While decks are a common part of homes in the United States, not everyone takes the time to maintain them. Among those that do, there is still a handful of people who try to do their maintenance without some prior research. If you or someone you know is tempted to jump in to your maintenance project without some previous know-how, here is a quick article about the mistakes to avoid during maintenance tasks.
1. Not Understanding Your Material
While there are many extremely low-maintenance decking options available today, that doesn’t mean these materials require no maintenance. Composite and PVC decking still occasionally need to be washed (gently) and have debris regularly removed from between the boards.
Some people do not understand that wood decks must be sanded, stained, and sealed to last. Others might damage their decking boards with bleach, wire brushes, too much pressure during power washing, or inappropriate chemical cleaners.
Whichever material your deck has, be sure to have a good understanding of its cleaning requirements.
2. Neglecting Important Safety Elements
Be sure to keep your deck safe for adults, children, and pets! Having lighting around your deck and steps is a wise idea so that everyone can see where they are going. Be sure to have handrails that are sturdy enough for children and tall enough to prevent falls.
If you enjoy having fires, be sure that your firepit is suited for use on a deck (wooden or composite).
3. Over-Cleaning Your Deck
It is important to occasionally clean your deck; however, avoid overcleaning. Even if your deck is stained and sealed properly, cleaning too often could cause your sealant to break down and leave your wood decking open to damage.
Avoid wire brushes and severe cleaning chemicals on your deck. If you choose to power wash, use a fan tip and keep a foot or so of distance to prevent water etching into your decking (especially so if you are pressure washing composite, which we do not usually recommend).
4. Neglecting Debris Buildup
While overcleaning may be a temptation for some, not cleaning may be a temptation for others. Sweeping and resealing are important, but don’t forget the occasional deep clean. Getting leaves and dirt out from between your deck boards is vital in preventing rainwater from sitting on your decking (unable to drain properly because of the debris buildup) and causing damage.
5. Poor DIY Work
Saving money is dear to all our hearts, and there are a lot of tasks we can do ourselves rather than paying someone else! Yet for those without a lot of experience, aggressive sanding, too much pressure during a power wash, or improperly replacing unsafe handrail may be mistakes that aren’t worth “doing it yourself”. If you are uncertain, you can always contact a pro for advice!
