How to Sand My Deck
Decks provide a gathering place for warm-weather entertaining, outdoor dining or for just relaxing with the sounds of nature. Typically made from wood, decking will expand and contract with temperature changes and may suffer from exposure to moisture, resulting in roughness or splitting. As long as the deck is structurally sound, you can sand down the surface of the wood, giving your deck a fresh look. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screw gun or nail set
- Upright orbital sander
- Sanding disks (various grits)
- Vibrating hand sander
- Practice plywood sheet (recommended)
- Sealer or paint (recommended)
- Protective eyewear and clothing
Instructions
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Countersink any screws or nails that stick up above the level of the deck planks. Over time, screws and nails loosen, but it's essential that you sink them firmly beneath the deck's surface or they will destroy the sanding disks. Use a screw gun on elevated screws and countersink nails with a hammer and nail set.
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Fit an upright orbital sander with a medium-grit sanding disk, and position it at one corner of the deck.
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Turn the sander on and immediately begin moving it along the length of a decking board. Always move the sander in the same direction as the wood grain.
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Continue moving the orbital sander along the plank at a steady pace. Don't let it sit in one place to prevent uneven sanding areas.
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Turn off the sander when you reach the end of the wood plank and move it to the next plank before turning it back on and sanding in the opposite direction.
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Repeat the procedure every time you reach the end of a plank until you sand the entire deck.
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Fit the orbital sander with a fine-grit sanding disk if you want a smoother finish on the decking, or repeat the entire sanding procedure if you're trying to remove old stain and some streaks remain.
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Finish sanding the outside edges of your deck with a vibrating hand sander, using medium-grit sand paper first, and then switching to a fine-grit paper for a smooth finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Upright orbital sanders are available to rent from most construction rental stores.
Practice with the orbital sander on a sheet of plywood before sanding your deck if you've never used an orbital sander before.
Do not exert pressure on the orbital sander. Let the sander do the work while you guide it.
Keep children away from all power tools, including sanders, and follow the safety measures recommended by the manufacturer.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
