Homeowners Deck Care and Maintenance TIPS
A deck is an investment in your home. You can help protect your investment with some simple tips.
- Don't put flower pots directly on your deck. They can trap moisture causing rot. (Place on small blocks instead.)
- Be sure to use a grease catcher with your grill. Grease stains are hard to remove.
- Keep leaves removed from your deck. Wet leaves can cause stains that are hard to remove.
- If sealing your deck yourself be careful not to over apply sealer which can cause the sealer not to dry properly and cause rapid mildew growth.
- New deck - It is not necessary to wait 6-12 months to seal new wood. Your deck can be damaged by water absorption and UV exposure soon after installation. It should be cleaned to kill mildew spores in the wood and remove surface barriers that prohibit finish coatings from penetrating, and then protected after installation with a water repellent sealer.
- It is not advisable to apply paint or a solid stain to your deck - Both have a tendency to peel and can become a maintenance nightmare.
- When installing or building a new deck at ground level, install a plastic vapor barrier prior to the deck construction. This prevents ground moisture from migrating upward into the wood which can cause wood decay and damage.
- Homeowners sometimes overlook the need for regular deck maintenance. Left untreated, your deck could become an eyesore. Proper cleaning and sealing using the correct products can often reduce the need for cleaning and refinishing to every two or three years instead of every year.
- For more information, please feel free to contact us with your questions, requests, or feedback. Or, give Andy a call at the Deck Doctor, 423-870-5676.
