A BACKYARD OASIS
If you have room for a deck, consider yourself blessed — and take care of it
I love my deck. Once the spring hits, I try to spend at least a little time out there each day. It gives me some much-needed fresh air, sunshine and most important, a little time to think. If you have the space for it, a deck makes a great addition to any home.
While many public outdoor spaces are being restricted to us, having a backyard deck can be a real oasis for a homeowner. You may be getting a lot more personal use out of your deck than usual this year. Before you pull out the barbecue and patio furniture, check your deck maintenance off your to-do list:
CLEANING AND RESEALING
You’ll want to give your deck a light cleaning at the beginning of the season to wash away any gunk and grime from the winter. It doesn’t take much, just a deck brush, some mild soap and a hose. If you’re bringing out the pressure washer, set it to a low amount of pressure — you don’t want to damage the wood. Don’t forget to clean out the debris that gets between the boards. If it’s really stuck in there, you could scrape it out with a putty knife, or even a screwdriver in a pinch.
You shouldn’t wash your deck too often — over time you might be adding too much moisture to the deck, leading to damage. You should sweep the deck regularly to get rid of dirt and leaves. Left for too long, it can become mouldy or rotten.
How often should you restain your deck? Experts recommend every two to three years. You could do it every year if the deck gets seriously battered by the elements. Take a good look after it rains. If you see beads of water on the deck for long periods of time, you’ve still got some protection. If it dries quickly, it’s time to add a new coat.
Generally when it comes to sealants, the more opaque it is, the better it can fight off the effects of weather. You could go with a lighter sealant that will allow more of the natural look of the wood to shine through, but be aware you’ll typically have to seal it more often.
ON SOLID FOOTINGS
Over time, a deck’s parts can wear down, and what was once solid can start to loosen and become a hazard for anyone using the deck. Handrails, guards, footings and posts are all part of the system that keeps people who use the deck safe while in use. Each year at the beginning of the season, you’ll want to inspect these for damage.
You’re looking for visible signs of decay. Mould and rot for wooden materials, corrosion and rust for hardware. Replace any loose nails with all-purpose deck screws. This will provide a much stronger connection.
Pay special attention to the deck’s ledger board. This board, which runs the length of the deck, needs to be securely bolted to the home. The deck supports a ton of weight, so that connection between the ledger board and the home needs to be secure. One of the biggest reasons you’ll see a deck fail is due to a crummy ledger board.
You may be able to see some visible instances of rot on the ledger board, but do you know how to test for dry rot? Take a screwdriver and tap it with a hammer in the areas where the ledger board meets the deck joists. If the wood is soft and the screwdriver sinks into the wood, you’ve got rot. Stay off the deck until you’ve had the ledger board replaced.
If you’re handy enough, you could likely handle most of your deck maintenance and inspection on your own. That said, if you’re not sure where to start, a professional deck inspection can help alert you to issues you may not have known to look for. And any deck that’s over five years old should have a professional inspection every five years or so.