Guide to Maintaining a Wood Deck

A custom deck provides a great outdoor space to relax, have some ‘me’ time and also entertain your guests, friends and family. Just like the inside of your house, it needs to be kept clean and tidy. In fact the deck needs more maintenance because it is subject to the damaging effects of weather. Read on to get some tips for caring for custom wood decks.

• Inspect your deck thoroughly every year. Ensure there are no loose boards or nails protruding. 
• Sweep the deck to clear all loose debris and dried leaves. 
• Gently wash the deck with a garden hose pipe. 
• Then, use a proper deck cleaning solution with a sprayer or roller to kill any mold, mildew or bacteria. To protect your hands, wear gloves. Also, be sure to read the instructions and warnings on the solution bottle before starting the process. Do not let the solution pool or dry till you have scrubbed it clean. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the cleaner to set and work on stains. 
• Next, wash it clean. Using a pressure washer might not be the ideal solution as it might cause permanent, irreversible damage to the deck. The best day to clean your deck is a cloudy day so that the sun does not evaporate the cleaner. 
• After cleaning, wait for at least 2 days and then opt for either painting or staining your custom deck according to your preferences. The two-day wait period allows the deck to dry properly. If you want to retain the natural look of your wooden deck, go for a clean stain finish instead of a painted one. Stay away from a heavily pigmented stain as it may peel and show wear patterns. Instead, go for something that soaks in, is waterproof, offers UV protection and contains a wood preservative.

Repeat the steps once every year to have a nice, clean custom deck that you are proud of! Burkholder Brothers is known for high quality landscaping design in the Main Line area. They offer full-service landscaping, and a wide range of design and build services, from custom decks to pools and spas, fire pits and more. Burkholder uses top-quality composite products in all their custom deck projects. They have years of experience building quality decks for Main Line residents. Call today to learn how adding a custom deck to your outdoor living space can add seating, storage, and more.