Home Repair and Paint Guide

Decks are a great way to add character to a home. They enhance visual appeal and change the design lines of the exterior walls. If built correctly using high grade materials, they will last many years. But you have to perform maintenance tasks to keep everything looking good.

A lot of decks are made of pressure treated pine, which can last for 30 years or more. However, discoloration and splintering can begin after only a short period of time. This is the reason most people schedule a regular cycle of maintenance. Failure to do so won’t cause your deck to rot, but it will become discolored and rough with splitting and warping.

To ensure that a new deck is adequately protected, it should be sealed after waiting a few weeks once construction is completed. This gives the new lumber time to dry. Be sure to purchase a high quality sealer. The better types apply evenly and penetrate sufficiently to give good protection against water damage.

The staining process begins with clearing the deck of all movable items. Be sure to remove or cover fragile plants and shrubbery. Deck stain can kill plants and grass, so be careful during application. Next, sweep away all debris. Check carefully for loose boards and nails that stick up. If nails were used during construction, they will probably loosen and start pulling out. Replace the loose ones with deck screws. Warped or badly cracked boards will need to be replaced. Let them dry for a couple of weeks before staining.

Now it’s time to clean the surface with a solution made for the purpose. For your safety, wear eye protection and waterproof gloves. Read and follow all safety directions that come with the cleaning solution. Make sure children and pets cannot enter the area.

It may be necessary to wash down the deck and surrounding area before applying cleaning solutions. Care must be taken to limit the amount that gets on nearby plants and grass. And make sure to wear clothes that you won’t mind getting discolored. Many solutions contain bleach and they will create spots on clothing. Apply as per manufacturer instructions.

After allowing time for the chemicals to do their work, the deck should be thoroughly rinsed. If using a pressure washer, be careful because too much pressure can damage the wood. Be sure to rinse away all residue, then allow the wood to thoroughly dry before sealing.

Sealers can be brushed on, rolled on with a paint roller, or sprayed on. Throwaway foam rollers do a great job and allow you to control the amount that gets on other areas. Spraying is the fastest, but is difficult to control. Sealers are also rough on plants. While most plants won’t be damaged by getting hit with over-spray, direct hits can do real damage.

Sealers come in either water or oil based formulas. Be careful with linseed based wood protectors as they have been known to attract black mildew. Oil based sealers are usually the best way to go. Good quality sealants contain ultraviolet sunlight protection to reduce the damaging effects of the sun.

Apply the sealer following the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the proper amount of drying time before using your deck. That’s it! Your deck is protected and should provide years of service.