How To Refurbish A Wood Deck
Restore an old wood deck even if it s worn cracked and splintery.
How to refurbish a wood deck. This guide will teach you to safely repair any deck or joist. Steps for restoring a deck. If a cosmetic issue remove the plank flip and refasten. Stain the railings photo by kristine.
Simply paint it with a thick acrylic deck restoration coating which will create a smooth surface that lasts for years. Planning to restore a wood deck is a great project for late spring or early summer so you re ready to enjoy the deck season. We had a ton of time into prepping our deck for stain so i did a bunch of research to find the best solid stain on the market so that i don t have to do this again anytime soon. When in doubt check with a moisture meter.
Before stain can be applied the wood must dry or it won t absorb the finish. If it s been awhile since the deck was sealed and water no longer beads up on the surface it may also be time to reapply deck sealer. Plus our wood wasn t in the best condition so a solid stain was a better choice to restore the old wood and get more life out of it. Keeping a wood deck in good shape takes a lot of work.
Logan kept saying they looked like we got them right off the shelf. Oxalic acid based products often found in deck brighteners remove grayed surface fibers from wood and the dark tannin stains that can occur on redwood and cedar decks. Most decks need a little bit of cleaning and maintenance at least once a year. A deck rejuvenation project like this can be done in two days but it s best to spread the work over two weekends to ensure the wood is completely dry before you apply stain.
Restoring a deck yourself will cost a third as much. A pressure washer can be a great tool to speed up the deck cleaning process. Three or four consecutive days without rain is enough time in most climates. I hope this post and video help you enjoy that deck this summer so we can all have a great summer vacation.
Even if you stain or seal it the boards can still crack. Whether your deck is pitted with small nail holes or deeper areas of rot you can repair the damage with a wood filler product. Use a commercial deck restoration product to remove aged gray wood from the surface and revive the wood s original color and beauty. Make any wood replacements with a similar type of pressure treated lumber.
Founder senior editor. Repairing a small area of your deck can save you time and money. Let me tell you the wood brightener makes a huge difference when you are trying to restore a deck and give it life again. If repairing a damaged joist support the deck on one side or it could crash.