A deck is a beautiful place to entertain, cook, throw parties, or sit and enjoy a warm evening outside. But, unfortunately, decks can get dirty, especially throughout the fall and winter months after all the fallen leaves and snow. So as the warmer months approach, make sure to get your deck in its best condition so you can go outside and enjoy it! Here’s how to prepare your deck for spring and summer.

Clean

The first step to preparing your deck for spring and summer is to clean it. Begin by sweeping the deck to get rid of any leaves or debris that have accumulated through the fall and winter months. Once you have thoroughly swept, it is time to wash the deck. It’s probably best to avoid using a power washer, as they tend to be tough on the wood. Instead, opt for a simple scrubbing brush and a bleach cleanser. Use an oxygenated bleach instead of chlorine, as the chlorine can ruin the wood. Scrub the entire deck with the brush and bleach, then rinse it down with a hose.

Sand

Sanding the deck is the next step in preparing for the warmer weather. For this step, you will need an orbital sander. Depending on your deck’s surface, you will also need 60 to 80 grit sandpaper. Make sure to check the weather before you begin sanding. You should avoid any days with a chance of rain, as moisture and water will impact the sanding process. Also, wait at least 48 hours after washing the deck to ensure that the water has completely dried. Once the deck is dry, sand the floor of the deck as well as the wood deck handrail and posts. It can be a long and tiring process depending on the deck size, so make sure to take breaks.

Stain

Staining is the last step in preparing your deck for the spring and summer months. After completing the washing and sanding process, you are ready to stain the deck. You will need a stain of your choice, a bucket, paintbrush, paint tray, and a paint roller. Start by pouring some of your stain into the bucket. Then apply it to the edges of the deck with the paintbrush. Once you’ve worked on the edges, pour some stain into the paint tray and use the paint roller to apply the stain to the larger parts of the deck. Make sure to spread the stain evenly across the surface of the deck. After finishing your first coat, wait at least 24 hours before applying a second coat.

Now that you know how to prepare your deck for the spring and summer, you can start today! Before you know it, you will have the best-looking deck out of all your neighbors! You will be ready for cookouts, pool parties, and hanging out with friends and family.