Summertime Wooden Deck Maintenance Tips

Posted July 2, 2021 to Before You Buy: Tips, Advice, Checklists.

Tags: Decks

You have spent spring days cleaning your deck from the winter and pollen season. Now, it’s summertime, and you’re enjoying it while you sit outside in the warm weather around the Triangle. At Sierra Structures, we know the importance of fun during this time but that does not mean that a wooden deck still doesn’t need a little maintenance.

With that in mind, here are some tips for summer maintenance of your wooden deck:

1. Inspect your nails: If you see loose nails, be sure to hammer them back into place. If nails continue to pop out, replace them with deck screws. Loose nails can encourage curling around the edges of the wood. If curling happens, use a board underneath the curled wood to help straighten them out. Connect the two with deck screws, but be careful to make sure you don’t end up cracking any of the boards.
2. Inspect all the boards: Look for any cracked, split or rotting wood. Replace them immediately. Rotting wood can especially spread to other boards.
3. Stain or seal your deck: Staining doesn’t just give your deck a nice, finished appearance, it also helps to prevent water and sun damage. We recommend staining a deck once every 3 to 4 years. Sealing also helps prevent this damage. Just be sure to sand it properly beforehand.
4. Clean under your grill: If you use your barbecue grill on your deck, be sure to keep the areas underneath it clean at all times. Don’t let grease, sauce, or other materials accumulate under there. These things can ruin your deck’s finish and lead to mold.
5. Keep bushes, plants, and trees away: If you have any plants near your deck, trim them so they don’t touch the wood. Constant contact can damage the wood or breed moss.
6. Clean it regularly after a storm: Summertime in the Triangle always include lots of thunderstorms. When that happens, be sure to clean the wet leaves and pine needles up. If left behind, they can cause stains or mildew.

Completing these simple tasks over the summer months can ensure that you are able to enjoy your deck not just in the summer but year-round. For more tips on deck maintenance, contact us today. We’re always here to help.