Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Horton, AL

A wood deck needs an annual cleaning, plus refinishing every two to three years, which involves sanding the deck and applying stain or sealer. If you have a painted deck, you’ll need to repaint it every 10 years. You should also fix and repair loose or broken deck boards, nails, and screws. Cleaning your deck regularly and applying sealant protects the wood from the elements, water damage, rot, mildew, and fading from the sun.

To flatten a cupped deck board, start by ensuring it’s dry. Then, try flipping the board over so the cupped side faces down and reattach it. If that’s not possible, you can use screws to pull it tighter to the joists or plane the edges slightly to reduce the cup. It’s best to replace severely cupped boards.

You can use a few different tactics to prevent your deck gate from sagging. Aside from using strong, rot-resistant woods, introducing a diagonal element—such as a tension rod or solid piece of wood to act as a brace—across the gate will offer better support. You can also use rigid joists to prevent the gate from sagging.

Yes, but it works best with lightweight snowblowers, the single-stage models or electric versions. Also, you need to have a rubberized intake edge on the ground and preferably rubberized auger paddles, not a metal version. Otherwise you may chip or damage the surface as you work. When it doubt, let the snow lie.

You can also use a snow blower on leveled gravel, but only if you carefully adjust the intake height so it doesn’t kick up the gravel and turn it into flying missiles.