then proceed with cleaning your deck’s wood.

Use a special deck cleaner formulated for the job. These cleaners not only brighten the appearance of the wood but also halt the progression of mold and mildew as they clean them away. Be sure to read the directions thoroughly and stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

3. Pressure Wash Your Deck’s Wood if You Must, But…

Not all deck’s wood needs to be washed every year. Pressure washing can be quite hard on wood and should only be done with the utmost care. Splintered or already-damaged wood can become even more damaged by pressure washing. 

If you do pressure wash your deck, use a setting no higher than 1.500 PSI, and keep the nozzle at least six inches from the deck’s surface. Begin at one side of the deck and follow the natural groove of the deck’s wood to prevent damage. Test one area first until you know you have the right amount of pressure. 

4. Please Avoid Bleach and Bleach Products

Many homeowners insist on using bleach at the start of the season to remove grime and control mold and mildew. Please keep in mind that bleach is a fairly caustic cleaner and may degrade your deck’s other components. Bleach corrodes and weakens metal fasteners, screws, bolts and nails, causing your deck to become unstable. Bleach will also harm the nearby plants and grass. And, finally, contrary to popular belief, bleach ultimately does nothing to stop the spread of mold or mildew. 

A word of caution for those who have composite decking: bleach will discolor and damage the surface of your composite deck. Please only use approved deck cleaners for your composite or wood decks.

5. Instead of Bleach, Use Vinegar and Baking Soda

White vinegar and baking soda, is there nothing this power duo can’t clean? Inexpensive, environmentally safe, kid and pet-friendly, and readily available, these handy pantry items have been used for centuries and are still popular cleaning solutions. And guess what? Vinegar and baking soda remove mold and mildew. Here is the simple method for cleaning your deck’s wood with vinegar and baking soda. It is suitable for both natural and composite decking.

• Sprinkle your deck’s wood surface with baking soda.
• Combine vinegar and warm water (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water).
• Using a sponge mop, dip it into water and run it across baking soda to gently scrub the surface of your deck. 
• The combination of vinegar and baking soda reacts to remove any stains. 
• Rinse with a garden hose and let air/sun dry. 

For Less Maintenance and More Time to Enjoy Summer

If you’re in the market for a new deck or need to replace your current one, consider composite decking. This remarkable material is virtually maintenance-free and comes in several styles that mimic the look of real wood. There are so many advantages to composite decking, and it lasts for decades. 

If your deck’s wood needs some maintenance, contact Seiffert Building Supplies. We have replacement decking and components to keep your family and guests safe and your deck looking great all summer long. And if you plan on adding a new deck to your home, we can help with that, too. Contact Seiffert Building Supplies today.

Image: Pixabay