🗓️ Maintenance Calendar
How to Clean, Repair, and Protect a Timber Deck
Annual cleaning and recoating keep a deck safe and stop small rot spots spreading.
Marcus Ibe · Sep 12, 2026 · 6 min read · 4 steps
Timber decks take a beating from sun, rain, and foot traffic. Left alone, they turn grey, grow slippery algae, and eventually rot at the joints.
A yearly clean and inspection, plus recoating every couple of years, adds years to the deck’s life.
Inspect first
Walk the deck and push a screwdriver into boards, joists, and posts, particularly near the house and where boards meet. Wood that is soft or crumbles needs replacing. Check that railings are firm and fixings are tight and not rusting.
Cleaning
Sweep off debris and clear the gaps between boards so water can drain. Scrub with a deck cleaner and a stiff brush, then rinse. A pressure washer can work on a low setting with a wide fan nozzle, but too much pressure tears up the wood fibres.
Repairs
- Replace rotten boards with matching timber, and treat cut ends with preservative
- Drive popped nails back in or replace them with deck screws
- Sand down splinters and raised grain
- Replace rusted fixings with stainless or coated ones
Protecting the wood
Once dry, apply a deck oil or stain on a dry day with no rain forecast. Oils soak in and are easy to refresh; film-forming stains can last longer but can peel and are harder to recoat. Follow the product’s instructions on drying time before you put furniture back.
This is general home-maintenance information, not professional advice. Building codes, permits, and safe practices vary by location — consult a licensed contractor, electrician, or plumber for work beyond your experience.