How To Prep Your Wood Deck For Spring And Enjoy The Outdoors

You know spring is near when the weather heats up and the snow melts away from your deck once and for all. At that point, you get to look forward to relaxing in your decorated outdoor living space throughout the season. However, you must first prep your wood deck for spring before you can enjoy those moments of relaxation. To do this, you will need to clean your deck, check for any damage that may have occurred during the winter months, and apply sealant over the wood to protect it. These steps will ensure that your deck is safe and protected for worry-free use throughout the season.

If you detect damage during the inspection process, keep in mind that you will need to repair it before moving forward with the rest of this deck preparation process. This might require you to call on the help of a professional. If you find that your wood deck is beyond repair, replacing it is a good idea. You should be able to complete the rest of the aforementioned steps without the help of a professional pretty easily. Take advantage of the warmer weather, as it provides you with the perfect opportunity to get outside and care for your deck. This will help you get ahead of wear and tear before it takes place.

Start by clearing off your deck so that it's completely empty. Next, give it a thorough cleaning. There's a chance that foliage has piled up since the fall, so sweep that away first. If your deck was previously covered in snow, that snow may have left behind sludge and grime after melting. To clean this off, apply a wood-friendly deck cleaning solution and scrub the wood panels with a brush. Next, rinse the deck with a garden hose and allow it to dry.

After you have cleaned your deck, begin inspecting it for damage. Look for deterioration along the railing and boards. Loose panels indicate you will need to make repairs. A professional can make sure this inspection process is done properly and likely ensure that your repairs are completed as soon as possible. This is especially important if you suspect any structural damage.

Once these repairs are complete, apply sealant to protect it from the elements. Consider using a product that repels water so that you can block out moisture that may damage the wood over time. This Seal-Once Nano+Poly or a similar product will get the job done, though the sealant application process will vary depending on which product you select. Take a look at the instructions to determine the steps you need to take. If you plan to install a brand new deck for the season, you will need to wait before you seal it. The waiting period is generally about 30 days, after which you can seal your deck and then enjoy time outside on the well-maintained structure.