A timber deck is the best possible outdoor extension to home or business. Installing a wood deck is the key to enhance the aesthetic value of your property. But the fact is wooden decks can deteriorate over time unless you take care of it properly.
Regular maintenance is the key to its longevity. When it comes to maintaining this timber structure, homeowners often become confused about how to achieve this goal? Are you one of them? If yes, then you may go through the below section.
Here you will find several ways on how to take care of this wooden platform for its longevity:
- Select quality products right from the beginning
Your deck is likely to remain exposed to the harsh weather condition. This is why; it will take a lot of abuse. It is going to have water pudding from the sprinkler system and rain.
Excessive heat can also affect it. Snow and ice also contribute greatly to its damage. All of that can make your deck looks shabby over the course of time.
To combat against such harsh weather conditions, it’s better to use high-quality wood which is pressure treated. The best advantage of using pressure treated wood is that it can withstand moisture.
For a better result, you need to use solid timber, instead of spiking small pieces together. You should use galvanised or stainless steel, rather than ordinary screws or nails that corrode quickly.
- Check for any damage on a regular basis
You should check this timber structure to find any damage. This will help you to find rot or more problems that may cause damage. When you get to know about its damage, you can pay attention to find the ways on how to restore a deck.
- Repair the damaged area as soon as possible
As soon as you find a problem forming, fix it, instead of wasting time. This is how you will be able to avoid large issues, and you can save a lot. Replacing the rotten parts will prevent replacing the entire timber structure.
You may also perform regular maintenance by tightening the loose boards, steps or railing. To prevent the wooden platform from getting damaged, you should not place flower planter on it. Rather, you should put it on the top of cement blocks in order to prevent it from trapping dirt on timber deck’s surface.
- Pay attention to treating a new deck with special care
Whether you have installed a new deck or you have just replaced sections of the old one with new wood, it’s necessary to treat the wood properly right from the beginning.
Sweep it regularly and clean the structure with the help of professional cleaners in order to remove the surface impurities.
You should perform this task before using sealants. If there are impurities on decks, they may prevent the sealants from offering full protection.
- Seal it to prevent damages
No matter what type of wood you use, it is necessary to seal it. Deck sealing is as much important as deck repair. After cleaning it in a proper manner, seal it. You should perform this task at least twice a year. Sealing of decks can provide this platform with full protection against the harsh weather conditions.
The sealant can protect against moisture getting into the timber platform and causing swelling. Use the right quality stain to get the best result.
- Protect the deck from grease and dirt
Do not forget to protect your wooden decks from accumulating dirt or grease. Take proper care of it so that your deck looks new even after several years of its installation.
So, this is how you can maintain your wooden decks in the best way. Hopefully, you have found all the given ways useful.
If you are keen to know more about this topic, you can take the help of experts who have extensive knowledge of this topic. Now, install a timber deck to enhance the value of your property.