When it comes to wood decks, a little love goes a long way.

Clean it. Seal it. Enjoy it.

Nothing adds more to the beauty and enjoyment of a backyard than a well-maintained deck. While plastic blend material is gaining in popularity, the vast majority of us still have the good old-fashioned wood variety. Treated, high-quality pine decks can last up to forty years. But if you don’t clean and seal them annually, you’ll see more splinters and stains in the years ahead. It only takes an afternoon and here’s how.

Clear the deck!

Remove all furniture, flowerpots, grills and toys. You need to be able to see every square inch of its surface to check for loose boards, nails or screws. If you find any, tighten or replace them. Also cover any sensitive plants nearby with plastic tarps or bags.

Clean it.

Start by giving the deck a good sweeping. Then, using a garden hose with a sprayer attachment, rinse the deck well, making sure no debris is left behind. Go ahead and spray the ground around your deck while you’re at it. This will help dilute any cleaning solution runoff later. When choosing a deck cleaning solution, avoid those that contain chlorine bleach, which is toxic to plant life. After applying the cleaner as directed on the label, be sure to thoroughly rinse using your garden hose. If you use a pressure washer, be extremely careful not to damage the wood.

Seal it.

Once your deck is thoroughly dry, it’s time to seal it. Like house paint, sealants come in water-based and oil-based formulations. The oil-based versions are usually superior and can be applied with brushes, rollers or sprayers. The fastest method is spraying, but it’s also the most difficult to control. If you choose to spray, don’t try it on a windy day. Inadvertent overspray can compromise air conditioning compressors. Even on calm days it’s still a good idea to cover sensitive plants and equipment in the backyard.

Hit the deck and enjoy.

Cleaning and sealing a wood deck isn’t all that difficult and protecting its integrity and appearance is a small price to pay for backyard bliss.