Evidence that this deck was jam packed with filthy grime. This was in May and the debris was still stinky wet in nature. Never a good thing! This lack of maintenance does real damage to the boards over time due to the deck’s inability to naturally drain. In doing so, it also strips all the overall beauty from its appearance. You would be very surprised how much more refreshing the deck becomes when you can see and feel the preferred gap between the boards. .

It’s also a deck that had a giant wood storage box on it that had seen wayyy better days. You can see the mark that was left. I convinced the homeowner to not only remove the thing off the deck but to keep it off as well. It certainly wasn’t doing the deck any favors, in fact it was eating away at the deck in places where it likely stayed wet for months at a time. Yep, perfect conditions for sow bugs, termites, those sorts of critters.

Deck Washing and Staining

San Lorenzo Valley

We last washed and stained this deck in 2015. Doesn’t battle too much ‘wear and tear’. Doesn’t receive a ton of sun either.

Deck Staining & Maintenance

**Shingle Restoration**

Capitola–Santa Cruz–Aptos–Los Gatos

Ipe in all its glory. The four or so boards on the bottom are washed but not yet stained. The rest of the boards are stained with Defy for Hardwoods. We used a mix of Butternut, Cedar, and a sprinkle of Redwood Tone. Interesting to see how each board is totally unique in color and grain. It had been four years since I last washed and stained this 15 year old deck off San Andreas Road in South County Santa Cruz. It obviously cleaned up nicely and the final look is better than new. Am I right or what?

Deck Maintenance, Staining & Sealing, Shingle Restoration, Arbors, Fences, Privacy Walls

Santa Cruz, Aptos, San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Freedom, Truckee, Lake Tahoe

Emails only please: cleaningsantacruz at gmail dot com

High-End Transparent Stain Work

Los Gatos California

Every three years like clockwork for this 500s/f Redwood Deck in Live Oak. Deck Maintenance intervals can vary throughout Santa Cruz County. This particular deck doesn’t get nearly the everyday sun exposure that perhaps an exposed deck in the hills of Soquel might. It doesn’t remain wet or damp for long periods of time like it might in Boulder Creek or the like. There aren’t a lot of tall trees dropping constant debris on this deck. There aren’t kids and dogs and barbecue parties happening on this beauty either. So yeah, every three years it is it’s been.

Deck Staining & Maintenance plans. Santa Cruz, Aptos, Scotts Valley, Capitola

Santa Cruz Deck Staining and Maintenance. Serving SC County since 2001.

Small little deck on the upper west side Santa Cruz. Seemed pretty neglected. I was told that the deck was made by the homeowner, and it showed. it was built in 2009, and it appeared like the homeowner used some sort of sealant. Many of the boards were now too close together which is never going to be a great thing for the life of the deck. However, there is never a wrong time to begin the process of maintaining a wood deck. Especially Ipe. We know they last forever. Looking good forever is a different story. Santa Cruz Ipe Deck Maintenance. Wood Shingles & Siding. Aptos Capitola Santa Cruz Scotts Valley Felton Boulder Creek Truckee

Santa Cruz County Deck and Wood Shingle Maintenance

This is a new deck. Nine months old to be exact. As recommended, the homeowner waited some time for the boards to properly dry, oxidize, do their thing. The picture in the middle and on the right are unique in that they show a finished tone up against a strip of clean wet boards. Not soaking wet boards, rather boards that were once wet with water but are now drying a bit and heading towards damp. Damp (clean) boards are a tone that many homeowners are fond of. In other words, “I like how the deck looks when it’s wet,” said the homeowner. The picture on the left is a bit more of a close-up. You can see the finished portion in the upper right of the picture, and you can also see a finished board in the middle that is beading water. The other boards are at various stages of being wet/damp.

2008 post:***This deck is located near East Cliff in Santa Cruz. The wood is probably about 15 years old and still looking great. The key is annual deck maintenance! We took over the maintenance in 2003 after years of neglect. These pictures also demonstrate how transparent stains allow the true grain of the wood to reveal itself.  This is Biowash Natural Deck Oil (redw tone) and I believe it is still a little bit wet.

Update 2021:  I promise this deck still looks like what is shown in pics, coming up on 30 y/o

As important as it is to maintain the surface of wood boards on a deck, it is equally as important to keep ALL debris clear of the spaces between the boards. Debris will continue packing in there until it begins to eat away at the wood. Proper air flow and water run-off is key! Pic of a deck off Summit Road.

Door mats will leave your wood boards looking like this. Is it a big deal? Well not to me it’s not, and it shouldn’t be to you. Everybody is told the same thing which is to put the door mat back over it.

Routine Semi-Extraordinary before and after.  This deck is about 10 years old I’d say, and it was headed south in a hurry.  Wish I had a picture of the deck after we stained it.  You’ll have to use your imagination..

SC Deck Maintenance – Custom Deck Staining Santa Cruz