Deck needs tlc! What can I do?

Valerie Burge
by Valerie Burge
Any advice on what I can do with our neglected deck! I was hoping to get it back to the rustic wood colour (like the fence behind it). I've pressure washed it and scraped it...and now it looks worse than ever. Are there any cost-effective alternatives to re-painting this huge deck every few years??
  6 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 25, 2018

    first do not paint it, that is more work down the road.Use a paint stripper and re power wash, then keep it natural with a waterproof sealer

    • Valerie Burge Valerie Burge on Jun 26, 2018

      Thanks! Waterproof sealer is what I was thinking too. I also thought about paint stripper...but not really a fan of using all those chemicals. The deck takes up most of our yard. And we have a dog and lots of little wildlife that visit regularly. I'm wondering if a belt sander might work.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 25, 2018

    Every type and style of deck or fence will require maintenance. This is part of the cost of home ownership.

    With the 'rustic' look, as this wood has not been treated, the wood will last only until it begins to rot, disintegrate, crumble and fall apart. Then it will require full replacement, which will be a huge expense all at one time.

    The practice of painting a fence (with paint, or coloured stain) is a smaller expense every time it needs to be redone, but it extends the overall life of the fence. If you are not physically capable of removing and rebuilding a new fence yourself, you will have the additional expense of hired labour. Painting a fence is much less physically demanding and can be done in sessions.

    If there is still this much white paint showing after your washing and scraping efforts, that says the quality of the product must be high. If you still have this much white left, I would continue with it. In my opinion the white/or/ blue colour scheme is more cheerful looking than the rustic, and is more complementary to the hot tub area.

  • Valerie Burge Valerie Burge on Jun 25, 2018

    Excellent points! Thank you.

  • Alison Savill Alison Savill on Jun 25, 2018

    you need a heater that bubbles up the paint then scrape it off

  • Valerie Burge Valerie Burge on Jun 26, 2018

    What type of heater? Like a regular heat gun from hardware store?

    • Valerie Burge Valerie Burge on Jun 26, 2018

      Awesome!! Thanks so much, Janet!! HD doesn't have that particular brand here in Canada - but I found a similar one on their website!