Simple Guide to DIY Spring Deck Maintenance

Simple Guide to DIY Spring Deck Maintenance

Now that winter has finally finished it’s time to give some attention to your deck’s maintenance needs.  Here are some guidelines to help you ready your deck for the warmer weather.

1. Check your deck

Even if your cold season has been rain-free, your deck will still likely discolour as the months fly past. To keep it in tip top shape, regular maintenance is key.

Take a good look at your deck and pay close attention to any damage that may have occurred over winter.  A proper inspection will require a clean deck surface; start by sweeping up any leaves and dirt that have collected and become trapped between your deck’sboards

Timber decks easily attract surface mould and mildew, which is made worse if the wood doesn’t get a fair chance to dry fully. To keep your timber deck looking great, you’ll need to look after it, especially after a long, wet winter.

2. Spring clean and inspect

It may be necessary to give your deck a good wash with your garden hose.  Gently pressurize the water using a finger or an adjustable spray-nozzle fitted to the end of your garden hose, securing a solid surge of water for a ‘pressure wash’ effect, and spray your deck pushing the flow of dirt in a single direction off the edge of your deck.

Once your deck has been washed and has had a chance to dry, make sure you check the entire deck structure.  It’s important that you take a good look under the deck to ensure the supporting structure is also free of any rot or soft spots.   Because timber can tend to swell as it dampens, this can also result in nails, screws and bolts popping out and coming loose from fixtures.

Simple Guide to DIY Spring Deck Maintenance

3. Don’t let deck repair get you in a fix

If you’ve noticed deteriorating boards or structure pieces which need replacement, or if it’s looking like your deck needs significant attention with a part or full reconstruction, then you might want to hire a deck builder. 

Much of the time a deck is inherited with a new home purchase and, as the new owner, you may not have the expertise – or even the interest – in doing more than basic seasonal deck maintenance yourself.  If you relate, then outsourcing the job may well be the most efficient and stress saving decision you can make. 

4. Custom decks may need custom care

Of course, there are other things to consider too – like building codes and standards. 

Even if you’re a confident handyman make sure you pay close attention to essential standards and recommended deck construction parameters.  You want to make sure you get a quality end result. 

What’s more, if you have a deck fashioned with different levels, or if the edges are curved rather thanstraight, if you have stairs or similar complexities you may need to consider deck restoration with a custom deck supplier and builder.

Be sure to check with a local deck specialist as well as your local shire or council for codes relating to balconies, decks and residential design. Make sure that any significant reconstruction changes you decide to make will be congruent with applicable regulation codes.

Simple Guide to DIY Spring Deck Maintenance

5. Colour to style your fresh deck

Follow these ideas to start your sunny season off with a bang.

There’s nothing like a splash of colour to breathe new life into your outdoor space.  Start by decorating your deck to give it a fresh look for summer.

Pots in bright colours will look fantastic dotted about your deck.  For a change of taste, fill these up with dwarf fruit trees. These come in various varieties of apple, apricot, blueberry, cherry, lemon or lime.  Check what grows well in your climate!

Choose a themecolour and collect pieces to match.  Second-hand tables, bamboo lounges, and stools can be painted to suit.  Cushions, garden gnome characters, watering cans – pieces in well placed combination can make your deck space pop.

Patterned and durable indoor-outdoor rugs can add movement and extra comfort to your outdoor entertaining space.  You can really create a custom feel depending on the style of rug you go for, keeping it monotone, or by slightly mixing it up.  Rugs help add a visually pleasing and comfortable vibe.

Deck it out to eat outdoors – outdoor dining on your deck gives an ambience that’s hard to match.  Set up your barbeque area with ample cosy dining furniture and drape surrounding trees and shrubs with strings of outdoor fairy lights for a magical night-time effect.

What’s next?

There you have it; dust off your deck, fix what you must, do it up by adding some fresh colour and get your deck ready for spring in a snap.

If anything is holding you back from doing your annual deck maintenance or if you have specific questions on how to maintain your deck, be sure to and get in touch with Perth’s decking specialists at Austim, we are here to help.

