If your deck could talk, October is when it would start complaining. Nine months of PNW damp, a summer of sun, and now the leaves are piling up — this is the moment that decides whether your deck sails through winter or comes out the other side with rot, mold, and loose boards. After years of deck work across Pierce County, here’s exactly what we’d do to our own decks right now.
Clear it off — leaves are the enemy
Wet leaves sitting on wood trap moisture against the boards, and that’s where rot and mold start. Sweep or blow the deck clear, and get into the gaps between boards where debris packs in. If water can’t drain through, it sits — and sitting water is what kills decks.
Inspect before the rains settle in
Walk the deck slowly and look for: boards that feel soft or spongy underfoot, popped nails or screws, loose railings, and anyplace water pools instead of running off. Catch these now and they’re small fixes. Find them in March and you’re looking at replaced boards. If the list is longer than you want to tackle, our deck repair service handles exactly this.
Wash off the year’s grime
A season of algae, mildew, and dirt holds moisture against the wood all winter. A good pressure washing before the rains gets it back to bare, clean wood that dries fast. Do it on a dry fall day so the deck has time to dry before the real wet arrives.
Seal it while you can
If your deck’s stain or sealer is wearing thin, fall is your last good window to recoat. Wood needs a couple of dry days to take sealer properly — once the steady rains set in, you’re waiting until spring. Water should bead on the surface; if it soaks straight in, the protection is gone.
What NOT to do
Don’t cover the deck with a tarp for the winter — it traps moisture underneath and makes everything worse. Don’t ignore the gaps between boards; they’re the drainage system. And don’t put off that wobbly railing — winter storms will find it.
FAQs
Is it too late to stain my deck in fall?
Not if you get a stretch of dry days — wood needs 2–3 dry days to take sealer. Once the steady rains start, wait for spring.
My deck is already green with moss. Is it ruined?
Almost certainly not. Moss and algae are surface problems — a good cleaning takes them off. It’s rot (soft, crumbling wood) that’s the real problem.
How often should a deck be resealed in the PNW?
Every 2–3 years for most stains and sealers, because our wet climate wears them faster than drier regions.
Book Your Visit
Rather spend your fall weekends doing literally anything else? We can help you with that at Pro Touch — deck winter prep, repairs, and washing across Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, University Place, and Gig Harbor. Book your appointment or call/text (253) 298-9025. Licensed · Bonded · Insured — WA Reg. #PROTOTH762KL.