How to prepare your deck for spring

While many of us look forward to better weather and spending more time outside, we must also ensure that our spring deck maintenance is completed so that we can get the most out of it during the spring and summer months ahead.

Some useful tips:

Clear away winter debris

It’s critical to remove any filth, dust, or mold that has developed on your deck during the winter.

Check your deck

Take some time to evaluate your deck completely and make a list of what needs to be fixed or replaced. Look underneath your deck if at all possible, paying specific attention to the joists and posts. Examine the boards for cracks, warping, or splinters, then replace or repair any that are damaged. Check the staircase and banisters as well. Make any elevated nail or screw heads flush with the surface by filing them down.

Clean your deck

Clean the deck thoroughly using a deck cleaner of your choosing to remove ingrained grime, fungus, and stains. Fountain Store carries a variety of deck cleaning chemicals, or you may make your own by mixing half water and half bleach.

Use a hard brush to apply and then rinse with a hose.

If you’re going to use a pressure washer, prepare a tiny test area first to avoid damaging your decking.

It’s not just about appearances when it comes to cleaning the deck. The accumulation of filth and wetness on the surface of your deck for an extended period of time can hasten rotting and degradation.

Seal and Protect

After washing, wait 48 hours before applying a protective finish.

To make your deck more appealing, use a semi-transparent stain or a translucent finish to let the natural wood color and texture come through.

Even if you’re undecided about staining your deck, it’s critical to preserve it with a water repellent. Water repellents prevent rain from reaching the surface of the wood, causing swelling, shrinking, warping, and cracking.