End of Summer Deck Maintenance Tips
The gas in the barbeque is almost empty, the leaves have started to fall, and the days are getting shorter and shorter. The sad reality is that summer is coming to a close. Does that mean an end of season for enjoying your deck?
Of course not!
However, it is important to keep your deck in great shape so that you can enjoy using it beyond just the summer season and for years to come. Here are some important things for you to do this fall to keep your deck in great shape:
Give Your Deck a Look-over
As the summer went by, you may have had anything from some raucous parties to relaxed patio reading sessions. It doesn’t really matter how you interacted with your deck this summer, you should still give your deck a thorough look-over. Even the smallest amount of damage could easily lead to something more serious in the future if you don’t recognize and fix it right away.
Wood is hard but it isn’t invincible! There are some common damages that we see time and time again. Not all of them are important to fix, but they are good to keep an eye on. Here are a few:
- Chips and deep scratches caused from kids, pets (and outdoor critters), and setting up patio or outdoor kitchen furniture
- Cracks formed from moisture penetrating the wood over the summer months which causes the wood to expand and contract (this is because the hot summer heat evaporates the moisture and dries the wood out)
- Weather damage like sun fading or rot (avoid this by using treated wood or using a hardwood for your deck)
So just have a look around your deck and note anything that might have been damaged. Once fall arrives, the weather gets a little wetter and it could have negative effects on your deck, especially on the damaged spots.
Maintain Your Deck: Give it a little TLC
Summer is definitely barbeque and outdoor dinner season! So now that it is ending, make sure you give your deck a good cleaning if you haven’t already. A regular cleaning of your deck will help it last longer! So clean those mustard stains and wash off those muddy shoe prints!
If you are using Green World Lumber Genuine Mahogany, we recommend that you use a simple soap mixed with water and a stiff brush to get out those spots.
While you may be in the habit of using a power washer to clean your deck, we advise against.
Why?
The power of the jet causes a sandblasting effect which can tear and damage the fibers of the wood. Instead, just use your garden hose in tandem with your soap and brush to get the dirt and stains out!
It is also important that you clean in between the gaps of the wood. As we all know, dead leaves and fall go hand-in-hand, so you will want to make sure that the gaps are cleaned before the fall season starts to avoid a buildup.
Tender, Love, & Care is the recipe for a happy deck!
Finish & Seal Your Deck
If during step one (The Look-over) you noticed your finish was a little old or that damage may have rendered it useless, make sure you reseal or stain it before the wetter seasons come! We can’t stress this enough. Sealing your deck will help give it a long life so that you can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
When you are sealing it, make sure you use the right products for the right wood. If you are using Green World Lumber’s wood, we strongly recommend that you look over the Installation Guide and any manufacturer’s instructions you have before you purchase and apply your finish. We have seen a number of people who have had problems with their decks after using the wrong sealant or applying a stain in the wrong type of weather. So please, read the instructions!
That’s it! While there is always more you can do to keep your deck in it’s best shape, these are the top tips for you to think about as the summer changes into the fall. Now go enjoy the sun and your deck while the weather lasts!
