Restoring Your Deck

One of the best home improvements you can make for the exterior of your property is restoring your deck. This will create an impressive place for your family and friends to visit; it will make you proud among your neighbors and community in general; and it will ensure the deck lasts for many years to come.

Beautifying Your Deck

Your deck may be in generally good repair but simply needs a little touch up. There are a couple of ways of beautifying your deck that can make it look like new without having to go with a major overhaul. These can be done in less than an hour.

Power Washing

Start off by pressure washing. There are many ways to do this and many options to choose from as far as the washers to do so. You can choose from electric powered, gas powered and even diesel powered units. In fact, there are even pressure washers that can generate heat so that the water is hot when you wash your deck with it.

Try to get at least 1200 PSI (pounds per square inch) pressure. Depending on the size of your deck, you will need to decide which type you need between standard duty (light duty) or heavy duty (industrial). For most personal home deck power washing applications, you can opt for the light or standard duty and this should get the job done.

Using Deck Brightener

Next you may want to consider using a deck cleaner and brightener. These usually come concentrated and you add water before using (in accordance with manufacturer instructions on the container). These products can work on wood and other surfaces to restore a new, natural looking appearance. They can remove the gray wood fibers that give weathered decks a dull and lifeless look.

A Real Deck Makeover

If you're willing to spend the time and money, you can give your deck a complete makeover. This is best for decks that have needs that go far beyond touching up.

Preparing Deck for Staining and Applying Stain Product

Deck stain is one of the primary ways people can make their deck look entirely new. Make sure that you prepare the deck before staining by cleaning thoroughly oxygen bleach (sodium percorbonate) based wood cleaners. Apply with a scrub-brush type broom from your home improvement store.

Alternatively, you could opt to use a stain stripper to remove the old stain. Any stubborn debris can be removed with a palm-type sander. Make sure to do this on a dry deck only.

You can apply a brightener first, and then rinse thoroughly. Always rinse profusely before attempting to apply deck stain. Purchase a good quality stain from your hardware or home improvement store, preferably a synthetic resin based product. These are not as susceptible to things like mildew, mold, and algae.

Follow instructions thoroughly on the products, use a paint brush and make sure to take your time. Allow the deck to dry thoroughly before using it by walking on it or replacing deck furniture, etc.