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A Step-by-Step Guide To Bringing A Tired Deck Back To Life

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The need for wood deck restoration is a dreaded matter of fact for many home owners with wooden decks. Sure, decks are traditionally a favorite outdoor living space addition to any home, especially when they're brand new. But the thing about wood is over time, it will age and deteriorate when exposed to the elements. The good news is that a tired old deck can be brought back to new life by following these steps to wood deck restoration.

Start with a clean surface.

The first and most important step of wood deck restoration is to start with a pristinely cleaned deck surface. There are solvents made specifically for this purpose, but dish soap and warm water will usually do the trick too. The key is really scrubbing away all the grit and grime with a stiff bristled broom or even a hand brush. If the deck has been previously painted (versus stained or water sealed), removing the old paint is a challenge that will likely require the use of an appropriate chemical paint stripper, some serious wire brush scraping, and plenty of sanding.

Replace damaged boards.

Once the deck has been taken down its bare element, the next step of wood deck restoration is removing and replacing any rotten, bowed, or otherwise damaged boards. Removing them with a hammer or a pry bar is usually pretty simple. The important part is replacing the old wood with new wood that matches exactly. Consider taking a sample of the old material to the lumberyard so you can be sure it matches. Also, do know that pressure treated wood holds stains and sealant differently than untreated wooden surfaces - stick with what's already on the existing deck for the best looking repair.

Check all nails and screws.

Once the surface has been prepared and any distressed sections of wood repaired, another important aspect of wood deck restoration is checking all of the fastening hardware. If the deck was constructed using nails, they do tend to pop up over the course of cold weather cycles. Hammer them down or even consider replacing them with stainless deck screws to help prevent the need for future repairs.

Refinish the wood.

The final step towards complete wood deck restoration is refinishing the wood surface. It's common to use a quality deck stain or water sealant finish product, but some also prefer the look of a good oil-based painting. No matter the choice, this step is simple because of the preparation work done previously. Make sure the deck is completely dry, then just roll on the finish product with a thick-napped paint roller and brush it into the grain of the wood with a clean wide paint brush.

That's all there is to wood deck restoration. Just follow these easy steps and the deck will look like brand new in no time at all.