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Austim are a great partner and timber supplier. Our business is based on the East Coast of Australia and we partner with Austim for WA projects. We have had a long lasting and great working relationship with Austim for many years. Highly recommend them.
daniel wright
daniel wright
06:31 18 Jun 19
Austim is always the first place I try when I need timber and it’s rare that I can’t get what I need there. Stuart is a rare gem of a gent to deal with – quick to respond to any queries, full of good advice and goes out of his way to help get whatever project I’m working on happening to my schedule, even when all I need is a few sticks and a handful of fixings. Highly recommend Austim, the team and young Stuart.
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Holger Butenschon
Holger Butenschon
05:14 22 May 18
Hi Ben,Just wanted to thankyou for your help and advice in our selection of the Millboard Vintage Oak decking also in you recommending Grant from Premier Hardwood Decking. Grant has just completed our decking and we couldn't have asked for a more professional, reliable and competent tradesman. The decking has been installed to a very high standard and the decking itself is stunning. Ian and Sue
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susan smith
06:27 08 Oct 18
I've used Austim on a few occasions for home projects like decking and pergola, etc and each time the response to my requests for price and delivery have been excellent, the deliveries took place as negotiated, the timber quality was great and value for money. The team at Austim do a great job and make dealing with Austim a breeze.
Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson
09:06 25 Oct 18
I have worked with Austim for around 8 years now and they are one of the best suppliers in perth to deal with. I would highly recommend to use them for any timber needs!!!
Art of Timber
Art of Timber
07:55 05 Mar 20
I had been looking for some cedar for my kayak project and had rung a couple of other places with no luck. When I contacted Austim they were very helpful, had the timber in stock and I was on my was in 20 minutes. The wood was very good quality and has really finished up beautifully. Thanks to Austim.
mark alderson
mark alderson
02:03 08 Apr 17
I"d like to thank Austim for there help in supplying me with material that firstly I thought I'd have trouble sourcing as it was marring up with originally 30 year old existing timber.My project was not a massive project but still needed the attention of an new build.The timber supplied by Austim was machined to size with absolute perfection, where I had to remove old pieces and replace with the new pieces they fitted perfectly.once the floors are re-sanded and varnished they will be back to there former glory. Thanks again to the staff at Austim.Regards Bob Heppenstall.I've just added a finished photo after the Floor Sanding was completed.Original timber was Tassie Oak, and the new is Vic Ash, as you can see there is only a slight variation in the final product.I hope this gives anyone thinking doing the same the confidence to proceed. Regards Bob Heppenstall.
Robert Heppenstall
Robert Heppenstall
10:05 12 Oct 18
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M F
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Colin Della Bosca
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Great service and product.I struggled to find a bench top in the size and material I wanted, so was really happy when I found one with Austim.It came fully protected with wrap and was undamaged when I got it home.Thanks
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Good selection, friendly staff, competitive pricing. Preferred over the 'hardware store'.You can hand pick if you need superior quality, Ben Price helped me with sorting through
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Dirk Wachter
03:59 12 May 23
Quick responses, timber prepared to request including cutting to Size. Easy pick up. Highly recommend.
Martyn Lethbridge
Martyn Lethbridge
06:42 05 May 23
We wanted Marri boards to make a bed - Austim provided beautiful planed and sized boards - at a good price - delivered on time......excellent service!
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Mark Warren
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Ordered some merbau timber through austim to replace some rotten pine stair treads. The guy on the phone was very helpful .the timber was straight and had no faults or damage. Sent a message with a picture to say the timber had been delivered. Would definitely order timber from them again
Galaxie Galaxie
Galaxie Galaxie
05:25 29 Nov 23
Ron has help me out tremendously with designing and supplying two decks. Everything required to build them including screws Concreate, stirrups and timber. Service is excellent and at competitive prices.
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Excellent service! The gentlemen that served us was so helpful and sorted out our kitchen bench top in 15 minutes! Great product!
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Wow! What amazing customer service. Ron took care of working out what I needed and guided me expertly through the product range. Invoice was raised on Wednesday afternoon and the wonderful Wade delivered my order on Friday morning. He went above and beyond what would normally be a kerbside delivery, changed the Hiab strapsTo longer ones and expertly delivered it safely over my side wall. Super impressed, he’s a keeper Austim!
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Wilma Ashby
00:10 22 Mar 24
Absolutely amazing service and knowledgeable team and specially Tim very knowledgeable and friendly and knows his stuff.
Hey_Jay0472
Hey_Jay0472
02:37 10 Jan 24
Very tidy and well laid out timber warehouse with a well stocked accessories shop. Friendly staff with great product knowledge and advice.
Gerard
Gerard
07:37 22 Mar 24
Competitive pricing and quality product with a knowledgeable team backing it. Ben assisted me in finding the best matching colour composite timber slats for a project, had them in stock and delivered within days of ordering. Prompt delivery and nicely wrapped for protection. I've even been quoted more $ from their competitors who are local to me when I needed more and Austim still beat them, even with delivery! I know where I'll be going when I need to start the decking project, thanks team.
Ryan Markwell
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14:31 27 Jul 24
Fantastic customer service. Tim exceeded all my expectations, providing me with great advice and managing to keep within my project budget. Would highly recommend Aus-Tim
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