Deck Maintenance (June 19, 2001):

Spring and summer is deck maintenance time. Cleaning and sealing is standard treatment but what about nails that are slowly working loose? Pounding them back down will only yield temporary results. For a longer lasting fix, go ahead and pull out worked-out nails and replace them with screws. Buy a screw that is made especially for deck fastening. Also, this is a good time to replace warped, split, and other bad broads. You don't want someone getting hurt from damage on the deck surface, railings, or banisters. Don't put off cleaning, sealing and repairs till late in the fall, because you may not get it done again. Now is the time to do it and it will help keep your deck last longer.

Deck Protection (June 10, 2001):

Many people have the idea that "treated lumber" commonly used for deck construction protects the wood from the elements. The treatment protects the wood from insects and mold, but not from the weather. Wood’s main enemy is sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation slowly deteriorates wood, but there are various coatings that can help keep decks in tiptop shape. Transparent coatings are common and allow the natural wood to show. These products are the easiest to use—Wood Life or Thompson's Water Seal. They should be renewed yearly. Semi transparent and pigmented coatings offer a little more protection and give some color to the deck. Make sure the one you pick is for decks and flat surfaces. Be careful not to get this stain on your siding, cement walks and other areas you don't want it on, because it is hard to remove. These should be renewed every two or three years. Painting offers good protection but can show wear quickly if you don't use good quality paint for porches and decks. If you use paint, use high quality oil base floor and deck enamel. It will wear the best. Beware of manufactures that claim they assume ideal conditions. Ask questions and make sure you will be happy with what you are buying. Once the paint is down, it is hard to change. There a lot of new items out that are similar to a varnish. These have a tendency to peal and flake in some areas and won't come off in others, leaving you with a blotchy looking deck. In most cases the transparent coatings that you put on yearly are still the best. Be sure the product you choose blocks ultraviolet radiation. You will find a wood deck or fence can be a lot of work, so you may want to look into plastic or combination plastic/wood compost decking materials.