HOW TO KEEP YOUR DECK LIKE NEW

If you're one of the 40-million Americans who owns a deck, take just a few minutes and you can improve its safety and appearance.

Check for protruding nails. Either hammer them down or replace them with galvanized screws half an inch longer than the original nails.

Cut the grease. If you cook out on the deck, place a mat under the grill to avoid grease stains. Scrub stains with a household degreasing agent, preferably as soon as the stain occurs. For set-in stains, try an automotive degreaser or carburetor cleaner and rinse immediately with hot water.

Brighten a scuffed deck. Sweep away surface dirt. Hose the deck down thoroughly. Remove debris stuck between planks (you may need a screwdriver to clear it out). Then, working one section at a time, scrub with a deck cleaner mixed with water. (Wear hand and eye protection.) Let it work for 20 to 30 minutes (follow label instructions). Don't let the deck dry during the cleaning process. Mist it lightly with water to keep it damp. Rinse thoroughly with water and let the deck dry, then seal if needed. Read the label: Some sealers can be applied to damp wood, others must be used on wood that is thoroughly dry.

Skip the splinters. Sand away lightly splintered areas. Severely splintered planks may need replacing.

Eliminate mold and mildew. These often develop in areas where puddles form or in shady spots. Sweep away standing water. Use deck washers or cleaners that contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and detergent. (Be mindful that bleach can kill surrounding plants.) Seal wood decks every other year to protect against other kinds of moisture damage, such as rotting planks. Reposition planters and containers from time to time to avoid mildew and stains.

Information from Thompson's Water Seal, Trex, ChoiceDek and handymanwire.com was used in this report.

Fast facts

Deck talk

Median size: 200 square feet

Median age: 8 years

Percentage of U.S. homes with a deck: 49, up from 36 percent in 2002.

Try this: Does your deck need resealing? Sprinkle water on it. If it beads up, your sealer is in good shape. If it soaks in, time to reseal.

Proceed with caution: If you use a pressure washer, set it at 1500 to 2500 PSI, which should work for most woods, but use less pressure (1200 to 1500) for softer cedar and redwood. Don't go overboard on pressure or you'll shred the wood.