DIY: How to Restore Your Deck

Over time, exposure to sun, weather, and wind will wear down your deck. The good news is that you can easily restore the luster back into your deck with a waterproofing deck stain. A deck stain will protect your deck from water damage, mildew and harmful sun rays. The finish will also restore and preserve the natural beauty of the wood.

Generally, it takes two weeks to completely refinish a deck: one week to clean it and another to refinish it.

Materials you will need:

• Drill with screwdriver bit
• Leaf blower
• Awl
• Decking screws (if replacement is necessary)
• Flat pry bar (if replacement is necessary)
• Putty knife
• Circular saw (if necessary)
• Garden pump sprayer
• Powdered oxygen bleach
• High-pressure hose
• Waterproofing stain (latex)
• Long-handled scrub brush
• Paint roller with an extended handle attachment
• Paint tray
• Paint brush
• Mild liquid detergent
• Bucket

Prep Work

1. Remove all furniture from the deck: chairs, tables, plants, grill and all other items that aren't attached to the deck. A leaf blower is a great tool to remove debris and dirt from off your deck.
2. Inspect your deck: look for screws that are sticking up above the surface of the wood paneling. You may need to drill them back in or out with an electric drill. If you drill the screw out, replace them with a longer deck screw.
3. Poke the awl into any wood boards that have water damage. If the damage is less than 1/2 inch, you don't have to replace the board. If there is more than a 1/2 inch of rot, you will have to replace the board.
4. Scrape the spaces between your deck boards with a putty knife to dislodge any buildup of dirt and debris. Blow off the deck again to remove the debris.

Deck Cleaning

Mix your bleach solution with warm water in a pump sprayer. Make sure you use the manufacturer recommended bleach-to-water ratio. Refer to the instructions for any additional preparations.

Spray off your deck with the mixture. Start at one end and make your way to the other. Let the solution seep into the wood for about 10 minutes before you start scrubbing the wood boards. Use  a long-handled scrub brush and make sure you scrub in the direction of the boards.

Rinse the deck with a high-pressure hose and allow it to dry for 72 hours.

Deck Staining and Sealing

Follow the instructions for the waterproofing stain. Put a good amount into your paint tray and load the paint roller with stain. Start at one end of your deck and make your way over to the other end. Remember to work only in the direction of the boards.

Avoid puddling the stain as this will create an uneven look. Keep the edges of the boards wet. Smooth out puddles or streaks to create a uniform look.

Apply the stain to all of the ends of the deck boards as well. You may need additional coats of the product, so be sure to read the instructions. If you do need to apply another coat, wait a few hours before putting on another one.

You are almost there. Now mix the detergent with water in a bucket and soak the rollers and the brushes for a few hours. Rinse them with clean water. Allow the deck to dry for 24 hours. Pop open a drink and enjoy sun.