Weather is hard on decks and fences, causing deck stain and paint to peel and flake off. When that happens, not only does it look bad, but it leaves the wood unprotected. Wood rots and decays much faster when exposed to rain, wind, and sun. Keeping your deck and fence in good condition always requires a good coat of paint or stain. If the wood on your structure shows signs of rot or weathering, give Ambassador Property Services a call. We use the following safety procedures to refurbish, protect and maintain your deck and fence.
Remove pine needles, leaves, dirt, and other forms of debris with a blower – When allowed to sit, this material can decompose over time and cause rot. Take out your leaf blower and blow the debris off your deck and away from your fence. Of course, if it’s too dangerous for you to do it, call a professional for help.
Safely strip any remaining paint or stain that is left – First, you must choose the stripper product that best suits your needs. Is it an old stain, or is it paint? Remember, it won’t restore the wood to like-new condition. If your wood was blemished before, it would remain that way after stripping. It’s still the same wood. It’s a messy job, and often scrubbing, scraping, and reapplying stripper over stubborn areas is needed.
Replace rotted or bad pieces of wood – Replacing a rotted, split, or otherwise damaged deck board is a safety precaution and an aesthetic fix. If the board is not damaged but has a purely cosmetic issue, such as a stain, you might just need to remove, flip, and refasten the unsightly piece of board. You can remove and replace the entire board if there is damage, although this isn’t always possible or practical. When necessary, you can also replace just the damaged section of the board, a process that is as simple as cutting out the area of the old board and replacing it with new material. Preparing the joists and the new board is the key to success with this easy project. Sand the wood- After sanding, power-wash the deck and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before staining. Sanding exposes porous wood that’s ready to soak up the stain, but this isn’t possible if the wood is full of water.
Apply a brightener to bring out the bright, natural color of the wood – A deck brightener differs from a deck cleaner in several ways. Deck cleaners contain bleach variations designed to remove dirt and mold from the wood. A deck brightener contains acids that restore the PH balance of the wood and bring back its original luster. After thoroughly sanding your deck to remove the old finish, use a cleaner, brightener, and stain to make your deck look brand new.
Apply a semi-transparent sealer to protect your wood – A deck sealer generally refers to a clear sealant that’s applied after the wood has had a stain applied. A sealant protects the wood by completely sealing it so that water, dirt, and other damaging substances can’t enter.
If this all sounds daunting, we understand. It can be a lot of work if you’ve never done this before, your deck is up high, or you are busy with other tasks. It takes patience and time, and the right materials. Ambassador Property Services has been serving the Atlanta area for years. We understand what’s involved in properly preparing and re-staining your deck. Reach out to us online, fill out our inquiry form, call us at 404-301-7920 or email us at Ambassadorpropertyservices@newtoatlanta.com. We are happy to help you protect and maintain your deck and fence!
