How to Prepare Deck Wood

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Deck wood should be carefully and properly maintained through the entire year. It should be consistently treated with the best quality cleansing products on the market. Preparing deck wood takes particular skills in order to treat wood properly.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Broom
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Water hose or pressure washer
Drop cloth
Stiff bristle brush
Roller
Extension pole

Step1

Sweep the deck carefully to get rid of debris, leaves, rocks and any other elements that do not belong on the deck.

Step2

Study the deck to determine what needs to be repaired or cleansed.

Step3

Remove the previous finish or the remainder of the finish with chemical paint strippers, if necessary.

Step4

Research the various cleaning products available carefully, and choose one that will restore the deck to its original state. If the wood has been treated or stained you should use a stain and sealer remover. After this is used, apply a neutralizer. Deck wash will remove mold and mildew. Also, to make the finish last longer, use a coating life extender.

Step5

Choose the right stain. Stains come in clear, toners, semi-transparent stains and solid-color stains. Your choice should depend on how you want the deck to look and the length of time you want the deck to remain cleansed.

Step6

Continue to keep the deck swept and clean until it is time for the next cleansing.

Tips & Warnings

Remember there are numerous products and techniques for cleaning a deck. If you are unsure about which cleansing products to use, consult with an experienced deck cleaner.
Always treat and clean your deck with care.
If you allow your deck to go untreated for a long length of time, it may suffer permanent deterioration.