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Dear Dog,
I’ve always wanted a wood deck in my backyard for summer gatherings, and this year I finally got it! It’s beautiful and I would like to keep it looking like new. Do you have any tips on how to help it maintain its rich luster?
Debbie in Hoboken, New Jersey
Dear Debbie,
The best piece of advice when dealing with a wood deck is to first be sure you seal the deck with a wood deck sealer. Sealants with color pigments in them will help the deck maintain its color because the particles in the sealant repel water and absorb ultraviolet light—ultimately preventing your deck from turning grey.
When washing your deck, never use any harsh cleaners that contain chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite in them. This can cause the wood on your deck to lose its color. To help preserve the wood and your deck’s color, use a cleaning solution specially designed for cleaning decks. You can find deck cleaning solutions at your local hardware or paint store.
