The outdoor living spaces on your home are some of the most utilized and enjoyed areas of your property. Decks in particular are the ultimate outdoor living area for friends and family. To get the most value from your backyard deck, you want to keep it looking good by keeping it clean and maintained to avoid any structural issues down the road.
Brothers Painting JJ, LLC offers deck cleaning, deck refinishing, deck staining and deck sealing services. Keeping your backyard deck and wooden outdoor living structures clean and maintained regularly can add years of enjoyment to the life of your space. Decks are constantly exposed to the elements and keeping them stained and sealed creates a barrier that resists the impact of rain, snow, ice, direct sun, mold, mildew, and other elements that can negatively affect your deck’s surface.
The average life expectancy of a pressure-treated wood deck is 10-30, this wide range is based on how well the deck is maintained. Brothers Painting recommends pressure washing, staining, and/or sealing your deck every 2-3 years, more often if the deck is in direct sunlight or total shade causing mold or mildew. Decks that are not properly cared for will warp, splinter, crack and rot over time. This degradation can lead to possible structural issues and create a potentially unsafe environment for you and your family. While the aesthetic benefits of deck renewal are numerous, the safety aspect is also important.
How Do I Determine If It Is Time To Maintain My Deck?
If your deck is starting to grey, discolor, or water no longer “beads” up on the deck surface, then it is likely time to maintain, stain and/or seal the space. Timelines for deck maintenance are dependent on a variety of factors. These include the deck’s location, amount of foot traffic it receives, exposure to moisture and organic debris, and more. The deck maintenance professionals at Deck Plus can help you determine if it is time to clean, stain and/or seal your space. We also service more than just decks — any outdoor living space such as stairways, docks, landings, and even porch flooring and ceilings benefit from proactive maintenance.
Many Charlotte-area homeowners ask us, “How often should I stain my deck?” Experts agree, in order to keep your deck looking great and prolong the life of the wood, a deck should be stained every two to three years. Some signs your deck needs staining are mold and/or mildew buildup and wearing off of the existing stain. If any of these are noticeable, then it is time to give the deck refinishing professionals at Brothers Painting a call!
How About New Decks?
The protocol for staining and sealing a newly built wooden deck is a little different than an older deck. In most cases, and depending on the type of wood, a new wooden deck will need time to cure prior to the final application of a stain or sealer.
New wooden decks should always receive a coat of stain or paint. We recommend new decks dry out for at least 30 days before the application of stain. Although a finish can be applied immediately after construction, more work is involved, so it’s best to let the wood fully dry before finishing. Brothers can help you determine when the time is right to schedule the finish application of stain or sealer for your particular structure. Contact us today to schedule a deck refinishing consultation to address your specific needs.