Deck and Patio Care

Decks and patios live a hard life. They sit in full sun, soak up rain, freeze and thaw, and carry grills, planters, furniture and the occasional crowd. Yet most of them only get attention when they start to look shabby, and by then the more serious wear, the kind you can't see from a lawn chair, may have been building for years.

A little care each year keeps an outdoor space looking good and, more importantly, safe to use. Start with the parts that hold everything up, then move on to cleaning and finishes.

Check the structure before the finish

On an attached deck, the most important connection is the ledger board, the piece of framing fastened to the house that supports one side of the deck. Look underneath at where it meets the house. You want to see solid wood, proper bolts or structural fasteners rather than nails alone, and flashing above it that keeps water from getting behind it. Rust streaks, soft wood or gaps between the ledger and the house are reasons to call a pro.

Then look at the posts, beams and joists. Check where posts meet their footings, since wood that sits in wet soil tends to rot. Look at metal hangers and connectors for heavy rust. Grab each railing section and give it a firm shake. Railings shouldn't wobble, and balusters shouldn't be loose or missing. Walk the stairs and check for loose treads, a shaky stringer or a missing handrail.

To check wood for rot, press a flathead screwdriver into suspicious spots, especially where boards meet posts or sit near the house. Sound wood resists. Rotted wood feels soft and lets the tip sink in easily. Watch for signs of insects while you are down there, too. Small piles of sawdust, tiny holes or mud tubes on posts and footings are worth a pest pro's opinion.

Structural repairs to decks, railings and stairs often need a permit, and rules on railing height, stair design and ledger attachment vary by state and city. A licensed contractor or deck builder who works locally will know what applies.

A spring deck and patio walkthrough

Run through this list once a year, ideally before the first cookout. Bring a flashlight, a screwdriver and a notepad:

• Inspect the ledger board, flashing and fasteners from underneath.
• Probe posts, joists and board ends for soft, rotted wood.
• Shake every railing and handrail, and check balusters for gaps or looseness.
• Walk the stairs and look for loose treads or wobbly stringers.
• Reset or replace popped nails and loose screws in deck boards.
• Look for rust on hangers, connectors and fasteners.
• Check for splinters, split boards and raised edges that could trip someone.
• On patios, note cracks, settled pavers, washed-out joints and puddles.
• Test outdoor lighting and outlets, and have an electrician handle any problems.
• Clear debris from between deck boards so water can drain.

Cleaning wood and composite decking

Sweep the deck and clear the gaps between boards with a putty knife. Then scrub with a cleaner made for your decking material and a stiff brush, following the label. For mildew and gray, weathered wood, cleaners and brighteners designed for decks are generally gentler than harsh household chemicals, and they're easier on nearby plants when you rinse well. Pick a mild, overcast day so the cleaner doesn't dry too fast, and wet down nearby plants before you start.

Be careful with pressure washers. Too much pressure, or holding the tip too close, can gouge soft wood, raise fibers and leave the surface fuzzy. If you use one, stay at a low setting, keep the wand moving with the grain, and test in an out-of-the-way spot first. For composite decking, check the manufacturer's care instructions, since some warranties spell out which cleaners and methods are allowed.

Sealing and staining wood

To see whether your wood deck needs a fresh coat, sprinkle some water on the boards. If it beads up, the finish is still working. If it soaks in and darkens the wood within a few minutes, it's time to reseal.

Clear sealers show off the wood grain but offer less protection from the sun. Semi-transparent stains add color while letting the grain show through. Solid stains cover the most but can peel over time and are harder to switch away from later. Whatever you choose, apply it to clean, dry wood during a stretch of dry weather, and follow the label for temperature, drying time and number of coats. If you have new pressure-treated lumber, check the label on when to apply the first coat, since many products say to wait until the wood has dried out.

One safety note: rags soaked with oil-based stains and finishes can heat up and catch fire on their own as they dry. Follow the product's disposal instructions, which often call for laying rags flat outdoors to dry or storing them in a sealed metal container filled with water.

Concrete and paver patios

Concrete patios are low maintenance, not no maintenance. Hairline cracks are common as concrete ages. Wider cracks, sections that have sunk or lifted, or a slab that tilts toward the house deserve a closer look, since water should drain away from the foundation, not toward it. A concrete contractor can advise on sealing, patching or leveling. Go easy on deicers in winter, since some can damage the surface.

Paver patios need occasional attention to the joints and the base. Pull weeds early, sweep joint sand back into gaps, and reset pavers that have settled or heaved before they become trip hazards. Low spots that hold water often point to a base problem underneath. If pavers along the edge keep drifting outward, the edge restraint may have shifted or failed.

Grills, fire pits and furniture

Keep grills and fire pits at the distance from the house, railings and overhangs that the manufacturer specifies, and check local fire rules, which vary by city and can tighten during dry seasons. If you ever smell gas near a grill, a gas line or a built-in outdoor kitchen, shut off the supply only if you can do so safely, leave the area, and call your gas utility or a licensed pro.

Planters and outdoor rugs can trap moisture against boards and leave stains or soft spots, so lift them now and then or set planters on feet. Put pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches on composite and concrete. Grease drips and stray embers can stain or scorch decking, so a grill mat rated for your deck material is worth considering.

More outdoor guides

A deck or patio that gets a yearly checkup is safer and more pleasant to use. HomeIsSecure publishes plain-English homeowner guides on gutters, seasonal maintenance and hiring a contractor, so you can plan the rest of your outdoor projects with the same care.