When the snow melts and flowers bloom, it’s time to get your deck ready for spring and summer fun. As you prepare deck for spring, it’s exciting to think about picnics, barbecues, and enjoying the sunset without a window’s filter. Regular maintenance and cleaning help keep your deck beautiful, safe, and durable.
Inspection & Preparation
Begin your spring maintenance session with a thorough inspection. Here, you’ll want to check for anything that might cause safety issues down the road. Check the wood for damage, such as rot, splinters, loose boards, or nails sticking out. Then, gently shake the railings. If they shake vigorously, take note. Check the stairs by bouncing on them gently as well, trying to shake them from side to side. Finally, take note of any and all areas that need repair. Doing this step carefully will save you time later. Taking these steps will help you prepare deck for spring and ensure a safe outdoor space.
Gathering Supplies to Prepare Your Deck For Spring
Next, gather the essential tools. Make sure to bring a broom, bucket, scrub brush, hose, and power washer. If you don’t own a power washer, many equipment rentals allow you to rent them by the day or week. Try to get one that allows you to put soap into its spray. Make sure you have cleaning products. If you don’t have much mildew, you can make a cleaning solution with Borax and dish soap. Borax helps keep insects away from the wood and stops mildew from forming. Mix one cup of Borax with just under a gallon of warm water and a little dish soap.
For mildew stains, use a vinegar and baking soda solution for small areas. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and separately, baking soda with water to form a paste. You’ll have a few steps to carry out before cleaning, but when you do, scrub that into the mildewed areas, let sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. For tougher stains, allow a longer soak time.
Clear the Deck
Although it might seem easier just to start, it’s a good idea to remove all furniture grills and planters. This way, you won’t have to be constantly moving them, worrying about the impact of the pressure washer, or stubbing your toe. If you have space, spread them out on your lawn or another good drainage area. Then, when you’re cleaning your deck, you can give all the equipment a once over as well.
Cleaning the Deck
First, you’ll want to get rid of large debris. Use a broom or leaf blower to sweep away leaves, dirt, and twigs. Depending on the space between boards, you may need to clear debris from the cracks or between boards with a putty knife. If you don’t have one, a similar tool like a paint scraper will work.
Next, depending on your space and what you have available, choose a hose, a pressure washer, or a garden sprayer. If you have a large deck, a pressure washer will conveniently strip away all dirt and grim quickly. Test the pressure in a hidden area, like a stair or corner. A good rule is to avoid getting closer than 6 inches. As much as possible, keep the pressure washer at an even distance from the wood. If you have a small area, a hose or garden sprayer will do the trick, along with a soft bristle brush.
Next comes a deeper clean. Depending on how you want to clean, you have a lot of deck cleaners to choose from. Choose a strong concentrate safe for power washers if you want to spray your cleaner. Ensure it’s safe for skin since you might get some on you. If you want to stick with spot-cleaning greasy areas, either use the vinegar and baking soda solution mentioned earlier, or buy a wood deck cleaner. Follow the instructions on deck cleaners to avoid damaging the wood or causing harm with a strong solution.
For mildew and stains like grill grease, apply the cleaner and wait a few minutes.
Repairs and Maintenance
After cleaning, repairing the deck will be easier. Go through and replace rotted boards. Be sure to check for nails that have come loose. These can easily cause injury, especially to children running around. Use needle-nose pliers or the claw of a hammer to remove bent nails. Simply pound straight nails back into their original place. Tighten or replace any screws or other fasteners. If you don’t have railing, now is a good time to install some for safety purposes.
Sealing Your Deck for Spring
It’s important to seal in wooden decks for several reasons. Sealants like polyurethane, stain, and varnish protect the wood from water and sun damage. To prevent rot from water, reapply the sealant every 1 to 3 years. When you are preparing your deck for spring, perform the water bead test: pour water on the boards. If the water forms beads, the sealant is working, and you can wait a year to test again. If the board quickly absorbs the water, it’s time to break out the brushes.
Decorating and Arranging
This is when the fun begins for many. If you have a small space, arrange your furniture into semi circles or L-shapes. These shapes will facilitate conversation. For others, especially those that sit out often, a glider or a rocker may offer just the perfect motion to take in the robin’s evening songs. Next, add seasonal touches like outdoor rugs, cushions, string lights or planters.
If your house is small, and you often host outside, you may want to consider investing beyond the normal outdoor chairs and benches. An island becomes a handy place to serve food. End tables and coffee tables help guests handle food and drink with ease. If you like to serve coffee drinks, a serving bar provides a convenient surface with hidden shelves for supplies. Check out this page for any furniture upgrades.
If you live in Ohio, you probably placed your deck where it gets plenty of sun. Even so, too much sunshine can disrupt your enjoyment outdoors. If direct sunlight is causing you to stay inside, it might be time to get an awning. Sunsetter Awnings are retractable and let in sunlight when you want it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to spend time outside, don’t skip the preparation that will make your deck safe and comfortable. Rusty nails can be dangerous, and constant splinters make outdoor time less enjoyable. You also don’t want a rotting deck to lower your home’s value. Taking care of your deck each year will reduce the amount of work you need to do. This will help you enjoy the warm months more, giving you a peaceful place to sit and invite friends over. When you consistently prepare deck for spring, you ensure a safer, more enjoyable space—after all that hard work, you deserve it!