Homeowner answers
Care & Maintenance
Seasonal care for decks, pergolas, fences and outdoor wood on the North County coast.
10 answers, newest first RSS feed
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Is composite decking really maintenance free?
No. Composite decking is low maintenance, not no maintenance. It never needs sanding, staining or sealing, but it does need washing a couple of times a year so…
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How do I protect my deck and pergola from summer sun and the marine layer?
Summer on the North County coast works wood from both ends: a damp marine layer most mornings and strong UV every afternoon. The protection is a finish with…
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How do I check my deck's screws, hangers and hardware for rust, and when is it a problem?
Once a year, get under the deck with a flashlight and look at every joist hanger, post base, bolt and screw head. Light, even surface rust on galvanized…
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Do I need to rinse salt off my deck and pergola if I live near the beach?
If you are close enough to the water that salt film shows up on your windows, yes: a fresh-water rinse every few weeks during the dry months helps. Salt does…
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Why does my shaded deck or fence turn green and black, and how do I get rid of it?
Green film is algae and black speckling is mildew, and both grow where wood stays damp: the north side of the house, under trees, behind planters and anywhere…
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What cleaning products are safe for a wood or composite deck near the ocean?
For most cleaning, a deck cleaner based on sodium percarbonate, often sold as oxygen bleach, plus a stiff brush does the job on both wood and composite without…
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What should be on my yearly deck maintenance checklist?
Once a year, ideally in spring after the rains, give your deck a working afternoon: clear every gap between boards, wash it with a wood-safe cleaner, check and…
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How should I clean up my deck and outdoor wood after the winter rains?
Wait for a stretch of dry weather, usually March or April, then sweep, clear the gaps and wash the deck, pergola and fence with a wood-safe cleaner and a stiff…
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How do I get my deck, pergola and fence ready before the winter rains?
Do it in October or early November, before the first real storm. Clear leaves and debris from between deck boards and off pergola beams, make sure water can…
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How do I know when my deck needs to be resealed?
Let the wood tell you rather than the calendar. Sprinkle water on the most exposed boards: if it beads and sits, the finish is still working; if it darkens the…
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