Deck Care Articles
Building a deck is more than just a monetary investment that adds value to your home and enjoyment to your backyard. There is also an investment of time involved with proper deck maintenance and care. In order to preserve the longevity, beauty, and integrity of the structure, it’s important to learn how to take care of a wood deck or composite deck.
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Depending on whether you opted for wood or composite decking, there are different regimens of care specific to each material. If you have a wood deck, you’ll want to periodically check for rotted or decayed boards and replace them. Additionally, staining and sealing a wood deck once per year can be helpful in preventing rotted boards.
Composite decking typically requires less maintenance than wood decks. Composite deck boards are comprised of a core made from a mix of wood pulp and synthetic materials, with a synthetic outer shell that protects it from moisture, rot, and insects. While composite decking typically requires less maintenance than wood, you’ll still need to regularly sweep it and be sure to remove moss, algae, and prevent it from becoming slippery in inclement weather.
Browse through this collection of articles to learn more about how to take care of a deck, with tips on winterizing your deck, learning how to seal your deck and choosing the right sealant, as well as deck maintenance checklists to keep your deck in top form for years to come.
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Repairs
How To Fix Loose Deck Railing and Prevent Wobbly Banisters for Years
Learn how to fix a loose outdoor railing on your deck to avoid future damage.
Repairs
Composite Deck Repair: How to Remove Scuffs and Scratches from Composite Decking
Removing scuffs and scratches can help make your composite deck look like new. Learn how to fix and prevent your composite deck from future scratches.
Repairs
Deck Post Repair: How to Fill Cracks in Deck Posts
The right kind of wood can resist rot, mold, and insects, but they can still split or crack. You can repair the posts before the problem causes structural issues. Read our guide on deck post repair to help your outdoor space last as long as it possibly can.
Repairs
Deck Replacement & Repair Costs
Whether you’ve decided to tear down and rebuild your deck or if you’re only looking to repair smaller portions, you can find benchmark prices here.
Repairs
How to Restore & Refinish a Deck
Decks need maintenance. A twice-yearly cleaning is needed at a minimum. But wood decks—even with good upkeep—can still warp, rot, or get termites. Plus, no stain or paint job lasts forever. Fortunately, you can reset the clock by restoring your deck and refinishing it.
Deck Cleaning
How to Clean Outdoor Patio Cushions
Keeping your outdoor furniture cushions clean helps extend their life and makes your deck or patio area look nice. Learn how to clean outdoor cushions.
Deck Cleaning
What is Wet Rot and How Do You Treat It?
Wet rot occurs when water or high moisture levels cause wood to decay. Learn how to recognize the signs and causes of wet rot and how to treat it.
Deck Cleaning
How to Remove Paint from a Wood Deck
Aiming to refresh your deck with new paint or sealer? Learn the easiest and fastest methods of stripping paint from your wood deck with Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
Average Cost to Stain a Deck
Find the national average costs for staining and sealing a deck per square foot, including sanding and power washing prices. Learn more at Decks.com
Deck Maintenance
Deck Maintenance & Care Checklist for DIYers
Wondering how to best care for your deck? Download our comprehensive deck maintenance checklist to ensure your deck is safe and lasts for years at Decks.com.
Deck Maintenance
How to Bug-Proof Your Deck & Floorboards
Prevent bug infestations below and above your deck using mesh, screens, and more. Learn how you can have a bug-free deck this summer with Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Avoid, Prevent & Repair Deck Joist Rot
Rotted deck joists can cause homeowners headaches. Learn more about how to avoid, prevent and repair deck joist rot at Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
How to Seal Your Deck & Best Deck Sealers
Once you clean or stain a deck, it is ready to be sealed. Learn how to properly seal your deck in order to protect it from damage caused by harsh climates and weather at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Prepare & Protect Your Deck for Winter
Preparing and protecting your deck for the cold weather is important to ensure the longevity of your deck, especially in cold climates. Learn how to prepare your deck for winter at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Preventing & Treating a Slippery Deck
Inclement weather can cause both wood and composite decks to become slippery and potentially unsafe. Learn how to prevent and treat a slippery outdoor deck at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Removing Moss & Algae from Your Deck
Moss and algae growth can be detrimental to the integrity of your deck if left untreated.
Repairs
Deck Inspection: Checklist for Framing, Footings and More
Concerned that your deck no longer meets safety regulations? Want to know how to spot signs of trouble for your deck? Review our checklist for inspecting your deck at Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
Can You Paint or Stain Composite Decking?
Most composites don’t require painting or staining. However, if you are considering staining or painting your deck, you can learn how to do so and what you’ll need at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Ink Stamps from Pressure Treated Lumber
Ink stamps seen on pressure treated wood represents where the lumber came from and its grade. Learn a few tricks to remove this ink from your wood at Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Sand a Wood Deck
Sanding a deck is important to prevent any wood slivers and imperfections. Use these instructions to properly sand and refinish your deck.
Repairs
What is Dry Rot and How Can You Prevent Your Deck From Rotting?
Dry rot is a serious problem for wood decks because it compromises its structural integrity. Learn the signs and causes for deck rotting, as well as how to prevent or fix it, at Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Replace Deck Boards & Repair Your Deck
Deck boards can split, rot or come loose over time, but it’s easy to remove and replace deck boards without rebuilding the whole deck. Learn how from the experts at Deck.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Pressure Wash a Wood or Composite Deck
Pressure washing your deck is the best way to keep your investment looking like new. Learn how to properly clean your wood deck with these tips from Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Clean a Composite or Wood Deck
Follow our step by step instructions for how to clean a deck.
