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Is Deck Maintenance Necessary? Many decks
are made of pressure treated pine. Good
quality treated pine will last thirty years
or so before there is any substantial decay.
However, discoloration and splintering can
begin after only a few months. For this
reason, most people take on a regular cycle
of maintenance. Failure to do so won't cause
your deck to rot, but your deck will most
certainly become discolored and the surface
will become rough and prone to splinters.
Do New Decks Need to be Sealed?
Yes. To ensure that the deck continues to
look good with minimal splintering and
discoloration, the deck should be sealed as
soon as it becomes stabilized within its
environment. This usually means waiting a
few weeks after the deck is completed before
sealing.
What Will Happen to a Poorly Maintained
Deck?
Many people never treat and seal their
decks. Untreated decks don't fall down or
rot away quickly. Nothing dramatic happens.
They will simply get dirty and the surface
will become much rougher much sooner.
Splinters are a common problem with wood
decks. Another hazard is slick surfaces.
Much of the dirt seen on a poorly maintained
deck are actually living organisms. Just
like the algae and moss that grow on rocks
next to a stream, the organic material
growing on a deck can make the deck very
slippery when wet. Cleaning and sealing a
deck kills, removes, and slows the return of
organic build-up.
What Type of Maintenance is Recommended?
Approximately once a year, the deck
should be checked for loose boards and
protruding nails, thoroughly cleaned, and
resealed. Cleaning involves the removal of
dirt, algae, moss, and other organic matter.
Resealing is accomplished applying a clear
or semi-clear liquid sealant to all exposed
surfaces. You can do any of these tasks
yourself if you are so inclined. We also
offer this service.
What is Good Deck Maintenance?
Preparation
The process begins with clearing the deck
of furniture, toys, etc. Then cover fragile
plants. Next, sweep deck free of large
debris. Check carefully for loose boards and
nails that stick up. Make any necessary
repairs. Before beginning the cleaning
process, make sure no children have access
to the area.
Cleaning Products
In accordance with the directions that
come with the cleaning solutions, it may be
necessary to hose down the deck and
surrounding area before applying cleaning
solutions. The water can also help dilute
any chemicals that may inadvertently come
into contact with plants and grass. Even
with mild solutions, care must be taken to
limit the amount of solution that gets on
nearby plants and grass. Many solutions
contain bleach, which is toxic to plants
when in concentrated form. The solutions can
be brushed onto the deck using a broom, a
spray can, or can be sprayed on with a power
washer under low pressure.
After waiting the directed length of time
for the chemicals to do their work, the deck
should be thoroughly rinsed. This is the
step where more power can be particularly
helpful, as water under pressure more
effectively rinses out both dirt and
chemicals. However, too much pressure can
gouge wood or cause the grain to become
exaggerated. Within wood, the visible grain
marks differences in density and hardness.
Part of each grain is relatively soft wood.
This softer wood can be rinsed away if too
much pressure is used. At still higher
pressures, even the harder parts of the
grain can be damaged.
Sealing
Once the deck is dry, put down tarps to
protect plants and other items on which you
don't want to get sealant. The level of
protection needed depends in part on how you
are going to apply the sealant. Sealant can
be brushed on, rolled on with a paint
roller, or sprayed on. I have had best
results with foam rollers from Home Depot.
Spraying is the fastest by far, but is
the hardest to control. Some sealants have
color in them and will stain surfaces to
which they are applied. Sealants are also
rough on plants. While most plants won't be
damaged by getting hit with wafting
over-spray, direct hits can do real damage.
Sealants come in either water- or
oil-based formulas. Wax or oil. Be careful
considering Linseed Oil based wood
protectors. In our experience they attract
quickly black mildew. Professional sealants,
which are typically superior, are oil-based.
Some sealants contain stain to tint the
color of the deck. Sealants with stain don't
always deliver a uniform color across the
wood, so try some in an out-of-the-way spot
to make sure the results match your
expectations. Good quality sealants contain
ultra-violet sunlight protection to reduce
the damaging effects of the sun.
Be careful in your selection of the
sealant and consider the toxicity to humans
when walking barefoot on treated wood.
Alternatives to Traditional Decking
Materials
There are new decking material options.
We also offer Duradek, a decking material
that won't splinter and never requires
painting or sealing. While more expensive
initially than the common wood products used
today, they offer large savings over time
due to reduced maintenance costs. |
