How to Refinish a Hardwood Deck Floor
Hardwood decks are generally made of treated cedar or pine to make them resilient and structurally sound for years. However, wear and tear, combined with exposure to weather and sunlight, over time cause hardwood to fade. So while a deck may be completely safe, it will look old and worn. Refinishing the deck with a thorough cleaning and a new layer of finish protection will restore the hardwood to its original good looks. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheeting
- Hose
- Putty knife
- Laundry detergent
- Bucket
- Stiff-bristle brush
- Trisodium phosphate
- Bleach
- Deck finish
- Paintbrush, roller or rags
Instructions
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Cover the area surrounding the deck, including nearby shrubs or trees, with protective plastic sheeting to prevent the spread of chemical cleaners and finishers. These chemical products are potentially harmful to plants, people and animals.
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2
Remove any deck furniture or other furnishings from your deck. Spray down the entire deck surface with a garden hose that has a spray nozzle attached. Make sure you spray between the boards of the deck as well to effectively remove all debris.
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Run a putty knife between all of the boards on the deck to make sure you removed all debris. Stuck-in debris can attract moisture and insects that will eventually wear down the integrity of your deck.
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4
Mix regular laundry detergent and water into a bucket until it forms suds. Scrub the deck surface with a stiff-bristle brush dipped in this mixture. Work in small sections, rinsing with clean water as soon as you finish a section, to ensure that the soap does not dry on the surface. Continue until the whole surface is clean and rinsed.
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Mix 1 cup of trisodium phosphate cleaner and 1 cup of household bleach into one gallon of water. Scrub the deck down with this solution, again rinsing often to ensure the deck doesn't dry. This solution will remove mold or mildew as well as discolored areas and stains, leaving your deck looking more like its usual self.
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Finish the deck with a protective deck finish that is waterproof, UV-roof and mildew-proof; find out whether a product has these characteristics by looking at the label. Spread the finish onto the surface with a paintbrush, a paint roller or rags. Follow specific manufacturer's directions regarding application. Allow the finish to dry completely before allowing foot traffic on the deck.
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Tips & Warnings
To thoroughly clean a deck, you can use a pressure washer with less than 1,200 psi of pressure and a fan nozzle with an arc of 25 to 40 degrees. Use a washer and a nozzle with only these specifications, and hold the hose at least 6 inches above the deck. Improper use of a pressure washer can damage the wood.
Some stains, caused by corroding hardware, sun damage or bleach, will not fade with regular cleaning. For these stains, you will need an acid-based deck restoring product such as oxalic acid. Follow instructions carefully and wear protective gloves and goggles when using these acidic cleaners.
If you decide to paint your deck instead of stain or simply finish it, start with an oil-based primer to help ensure adhesion to the wood.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
