5 Simple Tips to Keep Your Wood Deck Clean

Summer is upon us, and with the scorching summer temperatures comes patio season.

This is the best time of the year for homeowners who are lucky enough to have a deck. You’ll finally get to spend some quality time outdoors enjoying the perks that come with the summer season.

Any deck owner knows, though, that owning a deck is not all beers and BBQs. It comes with some essential responsibilities that can not only expand the lifespan of the deck but the beauty of it as well.

Keeping your wood deck clean is an important task that every deck owner needs to take seriously. Read on to find out how you can ensure you’re sipping beers and BBQ’ing on your deck for many more seasons to come.

Keeping Your Wood Deck Clean

Having a clean looking deck goes far beyond aesthetics. Sure, it’s nice to have a beautiful-to-look-at deck, but it’s more important to have one that will stand the test of time. With proper maintenance and knowing the do’s and don’ts of wood deck ownership, you can extend the lifespan of yours. Let’s take a look at five steps you should take to ensure your deck will stand the test of time.

1. Buy the Right Supplies

You must be willing to invest in high-quality deck cleaning supplies to be sure that you’re cleaning it in a way that won’t harm the wood. Most of the main supplies you’ll need to clean your deck are things you probably already own. The essentials you’ll need are:

– a broom

– a garden hose

– a bucket

– a stiff deck brush

– a high-quality wood deck cleaner

If you’re wondering how to clean a wood deck naturally, there are recipes online you can try to create your own DIY cleaner.

If your deck requires a little more TLC, you may need to purchase additional supplies. If, for example, you need to repaint or refinish the wood, you’ll need to buy a scraper for scraping off old or chipped paint and a stiff scrub brush to remove the flaking stain.

2. Grill Smart

Spring and summer weather is perfect for getting out on your patio and enjoying some delicious BBQ’ed goodies. If you’re an avid barbecuer, you’ll need to take steps to ensure you’re not ruining your deck amid all the summer patio festivities.

Always use a grease catcher or splatter mat when you’re grilling. Doing so will ensure that you won’t be trying to scrub out difficult-to-remove grease stains from your beautiful wood deck after the party is over.

3. Clean All Year Round

Just because the leaves on the trees start changing color doesn’t mean that you can hang up your home maintenance hat. To preserve the lifespan of your wood deck, you need to perform year-round maintenance on it.

Make sure you’re sweeping it in the autumn months to keep leaves and dirt from accumulating. In the winter, you’ll want to shovel off excessive snowfalls. Truthfully, your wood deck is probably stronger than you think and many experts suggest not shoveling it religiously during the winter. You should keep a clear exit, however, in case of an emergency.

4. Seal, Seal, Seal

No matter how old your deck is, it needs to be sealed. Sealing is what’s going to protect your deck from moisture that’ll cause the wood to swell. Having it sealed will protect the wood from the sun. Without a sealant, it will go through cycles of expanding and shrinking, which leads to warped, cracked and, well, ugly wood.

It’s important to note here that even if you’ve used pressure treated wood in the construction of your deck, it still needs to be sealed. This type of wood won’t be able to protect your deck from the elements. Pressure treated wood is more porous and liable to damage from the weather.

5. Hire a Professional

You should consider hiring a professional deck cleaner and getting it re-sealed every 2 or 3 years. Doing so will protect your deck from the rain and sun. UV rays can cause the wood to dry out or retain water, which can lead to premature splitting and warping.

If you’re lost, home contractor professionals like those at sunburstdeck.com/ can assist you with all of your deck maintenance needs.

Enjoy the Summer

Now that you know the ins and outs of keeping your wood deck clean, you can enjoy the rest of your summer in peace. Remember, though, that your wood deck’s maintenance is a key component in its longevity.

If you’re itching for more tips for homeowners, take a look at some of our other blogs.

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