A wood deck can add beauty, function, and valuable outdoor living space to your home. Whether you use your deck for summer cookouts, family gatherings, relaxing in the sun, or simply enjoying your backyard, regular maintenance can help keep it looking great and performing well for years.
Because wood decks are constantly exposed to sunlight, rain, snow, moisture, and changing temperatures, they can eventually show signs of wear. Boards may crack, fasteners can loosen or corrode, and areas that remain damp may become vulnerable to rot.
Fortunately, routine wood deck care and maintenance can help you identify problems early and protect your outdoor space.
Spring and summer are great times to inspect your deck, especially after the harsh weather conditions that Michigan can experience throughout the winter.
Start by walking around the entire deck and looking for obvious signs of damage. Pay particular attention to areas around planters, downspouts, stairs, and other places where moisture may collect.
Here are several important areas to check.
Check deck boards, stairs, support posts, railings, and accessible areas underneath the deck for signs of deterioration.
Wood that feels unusually soft or spongy may indicate moisture damage or decay. You can gently test suspicious areas with a screwdriver to determine whether the wood has significantly softened.
Pay extra attention to sections that frequently remain damp. Addressing damaged wood early can help prevent a small repair from developing into a much larger problem.
The ledger board is an important structural component that connects many decks to the home. Because of its location, problems with the ledger or the surrounding flashing can create serious safety concerns.
Look for signs of:
A deck ledger should not rely solely on nails for its structural connection. If you are unsure about the condition of the ledger or how your deck is attached to your home, consider having it inspected by an experienced deck professional.
Don’t limit your inspection to the boards you walk on. Take a look underneath the deck when possible.
Check the posts, beams, joists, brackets, screws, bolts, and other connectors. Look for rust, corrosion, cracks, movement, or deterioration.
Loose or severely corroded hardware should be addressed promptly. Structural problems underneath a deck are not always obvious from the surface.
Wood naturally changes as it is exposed to the elements, and a few small surface cracks do not necessarily mean a board needs to be replaced.
However, you should watch for boards that are:
Replacing damaged boards can improve both the appearance and safety of your deck while preventing the damaged area from becoming worse.
Railings should feel solid when gently tested. If a railing moves noticeably, inspect its posts, connections, and fasteners to determine the cause.
You should also inspect stairs and handrails. Look for loose boards, deteriorated stringers, damaged steps, or other areas that could create a safety concern.
Avoid simply covering a structural crack with adhesive without determining why the railing or stair component became loose. Significant movement or deterioration may require repair or replacement.
Regular cleaning is another important part of wood deck maintenance. Leaves, dirt, pollen, mildew, and other debris can collect on the surface and between boards.
Start by removing furniture, planters, grills, and other items from the deck. Sweep away loose debris and clean between the boards where dirt and organic material can accumulate.
Use a cleaning product designed for your particular type of wood and follow the manufacturer’s directions. A deck brush can help loosen stubborn dirt before rinsing the surface.
A pressure washer can be used on many wood decks, but more pressure is not necessarily better.
Excessive pressure or holding the nozzle too close to the surface can damage wood fibers and leave visible marks. If you pressure wash your deck, use a lower setting, a wide fan spray, and test an inconspicuous area first.
For some decks, a deck cleaner, brush, and garden hose may be all that is necessary.
Cleaning your deck is only part of protecting the wood from the elements.
Depending on the type of wood and existing finish, your deck may periodically benefit from staining or sealing. A quality exterior deck finish can help reduce the effects of moisture and UV exposure while refreshing the appearance of the wood.
Before applying any new product, make sure the deck is clean, properly prepared, and completely dry. Always follow the stain or sealer manufacturer’s application instructions.
Moisture is one of the biggest concerns when maintaining an outdoor wood structure.
Make sure gutters and downspouts are directing water away appropriately. Avoid allowing leaves and debris to remain trapped against the deck, and occasionally move planters or outdoor furniture so the wood underneath can dry.
Good drainage and airflow can make a significant difference in the long-term condition of a wood deck.
Your deck is an extension of your home, and a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.
Regularly cleaning the surface, inspecting the structural components, checking railings and stairs, and addressing damaged boards early can help your deck remain a comfortable and attractive place to spend time outdoors.
If your current deck needs more than routine maintenance—or you’re thinking about adding a new deck to your backyard—Miles Bradley Building and Remodeling can help.
Contact Miles Bradley with your questions or fill out our free quote request to get started on your next outdoor home improvement project.
Even in the wintertime, you need to take measures to prevent your deck from becoming a hazard.
Although people rarely use their deck throughout the winter, it is still important that a homeowner does not neglect it. Injuries and accidents could occur on your deck making you liable, especially if you have been ignoring the upkeep. Winter creates conditions that will increase the likelihood of slips and falls. Here are some tips from Miles Bradley on how to prevent your deck from becoming a hazard.
Let’s start with the obvious things that will make your deck dangerous: ice and snow. While clearing the snow is easy enough, removing the ice is another story. Some people think that sprinkling grit salt is a good solution but this can be incredibly harmful to your deck. Due to composite decks having a high percentage of hardwood fibers inside, this abrasive material can mark up your deck quickly. This also applies to harsh anti-slip chemicals that can stain and discolor your deck.
Instead of relying on grit salt and harsh chemicals, the best way to remove ice is to use warm water. Just fill a bucket with warm water and pour it over the deck to melt away the ice build-up. Sometimes, there will be residue left, but that can be easily removed through cleaning. After applying the warm water, use a squeegee to remove the excess and a dry mop. Also, apply non-slip methods to ensure safety.
