Short answer: Inspect your deck every spring, clean it once or twice a year, and stain or seal wood decks every one to three years depending on sun and weather. Composite decks need only cleaning. Tighten loose fasteners, replace damaged boards and have the ledger board, posts and railings checked for rot and loose connections.
A well maintained deck lasts longer, looks better and stays safe. This guide covers yearly deck maintenance for wood and composite decks, and the safety checks that matter most.
Spring safety check
- Press a screwdriver into boards, joists and posts. Soft wood means rot.
- Check the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house for rot, gaps and missing bolts.
- Shake railings. They should not move.
- Check stairs for loose treads and wobbly stringers.
- Look for rusted or loose connectors, nails and screws.
- Look under the deck for sagging joists and posts that have shifted.
If the deck sways, sags or a railing is loose, keep everyone off it until it is repaired.
How to clean a deck
- Clear furniture, plants and debris, and sweep between the boards.
- Wet nearby plants and cover them.
- Scrub with a deck cleaner suited to your wood or composite, using a stiff brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose.
- If using a pressure washer on wood, use a low setting and a wide tip, and keep it moving to avoid gouging.
- Let wood dry fully, often 24 to 48 hours, before staining.
Staining and sealing wood decks
- Clear sealer: shows the natural wood, but offers little UV protection, so it needs reapplying often.
- Semi transparent stain: adds color while showing grain, with better sun protection.
- Solid stain: covers like paint, hides flaws, but can peel on floors over time.
- Apply in dry weather, out of direct hot sun, following the product’s temperature guidance.
- Do the water test: sprinkle water on the boards. If it soaks in quickly, it is time to reseal.
Composite deck care
- Clean with soap and water or a composite deck cleaner
- Remove leaves and debris that trap moisture and stain
- Clean up grease and spills quickly
- Avoid metal shovels that scratch, and use a plastic shovel for snow
- Check the framing underneath, which is usually wood and still needs inspecting
Yearly deck maintenance calendar
- Spring: safety check, clean and repair
- Early summer: stain or seal wood if needed, in dry weather
- Fall: clear leaves, clean, and move planters that trap moisture
- Winter: shovel with a plastic shovel, and avoid rock salt on wood
When to call a pro
- Rot in joists, posts or the ledger board
- Railings or stairs that move
- Sagging or bouncing
- Rusted structural connectors
- A deck more than 20 years old that has never been inspected
Read about deck repair and deck builders.
Quick answers
How often should I stain my deck?
Often every one to three years for wood decks, depending on sun, weather and the stain type.
Can I pressure wash my deck?
Carefully, on a low setting with a wide tip. High pressure can gouge wood.
Do composite decks need maintenance?
Yes, regular cleaning, and checking the wood framing underneath.
How do I know if my deck is safe?
Check for rot, a loose ledger board, wobbly railings and stairs, and rusted connectors.
Who repairs decks?
A deck builder or contractor. Sifixit can connect you with a local deck builder.
Related
This guide covered deck maintenance. For more background, see the FTC’s advice on hiring a contractor and avoiding home improvement scams, and if you need help, Sifixit can connect you with a local provider.
This guide is general information for homeowners, not professional, insurance or safety advice for your situation.