Wood deck railing adds a beautiful and traditional touch to your home’s outdoor living space. With proper care, you can keep your deck looking pristine for years to come. Let’s explore how much maintenance wood railing requires, so you can continue to enjoy special moments on your backyard deck.
Perform Regular Inspections
A key component to maintaining your wood deck is to regularly inspect the boards. During your inspection, you should look for signs of rot to determine whether your deck is structurally sound. Be sure to wiggle or put weight on the railings to make sure the connection to the rest of your deck is solid.
Over time, you may notice raised or exposed nails in your boards or handrails. It’s a good idea to pry them up and replace them with wood screws. Plus, holes can appear in wood over time, so you’ll want to fill them with an exterior wood filler. Be sure to replace any rusted hardware on your railing or other parts of your deck as soon as possible.
Replace Damaged Boards
Wood that experiences continuous exposure to outdoor elements can wear down over time. Additionally, broken or damaged boards are inevitable if you use your deck a lot. Luckily, replacing these boards is easy.
You’ll want to start by using a claw hammer to remove the old board. Next, cut a replacement board or have a board cut by a professional to fit. Use a power drill and screw drill bit to install the replacement board. Keep in mind the replacement board won’t be as weathered as the rest of your deck, so expect some variation in terms of color and condition.
Schedule an Annual Deep Clean
How much maintenance wood railing requires largely depends on your area’s climate, how often you use your deck, and the type of wood you have. However, most people agree a deck needs a deep clean at least once a year. It’s best to perform the cleaning in spring when the outdoor temperature is mild.
The first step in the cleaning process is to completely clear off the deck and do a thorough sweep of any leaves or loose debris. Next, you’ll want to spray the deck with a biodegradable deck cleaner to remove mildew. Scrub your deck with a stiff bristle brush and rinse it off with a garden hose after applying the cleaner.
You’ll want to apply the cleaner and scrub from the bottom up when cleaning your deck’s railing. You’ll potentially splatter the cleaning solution onto dry wood and leave marks if you start from the top.
Pressure washing is also an option, but you’ll need to make sure the settings and nozzle you use are appropriate for your deck’s wood type. Keep in mind pressure washing can damage a composite deck.
At Mr. Spindle, we carry beautiful wood deck handrails that you can easily affix to posts. Check out our selection to find a suitable replacement if your railing is feeling wobbly. We can easily add stability and character to your outdoor handrails, so contact us today to learn more.
