Deck Maintenance

Inspect decking for deterioration

The purpose for doing this task is that a deck that has been allowed to deteriorate can cause serious injuries by allow people to fall, trip, etc.

Timing:
May (yearly)

NOTE: The tasks and timings shown here for your Decking are based on a single-family home (owned), located in Massachusetts.

How To

Inspect all outdoor wooden structures for signs of wear and deterioration. Use a screwdriver or wood awl to probe for soft spots.

Check the handrails, spindles, and other railing supports to ensure they can hold the weight of a large person leaning against them.

Check the deck flooring for boards that have split, warped, or come loose.

Check stairs by carefully applying weight on each step.

Tighten any nuts and bolts.

Clean and seal deck surfaces

Cleaning and sealing your decking will help extend its useful life.

Timing:
May (yearly)

NOTE: The tasks and timings shown here for your Decking are based on a single-family home (owned), located in Massachusetts.

How To

Depending on your type of wood, cleaning and sealing decks typically requires 3 steps:

Day 1: Sweep off all dirt and debris; allow surfaces to dry.

Day 2: Spray on an oxalic acid solution; allow to sit per the manufacture's recommendation, then hose off with water.

Day 3: Apply a good sealant.