Decks have become a common addition to many homes today. The added living and entertaining space a deck provides makes it well worth the investment. However, it is important to remember that proper maintenance is necessary in order to ensure that your investment will last, season after season.
While many decks are built with more traditional woods like redwood or cedar, most are made of pressure-treated pine. Like the more expensive varieties, good pressure-treated wood won’t rot, but does need to be treated regularly with ultra violet protectant sealers to avoid discoloration and to keep the surface free from rough spots and splinters.
After a few weeks of exposure to the elements, a deck should be sealed, and regular maintenance should continue once a year. On a regular basis, boards should be checked for stability and protruding nails, and then thoroughly cleaned and resealed. Sealants come in either water or oil based formulas and can be applied by brush, roller or spray. Consider purchasing a better-quality sealant that contains UV protectants formulated to reduce the damaging effects of the sun.
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