Skip to content

DIY Deck Maintenance: Keep Your Deck Looking New Year After Year

A deck takes punishment from every angle. The sun beats down. Rain soaks in. Snow and ice test every board. Add in daily foot traffic, and the wear never stops. That’s why maintenance matters. It’s what separates a deck that looks great and holds up from one that falls short. Or even falls apart. Stay on top of routine maintenance to keep your deck solid, sharp, and safe.

Clear Out the Grime

Dirt, leaves, and pollen make any deck look rough. They also trap moisture that stains wood, dulls composite, and feeds mildew. Sweep regularly to keep the surface clear. Wash it down a few times a season with a garden hose or pressure washer on the lowest setting. For wood, use a deck cleaner to pull out stains and algae. For composite, mild soap and water get the job done. Don’t let it sit: once grime sets in, it takes more muscle to get it off.

Check the Decking & Railing

Loose boards and shaky railings are annoying, but more than that, they’re safety hazards. At least once a year, walk the deck with purpose. Step hard on decking boards and stair treads. Push against the railings. Watch for deck boards that move underfoot, railings that flex, or fasteners that are starting to pop or back out.

Freeze and thaw cycles are notorious for stressing hardware and shifting boards. In colder climates, plan a spring check before deck season starts to see if winter took a toll.

Tighten loose fasteners, replace nails with screws that hold stronger, and swap out rusted hardware to keep boards and railings secure. Fix these problems right away to stop minor issues in their tracks, before they turn into major repairs. To minimize them altogether, build with CAMO: CAMO clips and deck screws are engineered to hold tight and tested to outperform. 

Keep the Frame Rock Solid

Surface fixes are one thing, but the frame underneath is what keeps your structure standing strong. Or not. If the deck sways, bounces, or sags, the issue runs deeper.

Start by checking your framing fasteners. Tighten them where you can, and when repairs are needed, reach for CAMO Structural Screws. They offer the same strong hold as traditional lag or carriage bolts but install faster and easier. Plus, you’ll get a cleaner look without the bulky hardware. CAMO Structural Screws drive fast, hold strong, and keep framing solid—making repairs and rebuilds more efficient.

Stand Up to the Elements

Weather does a real number on wood decks. Sunlight bleaches color and dries out boards causing checking and cracking. Water seeps in, swells the wood, and feeds rot. Ignore these factors, and your deck can go downhill fast.

Wood decking needs resealing or restaining every two to three years. This is no one’s favorite chore, but the payoff is wood that’s refreshed and protected from the elements. Do a water bead test once a year. Splash a little water on your boards—if it soaks in instead of beading up, your deck needs a new coat of sealer. Start with clean, dry decking and use a UV-blocking, water repellent product. Apply it with a long-handled roller or sprayer and drive the finish deep into the grain so it can do its job.

Air circulation and good drainage are non-negotiables. Trim back shrubs so decking can dry after rain, and keep gutters and downspouts clear so water doesn’t spill onto the deck or collect around the footings. For decks with skirting, keep vents open and pull out any buildup that blocks airflow. If moisture’s trapped under there, joists and beams can rot from the bottom up before you ever see it coming.

Build for the Long Haul

The reality: Building a deck right makes maintaining it easier. That means quality materials and construction, solid water management, and connections that won’t fail. 

Avoid decking issues that turn into maintenance concerns later with these CAMO tools and fasteners when you build or repair:

  • Hidden Deck Clips: No visible screws. Just a pro-level, uninterrupted decking surface.
  • Edge, Wooden Deck, and Composite Screws: Engineered for clean installs with superior holding power. Choose Edge screws for a fastener-free surface or face screws with color-matched heads that blend in.
  • Structural Screws: Corrosion-resistant strength that locks down framing and keeps it tight. PROTECH Ultra 4 coating delivers four layers of defense against corrosion and UV damage, tested to the toughest ASTM G198 standard.
  • MARKSMAN® Tools: Consistent spacing of boards edge-fastened with CAMO Edge deck screws for improved airflow and drainage that prevents rot and mildew.
  • CAMO ClipDRIVE®: Fast, stand-up installation of CAMO hidden clips. Attaches to your drill, weighted for easy screw targeting, and the no-mar nose prevents rings and scuffs.
  • CAMO LEVER®: Straightens warped boards and locks rows in place during install, making it quick and easy to align and fasten.

Bottom Line

Deck maintenance isn’t optional. It’s what keeps your deck safe, sharp, and worth the investment. Clean it. Check it. Reinforce it. Protect it.

Build smart with CAMO and you’ll spend more time enjoying your deck, not fixing it.