Did you know that roughly 6% of homes in Australia have a timber deck or balcony? If your home is part of this group, it’s critical that you take good care of your deck.
Whether you’re a new homeowner who’s never had a deck or has been relaxing on your deck for decades, this guide is for you. It will teach you everything you need to know about deck maintenance, from why it matters to the best preservation techniques.
Why Regular Deck Maintenance Matters
Consistent deck care isn’t just about looks — although it will help you keep your deck looking as nice as the day it was installed. There are many benefits to prioritising regular deck maintenance, including the following:
- Increased safety: Proper maintenance reduces the risk of your deck collapsing, boards or railings breaking, etc.
- Increased longevity: Regular deck care increases its lifespan and reduces the likelihood that you’ll have to worry about replacement or significant repairs.
- Increased home value: A good-looking, well-maintained deck will increase your home’s resale value.
- Increased cost savings: Deck replacements and extensive repairs can be costly; if you care for your deck, though, you’ll save money by avoiding these jobs.
Deck Cleaning Techniques
The first step to maintaining your deck is properly washing it. Here are some simple strategies you can take to keep it clean:
Start by Sweeping
A good sweep allows you to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris and better understand your deck’s current condition. It also makes the upcoming steps more manageable and more effective.
Person cleans a wooden terrace.
Spray Away Debris
After thoroughly sweeping the deck, use a hose or spray wand to remove the remaining dirt and debris. Avoid using a powerwasher, as that can damage the wood.
Hose and water on house deck or porch.
Apply Deck Cleaner
You can use a deck cleaner purchased from a local hardware store or make your own by combining water, dish soap, and white vinegar. Whichever option you choose, grab an old bucket and a paint roller to apply the cleaner easily and evenly.
Our personal choice for a deck cleaner is the Cutek Restore
If you have any plants on your deck, move or cover them before you apply any cleaning products.
How to Address Wear and Tear
Unless you seal it in a massive glass case, some wear and tear will affect your deck throughout its lifespan. You can significantly minimise the wear and tear you have to deal with, though, if you know how to spot problems as soon as they arise.
Here are some of the most common issues you should be on the lookout for:
Crumbling Wood
If your timber deck gets exposed to excessive moisture, you may end up dealing with dry rot, a type of fungus.
Initially, dry rot looks like orange dust, but white spores will grow as the fungus spreads. Eventually, the fungus digests the properties of the wood that make it strong and stiff, causing it to soften and crumble.
Leaning
Your deck should stand straight and tall. If it looks like it’s leaning to one side, that’s a sign that something is decayed, damaged, or missing. Inspect carefully to identify the source of the problem and fix it as soon as possible.
Small Holes
Small holes in the wood can indicate an insect problem. Australia is home to several insects that feast on wood, including powder post beetles, carpenter ants, wood wasps, and termites.
Slipperiness
Is your deck slippery (even if it hasn’t rained or been sprayed with water recently)? If so, look closely to see if algae or mildew has sprouted on the boards. Both of these can cause the wood to become slippery and discoloured.
Old molded wooden fence of rough planks overgrown with green moss
Fading
Sun exposure naturally causes the wood to fade and become discoloured. While this issue isn’t as severe as some others on this list, it can still take away from the deck’s appearance, and it’s a relatively simple fix.
Deck Sealing and Staining
Some people use the terms “sealing” and “staining” interchangeably. There are some key differences, though.
Sealing involves applying a substance that acts as a barrier between your deck and moisture (from rain, snow, etc.). Staining involves applying a substance that changes the deck’s colour, typically giving it a darker and richer hue.
Some stains have sealant mixed in, but you should check the label before assuming you have a two-in-one product.
Our favourite decking oil, is Cutek Extreme CD50. It’s a clear stain, that can be used to protect your timber deck, from the inside out. The Cutek range has a large range of colourtones, so you can pick the right colour to match your vibe!
Seasonal Care
The steps you take to care for your deck vary slightly from season to season. Here’s a quick breakdown of what good seasonal deck care looks like:
Winter
If you live in an area impacted by snowfall.
- Remove heavy snow with a plastic shovel, moving parallel to the boards to prevent scratching (make sure the shovel doesn’t have a metal edge too).
- Use a calcium/magnesium solution to melt ice instead of salt, which can damage your timber deck.
Spring
- Use a putty knife or scraper to remove debris from between the deck boards
- Sweep the boards to get rid of dirt and dust.
- Follow the cleaning steps in this guide to give the deck a good spring cleaning.
- Let the deck dry for 48 hours, then lightly sand it and apply Cutek!
Summer
- Inspect for rot (sponginess, flakiness, discolouration).
- Examine the ledger, where the deck and house meet, for rusted screws or signs of rot.
- Check the bearers, joists, and posts for rust and rot.
- Inspect the railing’s stability and look for exposed screws and nails (and replace them as needed).
Autumn
- Trim plants around the deck, making sure you have at least one foot of clearance to reduce the risk of rot, mould, or mildew.
- Clear debris (fallen leaves and branches) before it gets jammed between the boards.
- Inspect gutters and downspouts to ensure the deck is not hit with excess water.
Protect and Preserve Your Deck Today
Having a deck on your property makes it easy to relax outside, enjoy alfresco meals, and take in the view. To get the most use out of your deck, though, you need to make sure you’re sticking to a solid maintenance schedule.
Follow the tips and tricks above to create a plan for your deck today.
