Decking needs maintenance, especially if it’s exposed outdoors. Homeowners can maintain their wood or composite decking to extend its lifespan. Maintaining a decking is easy; it is something you can do yourself. If you don’t know how, here are six interesting ways homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking.
Ways To Maintain Your Outdoor Decking
Maintaining your outdoor decking is crucial if you want it to last longer. Wood decking need more maintenance when compared to composite decking. Below are ways to maintain your outdoor decking.
Regularly Inspect the Deck
Homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking by inspecting it regularly. Inspect your outdoor decking to check for areas that need repair. Timber decking can swell and shrink, causing nails to pop up on the deck surface.
Inspect your decking to see if there is any nail or screw popping on your deck surface. If you find a nail or screw that popped up, use a hammer or screwdriver to drive it back into place.
Additionally, you can also inspect your decking joist to see if any of the woods needs replacement. If you notice that the planks need replacement, do so immediately. Inspecting your deck will help you note areas that need attention.
Replace Damaged Deck Boards
Another way to maintain your outdoor decking is to replace any damaged board.
Wood decking is prone to damage; it can absorb water, causing it to swell and decay over time. Inspect your decking to see if any of the wood needs replacement. If you notice that some of the decking boards have begun to rot, replace them with new ones. If not, it can lead to further deterioration of the deck, causing it to collapse.
Regular Cleaning
Homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking by cleaning it regularly. Sweep your deck with a bristle brush to remove any obvious dirt on it. Ensure you don’t allow dead leaves to pile up on your deck, it will help prevent mould growth.
Apart from that, you can also wash your decking to make it look new. Ensure you use the right deck cleaner to clean your outdoor decking. For composite decking, do not use chlorine bleach to clean it. You can use an ammonia-free detergent or vinegar to clean your composite decking. Use the right deck cleaner also to keep your wood deck tidy.
Sand the Deck
Furthermore, homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking by sanding it. Sanding your wood decking will remove irregularities, thereby making your decking smooth. It will also remove splinters from your wood decking. Sanding your outdoor decking is also important before applying stains or sealers on it. It will allow your decking board to absorb oil, stains, or sealers well. Homeowners need to clean their decking thoroughly first before sanding it.
Apply Stains on Your Outdoor Decking
Timber decking can fade if you expose it to sunlight outdoors. It is not like composite decking that the colour cannot fade. When your outdoor wood decking fades, it will look less attractive. Homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking by applying stains on it. Applying stains on your decking will make your wood deck look beautiful. To maintain the appearance of your timber decking, you have to keep re-staining it annually.
Apply Wood Sealant
Lastly, homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking by sealing it. If you apply sealers or sealants on your wood decking, it will prevent it from cracking or splitting. Also, your timber deck will not warp. The sealers will also keep water from penetrating your outdoor decking. It is important to use sealers to maintain your wood decking to last for a long time. You should apply the sealers after you have cleaned and sand the decking.
Conclusion
There are different ways homeowners can maintain their outdoor decking. Cleaning, sanding, staining, and sealing your decking is important. It is also important to inspect your decking to see if it needs repair.
