How To Take Better Care Of Your Deck

Deck care and maintenance are a big part of making a big investment last as long as possible. Up here in northern MN we’re lucky to get ten years out of a deck even if its treated wood for outdoors. Once our own deck really starts to decay we’ll be replacing it with composite so we don’t have to worry about it near so much though that material is VERY expensive. In the meantime we do what we can to keep ours lasting as long as possible. We keep it swept and don’t use rugs or, if we do, we don’t leave them on the deck very long.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Having a deck in your garden gives you a way of extending your indoor living space. You now have somewhere to place a lovely little outdoor table, some chairs, a sofa, and so on. It can be where you spend most of your days when the weather is warm, adding true value to your home. 

Naturally, decks can be extremely beautiful when they are properly maintained. Speaking of which, how do you take care of your deck? If you’re not careful, you could see it deteriorate very quickly. The first step is to hire a proper deck builder to install it for you. This will ensure that high-quality materials are used and that your deck is built to last. If you use old or rotten timber, it’s clearly not going to stand the test of time. 

After this, there are some easy maintenance tips to be aware of: 

Sweep your deck every day

A daily sweep of your deck is a simple way to remove any debris and dirt that’s accumulated there. This should be a daily task because it generally requires zero effort. If you forget to do it one or two days in a row, that’s not a massive deal. Just make sure you’re sweeping dirt off it as often as you remember to keep it nice and clean. 

Wash your deck once every month or so

Every month – or two or three months – you should give your deck a wash with some warm water and soap. This is all you require to clean a deck by yourself! A sponge or some type of cleaning brush is the only equipment that’s necessary for regular cleaning. This won’t give your deck a deep clean, but it can stop dirt and muck from accumulating over time. 

Be sure that you only use soap and water – or something that’s proven to be okay when used with a deck. Avoid chlorine bleach as this is known to kill the deck sealant, which basically means the timber is left unprotected. 

Invest in professional deck cleaning once every couple of years

Every two years, spend some money on professional deck cleaning to refresh the timber and keep your deck in perfect condition. Here, the professional cleaner will use a pressure washer to blitz your deck. This gives it a very deep clean that you can’t achieve with regular scrubbing. It can remove things like algae and mold with absolute ease. You can use a pressure washer yourself, but hiring a professional makes sense as it’s easier for you – and you’re only doing it every couple of years anyway. 

The other benefit of professional deck cleaning is that they can seal your deck as well. They add a new layer of sealant to further protect the timber and ensure it lasts for decades. 

Follow these tips for simple and effective deck maintenance in your backyard. As a result, your deck will last for many years, providing you with all the benefits for as long as possible. 

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)