You have a few options when it comes to wood decks. Redwood, pressure-treated timber, or cedar are the most often used woods for decks. Cedar has been utilized for deck construction for decades because of its attractive color, low cost and availability, ability to bend without shattering due to its soft nature, and inherent resistance to rot and insects. What more could you want from a deck? If it were as low-maintenance as a composite deck, it could be the only choice homeowners would ever consider!
Cedar decking, like every other type of wood decking, has drawbacks. While cedar is a hardwood, it is still a softwood. While it is unlikely to distort and twist like some other woods, it may grow rough and prove to be a threat to barefooted humans and dogs. This means it needs extra care and upkeep to stay in good condition. For more such information, check out www.sbcbuild.com.
In today’s article, we’ll go over some suggestions for maintaining and keeping your cedar deck in good condition! Of course, if you’re searching for easy-to-install cedar deck railing that matches your deck planks, we’ve got you covered!
Sweep on a regular basis.
Sweeping once or twice a week is one of the simplest and most effective methods to ensure that when it comes time to deep clean your deck, you are not left with a massive mess. Sweeping out waste such as dirt and leaves may also help to guarantee that there is no organic matter rotting on your deck and can help to avoid the growth of slippery mildew.
Sweeping everything off the edge with a soft push broom should only take a minute or two, depending on the size of your deck, and can do wonders for keeping it clean and tidy.
Clean the deck.
The controversy over whether or not to use a power washer to clean your cedar deck persists. While a power wash may swiftly and thoroughly clean a wood deck, it can also cause damage and deterioration, especially when using a soft wood like cedar.
When it comes to thorough cleaning your deck, thankfully, you have alternative options. A thorough cleaning of your deck should be done once or twice a year. To clean your cedar deck, we recommend using a cedar-specific cleaning solution.
You may also clean your deck using a dish soap and water combo. Fill a large bucket halfway with water and dish soap to achieve a pleasant, frothy consistency. Pre-rinse your deck using a garden hose, then massage the solution into the wood with a gentle scrub brush, making sure it doesn’t dry.
If the deck begins to dry, use the mister setting on your garden hose to keep it moist. After the soapy solution has had a few minutes to work, thoroughly rinse the deck with your hose to ensure that no soap residue is left behind.
Make care to clean the deck railings as well. Deck railing frequently accumulates oil and debris from touch with hands, which may quickly deteriorate it. Clean it on a regular basis to keep this buildup from inflicting long-term damage.
When necessary, stain and seal.
By sealing your deck, you may minimize water damage, rot, and insects. Stain, on the other hand, enhances the beauty of the deck while also protecting it from UV rays. Every two to three years, you should reseal and stain your cedar deck. Some deck sealants include a stain, allowing you to do both procedures with a single product.
Most of the old seal will have worn off by the time your deck is ready for a new seal. Spraying your deck with the hose will reveal whether or not this has occurred. If the water gets in, the seal is destroyed. If it beads on top, your sealant is still likely to have some life remaining in it.
Because the deck must be well dried before using any of these treatments, the optimum time to seal and stain it is a few days after washing it. If there are any rough spots where old stain or sealer has remained, sand them down with 80-grit sandpaper. Finish by sweeping your deck and applying the sealant, stain, or both according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Final Word
Keep an eye on your deck and conduct any necessary repairs. In addition to the cleaning advice above, this is maintenance. Keep an eye out for rusted hardware and repair it if necessary. Replace any boards that become loose or show symptoms of decay or insect damage.
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