On a beautiful day when the temperatures are pleasant, there is no place like your deck for a calm retreat. Decks can be a place for hosting and entertaining, or a solitary refuge for you and your book. Whatever your reasons are for loving your deck, it is important that you protect it. That way, you can be assured it will be here for many years to come! Proper care often involves deck staining or painting, and sometimes carpentry.

Let's take a look at a recent deck refinishing project we completed here in the Alexandria area.

Replacing Rotten Deck Boards

When a deck is suffering from minor dry rot, it is possible to save the affected areas with proper treatment. Wood hardeners or wood filler may be an option, and a new waterproof coating is definitely a must.

In many cases, however, you will do best to replace any affected wood. Once dry rot has begun, it is hard to keep it in check. Fortunately, when it comes to decks, their construction style is such that replacing boards is not a major project.

Pressure Washing Decks

Before applying any new coating to a deck, it is vital that the deck be thoroughly cleaned. This can be done with scrub brushes and detergent, but many professional painting companies prefer to do this with a pressure washer.

Pressure washing a deck needs to be done with precision and caution. Too much pressure or too close of a proximity can permanently etch the wood. Additionally, uneven strokes can create a long-lasting scribble effect which is quite unsightly.

Staining or Painting Decks

After replacing rotten boards and giving this deck a thorough cleaning, it was time to apply the new coating. There are two main types of deck coatings: those that sink into the wood and those that remain on the surface. This deck is in the latter category, as you can see by the solid color and the way the wood grain is not very visible. Other types of wood stains, however, sink into the wood, allowing some of the natural texture and color to show through.

One of the most important things to do during the coating process is to make sure there is a waterproof layer. This is the most crucial step in ensuring the long life of your deck.

Williams Professional Painting

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, Williams Professional Painting has been serving the Washington, D.C. region since 1979. In addition to deck repair and coatings, we also offer interior painting, exterior painting, carpentry, kitchen cabinet painting, and more. Use our online contact form or call our office to schedule your free estimate today!