A spring checklist for your deck before you use it again

Winter is hard on decks even when nothing looks obviously wrong. Freeze-thaw cycles work fasteners loose, ice can lift boards slightly at the edges, and salt or ice melt tracked from walkways can dull finishes faster than plain weather does.

Start low: check the ledger board where the deck meets the house, since that's the connection point most responsible for structural safety, and look for any gaps or staining that suggest water has been getting behind it. Then walk the deck surface and press on any boards that feel soft or spongy — that's early rot, not just cosmetic wear.

Railings get overlooked but are worth a firm push test on every section. A post that shifts more than a little at the base is a sign the mounting hardware has loosened, which is a quick fix now versus a bigger one later.

If the finish looks chalky or the wood has grayed, that's your sign a wash and re-coat is due — waiting another season usually means more sanding and prep work than it would take today.