Some expert tips on regular deck maintenance

Get into a regular maintenance routine with your decking and you'll save on costly repairs in the long run. Here are some expert tips on what you'll need to regularly do.

• Scrub your deck and paved surfaces with a high-pressure washer, or simply with a bucket of water and a stiff outdoor broom to spring-clean them.
• After you've washed these surfaces down, a daily sweep with a broom is all that's needed until the end of summer.

• If you find rot or pest infestation in a piece of wood in your deck, chances are that nearby pieces are also affected.
• Before launching into repairs, inspect every support post, joist and board for damage.
• If you find some rot in a joist, dig it out, let the remaining wood dry off, then brush on two coats of deck preservative.
• If the hole is deep, you will need to fill it with a suitable external wood filler.
• For extra rot protection you can buy fillers that contain fungicides.

• Don't let pots and planters sit in one place for too long.
• Moisture is bound to persist under any permanent fixture, and the damp will lead to rot in the deck boards below.
• Instead, move any potted plants that are on your deck around on a regular basis.

• If you prefer to have a finish on a wooden deck, choose a semi-transparent decking stain.
• Check the label to be sure the product is made to withstand foot traffic.
• One coat is usually enough; a second coat may create a film on the surface that will crack and wear.

• New decking boards must be completely dry before the finish is applied; if it isn't, the finish won't take properly.
• To test, apply a small amount in an inconspicuous area.
• After about 15 minutes, most of the stain should be absorbed.
• If the stain beads up, wait and repeat the test a few days later.

• Always brush an extra coat of staining sealer onto the rough ends of deck boards, since they're usually more absorbent than the tops and bottoms.
• The regular re-coating of an oiled deck is a back-breaking job.
• To simplify the task, pour the  oil into a cheap bucket and apply it with a household sponge mop.
• Your back will be saved, the job will take less time and the sponge attachment can be thrown away afterwards.

Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to a regular deck maintenance routine. Keeping up that routine can help your deck last longer and save you from needing costly repairs in the long run.