Spring vs Summer Deck Maintenance
There are two seasons when you really want to pay attention to outdoor deck maintenance: early spring and late summer. In early spring, the challenge is repairing your deck after a long, hard winter.
End-of-summer maintenance is often less intensive but no less important. The purpose of deck maintenance this time of year is to make sure your deck is ready to weather the long winter ahead without being damaged.
End of Summer Maintenance Tips
The keys to end-of-summer deck maintenance are to check your deck for any damage that may have occurred during the high-use summer months and repair any problems you may find. Here's a step-by-step guide to inspecting and repairing your deck this season.
- Clear away seasonal summer furnishings. A good first step is to de-clutter your deck so you can get a good look at its condition. Pack up outdoor furniture, cushions, rugs, lights and anything else that might be in the way.
- Give your deck a good wash. You don't have to do anything crazy that involves a power washer this time of year (unless you really want to get into some serious renovating). Giving your deck a good scrub with a standard brush and a mixture of soap and water should do the trick.
- Check for nail and screw pop-outs. Scan the surface of your deck for any nails or screws that have started to work their way loose. If you find any, use a hammer or power drill to put them back in their place.
- Assess wear and heat damage. After a summer of hot sun and frequent traffic, your deck might look a bit worn down. Heat can cause boards to warp and split, and you might also see scratches from furniture being dragged around.
- Fill cracks, scratches, and gashes. Any cracks or superficial damage that is unsightly but doesn't affect the integrity of your deck can be filled in. Use wood filler or putty that will blend in and accept paint or stain just like natural wood. Sand off the repaired areas so they don't stand out.
- Replace severely damaged boards. If any of your decking is severely warped or split to the point that filling in the cracks is insufficient, remove the damaged pieces and replace them with fresh boards.
- Stain and seal your deck. Once other repairs have been made, apply a fresh coat of stain and the water-resistant sealant of your choice. This is one of the most important steps to protect your deck from the coming winter.
Wondering when is the right time for end-of-summer deck maintenance? There's no hard and fast rule. It's a good idea to start thinking about maintenance once you reach the time of year when you're no longer using your deck as much. That could be around the end of summer, but you might also want to wait until later in the fall.
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