Believe it or not, a few simple habits during the fall and winter months can make maintaining your deck a lot easier. They’re not the most fun chores, but they’ll save you money and effort come spring.
I’ve owned Power Play since 2002. That’s over 24 years of cleaning and restoring decks, and I’m still out in the field. Between me and Rick, our top two techs, there’s more than 45 years of combined experience, and with over 400 five-star reviews across Lebanon, Lancaster, Dauphin and Berks counties, we’ve seen what a hard Pennsylvania winter does to a wood deck. Here’s how to protect yours, and how we bring it back when it needs help.
Why Moisture Is Your Deck’s Biggest Enemy
Moisture is one of the top causes of breakdown in both wood and stain. When wood stays wet for long stretches, the stain wears out faster, water starts soaking into the boards, and you get graying, mildew, cracking and soft spots. Most fall and winter deck care comes down to one goal: help your deck dry out.
Keep Leaves Swept Off
Fall brings leaves and other debris into the backyard. Keep them swept off your deck regularly. After a rain, moisture stays trapped under wet leaves and the wood underneath can’t dry out properly. Wet leaves can also leave tannin stains on the boards. Don’t forget the gaps between boards and the corners where debris piles up.
Clear Snow Off the Floor and Rails
A snowy deck can look beautiful, but snow sitting on the rails and floor isn’t good for it. As it slowly melts, the wood stays wet for days at a time. When you can, clear the snow off your deck floor with a plastic shovel so you don’t scratch or gouge the surface. Push along the length of the boards rather than across them.
Go Easy on Ice Melt
Rock salt and some ice melt products can be hard on stain and wood. If you need traction on deck stairs, use an ice melt labeled safe for wood decks, and use it sparingly.
Clear Off Mats, Rugs and Furniture
Foot mats, rugs, planters and outdoor furniture hold moisture against the wood and cause uneven wear. If you aren’t using your deck in the late fall and winter, clear it off. That also makes removing leaves and snow much easier.
Do a Quick Fall Check
Before the weather turns, walk your deck and look for loose boards, popped nails or screws, and spots where the stain has worn through. Splash some water on the boards: if it beads up, your stain is still protecting the wood. If it soaks right in, it’s time to plan a cleaning and re-stain.
Is Maintaining Your Deck Worth It?
Of course, these habits only make a real difference if your deck is properly stained to protect it. Bare or worn-out wood will take on water no matter how well you sweep. You can see some of our before and after deck projects here.
How We Clean, Strip and Stain Wood Decks
Lower pressure on wood. Wood is soft, and too much pressure will etch, splinter and fuzz the boards. We use lower pressure on wood and let a cleaning solution do the work, then rinse thoroughly.
Solution-based cleaning. Our cleaning solutions break down dirt, mildew, algae and graying so we don’t have to blast the wood to get it clean.
Stripping old stain. When the old finish is failing or peeling, we strip it so the new stain can soak into the wood instead of sitting on top of a worn-out coating.
Sanding. After stripping, we sand to smooth raised grain and get the surface ready for stain.
Oil-based stain. Once the deck is stripped and sanded, we apply an oil-based stain that soaks into the wood and is easy to maintain. Solid-color stains generally aren’t our recommendation, but we’ll go over your specific situation. If your deck already has an acrylic stain on it, we reapply acrylic so the new coat bonds properly.
Products and Surface Safety
Our products are biodegradable and plant-safe when used with our process. We adjust the mix for the wood we’re working on, protect the plants and landscaping around your deck, and rinse thoroughly so nothing is left behind.
The Right Gear
We bring top-of-the-line equipment, ready for any situation, carried on board our trucks: a professional power washer, dedicated pumps, a window cleaning system, soft wash equipment and more.
What You Can Expect
We’ll look at your deck, talk through its condition and the old finish, and tell you honestly what we recommend before any work starts. Give the deck time to dry after cleaning before stain goes on, and plan to keep furniture off until the stain has cured.
Fences and Other Exterior Wood
The same care applies to wood fences, railings, pergolas and other exterior wood. Keep debris and snow from piling against them, and we clean, strip and stain those too.
If you have questions about your deck, call Nate at 717-314-2360 for a free quote.
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