A well-kept wooden deck is a valuable asset to any home – an outdoor space that extends and enhances your home’s living area. It can be a comfortable and relaxing lounge area, a cookout space, an outdoor bar area or a multi-use are for the whole family complete with a swimming pool! In order to get the most use out of your deck – and to ensure it adds value when the time comes to sell your property – your wooden deck needs to be kept in great shape.
Here is a maintenance checklist from our cash for houses team in Dallas and Fort Worth on how to prevent major maintenance issues and make your deck one of your home’s best assets for many years to come.
Keep Your Wooden Deck Clean
When dirt, leaves and yard debris build up on your deck, it makes it the perfect home for garden pests, insects and mold – and it won’t look great either. Use a broom or leaf blower to clean off your deck once every few weeks and more often in the fall, especially if you have big trees in your yard dropping leaves.
Once a month, scrub your deck with a wood-safe oxygen bleach mixture (or your manufacturer-recommended cleaner) and warm water to remove mold and mildew. Keep in mind that a bleach-based cleaner can lighten your wood, while non-bleach cleaners are gentler on the wood’s surface and color. They also tend to be more environmentally friendly, which makes cleaning your deck gentle on the plants and grass in your yard. You can also use a power washer on its lowest setting to get rid of dirt build-up. This thorough cleaning is especially important at the start and end of the summer season.
During the rainy season, make sure any moisture-collecting items are removed from the deck and packed away over rainy periods, including outdoor rugs and mats, as mold/mildew will start growing in these spots.
Sand Down Your Deck
Natural wood decking is incredibly beautiful and durable, but it does need a little extra attention over the years to keep the wood soft and smooth underfoot. If your deck feels rough and splintery, or you’d like to restore the original color, you can sand it down to make it look as good as the day it was installed.
Replace any Rotten/Warped Planks and Railings
Rotten and warped planks and railings aren’t just an aesthetic issue – they can be dangerous to anyone who use this outdoor space. The last thing you want is a child or guest tripping on an uneven surface, falling or injuring themselves when a structural piece of wood collapses!
Fortunately, it’s a relatively simple job to replace warped or rotten elements of your deck, whether you choose to go the DIY route or call in a contractor. Just remember to get the same type of wood as the rest of your deck, so that it’s uniform in terms of looks and durability. The fresh wood will stand out, but if you sand your deck and re-seal it once you’ve done the replacements, it will fit in perfectly.
Protect Your Wooden Decking
Wooden decking is subject to all the elements, whether it’s salty sea air and rain, humidity, sunshine or dryness. Because wood is a natural product, it will react to the elements, which results in wear-and-tear, warping, rotting, splintering, and fading. Wooden decks can also be affected by discoloration from non-galvanized bolts (these will need to be replaced with galvanized bolts to prevent rusting), mildew, and stains from everyday use.
To protect your wooden deck, prevent future stains and keep it looking as good as new, you’ll need to apply a penetrating sealer each year once the deck has been thoroughly cleaned and sanded to remove discoloration.
Once the deck is clean and dry, apply a sealant according to manufacturer recommendations that is appropriate for your type of wood that offers UV protection, repels moisture and contains a mildewcide. You can also get combination sealants and stains to refresh the color of your deck.
A Few Additional Deck Maintenance Tips
- When working on your deck, always cover it with a protective drop sheet. This will prevent damage from tools, loose nails/screws, and dripped sealant.
- Invest in some form of UV-protective patio cover, whether it’s outdoor blinds or awnings. This helps prevent sun damage and can considerably extend the time between major deck maintenance.
- Fix loose nails and screws as soon as you see them. This prevents further damage to your deck and ensures the deck is properly supported and safe.
- Clean up spills, messes and dirt as soon as they occur. This will prevent staining and build-up on your deck which can cause bigger maintenance issues down the line.
- If you feel like this is too big a job for you to handle, get recommendations from your neighbors or community on trustworthy contractors to help you out.
Sell Your Home in Dallas or Fort Worth Today – We Buy Homes in Any Condition for Cash
The Shiny Key Properties team is a leading property agency in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, specializing in cash for houses. If you’re interested in selling your home quickly or want to buy a new home in the area, contact us today. We can make you a no-obligation, market-related cash offer on your property today.