If your deck is in a tired and aged condition, a good deck restoration job is in order as soon as possible. With every passing day, you will have more on your hands to repair and set right. Additionally, an old deck with cracks and loose boards is a safety risk that you cannot afford to take.

For the job, you can either call in deck restoration companies in your locality or choose to do it yourself. But the last plan of action should only be taken if you are confident about deck restoration. It is a complex process and best left to professional deck restoration companies.

However, assuming that you want the satisfaction of restoring the deck yourself, here are some tips to follow for a successful restoration project.

Inspection

Before starting the work, you should be aware of the extent of the damage. Check the deck thoroughly, mainly the areas where the wood meets the soil or concrete as these are the places where the rot first sets in. Poke the wood with a screwdriver. If the head sinks in, you have rotting wood on your hands. Inspect for loose and wobbly boards and railings, splintered segments, and popped-up screws and bolts.

Washing and removing stains

Be cautious about using a power washer to wash and clean the deck. You must know how close you should take the nozzle to the wood. Too much pressure on old wood can damage the section. Deck restoration companies generally use a soft bristle brush to clean old decks. When your deck has a lot of dark and deep stains, use a stain remover rather than a power washer. Follow the instructions on the container and wear protective gear as the chemicals can be harmful.

Sanding

This is very complex. If you are not confident handling a sander, contact deck restoration companies though it’s doubtful whether an agency will take up the sanding work alone. Hire a sander and get 60 or 80 grit sandpaper for the deck surface and 80 or 100 grit sandpaper for the railings. Avoid hiring heavy sanders that are generally meant for indoor hardwood floors. Move constantly when the sander is on. If you stop, immediately switch the sander off as otherwise, it might create a groove on the deck. Once you finish with the sanding, avoid exposing the deck to direct sunlight until staining.

Sanding and sealing

After all the hard work put in by you it’s time to take steps to protect your deck by applying stain. Professional deck restoration companies use a brush for staining as the coat is evenly applied, leading to a nice uniform finish. Sprayers can become messy with some stain landing elsewhere while rollers might create pools of stain that will peel later.

Follow these steps to breathe life into your old deck and bring it back to a new condition.