5 Tips for A Spring Ready Deck

‘Tis the season of apple picking, all things pumpkin, and lots of leaves! How can you maintain a beautiful deck into the winter months? Follow these 5 tips and you’re guaranteed to have a spring ready deck.

1. Clean Your Deck Often

Sweep leaves and dirt off of your deck with a soft broom. A buildup of dirt can actually scratch the surface of your deck, which will possibly allow the wood to be exposed to the elements. Keeping pebbles and dirt off of the deck will not only make the deck look better, but will help to protect it. Make sure the broom has soft bristles and is gentle enough for the wooden surface.

2. Dry the Welcome Mats

Welcome mats are great, but if they aren’t aerated they can trap moisture underneath. Be sure that after rain or snow the mat is removed until it is completely dry. Leaving a wet mat on the wood surface can lead to rotting and damage if the deck is not properly protected.

3. Perform Deck Maintenance

Have you had your maintenance yet? Deck maintenance is important for many reasons. 1. It keeps the wood cleaned, conditioned, and protected. 2. Adding a coat of sealer before the current sealer is able to break down prolongs the protection. If the surface has begun to break down at all, the wood underneath can be exposed to the elements. Applying a fresh coat of sealer every year or every other year ensures that no matter what, the surface will always be protected!

4. Check for Loose Boards and Nails

Wood is very porous, and it can easily expand and contract with temperature changes and moisture. These changes can cause nails and screws to become loose, which in turn can lead to loose boards. With every maintenance job that we perform, we check for and replace loose nails and screws to prevent loose boards and unsafe surfaces.

5. Remove Furniture

We love sitting out on the deck on a beautiful fall afternoon, especially here in New England where the foliage is so beautiful. Once the snow begins, however, be sure to remove all seasonal furniture until spring. Leaving furniture on the deck can cause moisture to build up underneath and can put strain on the furniture during snow storms and cold months. Protect the deck and your furniture and store indoors until spring!