Caring for Your Old Deck

 If you treat your deck annually, you probably won’t be asking yourself this question.  But if you’ve been lax on upkeep or perhaps have bought a home with an existing deck, there are ways to bring it back to life.   Often times, you can rejuvenate life into an old deck.  Some decks can get badly discolored.  If you wait too long to treat the wood, it can become damaged beyond repair and you will have to live with what you have or rebuilt your deck from scratch.

Before treating your old deck, take some time to clear the surface from all loose dirt and debris. Using a broom and a pressure washer, remove as much dirt as possible.

There are two different types of deck treatments.  There is a water repellent preservative that adds a clear finish and protection to the wood.  These are often a wax or silicon base.  These products seal the wood surface but don’t soak into the wood as deeply as an oil stain.  This type of deck treatment should be reapplied every year.  Be sure that the label says their product will protect your deck from mildew, water, and UV rays.

Then there is a semi-transparent oil stain.  This one also lets the beauty of the grain show through but adds a hint of color in the stain. This type of finish usually lasts longer than the transparent treatment but how often you need to reapply will depend on the area you live in and the conditions the deck is exposed to.

Treat Your New Wooden Deck

If you’ve just had a new wooden deck constructed, the first thing to do is weatherproof the wood.  This will protect your new deck from the weather.  You should also apply a sealant to your existing wooden deck to ensure the protection will last through the coming year.

Before treating your deck you have to get it as free from debris as possible.  If the deck is new then this should only be loose dirt and leaves blowing around the yard.  Sweep away any sawdust remaining from the project.

The contractor should have smoothed out any rough boards but if that’s not the case, do this step before applying your sealant. This can be done with just a piece of sand paper.

Once you’ve got the deck clean and smooth, it’s time to start applying the sealer. It’s possible to do this with a regular paintbrush or roller but a paint sprayer works much better.  It also gives you a better, more uniform finish.  A handheld paintbrush can be used for the smaller, hard to reach areas. To prepare the area, make sure you cover all nearby foliage and surrounding areas to avoid random deck finish hitting items it shouldn’t.

Your local hardware store will carry the various types of deck sealants.  A deck sealant improves the durability of the wood and will help prevent deterioration of the wood over time. A wood sealant will help prevent damage to your deck from all the elements including sunshine. The wood absorbs the sealant while it places a protective barrier around the wood.