Decks and porches

Deck Maintenance for Georgia Heat and Humidity

A simple yearly routine to clean, seal and check your wood deck so it holds up to Georgia heat, humidity and storms.

A wood deck in west Georgia lives a tough life. Long humid stretches, strong summer sun, heavy storms and a thick coat of pine pollen every spring all wear on the wood. A little yearly deck maintenance goes a long way toward keeping it safe and good-looking.

What Georgia Weather Does to a Deck

• Humidity and shade feed mildew, mold and algae. Boards turn black or green and get slick.
• Sun dries out the surface, fades the color and breaks down stain and sealer.
• Wet-dry cycles make boards swell and shrink, which leads to cracks, cupping and popped nails.
• Pollen and leaves sit in the gaps between boards and hold moisture.
• Red clay splashes up on low decks and stains the wood and posts.

A Simple Yearly Deck Routine

1. Clear it off

Move furniture, grills and planters. Planters left in one spot trap water and are a common cause of rot. Sweep the deck and use a putty knife to clean out the gaps between boards.

2. Inspect before you clean

Walk the whole deck and look underneath. Check for:

• Soft spots (push a screwdriver into suspect areas; it shouldn't sink in easily)
• Loose or wobbly railings
• Popped nails or loose screws
• Cracked or split boards
• Rust on hangers, bolts and brackets
• Where the deck attaches to the house (the ledger board), look for rot, gaps or missing flashing

Our guide on signs your deck needs repair covers what to watch for in more detail.

3. Clean the wood

1. Wet down nearby plants and cover them.
2. Apply a deck cleaner made for your type of wood, following the label.
3. Scrub with a stiff brush, working with the grain.
4. Rinse well with a garden hose.
5. If you use a pressure washer, keep the pressure low, use a wide fan tip, and keep it moving with the grain.

4. Let it dry

Give the wood at least a couple of dry days before sealing. In our humidity, it can take longer. Sealing damp wood traps moisture.

5. Make small repairs

• Drive popped nails back down, or better, replace them with deck screws.
• Tighten loose railing bolts.
• Replace a cracked board or two.
• Lightly sand any rough or splintered spots.

6. Seal or stain

1. Pick a sealer or stain made for decks. Clear sealers show the wood but need recoating more often; tinted stains offer more sun protection.
2. Check the weather. You want a few dry days, and you don't want to apply it in direct afternoon sun.
3. Apply thin, even coats with a brush, roller or pad, a few boards at a time, along their full length.
4. Don't let it puddle. Wipe up extra.
5. Keep people and pets off until it's fully dry.

Small Habits That Help

• Sweep leaves and pollen off regularly.
• Put planters on stands so air can flow under them.
• Point gutter downspouts away from the deck.
• Trim back bushes so the deck can dry out after rain.
• Use a grill mat to catch grease.

Safety Notes

• Read the label on cleaners and sealers, and wear gloves and eye protection.
• Rags soaked in oil-based stain can catch fire on their own as they dry. Lay them flat outside to dry or soak them in water in a sealed metal can, and follow the product label for disposal.
• Never ignore a loose railing or a soft spot near the stairs. Rope off the area until it's fixed.

When to Call HLM

Plenty of homeowners handle cleaning and sealing on their own. Where we come in is when something needs fixing or the job is just more than you have time for. We handle deck repair like replacing rotted boards, fixing stairs, tightening or rebuilding railings and replacing worn hardware.

If the deck is too far gone, we'll tell you honestly whether repair still makes sense, or whether it's time to talk about building a new deck. For porch floors and railings, our guide to porch wood rot prevention has more tips.

Get Your Deck Looked At

Text a few photos of your deck to (706) 594-5049, or request a free estimate online. Pricing depends on the job, and estimates are free.