4 DIY Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Deck in Shape

Maintaining a deck is not just a chore; it’s a commitment to preserving an outdoor sanctuary where memories are made and relaxation takes center stage. Whether you’re a seasoned deck enthusiast or a proud DIY homeowner, one undeniable truth remains: proper maintenance is the key to a durable deck. 

Below, we’ll discuss five essential DIY deck maintenance tips to keep your outdoor haven in top shape. From seasonal care routines to preventative measures, here are the tips you must master.

Install Deck Railing

A perfectly installed deck railing will keep your deck in top shape and act as a safety feature to prevent injuries and accidents on a deck. Depending on your state, decking rails are a mandatory safety requirement when building a deck. You’ll need to check compliance factors like height, spacing, and strength when shopping for your new deck railing kits. 

These compliance factors might vary from one state to the other, but there are standard values you must keep check on. For instance, when checking height requirements for your railing decks, you want to buy a deck handrail that’s at least 34 inches and, at most, 38 inches. With this height range, you’ll be safely under the International Residential Code’s (IRC’s) requirements on deck rail heights.

Get Rid of Old Deck Staining

Deck staining is a great way to protect your wooden deck from wear and tear. But when it gets old, it starts to peel, allowing water and snow to get into the cracks, leading to rot. To avoid this, you would want to use a paint scraper to remove the stubborn layers of stain stuck deep into the wood.

Considering the ‘damage’ a paint scraper leaves behind, you’ll also want to bring in the help of a sanding stool. You can use it to buff away at the wood to achieve a smoother and finer surface of the wood.

With your old stain out, you can apply a new staining material to preserve your wooden deck for a prolonged lifestyle. Choose a staining material with a wood preservative that has a UV protector to keep the harmful UV rays at bay. You should also consider using oil-based stains over water ones to help repel water and prevent rotting. Keep the re-staining costs low by buying only the necessary tools and reusing materials still in good shape.

Tighten the Fasteners

Your regular deck checks should also focus on the fasteners holding the entire deck together. These include the nails, anchors, and screws holding the deck railing, handrails, and stairs together. Tighten the loose ones and check out for worn-out ones so you can replace them with new ones. Ensure the handrails and stair railings are securely fixed in place to ensure they can support every weight leaning on them.

Keep Your Deck Clean

The main tools you need here are a brush with stifle bristles and a good deck-cleaning agent or cleaner. You’ll apply the deck cleaner and scrub it over the surface with the brush, then wait about 20 minutes before rinsing everything off. In some instances, you’ll have to use a pressure washer to clean off stuck debris of mud and stains for a perfect cleaning exercise.

Since a deck is an investment that boosts your home’s value, it’s prudent to take good care of it continually to keep it in perfect shape. You also want to ensure that everyone at home is safe when using the deck, which is why you should apply these DIY maintenance tips regularly.