There's no getting around the fact that decks require a lot of maintenance if you want them to last and look their best. The good news is that if you're diligent, you can extend the life of your deck by years.
In addition to keeping the deck clean and refinishing it when needed for protection from the elements and cosmetic enhancement, plan to regularly floss between the boards so that debris doesn't accumulate. This step is important because the debris will trap moisture,which leads to rot.
If you don't want to get down on your hands and knees to do the work, the Fiskars Deck Flossing Tool is a great solution, but it's pricey.
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| 5 in 1 Tool |
As an alternative to the Fiskars or similar long handled flossers, you can use one of my all time favorite tools, the Painter's 5 in 1, but you're going to have to bend over or kneel to get between the boards, and on a large deck this would be no fun. The 5 in 1 costs about $8 and does so many things that if you don't have one, do yourself a favor and get one. I do everything with my 5 in 1, except spread mustard on Roger's sandwiches.
No matter which tool works better for you, it's important to get your deck clean and looking its best, then keep an eye on it to be sure it stays that way.
If you need help, call me to make an appointment with Roger to do an estimate. He's been restoring decks of all types for many years, and has brought quite a few back from the brink of death!
828-692-4355
