Properly cleaning and sealing your deck railings will ensure that they stay beautiful and splinter-free for years to come.
With the end of summer in sight, it’s time to start considering your early fall home maintenance. While cleaning your gutters and removing any dead trees from your property might be first on your list, make sure deck care is in there as well. Properly cleaning and sealing your deck railings will ensure that they stay beautiful and splinter-free for years to come.
Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning railings, they often go neglected as they’re far more complicated to clean than the floor but making sure they’re in tip-top shape is no less critical. Start by removing any loose debris by giving the railings a full hose down with the spray nozzle of a hose. If you have particularly dirty railings, think lots of spider webs, twigs, and leaves, you may want to sweep or brush the exterior with a long-handled scrub brush before you begin using the hose. It’s important to note here that you need to wash the front and backs of the railings.
Sanding
Deck railings are less likely to need sanding than deck floors, but it’s a good idea to lightly sand if you must remove any splinters. Run your hand along the top of the railing, if you find any rough spots a light go with sandpaper will do the trick. If any areas have become notably discolored sanding may also help to even out the color once a new stain is applied. When sanding, be sure always to follow the direction of the wood grain. Finally, rinse one more time to remove any residue and let everything dry completely before adding your stain.
Applying A Stain Or Protective Layer
Adding stain to your deck railings will ensure they’re protected from wear, the weather, and mildew, all of which can cause your deck to age prematurely. Depending on your preference you may apply stain by using a brush and roller or a sprayer. A sprayer often creates a more even coverage and can make it easier to reach hard to get areas, but it can be easier to make a mess with.
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