How To Maintain Under Deck Skirting

In order to keep your deck lasting as long as possible, it is vital that you take care of the skirting. The amount of care required varies based on the materials used, but generally speaking, the upkeep is as follows:

Cleaning

Although all deck skirting materials need to be cleaned periodically, wood decks and lattice material require the most attention.

Weatherproofing

In addition to protecting your deck from the weather, you’ll need to reapply a waterproof sealant regularly. Composite materials, brick and stone are usually stronger and easier to take care of — a periodic cleaning with warm water and soap should do it.

To protect your metal deck skirting from rust and weathering, you only need to clean it every once in a while.

Ventilation

If you have a wooden deck, then it is essential to ensure that the area underneath is well-ventilated. If there is not enough airflow, the surface of the wood will dry out and shrink while the underside stays moist; this moisture will cause rotting and eventually make the deck sag. Once water damage happens to a deck, repairs are expensive. 

The amount of space needed for ventilation between the slats differs depending on the type of skirting. For those made from wood or composite, one inch should suffice. Meanwhile, materials like lattice and mesh are already well ventilated. If opting for faux stone or brick that covers the entire underside, however, avent system is necessary to allow airflow.

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