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Renewing a Deck

No finish is weatherproof - not even several coats of sealer on pressure-treated wood. Eventually, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause fading, and exposure to water along foot-worn paths can cause rot and other problems. Before the skin-deep deterioration fosters more damage (and to improve appearance), give the deck a fresh layer of protection.

Start by cleaning the surface, which will improve the adhesion and durability of a new coating. And you may find that a good scrubbing with a solution of household bleach and water (as much as fifty-fifty) does such a good job of removing mold and other discolorations that the old deck looks nearly new. You can add more color to the old wood with a solid-body stain, or use a semitransparent stain that adds tone without completely concealing the grain pattern. If you use a clear sealer, pick one with an ultraviolet inhibitor to retard fading.

PROJECT BASICS

Project: Moderate
Estimated Project Time: Two days
Start Tips: Decide whether to give the deck a solid or semitransparent stain. Semitransparent stains allow the wood grain to show through while hiding the gray, and will last up to 3 years. Solid stains cover the grain, can add a few years to a deck's life, and are helpful on aging wood
Safety Tips: You might want to wear safety goggles and old clothes when washing the deck with a bleach solution
Recommendation: Do-it-Yourself

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Planer/belt sander	Bleach
Pressure washer	Galvanized screws
Hammer	Stain
Sandpaper block	Wood sealer
Steel rake	Brushes
Stiff-bristled brush

Fig. 1

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Eliminate protruding nailheads
Drag the back of a rake across boards to find protruding nailheads. Hammer the popped nails back down, or remove them if you'll replace them with screws, as in Step 2. (Fig. 1)

Fig. 2

2) Replace the nails with screws, if desired
For greater holding power, replace the popped nails with screws. Use galvanized screws that are about 1/2-inch longer than were the nails. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 3

3) Make all board edges flush with the deck surface
Shave or sand raised edges with a hand planer or belt sander; use a light touch to avoid gouging or splintering the wood. (Fig. 3)

Fig. 4

4) Scrub the deck with a bleach solution
Bleach gray or dirty wood with a solution of one cup bleach per gallon of water. Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 5

5) Wash the deck
Power-wash the deck with a pressure washer, but use caution to avoid damaging soft wood. (Fig. 5)

Fig. 6

6) Seal the deck
After the deck is clean, apply stain or wood preservative. Make sure the deck is dry before applying sealer. (Fig. 6)

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