Recommendations for Routine Wood Deck Maintenance

Wooden patios and deck are a wonderful addition to any home or property that can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. But if you do not maintain your wood deck properly, it will begin to deteriorate quicker, leading to things like warped boards, wood rot, and moss infestations. Not only can these damages render a deck unattractive, it can make it unsafe to use too. Continue reading to learn how to properly maintenance and repair a wooded deck so that you may enjoy your wooden deck or patio all year long and for many more years to come!

Common Problems With Wooden Decks

It is important to regularly inspect your deck for problems so that you may solve them before they get out of control, become a hazard, or wind up being very costly to repair. A small problem can evolve into a major one over a short amount of time, which is why you must stay vigilant when it comes to routine deck maintenance and repair. Here are a few common issues to look for:

Loose Nails – Replace damaged or corroded nails on floorboards, posts, sills, joists, railing, stairs, and more. Hammer down any protruding nails until they are even (or below) the wood surface. You may also replace protruding or loose nails with deck screws.

Warped Floorboards – Cracked, warped, splintered, or protruding floorboards are hazards. Replace them as needed.

Dry Rot – This type of fungal growth digests wood, rotting it from all over. Signs include soft or moist floorboards, musty odors, discoloration, or shrunken floorboards. Replace immediately upon discovery.

Mold and Mildew – Additional types of fungal growth, like mold and mildew, are hazardous for wood decks and patios. Also, mushroom growth, moss growth, green or black algae, lichen, and more make for dangerous patio conditions.

Debris – Leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, and more are examples of debris that needs cleared regularly from decks and patios. Accumulation can provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, and more.

Wood Deck and Patio Care

All of the above problems, and more, should be addressed right away in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable deck or patio this summer. Nails should be hammered in or replaced with deck screws, organic growths should be sprayed with an eliminating solution, rotted or damaged floorboards should be replaced or patched, and debris should be swept away on a daily basis. All of this should prevent costly and hazardous wood deck problems.

In order to preserve your wooden deck or patio, it is important to implement certain strategies and chores that will safeguard it all year long. For example, dry rot can be prevented by painting a layer or two of wood preservative underneath the bottom of the wood deck.

Also, applying a quality sealcoat and deck protectant is vital for safeguarding against natural wear and tear. It is helpful to know that replacing boards with dry rot right away will evade the potential for it to spread to other boards. And last, continue to retreat your wood deck with fungal protection to keep it mold and mildew free all year.

Consult a professional general contractor for advice, information, and assistance with deck maintenance and renovation. They retain the experience, knowledge, and tools to get you and your patio ready for an early spring!