TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A backyard deck is not only a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space, it also adds tremendous value to your home. Kept in good condition, it can last you 20 years or more. How to protect your deck is today’s Angie’s List report.
Most wood decks are made of pressure-treated pine or red cedar and are a beautiful addition to any home, but after just a couple years, they can start to look weathered if not taken care of properly.
This can be a do-it-yourself project, but it’s not as simple as it might seem. You can actually damage your deck if you’re not careful. A common mistake is power washing with too much pressure or spraying too close to the wood.
After your power wash, let the deck dry out, and then apply the stain or sealer. Nearon (NEAR-on) recommends a penetrating, oil-based stain instead of a water-based product that just coats the surface.
If your deck really needs reviving, you can apply a non-bleach brightener between the power wash and stain application. That should restore some of the wood’s original color.
If you use a power washer, Angie says to look for a light duty one, which offers pressure ranges at less than 200 pounds-per-square-inch and then stay below 12-hundred P.S.I. Medium, Heavy and Extra Duty washers can start with PSIs higher than you should go.
