Denver decks take a lot of abuse. Wearing and exposure to the weather will cause the deck to lose its luster. Years of enjoyment with your deck takes time each year for an inspection and some simple preventative maintenance. You'll have to clean and reseal after a few years, as your deck won't stay coated and protected forever. The first coat of finish is the crucial one for your deck. The wood must be less than 20% moist. To get optimum results, moisture content really needs to be nearer to twelve or fifteen percent. Lumber that has been pressure treated may still be damp inside even when it looks totally dry. You should wait between 4-6 weeks or one season before applying a finish to treated wood. You can apply finish onto the wood when it absorbs water.
First thoroughly inspect your deck. Look for any stains or discoloration. If any are found, use a mild household detergent or soap to remove any stains. If you notice mildew, wash the area with a mixture of water and bleach, or you can wash with a commercial deck cleaning formula. Use a power washer for dirty, discolored decks. Power washers are available at most rental stores. Make certain to examine and follow every instruction for safety before you begin. Make sure the whole deck is power washed. Allow the deck to dry off and wash it as needed. Replace any rotted wood.
As with any project, safety comes first when restoring your deck. Since the process of sanding involves the removal of material it creates airborne dust. You should wear safety glasses or goggles, work gloves, a work apron or close fitting clothing and an approved dust/mist respirator. Sand the surface of the deck with 120 grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. Sanding removes some of the top coating of the wood and opens it up for better penetration of the finish. A sanding pole will speed up the process and save your back. Multipurpose sandpaper is best for this work since it is made for general sanding or cleaning areas and basic coating or rust removal.
You can sweep the deck, and then rinse it with water to prepare for finishing. It is important to make sure that the deck is clean because the finish will penetrate the wood better. Let the deck dry. Next, you can apply a stain to the deck. Make certain you follow every one of the instructions provided by the manufacturer for safe application. Before you overlap the edges, be sure to keep the edge wet to prevent an uneven appearance. Re-coat as required. Some decks that have clear finishes will require several applications before the first coat is fully dry. If you have any any end grains that are exposed, apply double coats. For the best results, finish and stain your deck on a day that is predicted to be dry and overcast. Sun dries out the finish.
DOWD RESTORATION is a trusted and knowledgeable contractor in Denver.
First thoroughly inspect your deck. Look for any stains or discoloration. If any are found, use a mild household detergent or soap to remove any stains. If you notice mildew, wash the area with a mixture of water and bleach, or you can wash with a commercial deck cleaning formula. Use a power washer for dirty, discolored decks. Power washers are available at most rental stores. Make certain to examine and follow every instruction for safety before you begin. Make sure the whole deck is power washed. Allow the deck to dry off and wash it as needed. Replace any rotted wood.
As with any project, safety comes first when restoring your deck. Since the process of sanding involves the removal of material it creates airborne dust. You should wear safety glasses or goggles, work gloves, a work apron or close fitting clothing and an approved dust/mist respirator. Sand the surface of the deck with 120 grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. Sanding removes some of the top coating of the wood and opens it up for better penetration of the finish. A sanding pole will speed up the process and save your back. Multipurpose sandpaper is best for this work since it is made for general sanding or cleaning areas and basic coating or rust removal.
You can sweep the deck, and then rinse it with water to prepare for finishing. It is important to make sure that the deck is clean because the finish will penetrate the wood better. Let the deck dry. Next, you can apply a stain to the deck. Make certain you follow every one of the instructions provided by the manufacturer for safe application. Before you overlap the edges, be sure to keep the edge wet to prevent an uneven appearance. Re-coat as required. Some decks that have clear finishes will require several applications before the first coat is fully dry. If you have any any end grains that are exposed, apply double coats. For the best results, finish and stain your deck on a day that is predicted to be dry and overcast. Sun dries out the finish.
DOWD RESTORATION is a trusted and knowledgeable contractor in Denver.
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