We truly are lucky to enjoy so many gorgeous days living in Texas. The weather makes spending time outdoors on the deck something many families do regularly. From being a prime place for families to gather, to relax, or to cook up something delicious on the grill, decks are bonus living spaces for the whole family.

Let’s get the most out of this space by keeping it in good shape. Follow these tips to extend the life of your deck.

Cleaning Your Deck

Make it a regular routine to clean and maintain your deck. Weather and environmental elements can take away the aesthetic appeal of your deck. From the sun fading wood to untreated wood deteriorating or rotting in wetness. The wind can blow dirt and grit on your deck causing minor abrasions. If you regularly sweep and wash down the deck, this helps prevent wear and damage. Even a daily sweeping away of leaves and dirt will make a big difference. Then follow this up with a good monthly washing to keep every surface pristine.

Place flower pots on stone blocks to keep the dirt off your deck. Any dirt that drains out while watering will stay on the stone block ready to be swept away later on. A bonus to using blocks under pots is this adds a protective moisture barrier between the pot and your deck surface. This preventative measure reduces any moisture which could puddle or seep into your deck material.

With regular maintenance, stubborn stains won’t be a problem anymore. Grease stains are particularly difficult to remove. Here’s a tip for tackling grease stains before they land on your deck: Use a grease catcher. This can be a simple plate to lay utensils on while grilling.

Seal It or Stain It

Using a professional sealer on your deck materials adds years to the lifetime of the materials. Some sealers need reapplied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If this is a weekend project you would rather not tackle yourself, go ahead and hire a professional deck sealing company to take care of the job for you.

Staining your deck can act as another type of sealant to protect deck surfaces. Apply one to two coats of proper, high-quality semi-transparent, semi-opaque or solid deck stain to keep your deck looking amazing. Deck staining and painting professionals will do all the hard work for you and use only the best staining products to bring your wood deck back to life.

Handle Repairs in a Timely Manner

Making small repairs when they are noticed will be more cost effective than allowing something small to morph into a larger and more expensive repair project. If your deck is wooden, keep an eye for any wood rot, loose screws or boards, and any signs of rust on screws and bolts while doing your regular cleaning. If you see a problem, take care of it in a timely manner.

Noticing signs of termites or other insects? Promptly reach out to an exterminator.

Are you searching for a home with a gorgeous outdoor living space? Let’s chat. It’s my pleasure to help you find a home that can be the perfect setting for hosting a bar-be-que with friends or become your favorite place to unwind at the end of the work day and watch the sunset.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.