The deck in your backyard serves a special purpose: It acts as a gathering place for your family and friends to enjoy spending time together. Whether you’re relaxing outdoors on a summer evening with friends or are hosting a cocktail hour with family, keeping your deck in great shape is crucial to continue to reap its many benefits. Whether you’re working with brand-new, custom decks or simply maintaining your old one, there are a number of home improvement tricks that you can employ to keep it safe for your guests and looking great year-round. 

3 Maintenance Tips for Your Deck

1. Remove Debris

Leaves, mud, and dirt can cake up on your deck and in between boards in no time, making it look dingy and causing immense damage to the wood itself. To combat the deterioration, use a power washer and a putty knife to get rid of all of the gunk that has built up. When using a power washer, be sure to keep the pressure steady and work quickly, allowing it to dry overnight before walking on the deck again. 

2. Repair Small Damages

If there are any cracks or splits in the wood of your deck, be sure to address them right away before the problem worsens. If the wood has been compromised, the crack can spread, making for a much more intensive and expensive repair. Instead, call for professional help at the first sign of a split so that they can replace the pieces with new wood and screws. 

3. Stain & Seal

Once you’ve managed to get your deck looking neat and tidy, it’s time to seal it to protect the wood from harsh weather elements later on. Staining the wood will give it new life, and the sealant will ensure that the color will not fade, even through rain or snow. Sealing the wood is also an excellent way to skirt the need for repairs as it provides a protective layer from water and mold that may eventually require replacement. 

If you’re a homeowner in Wentzville, MO, and are looking for a team of remodeling contractors to help you maintain your deck, consider working with Gateway Exteriors. With years of service under their belts and a reputation for offering quality work at affordable prices, enlisting the help of this group of professionals is well worth your time. Visit them online or give them a call at (636) 327-8609.