Deck Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

Imagine stepping out onto your deck, feeling the solid wood under your feet, and looking out over your peaceful backyard. A well-built deck adds value to your home. It provides a perfect venue for cookouts, morning coffees, and evening gatherings. However, owning a deck comes with its own set of responsibilities.

One of the keys to good wood deck maintenance is giving it regular inspections for rot and seeing whether it’s structurally sound.

Inspect the wood where the ledger board meets the side of your house and where the stairs contact the ground.
Check flashing. Flashing is a vital water barrier between the deck and your house.
Test the railing connections.
Replace raised or exposed nails.
Fill holes in boards.
Replace any hardware that looks rusted.
Replace broken or damaged boards.

Part of deck care is giving a deck a good cleaning once a year.

Spray it with a hose to remove pollen and other contaminants. Letting leaves and dirt sit on your deck for long periods of time can lead to discoloration and encourage mold and rotting of timber decks.
If you have a wood deck, use a wood-safe cleaner to remove stubborn stains after sweeping and spraying it down.
For composite decks, use a composite deck cleaner.

For best results, reapply the stain or sealant every few years.

If your boards need a new protective coating or have never had a protective coat, you should stain or seal them.

Sand the surface before applying stain or sealer to help the wood absorb the coating better. Sanding also offers the advantage of creating a smoother, more comfortable surface that is less likely to have splinters.

Applying a sealer will help prevent fading and is effective against warping, cupping, and stains caused by mold, mildew, and algae.

Maintaining a wooden deck involves making a schedule for inspections, cleanings, and refinishing as needed. Attentive maintenance will keep your deck looking its best and reduce the likelihood of having to replace it.