Tips for Maintaining Your Deck

April 25, 2019 4:44 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

It’s natural for your deck to display a little wear and tear after it’s been exposed to the elements for a few years. This is nothing to worry about, though! You can make it look brand new again by performing some simple maintenance tasks.

Here’s some information from a deck builder in Syracuse, IN about some of the steps you can take to keep your deck in prime shape for years to come:

  • Wash it: Before you make any more significant repairs to your deck, your first step should always be to wash it. The best way to accomplish this is with a pressure washer, which will rapidly remove dirt and debris from the wood. Just make sure you keep the stream moving, or else you’ll risk gouging the wood. You might also use a deck brightening solution during this process to clean the wood and liven it up a bit. Let the deck fully dry before you perform any other maintenance on it.
  • Fix nails: If there are any nails or screws that have come loose, you can either remove them and replace them or drive them right back in again.
  • Repair wood damage: If you have any boards that are starting to split, you can cut the board with a jigsaw (making sure to do so in an area not over a joist), remove all nails or deck screws in the section of board you’re removing and then pull up the damaged section. You can then add a replacement board that you’ve cut to size, and put in a new 2×4 support block as needed to help support the replacement board. Fasten the replacement board to the support block and joists, and sand it down so it’s smooth. Make sure that you have all the nails and screws completely recessed into the wood!
  • Staining and sealing: All decks should be refinished every several years or so, even if they’re made of pressure-treated lumber. While this lumber does resist insects and decay, it still is vulnerable to moisture and sunlight. If you don’t want to change the color of the wood, you can choose a clear wood preservative with a UV protector. Otherwise, add an exterior stain first. You can find it in a semi-transparent or solid finish. You can find exterior stains in oil and latex varieties, both of which offer resistance to mildew and fading. Always make sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves any time you’re working with stains and preservatives, and apply it to the surface with a roller or brush. Applying a second coat will give you better coverage and protection, and you can apply a sealant after you’ve let the stain dry for about 48 hours.

These are just a few of the steps that you can take to keep your deck in great shape for years to come. For more information about simple deck maintenance strategies, we encourage you to contact a deck builder in Syracuse, IN at Buhrt Builders Inc. today.

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