We have come across many decks with trapped debris in between the boards. It is important to keep the airflow in between the board to inhibit dry rot and fungus.

Wood decks need to have enough spacing between the boards for adequate airflow to reduce incidence of trapped moisture. If the boards are too tight moisture will be trapped when the wood swells causing dry rot and fungus over time. Adequate spacing between the wood boards is 1/16 to ¼ inch and a good deck contractor will take this in consideration when constructing a deck. Boards clogged with dirt, leaves and other debris will retain moisture causing problems in the future.  The homeowner should keep the boards free of debris by simple cleaning and general deck maintenance in the spring and fall.   Use a putty knife or some other flat narrow tool to run in between the boards to loosen any debris.

Deck Cleaning and Sealing

I had been called recently to examine a deck in San Francisco. The homeowner inquired whether just using an environmental safe cleanser formulated for redwood deck was all that necessary for deck maintenance.

I explained to the homeowner that cleaning the deck is the first step. However they need to use a high quality non toxic stain/sealer to protect wood from environmental element. In San Francisco the weather can vary from sunny and warm to foggy and damp. These fluctuations can be harsh on the wood. The wood can be damaged by UV rays from exposure to sunlight. The wood can
expand and contract from changes in temperature and humidity. The stain will protect the wood from UV damages and the sealer will protect from rain and damp conditions.

In San Francisco, your deck may be your backyard! So it is important for proper maintenance to extend the deck’s life.