Helpful Deck Restoration Tips From Experts – 4th Is A Must Read

A weathered deck restoration job is a terrific one to take on by yourself or with a partner because it results in a significant and pleasing visual improvement. It costs less than replacing a deck and offers a substantial return, particularly if you’re considering selling your property.

Don’t be afraid to contact a qualified deck professional if you don’t have the necessary time, resources, or tools or require structural repairs. To restore a worn deck, follow these tips if the problem is merely cosmetic and you’re prepared to take on the project yourself.

Tips for Restoring a Deck

• To ensure that your deck can be repaired without professional assistance, it could be a good idea to seek a second opinion before starting the project. An expert might be able to determine whether your deck needs to be replaced or only cleaned and refinished. Rotten wood or wobbly boards could be signs of a bigger problem that needs professional intervention, repair, or replacement.

Before buying deck stain or deck remover, measure the deck size. Doing this ensures you’ll get the appropriate quantity and won’t need to stop mid-project from running to the hardware store.

• Schedule your operation for a couple of days when there isn’t any rain predicted, or be ready for it to take more time: After washing, the deck will have to dry, and the stain will need time to settle before becoming wet. Let’s get into the tips now!

Evaluate the Deck Before Stopping by the Hardware Store

• It’s a bright idea to thoroughly examine your deck to estimate the amount of work it will take to restore it before purchasing supplies or getting into maintenance mode. Check for damage to the deck’s planks, supports, beams, staircases, railings, and baseboards. Any rotted wood must be replaced, as must any nails or screws past their prime.

Utilize a Scraper Tool to Get Rid of Peeling Paint

• A scraping tool strips any residual paint or varnish from earlier staining projects. You’ll have a blank canvas, making scrubbing and sanding simpler. Make sure to inspect all planks and handrails for finish peeling.

Trim or use coarse sandpaper to smooth down any noticeable wood shrapnel. Sanding the deck can be easier than using a sanding pole on your hands and knees.

Don’t Forget to Include the Neighborhood

• To stop the dye from spraying the house or deck remover from damaging any plants, tape plastic covering over the surrounding landscape and house exterior. Use plastic sheeting to shield the rails even if you aren’t repainting them.

Sand Before Staining

• The surface must be smooth for a stain to be applied evenly and for a long time. Sand the deck’s top using rough (60-grit or lower, if possible) sandpaper and a sanding pole. Use an electric sander or sanding block to repair the handrails.

Remove any dust with a broom or vacuum. To prevent breathing in any dust, be sure to wear protective goggles and a mask.
Stain and Seal

• A transparent stain can add sheen without adding color to your deck if it is more recent and the timber still has a lot of its natural color and sheen. A semitransparent or colored stain would be better for aging decks or giving the wood an entirely new color.

Use a plastic brush to apply the stain, beginning with the handrails, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. While certain stain types are applied cross-grain, others are applied with the grain. Start by applying a small layer of stain because it is simpler to add more and nearly complicated to remove too much.

• A one-step application is possible since many stains and sealers are combined in one package. In the absence of a sealant in your stain, read the manufacturer’s directions and coat the stain with a sealer.

Get Deck Restoration Tips From Experts

For a talented do-it-yourselfer, renovating a worn deck could be a terrific undertaking. A deck specialist like Dupont Deck Builders may handle the work for you and guarantee it will be done right. Hire us if these processes appear outside your technical abilities, the level of commitment is too great, you’re not inclined to purchase tools, or performing repairs is beyond your area of expertise. Call (202) 774-9128 for more information.