Fall Deck Advice from the Experts

As the temperatures drop in Maryland many homeowners are looking forward to cooler days and holiday adventures.

As the weather cools off, you may be spending your time raking leaves and cleaning gutters, but your deck needs some attention before the long, cold winter too. Here are some deck maintenance tasks that should be done each fall to help preserve the life of your deck.

Cleaning

Cleaning your deck thoroughly before winter can help it stay clean throughout the winter. During the fall your deck can become especially dirty as leaves blow onto it and begin to break down. This film of dirt that collects on your deck can become slick and very dangerous to walk on, while also degrading the integrity of your deck faster than a clean deck would.

Power washing your deck can help prevent build up that can make it slippery and dangerous. Before power washing make sure to clear any loose debris from the deck such as leaves. Also remove any deck furniture so you can more easily clean the deck. Once the deck is clear you can spot clean any stains that may be on the deck, and then power wash the surface of the deck.

Repair

Once your deck is clean you will want to look over it carefully for any signs of damage. Cracks in the decking and splinters can get worse in colder temperatures as the wood contracts and expands. Fixing cracks is an important part of deck maintenance in the fall so you don’t end up with a much larger problem in the spring. In addition to carefully inspecting the deck surface, make sure to take some time to inspect the beams holding your deck up for any structural issues.

Stain and Seal

Once your deck is clean and free of any major issues like cracks or splinters you can stain (if desired) and seal it to help protect it during the upcoming winter. Stains also apply better during drier parts of the year, such as fall, so as a general rule it is better to stain your deck in the fall instead of the spring.

Are you Looking to Get Your Deck in Shape?

By maintaining your deck in the fall before the cold winter comes you can ensure your deck stays in great shape for as long as possible. At North American Deck & Patio our desire is for you to have a deck you love that lasts for many years to come. If you are in need of a Anne Arundel county deck contractor contact us today!

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross