Summerizing: 9 ways to prep your deck for warm-weather fun

As a blank canvas for your summer activities, fixing and prepping your outdoor deck early can improve enjoyment and avert catastrophe.

Warm weather is coming, and outdoor living awaits! While this gentle reminder is more about maintenance than construction or remodel, a methodical review of your current deck situation will help you plan in more detail. Whatever your deck or patio is made of, this process will help you assess what needs to be done so you can fully enjoy your summer, and will give you an opening for some thoughtful reimagination of your outdoor space. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, read through the following and you’ll have a better idea of what to look for.

Safety and structure check

This excellent article from This Old House includes links to several useful tools, including a Deck Safety Checklist, various repair tips, and more. But here’s a basic breakdown of what to look for:

Take a good look at your deck from all sides, including the perimeter. Are there obvious repairs that need to be made?

• Look for anything related to structural integrity, including loose boards or tiles, rickety railings, or anything sticking up or out that could trip someone or snag clothing.
• Take a slow walk across the entire surface of the deck, checking for any loose or wobbly pieces that need to be reinforced.
• Look for mold or water damage that needs to be addressed.
• Are there a significant number of splinters? This is usually due to dried lumber or damage to the materials, and some maintenance sanding might be done in order to protect bare feet, especially if you’re likely to have little toes wandering around.
• If it’s a raised deck or balcony, be sure to check the underside and support structures, as well. Look especially for evidence of critters, damage, or weakening.

This sounds like a lot, but if you’ve kept up with the basics, most of the maintenance should be manageable. It might be as simple as hammering down a few nails or tightening some nuts and bolts, but don’t be shy with reinforcement: you’ll want that deck to be solid and as safe as possible. At the very least, you’ll have a better idea of where you stand at this point.

Repairs first!

Now, to work. There’s no use in having a great-looking yard if someone could get hurt. Focus on getting the repairs done before you clean, recondition, or seal your deck. Get some help if you need it (and do schedule a consultation with a pro if you’re not sure), but most simple repairs can be done affordably, safely, and perhaps even quickly if you’re keeping up with the general maintenance.

Clean and seal

You may just need a thorough sweeping with a broom. You may need to grab the hose if you have caked-on grime. Or you may want to call your local power washer to give your deck a deep clean and a fresh start. Once the general muck is dealt with, take a good look and see if your wooden deck needs an extra coat of sealant. This is easily handled, but do take some time to plan and prepare. Some of the more ambitious YouTubers make this sound like a one-day project, but while it will take most people a little more time, it’s quite doable over a weekend. You’ll want to check the weather so your new topcoat can dry properly, and have a clear plan so you can keep pets away until it’s all done and fully dry. Here’s an excellent guide to sealing your own deck, or of course you can hire someone to take care of this for you.

Prep the grill

Even if you grill year-round, spring is a great time to make sure your fiery setup is ship-shape. Focus on these four areas, and you’ll be ready to go:

1. Inspect your propane tank and gas fittings — make sure everything is snug and sealing well.
2. Clean your cooking surfaces and remove grease drippings and carbon residue: here’s a step-by-step guide.
3. Clean your accessories. You’re probably washing spatulas, forks, grill pans, skewers, etc. after each use, but they might need a deep clean, especially in those nooks and crannies of the metal surface, as well as the joints around the handles. Sharpen any cutting implements, as one of the most dangerous things in cooking is a dull knife.
4. While you’re at it, check for bent or broken parts and replace as needed. Be sure to clean wearable accessories like aprons, heat-resistant gloves, etc. while you’re at it. You’ll grill like a pro and look terrific, too!

Sitting spots

Take a good look at your current outdoor furniture, cushions, and accessories. Do any of your essentials need to be mended, repaired, or replaced? If you’re planning on hosting one or more parties or gatherings this summer, do you have enough seating, shade, and supplies? These can be handled closer to the event date, of course, but taking stock now can help you plan and budget your summer shindigs. That early awareness will also give you more options, as you’ll have time to buy/rent what you need or to ask guests to help by bringing a few things when they come.

Check your garden plants

Whether you love your existing garden growth, need to cut back the chaos or want to add a few things for color and liveliness, there are many options for planting this time of year, and feel free to keep it simple. For those of us in the Southwest, for instance, look for native varieties that don’t require a lot of attention, so you can focus on fun rather than weeding between now and October. (This website is full of ideas.) But if you’re an avid gardener, you already know that late spring is a good time to find nursery sales and take advantage of easy-care setups for veggies, annuals, ornamental grasses, and more. The internet is full of excellent garden guides like this one, on a site that offers a chore and planting calendar for every zone.

Ban the bugs

Whether citronella candles or torches, a bug zapper, or other solutions are the best fit for you, know how much square footage you need to cover, so you have plenty on hand. Look for options that are non-toxic to pets and humans, and as understated as possible, so you can keep the focus on fun and blissful relaxation all summer long.

How’s the lighting?

With the plethora of outdoor lighting options available today, you can get very creative here if you wish, or you can keep it simple with candles, twinkle lights, or solar-powered stake lights. There are always new options on the market, so a trip to the garden store or a tumble through a few search results might offer some inspiring new ideas. The ultimate goal: make sure you and your guests can see where they’re walking, who they’re talking to, and what they’re eating once the sun has set. This will minimize accidents injury and possibly even awkwardly mistaken party conversation…

Path to the bath

Whatever you’re doing outside, someone will eventually need to head for the bathroom. Take a look at that traffic route to see if additional mats or even slippers will help minimize the amount of yard debris that is tracked inside.