Restore an Aging Deck

A rustic deck can be charming and quaint, but it’s an entirely different thing to have a deck that has simple gotten old. On older homes, decks can often go ignored for too long and what once would have been simple repairs to fix it up become laborious and expensive.

So if your deck needs to be restored, here are some things to keep in mind when trying to keep it looking good on a modest budget.

If the wood is starting to crack and splinter, just about any wood restoration product should do the trick. But before applying such a solution you’ll want to clean the deck with wood or deck cleaner. Be sure to pay attention to the directions all all cleaners; if they are not properly diluted, they can do much more harm than good. Once this step is done, you should be able to wash down your deck (using a power washer if you have one available, although a nice hit with a strong hose also works).

Let the deck sit for 4-7 days to dry properly, based on your current weather conditions. When you are confident the deck is dry, you can use your restore solution (Restore 10X, for example). Depending on the size of your deck, you can use wither a standard paint brush or a roller. Regardless of what you use, be sure to always spread the restore solution in one direction. Try to focus on one or two boards at a time rather than spreading it all around in order to ensure an even coating.

If the deck has seen a lot of wear and tear, chances are good that a second or even a third coat will be needed.  In most cases, the second coat should be enough but it all depends on the condition of the wood. Make sure the first coat is dry before applying the second coat for maximum results.

If you have children or pets, make sure they don’t step foot onto the deck until the second coat is dry.