Hot summer months mean more time spent enjoying your outdoor space, but also more sun damage to your deck. So how can you enjoy your deck without the looming stress of protecting it from the sun?
No need to stress! These simple maintenance tips will keep your deck looking fresh all summer long.
Maintain the Structure of Your Wood Deck
Strengthening your wood deck and maintaining its structural integrity is the first crucial step to protecting it from damaging UV rays. When wood becomes too soft or warn it’s more susceptible to sun damage. This UV damage causes the wood to turn gray, which indicates not just a cosmetic problem but a structural problem as well.
Harsh pressure washing methods are hard on your wood surfaces. In fact, pressure washing tends to weaken wood and causes cracking or splintering.
Instead, we recommend a PressureLess Deck Cleaning Service. This method is more gentle on wood and slows mold and mildew growth. This system also uses a biodegradable solution that stunts the growth of mold and mildew without using harmful bleach.
Making this method a part of your routine deck maintenance will keep the wood stronger and better able to withstand heat and sun damage.
Apply a Deck Finish that Contains UV Protection
Deck sealants and stains protect your deck from heat and moisture. When wood becomes too hot, it can dry out, shrink, and retain water. This leads to rotting, swelling, cracking, warping and splitting. That’s why it’s important to reapply deck sealant every 1-2 years.
Many clear sealers only repair water and provide no UV protection. However, there are a variety of UV prohibitors that can be applied to both protect your deck and also repair it when sun damage has already occurred. Here are 3 examples, from lowest to highest in terms of UV protection:
- Clear/Transparent Stains: Excellent UV protection. These stains repel water, are mildew resistant, breathable, and help retain the color of your deck. These types of stains are the best value in terms of cost. We recommend application by a professional. Requires maintenance every 2 years.
- Semi-Transparent Stains: Extreme UV protection. These stains also repel water, provide mold and mildew protection and retain color. These are a great choice if you’re looking for a richer color. Requires maintenance every 2-3 years.
- Solid Stains: Maximum UV protection. These provide the ultimate protection against water, mold and mildew damage and maximum color retention. However, these stains are the most costly in terms of maintenance. We recommend only using this type of stain on vertical surfaces like sidings and railings. Requires maintenance every 4 years.
By taking these simple precautions to strengthen and protect your wooden deck surfaces, you’ll be able to maintain a beautiful deck for all the summer seasons ahead.
TrueDecks offers professional services like deck cleaning, staining, sealing, repair, and construction to the Gaithersburg, Maryland area. Even if you don’t live in our neck of the woods, we’re glad you stopped by! Keep checking back for more deck maintenance tips and more from TrueDecks professionals.
