Your deck is an extension of your living space.  With warmer weather upon us,   we've compiled a quick guide of issues to look for & repair,  so you can fully enjoy outdoor living all summer long.  Now is a great time to inspect and clean your deck,  which will help ensure the safety of family and friends, and help you get the longest life out of your investment.

CHECK YOUR DECK FOR THESE ISSUES & repair or replace as needed:
(for structural issues, we recommend calling  a pro for repairs)

Loose, damaged, cracked and rotten boards

Insect damage

Loose, rusted or protruding screws or nails

Warped, bowed or twisting boards

Loose railings

Sagging or rotten joists

Ledger board gaps or separation 

CLEANING:

Solid wood decks are a beautiful addition to any home, but do require routine sweeping, cleaning and maintenance for a long, beautiful life.  Wood decks should be swept often to remove dirt, dead leaves and other debris so they don't get ground into the wood.  They should be thoroughly cleaned once or twice each year to remove grime, algae, moss, and the dregs of winter.

We recommend  TimberPro UV with a great line of deck cleaners & sealers.  

TimberPro Clean & Brite formula is safe to use, won't harm surrounding plants and does a great job for general cleaning.  To restore the color and natural beauty of your weathered, discolored deck, their Strip & Brite formula is ideal and will remove old, flaking finishes,  and brighten the wood back to its original color. 

SEALING & FINISHING:

Wood is susceptible to damage from water and should be sealed properly to protect it against the elements. Most deck sealers need to be re-applied every few years for best results.  Check the finish manufacturer's recommendations for how to prep for re-sealing.

NOTE: If you want the keep the wood from graying out, a tinted sealer will provide UV protection.  CLEAR SEALERS do NOT have UV protection.

TimberPro has a Deck and Fence formula that is ideal for sealing new or older decks and is available in a variety of colors, including MicroTints with just a hint of color.   

They also make a non-toxic, water based product for newer wood called Internal Wood Stabilizer, which  allows the wood to gray naturally, but provides a permanent waterproof seal.  No more refinishing the deck every few years -- yes, please.  

ABOVE:  Restoration Juniper Deck installed by North Valley Homes.  Photo by the happy homeowner, Jennifer H

BELOW: FSC Western Red Cedar Deck at The Nature Conservancy Headquarters in Portland. Sealed with Timberpro Internal Wood Stabilizer.   Project designed by LEVER Architecture.

If your Deck Check results in thinking it's time to replace it, OR if you simply want to expand your outdoor living space, we've got you covered.  With three local, sustainable wood species available in solid wood decking, you can upgrade the situation and support a network of small, family owned and Tribal businesses. Click here for  More details on our Decking Page

CHOOSE FROM:

RESTORATION JUNIPER - sourced from ecosystem restoration projects in Central-Eastern Oregon

COW CREEK UMPQUA INCENSE CEDAR- sourced from the well-managed forests and mill of the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians in Southern Oregon

FSC® CERTIFIED WESTERN RED CEDAR- sourced from local FSC Certified forests and milled by an FSC Certified family owned mill, just south of Portland Oregon