New Deck Maintenance

Congratulations on your NEW deck!

You’ll always remember when your deck was a baby

New family additions are so exciting! As a proud new mama or papa of your deck, let me tell you, after excitement wears off, Uncertainty may creep in as you desire to maintain and protect your deck investment the right way, from the beginning. Don’t let your uncertainty turn to inaction because, sadly, without annual cleaning and protection your new deck, can look like this disgusting safety hazard within few years.

You see, weather is your deck’s enemy and in our area we have the extremes! Snow, ice, freezing rain will get into the cracks of your unprotected deck and cause it to warp crack, splinter and lead to costly repairs. Summer heat will do the same to your deck as it would to you. Burn and degrade the top layer (why do you think it looks gray, its died) and finally dry out your deck  Yikes, wasn’t forking over that big check bad enough the first time?

This doesn’t have to happen. The diagram on your right shows the life progression of deck treatment.

Deck Preservative Life Cycle

Year 1 to 5- Low Pressure Wash annually then apply either a clear seal or stain to show off the natural beauty of the wood.

Years 6 to 18- Low Pressure Wash annually added lighter pigment (Honey or Cedar color) to add UV protection. If you still want to see the grain of the wood apply darker stains such as Canyon Brown.

Years 19+ or anytime- Low Pressure Wash annually, You may apply a solid color stain. You may switch from a darker color solid to a lighter color anytime but once you go solid don’t go back to a semi transparent stain.

Consumer Reports recommends that you sand your deck everytime you stain. Sanding will keep small feet and paws safe, help your deck look better and ensure your stain lasts longer.

Follow these tips and you will be enjoying your deck for over 30 years. Please let us know if we can help.