Outdoor decks are a wonderful feature in any home. There are relatively newer materials that reduce or eliminate maintenance, but many of us have older decks or have chosen to go with wood for reasons of cost or appearance.

Fortunately, a properly maintained wood deck should be able to last for the life of your home. The following is a list of maintenance suggestions compiled from various decking contractors and the manufacturers of wood treatment products.

Upkeep of sealers and coatings: Wood sealers and stains are designed to last between two and four years. Read the guidelines of the sealer and stain you have chosen and follow them carefully. The effectiveness of wood sealers will fail long before you notice visible problems. Excessive sun fading is a sign you have let things go too long. Visible water damage or rot means it is already too late and your deck will need repair rather than maintenance.

Routine cleaning: Dirt and grime are not only unappealing, they deteriorate the wood of your deck and reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of wood coatings. You should sweep off all dirt as it appears, and clean your deck with a pressure washer before every application of sealer or stain.

Keep structural posts out of contact with dirt: The bacteria in dirt are the largest cause of rot in deck posts. Many newer decks are built on concrete pads a few inches above grade to avoid this problem. Removing the dirt from directly around posts and replacing it with compacted gravel will reduce this problem for older decks.

Think “Wood Friendly� for snow and ice removal: Metal shovels can scratch wood and remove protective coatings. Use a plastic shovel if you must, but sweeping off the bulk of snow is often enough to allow the heat of the sun to melt the remaining snow. Calcium chloride will deteriorate the surface of your deck, and should never be used for ice removal.

Repair loose boards before they are a problem: Decking boards that are nailed down will often work loose, but even screws can occasionally lose hold. Annually inspect your deck for loose nails or screws. Remove loose nails with a “cat’s paw� nail puller and replace with a screw. Replace screws with slightly longer or wider screws. If a nail becomes a recurring problem, you may want to change the location of the fastener and fill the existing hole with putty or a wood plug.

Prevent “Pooling�: Wood coatings are designed to protect your deck from rainfall and ambient moisture, but a pool of water can damage even a freshly coated deck. Sweep away any pools of water as they develop.