Decks in Denver tend to take a beating. Wearing and exposure to the weather will cause the deck to lose its luster. Years of enjoyment with your deck takes time each year for an inspection and some simple preventative maintenance. Clean and reseal your deck every few years for long lasting results. The first coat is the most important coat when finishing a deck. The wood must be less than 20% moist. The mixture should be less than 20% moisture. Although lumber that has been pressure treated might look dry, it’s actually likely to still be wet internally. A waiting period of 4 to 6 weeks or one season is required before putting a finish on treated wood. You can tell the wood is ready when it will soak up water easily.
Obviously you want to inspect the deck first, looking for trouble spots. Make sure there are no imperfections. You can use mild detergent or soap from around the house to remove stains as necessary. If you find mold or mildew then you can simply combine bleach with water and it will get rid of it. Use a power washer for dirty, discolored decks. Rental stores feature power washers. Prior to using, be sure to read and also follow all safety instructions. Use a pressure washer on the whole deck. Allow the deck to dry off and wash it as needed. If you happen to find wood that has gone rotten make sure that it is substituted for good wood.
As with any project, safety comes first when restoring your deck. Since the process of sanding involves the removal of material it creates airborne dust. You should wear safety glasses or goggles, work gloves, a work apron or close fitting clothing and an approved dust/mist respirator. Use 120 grit sandpaper to sand the deck’s surface and make it rough. If you want your finish to better penetrate, sand the wood. Sanding poles help you work more efficiently while making it easier on your body. All Purpose sandpaper is ideal for this application because it is designed for light sanding or cleaning of surfaces and moderate removal of coatings or rust.
Sweep the deck thoroughly and rinse with water to remove all dust and debris. A clean deck will allow for full penetration of the finish. Allow the deck to air dry. Next, you can apply a stain to the deck. Make sure that you are paying attention the directions and following them specifically. You can minimize streaking in your finish by ensuring that your brush stroke is always overlapping a fresh stroke and not a tacky surface. Apply as many coats as necessary. There are clear finishes that will require you to apply many times prior to the first coat drying on the deck. If you have any any end grains that are exposed, apply double coats. A dry day with some cloud cover provides the best environment for coating and sealing your deck. Overexposure to sunlight will dry the finish too quickly.
DOWD RESTORATION is a trusted and knowledgeable contractor in the Denver area. If you have questions about your deck restoration project, Give us a call – 303-522-8730.
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