Tips for Maintaining your Wood Deck

bigchaz

Moderator
I'm working on a brochure for customers to give after we complete a job. Basically a list of things they can do that will help prolong the life of their finish. What are some things you tell customers when you finish a job?

Decks with Pools:
--Avoid hanging wet towels over handrails or leaving wet towels on decking surfaces
--When adding liquid or powder chemicals to the pool, quickly rinse any spills

Decks:
--On lower elevation decks, keep vegetation around the deck trimmed and spaced apart to allow for adequate ventilation
--Sweep or blow leaves and debris off the decking surface. Debris can trap moisture and degrade the finish
--When possible, lift chairs instead of dragging them
--Use a grill mat to keep grease spills off the wood
--Rotate deck furniture (particularly umbrellas or storage boxes) to allow the deck to wear more evenly
--Brush snow off a deck instead of shoveling. Use a plastic shovel if necessary. Use sand instead of salt on wood walkways
--Keep planters elevated from the deck surface. Use plant caddies to move larger pots.
 
Keep sprinklers from hitting the deck....

Keep potted plants on pot feet or pot holders....avoid pot rings
 
Sprinklers is a good point, especially on the fences, seems like you guys in Texas have a big problem with those misdirected sprinkler heads.

Anyone else have any good suggestions?
 
Don't drink or eat on a deck. Place all tables and chairs on the stone patio. Keep grill off the deck. Vacuum the deck once a week and if you have a cleaning team add this into there cleaning. After a rain broom or squeegee the water off. Buy a tennis mop.
 
Keep the BBQ pit off the deck, I have seen so many decks ruined with the grease that just soaks into the wood from the pits.

Sprinklers is a huge problem down here, it seems like part of the job qualification to install sprinklers is to aim at houses, decks and shoot into the street and your are hired. hahahahaha j/k

Sprinklers cause a lot of visual damage to decks, fences and houses here.

Sounds like a great brochure, post it or pm it when you are done.

Good luck!
 
Have the owner put a shower out side so you can clean up before you walk on the deck. Take your shoes off before walking on the deck.
 
Don't allow kids under 18 on the deck, no toys on the decks, don't allow your animals to use the deck as a toilet, no candles on the deck .
 
I think Jim has it. Basically don't use, touch, or let anything touch the deck, build a cover to shade it, build walls around to keep stuff from blowing on it and the sun from hitting it, in the enclosed deck install an air conditioning heating system to keep moisture down in the summer, and a humidifier heater for the winter.

Seriously sounds like a good brochure, and the customer will appreciate it.
 
I think Jim has it. Basically don't use, touch, or let anything touch the deck, build a cover to shade it, build walls around to keep stuff from blowing on it and the sun from hitting it, in the enclosed deck install an air conditioning heating system to keep moisture down in the summer, and a humidifier heater for the winter.

Seriously sounds like a good brochure, and the customer will appreciate it.
Each night before bed cover with a deck tarp to prevent foriegn matter from falling on the surface .
 
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