-
Step 1
Crawl under the deck to look for water damage and wood rot. Place plastic sheeting between the ground and the deck if necessary. Weight the plastic down with some rocks.
-
Step 2
Trim any trees and bushes that are touching the deck. Also trim any trees that may be dripping tree sap on the deck. This sap can cause problems if not cleaned properly.
-
Step 3
Check the deck for nails that stick out. Pull up the nails and replace them with coated screws.
-
Step 4
Inspect the railings for loose balusters and posts. Nail any loose posts and railings back into place. Also check the deck steps for loose or wobbly treads and repair them as well.
-
Step 5
Find any loose and/or rotten deck boards. If a board is loose, use longer screws to tighten it into place. Cut out and replace rotten deck planks.
-
Step 6
Wash the deck to remove stains and mildew. Use a solution made of one cup bleach to one gallon of water to wash the deck, and then rinse it thoroughly. Allow it to air dry.
-
Step 7
Apply deck stains to protect the wood on the deck. You should perform this step annually or as often as the deck stain product suggests. Be sure to apply the deck stain to a clean, dry deck. It may be necessary to remove the previous stain with a high-pressure washer.
