Fall is the Perfect Time for Deck Maintenance

Now, before winter weather hits, is an ideal time for homeowners to get their decks ready for the spring.

“It’s a great time of year before winter to do all of your safety checks on your deck (like checking) all the rails to make sure they’re not loose,” says Tom Booker, of highly rated Decks of Distinction in Indianapolis, which typically charges about $300 for a deck inspection. “If people think they have an unsafe deck, we offer a very thorough inspection, which would address any code violations, structural issues, all of that.”

In addition to loose railings, the improper attachment of the deck to the house is another common issue Booker sees.

“What we see commonly are no bolts at all; only nails,” Booker says. “If you see only nails attaching your deck to your house, that’s not enough.”

Keeping the deck clear of leaves and debris and giving it a routine cleaning will help keep moisture from becoming trapped in areas and keep the deck in overall good health.

“It’s a good idea once or twice a season, or every other month, to get some dish soap and wet the deck down and clean it with a straw brush or broom,” says John Nearon of Exterior Wood Restoration, Inc. in Cicero, Ind. “If you don’t keep the deck clean, your pets and people walking around on the deck are going to grind particles – dust and dirt, seed pods, pieces of leaves and sticks – into the finish. Drips from the grill; all these things attach to the finish and ultimately attack the wood. By keeping it clean, you’ll get the most wear out of your finish and appearance of the deck for as long as possible.”

Pressure washing is an effective way to deep clean a deck, but it’s also an easy way to ruin it. Homeowners not experienced with pressure washing should leave that job to the professionals.

“A lot of times, they’ll scar the wood because the tip is too close or they’re using too much pressure,” Nearon says. “They’ll fur the wood up, or scar it.”

Nearon recommends staining and sealing a deck every three to four years. Before staining, his company thoroughly cleans the deck, inspects the wood and fasteners for any safety issues and applies a conditioner for better stain penetration. It’s important the wood also be dry, or the stain can peel easily. Nearon’s company uses a moisture meter and looks for a moisture content of around 15 percent.

“If the moisture content of the wood is too high, it won’t accept the stain very well and, depending on the type of finish you’re applying – an oil-based, water-based, or even paint – you can get moisture moving through the wood and it will pop the coating you put on there,” Nearon says. “When the wood is nice and dry and conditioned well, the pores of the wood open and are very receptive to the stain. That’s what really causes a stain to be a good, lasting project.”

Homeowners thinking of staining a deck themselves should consider the investment of the materials, equipment and time it takes to do the job well.

“The mistake people make is they get a bid from a professional and they compare that to the price of the stain,” Booker says. “Well, there’s much more that goes into it than that. There’s the proper equipment; the knowledge; the expertise that they have. It’s a big job to do it right and the professionals know how to do it. They do it every single day. They know how to (protect) your yard; know what products to use and how to install them. And, if there’s a problem, they are accountable for the repairs; not you.”

Editor's note: This article was originally published in September of 2012.