Mississauga Handyman: The Do’s and Don’ts of Deck Maintenance

Wooden decks are a beautiful addition to most properties but require upkeep to ensure safety and beauty throughout the years. Deck repair and maintenance services can help, but many people do not want the expense of hiring pros every year or at the beginning and end of every season. That said if you know what you’re doing, opting for DIY maintenance is okay.

Do’s and Don’ts of Deck Repair and Maintenance Services

Deck maintenance is a little more nuanced than you might first expect. For example, you want to seal your deck, but some ways are better than others. Also, cleaning your deck can require aggressive tools but is used with gentle execution. While DIY is acceptable for deck upkeep, hiring professionals is often still worth it. That said, if you choose to go it alone, be sure you understand some basic do’s and don’ts of deck maintenance.

Do Seal Your Deck

You must seal your deck to protect against the elements and regular wear and tear. Decks are high-traffic areas, and the surface begins to show damage quickly without an adequate seal. Also, depending on the wood species of the deck, rain can cause excessive damage, allowing for rot and other issues. Use a penetrating deck sealer with multiple coats to prevent premature aging and damage. Deck repair and maintenance services can help you select an appropriate sealer for your structure.

Don’t Paint Your Deck

Some people choose to paint their decks. While painting is a finish option, it isn’t the best choice for a wooden deck. Painting a deck seals in the moisture. Being trapped, the moisture eventually leads to bubbling and peeling paint surfaces. You can see the same issues with painted wooden fences. A wooden fence repair service may even need to replace boards because of rot or warping.

Do Power Wash Carefully

A power washer is a tool that expels pressurized water through a nozzle for targeted cleaning. Power washing is an effective cleaning method for concrete and wooden surfaces if you know how to control the tool. Too much pressure concentrated on an area for too long can strip away a sealer or damage the wood decking. Deck repair and maintenance services hire experienced professionals to ensure accurate and safe pressure washing.

Don’t Wash Your Deck Too Often

Water and wood are not complementary elements. That said, sometimes, it is necessary to wash a wooden deck to keep it clean.

You can usually get away with washing a deck at most once or twice a year. Property owners should wash their decks after the long fall and winter seasons before opening them up for spring and summer entertaining. Property owners may want to rewash their decks before the fall and winter, depending on the activity throughout the warmer seasons. You can ask a handyman in Mississauga about cleaning techniques or chemicals to protect your deck.

Do Sweep Regularly

Deck repair and maintenance services encourage property owners to sweep their decks regularly. It is important to keep yard debris off of the deck surface. If leaves, mud, and other muck build up on the surface, mould and mildew can develop; these problems can escalate to wood rot and insect infestations.

Don’t Use Bleach To Clean

You should never use chlorine bleach to clean a wooden deck. While the chemical is an excellent disinfectant and sterilizer, it can harm your deck. The cleaner can discolour your deck and possibly weaken the structure.

Local Deck Repair and Maintenance Services

Deck repair and maintenance services can help you care for your wooden deck. While DIY options are okay for some tasks, professionals offer quality results at affordable prices. To learn more, contact Handyman Connection and schedule an estimate.