When it rains or snows, decks tend to become a slipping hazard. However, adding some non-slip mats and adhesive treads can be a great solution for that. These are affordable solutions to install that will prevent accidents. Treads and mats provide extra grip, reducing the chances of slipping and falling. In addition, mats come in a variety of styles allowing you to choose what is best for your deck.
Although it can be hard with winter snow and ice, you should do regular cleaning when the weather is right. While ice and snow are hazards, the biggest slipping hazard is the build-up of mildew and mold. Once the weather is good, use a hose or powerwash on a low setting to remove mold, debris, and other things that will make your deck hazardous!
Do you know how heat and humidity affect your deck?
There is nothing more relaxing than being on your deck, enjoying the summer sun. Most homeowners would like to drift away for a nice nap as they sip a nice cool drink. However, the summer heat and humidity can cause distress for your deck. Without heat exposure and humidity can cause damage over time. You might be wondering what type of damage your deck can endure during the summer. Here is how heat and humidity could be damaging your deck!
Here you can see long-term damage that can be done by weather.
Here in the Midwest, we are used to crazy weather patterns that can change at the drop of a hat, but our decks? Not so much. Summer heat and humidity can really do a number on your deck, especially if your deck is untreated or unsealed. Composite decks have their own challenges as well.
We always recommend putting a protective layer on your deck, by staining or sealing it with a weather protective layer. This way your deck will have more longevity and be able to stand up to the elements. Or if you want you can negate the whole process by having a Trex Composite deck.
Damage can be done over time from heat, sun, and rain exposure. When it’s hot out wood will shrink and dry out, which makes it more absorbent to rain and liquids. This will absorb untreated wood and cause swelling and buckling. This cycle of shrinking and swelling will cause wood to warp and buckle and can pull nails out from joints.
To prevent this we recommend putting a sealant on your deck every 1-2 years for the best result. This will help keep wood exposed to the elements dry and will minimize the warping.
While having a composite deck has many benefits, there are a few humidity issues that it is susceptible to. One of these humidity issues is your deck’s surface becoming slick. Due to composite decks’ resistance to moisture, it is not absorbed. As a result, the moisture accumulates on the surface, making the deck slick. This problem also occurs with decks that are treated with sealant. That means that you need to be extra careful to avoid slipping and falling.
In the Midwest, our humidity levels can get overwhelming, and this can affect your deck. Mold and mildew spores are constantly in the air and normally aren’t too much of a problem. When rain and high humidity get into the mix, this creates the perfect conditions for them to grow in the nooks and crannies of your deck. When this growth happens you will typically see it as discolorations or stains on your deck. These stains generally look black, brown, or green and can spread and grow in the right conditions. This causes what is commonly referred to as mildew staining.
Once the stain has set into your deck you will have to either use a fungicide that is specially formulated for decks or use a 1:3 ratio Bleach to water solution (vinegar can also be substituted for the bleach if chemicals are a concern) to clean your deck. Follow this wash by sanding and sealing your deck after it has had a good week to dry out in the sun.
If your deck has seen better days or could use a touch up we can help. We work with clients who have decks that have been damaged by the wear and tear of these Midwest weather patterns. We’ll even give you a free estimate. Click here to get yours.
It’s that time of year again where the weather is getting colder and we have to start thinking about winterizing our composite or wood decks. Especially in the harsh Michigan Winters, deck owners have to make sure to take all the necessary precautions to ensure the longest life for composite and wood decking. But what is the best way to winterize your deck?
By cleaning your deck before the snow starts accumulating, you can avoid the hassle of removing long-standing dirt and grime from your deck when the snow melts in the Spring. If you leave dirt on your deck, especially wood, for long periods of time then you risk discoloration and stains on the decking.
Make sure that you check your deck for any weaknesses before the first snowfall. If you have loose screws, lifting boards, or any cracks, heavy snows and extra pressure could make the problem much worse. Call Miles Bradley to get a free estimate before the deck sustains real damage.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you trim your overhanging tree branches before a bad storm hits, you have no chance of sustaining damage to your deck from a heavy branch cracking and falling on it. This is a simple precaution that could save you lots of money.
You may want to relocate your furniture to the attic or a shed during the Winter. This will protect the furniture’s quality and keep it in its best condition for the Spring. Also, it will prevent rust spots and mildew from forming on the decking surrounding the furniture.
For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us! As your trusted local deck builder, we are happy to address any concerns that you may have about winterizing your composite or wood deck.
Fall is the perfect time to perform deck maintenance. Not only is the weather much cooler than the Summer weather but it is also the perfect time to perform safety checks before the Winter. Trex decking is incredibly low-maintenance and also hassle-free! Caring for Trex decks is extremely easy, especially in the Fall. Only occasionally do you have to perform any maintenance. Here are a few simple tips on how to maintain your Trex deck in the Fall.
Trex decking is a hassle-free, low-cost, and eco-friendly decking material. Made from 95% recycled materials, Trex planks contain special three-sided shell protection. This allows the planks to retain their beautiful look for many years in the color of your choice.
Here at Miles Bradley, our distinguished installers are experienced and certified Trex Platinum Contractors. We know how to install Trex and make it look its best. To get your new deck installed, contact us today and request a free quote. We can’t wait to hear from you!