advertise
Deck Builders in Nanaimo
Blog / 5 Essential Maintenance Tips for Cedar Decks

5 Essential Maintenance Tips for Cedar Decks

Cedar is naturally beautiful, but it's not maintenance-free. Follow this annual checklist to prevent rot and keep your wood looking rich and vibrant.
Western Red Cedar is the classic choice for West Coast decks. It smells amazing, looks beautiful, and contains natural tannins and oils that resist rot and insect attacks. However, cedar is a biological material. Without care, UV rays will degrade the lignin (the glue holding wood cells together), turning it silver-grey, and trapped moisture will eventually lead to rot. Follow this annual checklist to extend your deck's life by decades.
icon

We Handle It All

At Nanaimo Deck Pros, our quotes include the entire permit management process. We draft the plans, deal with the city inspectors, and ensure everything is 100% compliant, so you can sleep soundly knowing your investment is secure.
Contact Us Today
icon
icon

1. The Gentle Wash (Spring)

Sweep away winter debris. Use a specialized wood deck cleaner (look for sodium percarbonate based oxygen cleaners, NOT chlorine bleach which damages wood fibers) to lift dirt and mold spores. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush. WARNING: Do not use a high-pressure power washer close to the wood; it will tear the fibers, leaving a fuzzy surface that absorbs more water.
icon
icon

2. Inspect & Tighten (Spring)

Wood expands in winter wetness and shrinks in summer heat. This constant movement loosens fasteners over time. Walk your deck with a drill and tighten any popped screws. Replace any rusted nails with hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel screws to prevent unsightly black streaks.
icon
icon

3. Clear the Gaps (Fall)

The gaps between your deck boards are crucial for drainage and airflow. If they get clogged with pine needles, leaves, or 'helicopter' seeds, water sits on the joists and acts like a sponge. This is the #1 cause of joist rot. Use a putty knife or a specialized gap-cleaning tool to clear them out before the heavy rains start.
icon
icon

4. The Splash Test (Summer)

How do you know if it's time to stain? Pour a cup of water on your deck boards. Does it bead up? Your seal is good. Does it soak in immediately, darkening the wood? It's time to re-seal. We recommend semi-transparent penetrating oils (like Cutek or Penofin) rather than film-forming paints or varnishes that will peel and flake.
icon
icon

5. Check Ground Contact

Inspect where your posts meet the concrete footings and where the stairs meet the ground. These are the first places to rot. Ensure no soil or mulch has built up around the wood posts. If you see soft, spongy wood, call a professional immediately for a structural repair.
By dedicating just one weekend a year to this checklist, you can prevent expensive structural repairs and keep your cedar deck looking like a piece of fine furniture rather than an old dock.