Deck Maintenance Guide
The Annual Schedule to Keep Your Deck Looking New

After a long Canadian winter, your deck needs attention. Spring cleaning is the most important maintenance task of the year — it removes debris, salt residue, and mould that accumulated under snow.

Spring cleaning checklist:

• Remove all furniture, planters, and accessories
• Sweep thoroughly — remove leaves, needles, and debris from between boards
• Inspect for loose boards, popped nails/screws, and structural damage
• Check for rot — poke a screwdriver into suspect areas. If it sinks easily, you have rot.
• Power wash at 1,200–1,500 PSI for wood (never exceed 1,500 or you'll damage fibres)
• For composite: use 1,500 PSI max with a fan tip, keeping 8–12 inches from the surface
• Apply a deck brightener to wood decks after washing (restores colour)
• Let dry completely (2–3 days) before staining or sealing

Summer is when you enjoy your deck the most, but a few maintenance habits keep it looking great:

• Move planters and furniture periodically to prevent discolouration
• Clean BBQ grease spills immediately — grease stains are the #1 summer deck stain
• Trim vegetation near the deck to promote airflow and prevent moisture buildup
• Check for insect activity — carpenter ants and termites target wood decks
• Apply UV-protective finish if your stain is fading (mid-summer touch-up)

Fall prep protects your deck through the harsh Canadian winter:

• Clean and store cushions and fabric accessories in a dry location
• Clear all leaves — wet leaves on a deck cause staining and promote mould growth
• Check and clean drainage gaps between boards
• Apply a water-repellent sealer if your wood deck wasn't stained in spring
• Ensure your gutters are clean — overflow water onto the deck causes premature wear
• Consider covering your BBQ or moving it to a sheltered area

Canadian winters are tough on decks. Here's how to minimize damage:

• Shovel snow gently with a plastic shovel — never use a metal shovel on decking
• Shovel with the grain (lengthwise along boards) to avoid gouging
• Use calcium chloride for ice — it's safe for wood and most composites. Avoid rock salt (sodium chloride) which damages wood and some composites.
• Never use a metal ice chipper or scraper on your deck
• Keep the deck clear of heavy snow accumulation — sustained weight stresses the structure
• Don't pile snow against the house where it meets the deck ledger board

For wood decks, staining and sealing is the single most impactful maintenance task. It protects against UV, moisture, and wear.

How often to stain:

• Transparent stains: Every 1–2 years (show the most grain but least protection)
• Semi-transparent stains: Every 2–3 years (best balance of grain visibility and protection)
• Solid stains: Every 3–5 years (maximum protection, hides grain)
• Paint: Every 3–5 years (not recommended for horizontal deck surfaces — peels in Canadian climates)

Top stain brands available in Canada: Sansin, Sikkens (Sico), Behr, Olympic, Cabot, and Benjamin Moore Arborcoat. Sansin is a Canadian company and particularly well-suited to our climate.

Warped boards: For minor warping, screw down the board with additional screws. For severe warping, replace the board ($5–$15 per board for PT wood).

Popped nails: Remove and replace with deck screws (longer than the original nail). Nail pops are common after Canadian winters as boards expand and contract.

Rot repair: Small spots can be treated with a wood hardener and epoxy filler ($15–$30). For structural rot in joists or beams, call a professional — this is a safety issue.

Mould and mildew: Common on shaded, moisture-prone areas. Clean with a deck cleaner containing sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach). Avoid chlorine bleach — it damages wood fibres.