The first big holiday of the spring/summer season is almost here. If you are planning outdoor activities, you may need to check your deck for safety, stability and finish.
To ensure the safety of your guests, inspect all railings, steps and supporting wood. Replace or repair any wood that may be loose or show signs of rot, splitting, twisting or maybe excessive wear. Look for any nails that may have popped up and hammer them back in.
Once you are sure of the stability of your deck, take a look at the finish. Is it weathered or faded? Does it need to be resealed?
There are a couple of tests you can perform to see if your deck needs waterproofing. Drop several drops of water onto the deck. If the water beads up, the deck is still protected and doesn’t need to be waterproofed now. If a drop soaks into the wood, it means the old finish or waterproofing layer has worn away, leaving the wood unprotected.
You can also firmly press a piece of tape against the surface to be stained. The presence of old stain or wood fibers on the tape could indicate a potential moisture problem. Remove eroded wood fibers and loose stain by using a wood stripper and then sanding and power washing the surface.
If your deck looks faded and gray, it’s time to refinish with some coats of stain. All stains are waterproofing sealants as well, allowing you to stain and seal in one step. If it’s time to refinish your deck, consider using a quality stain. All stains protect wood from moisture, but some provide better protection from UV rays. Clear stains only protect wood, while pigmented stains provide a higher degree of UV protection.
Depending on the look you want, you may choose a clear seal, a solid color stain or a semi-transparent stain that will show more of the grain of the wood. Next week we’ll look at the steps to take when cleaning, waterproofing or staining your deck. Remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
