Deck Restoration and Treatment

There’s a hidden tragedy unfolding right on your deck—and your flower pots might be to blame.

We’ve seen it happen time and time again: flower pots left directly on wooden decking can cause serious, permanent damage. When pots sit in one place too long, they leave unsightly marks. Even worse, over time, moisture from watering can soak into the wood, leading to rotting and, eventually, holes in the deck.

Special attention should be given to potting soil as well. If soil spills onto the deck, it can leave dark stains that are almost impossible to remove—even with neutralizing cleaners. The soil’s pH can permanently discolor the wood.

Our Advice: Keep Flower Pots Off the Deck

Whenever possible, remove flower pots from your deck entirely—especially during the winter months. If you must keep them there, be sure to use garden pot spacers. These are widely available at hardware stores and come in various styles, including ones with wheels.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Use pot risers or spacers to elevate the pot and allow airflow underneath.
• Move your pots occasionally to avoid permanent rings and marks.
• Avoid overwatering and check for leaks.
• Clean up any spilled soil immediately.

Protect your deck, and it will reward you with lasting beauty and charm. Keep your wood happy—it deserves it!

This is one of the most common questions we receive – and it’s a great one! However, the answer isn’t as simple as it might seem. Several factors play a role in how long your deck will look great and stay protected.

Key Factors That Affect Maintenance Longevity:

1. Sun Exposure & Rain:
   The amount of direct sunlight and water your deck receives heavily influences how long the finish lasts. Decks exposed to intense sun and frequent rain will need maintenance more often.
   
2. Deck Orientation:
   Sealer on vertical surfaces (like railings) typically lasts twice as long as on horizontal surfaces (like floors). That’s due to less direct UV exposure and reduced water pooling.
   
   
3. Type of Sealer:
   We work almost exclusively with penetrating oil-based sealers. These are known for their superior ability to preserve and protect wood over time.

So, How Long Will It Last?

We like to break this question into two parts:

• How long will the deck look good?
  On horizontal surfaces, your deck should maintain its appearance for 1–2 years.
  
• How long will the wood stay protected?
  The protective qualities of penetrating oil can last up to 7–8 years on horizontal surfaces—and even longer on vertical ones. But that doesn’t mean you need to wait that long if the look starts to fade!
  

Pro Tip: Intermediate Maintenance

Doing a restoration of horizontal surfaces between full restorations is a great way to keep your deck looking fresh and prevent deeper wear.

And remember the golden rule:
If you clean it, you need to seal it. Cleaning opens the wood’s pores, and leaving it unsealed after cleaning can lead to faster deterioration.

Here are a few photos of a deck 5 years after its initial restoration to show how long-lasting proper care can be.

While wood filler or putty can address rotten holes in wood, they are more effective for solid stain jobs. Here’s an example of how we used them alongside a penetrating oil finish

Typically, wood filler or putty is used to address rotten holes in wood (as shown here), but a superior approach is preventing the wood from reaching such a deteriorated state. Applying a penetrating oil finish protects the wood from within, warding off wood rot before it takes hold.