Step By Step Guide to Restoring Your Deck
The deck is the most important part of your home now that Spring and Summer are around the corner. It provides a space for you to relax, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors. With so much time and money invested in your deck, it is important to maintain it so that you can enjoy it for many years to come.
While there are many ways that you can take care of your deck, one of the best ways is by restoring or refinishing it. Deck restoration/re-staining will not only make your deck look better but also last longer.
If you are interested in restoring or re-staining your deck, then this article will provide some helpful tips on how to do so correctly.
Signs your Deck needs a Refresh:
Sealant –
If it’s been a while since the deck was sealed, and water no longer beads up on the surface, it’s time to reapply deck sealer.
Wood rot –
it’s a serious issue that can cause structural damage to an entire deck. Wood rot is one of the deck repairs that really does need to be addressed as quickly as possible. Common causes of wood rot include lack of proper maintenance, water damage, and termites. The first step in addressing wood rot is removing any loose or decayed wood, then sealing the area with a waterproof sealant.
Boards Faded in Colour –
The timber boards of even covered decks will fade usually into a grey colour as it ages. This can be avoided by regularly maintaining the deck with a protective sealant. To revitalise your deck, you could try cleaning it and if that is not sufficient you may consider sanding the boards to expose the natural timber underneath. There is also again the option of painting your deck or staining the deck.
Cracked or Warped Boards –
If your deck is cracked or warped, you need to remove and replace the deck boards. If most of your deck is sound, then replacing a couple of deck boards may be all that is needed. The first step to take when considering replacing a few boards on your deck is to make sure that they are not the only problem. If they are, it’s time to buy new boards and replace them. If not, there are other steps you can take before you have any work done on your deck.
Here’s our Guide to restoring your deck back to its former condition:
1. Make Repairs – it’s all in the preparation
Deck nails are typically used for attaching boards to a deck. They are smaller than other types of nails and have quite a sharp point. The most common type of deck nail is called a “spike” which is made from galvanised steel. Deck nails are typically used for attaching boards to a deck. They are smaller than other types of nails and have a sharp point.
Decking requires the use of these small, but strong, spikes to hold the wood in place while it dries out and hardens into place. These nails can be hammered into the wood with either an air-powered or cordless nail gun, or they can be hammered into the decking panels by hand. Over time these nails can become raised or loose, it’s a crucial part of deck restoration to make sure they are all adjusted so they are flush with the deck board before staining and finishing the deck.
2. Clean the Surface – so it’s free of any imperfections
A deck needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain its appearance and prevent the growth of mould or dirt and grime overtime. There are several different ways you can clean your deck. You can use a pressure washer, scrub brush, or chemical cleaners. After you have made your repairs, this step is a crucial part of deck restoration.
3. Sanding the Surface – bringing the deck back to its former glory
This is where the magic happens, sanding the wooden decking panels back ever so slightly can bring a whole new look to your entertaining area. This is when you will see your deck project come to life.
4. Apply the Stain – the final touch
Deck staining is the process of applying a protective coating to the surface of a wooden deck to protect it from water, sun, and other environmental conditions. Beaches Timber Floors are the experts in deck restoration, we know that wooden decks are susceptible to damage from water, sun, and other environmental conditions. A good way to protect the wood is by applying a protective coating. This process is called deck staining.
Applying stain to your deck can be done in two ways: spraying or brushing. Spraying will give you a more even coat than brushing but it takes more time and preparation time which can be inconvenient for some people.
5. Refresh the Railing – show off your deck in style
The deck railing is an important part of your deck restoration because it provides safety for people walking on the deck. The handrail height Australian Standard states that your handrails should not be less than 865mm from the nosing of the deck surface. Platforms or landings above 4m from the ground required additional requirements for the balustrade for decks to meet safety standards.