How to Maintain a Wood Deck Year-Round

A wood deck is an investment. With the right maintenance, it can last 20–30 years. Without it, you're looking at rot, splinters, and structural issues well before that. Here's what to do and when.

Spring: Inspect and Clean After winter, walk your deck and look for any boards that shifted, cracked, or show signs of rot. Press on the wood near posts and ledger boards — soft spots mean moisture got in. Then give the whole deck a good cleaning with a deck wash or a diluted oxygen bleach solution. Let it dry fully before doing anything else.

Early Summer: Seal or Stain If water no longer beads on the surface, it's time to reseal. Apply a quality penetrating sealer or stain rated for exterior wood. Do it on a dry day with mild temperatures — too hot and the sealer dries before it penetrates.

Fall: Clear and Prepare Keep leaves off the deck — they trap moisture and accelerate rot. Clear out anything sitting against the boards for long periods. If you have furniture, consider moving it or covering it for the winter.

Winter: Leave It Alone (Mostly) Avoid using metal shovels on wood decks — they scratch the surface and damage the finish. A plastic shovel or broom handles snow without the damage.

Year-Round Fix loose fasteners as you find them. A popped screw left alone becomes a lifted board. Small fixes now prevent bigger repairs later.

Questions about your deck's condition? Give us a call at (681) 207-6114.