Deck Finishing
How to Stain a Wood Deck
Staining your deck, porch or patio can help maintain the longevity of its appearance. Learn how to stain your deck with these easy to follow steps at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Best Deck Cleaner Options
Discover the best deck cleaning and brightening solutions for composite decks, wood decks, and more. Learn how to remove dirt, mildew, and algae with Decks.com.
Repairs
How To Fix Loose Deck Railing and Prevent Wobbly Banisters for Years
Learn how to fix a loose outdoor railing on your deck to avoid future damage.
Repairs
Composite Deck Repair: How to Remove Scuffs and Scratches from Composite Decking
Removing scuffs and scratches can help make your composite deck look like new. Learn how to fix and prevent your composite deck from future scratches.
Repairs
Deck Post Repair: How to Fill Cracks in Deck Posts
The right kind of wood can resist rot, mold, and insects, but they can still split or crack. You can repair the posts before the problem causes structural issues. Read our guide on deck post repair to help your outdoor space last as long as it possibly can.
Repairs
Deck Replacement & Repair Costs
Whether you’ve decided to tear down and rebuild your deck or if you’re only looking to repair smaller portions, you can find benchmark prices here.
Repairs
How to Restore & Refinish a Deck
Decks need maintenance. A twice-yearly cleaning is needed at a minimum. But wood decks—even with good upkeep—can still warp, rot, or get termites. Plus, no stain or paint job lasts forever. Fortunately, you can reset the clock by restoring your deck and refinishing it.
Deck Cleaning
How to Clean Outdoor Patio Cushions
Keeping your outdoor furniture cushions clean helps extend their life and makes your deck or patio area look nice. Learn how to clean outdoor cushions.
Deck Cleaning
What is Wet Rot and How Do You Treat It?
Wet rot occurs when water or high moisture levels cause wood to decay. Learn how to recognize the signs and causes of wet rot and how to treat it.
Deck Cleaning
How to Remove Paint from a Wood Deck
Aiming to refresh your deck with new paint or sealer? Learn the easiest and fastest methods of stripping paint from your wood deck with Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
Average Cost to Stain a Deck
Find the national average costs for staining and sealing a deck per square foot, including sanding and power washing prices. Learn more at Decks.com
Deck Maintenance
Deck Maintenance & Care Checklist for DIYers
Wondering how to best care for your deck? Download our comprehensive deck maintenance checklist to ensure your deck is safe and lasts for years at Decks.com.
Deck Maintenance
How to Bug-Proof Your Deck & Floorboards
Prevent bug infestations below and above your deck using mesh, screens, and more. Learn how you can have a bug-free deck this summer with Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Avoid, Prevent & Repair Deck Joist Rot
Rotted deck joists can cause homeowners headaches. Learn more about how to avoid, prevent and repair deck joist rot at Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
How to Seal Your Deck & Best Deck Sealers
Once you clean or stain a deck, it is ready to be sealed. Learn how to properly seal your deck in order to protect it from damage caused by harsh climates and weather at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Prepare & Protect Your Deck for Winter
Preparing and protecting your deck for the cold weather is important to ensure the longevity of your deck, especially in cold climates. Learn how to prepare your deck for winter at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Preventing & Treating a Slippery Deck
Inclement weather can cause both wood and composite decks to become slippery and potentially unsafe. Learn how to prevent and treat a slippery outdoor deck at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Removing Moss & Algae from Your Deck
Moss and algae growth can be detrimental to the integrity of your deck if left untreated.
Repairs
Deck Inspection: Checklist for Framing, Footings and More
Concerned that your deck no longer meets safety regulations? Want to know how to spot signs of trouble for your deck? Review our checklist for inspecting your deck at Decks.com.
Deck Finishing
Can You Paint or Stain Composite Decking?
Most composites don’t require painting or staining. However, if you are considering staining or painting your deck, you can learn how to do so and what you’ll need at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Ink Stamps from Pressure Treated Lumber
Ink stamps seen on pressure treated wood represents where the lumber came from and its grade. Learn a few tricks to remove this ink from your wood at Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Sand a Wood Deck
Sanding a deck is important to prevent any wood slivers and imperfections. Use these instructions to properly sand and refinish your deck.
Repairs
What is Dry Rot and How Can You Prevent Your Deck From Rotting?
Dry rot is a serious problem for wood decks because it compromises its structural integrity. Learn the signs and causes for deck rotting, as well as how to prevent or fix it, at Decks.com.
Repairs
How to Replace Deck Boards & Repair Your Deck
Deck boards can split, rot or come loose over time, but it’s easy to remove and replace deck boards without rebuilding the whole deck. Learn how from the experts at Deck.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Pressure Wash a Wood or Composite Deck
Pressure washing your deck is the best way to keep your investment looking like new. Learn how to properly clean your wood deck with these tips from Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
How to Clean a Composite or Wood Deck
Follow our step by step instructions for how to clean a deck.
Deck Finishing
How to Stain a Wood Deck
Staining your deck, porch or patio can help maintain the longevity of its appearance. Learn how to stain your deck with these easy to follow steps at Decks.com.
Deck Cleaning
Best Deck Cleaner Options
Discover the best deck cleaning and brightening solutions for composite decks, wood decks, and more. Learn how to remove dirt, mildew, and algae with Decks.com.
More Helpful Resources
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights