How to cover old decking?

G.w11046322
by G.w11046322
I inherited some decking when I moved into my house many years ago. For years I jet wash it and repaint it BUT every year it needs it again. I am sick to death of it. My question is to ask for some ideas as to what to do with it?? I have some thick rubber I was going to cover it with and then put artificial grass to cover it. What do you think ? Any other ideas please? Thanks Diz x

  4 answers
  • 27524803 27524803 on May 17, 2018

    There is a product available called "Deck Over" it is more than a paint... but you need to be sure that the deck boards are structurally sound before covering them over.

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    • 27524803 27524803 on May 18, 2018

      Sometimes there is no quick easy fix... at some point, things like decks... need to have the decking replaced... and sometimes need to be torn down and replaced... for structural safety if for no other reason... and sometimes... the longer you put off a repair... the greater the damage and greater the cost of replacement or repair...

      If you have to replace the decking (and not the structure) consider looking into one of the composite decking materials.... no maintenance.. but power washing... for a number of years

  • Emily Emily on May 17, 2018

    why does it need jet washing every year? We have four porches with decking and although the back porch does need to be painted every year, the others don't seem to need it that often, but we have never jet washed anything. We just had porches rebuilt on our house and so they have new decking. Since it is pressure treated lumbar we will wait a year to paint, but the previous decking only got painted a couple of times. Personally I would not put anything artificial on top of it. You will be compounding the problem.

    • G.w11046322 G.w11046322 on May 17, 2018

      Thanks for your reply BUT think you probably have "hit the nail on the head" as to the quality of the decking in the first place. SO you think my answer may be to just rip it all out and then lay artificial grass over the area?? Suppose I was trying to find an easy fix. I'm also in the UK with loads of rain etc. Thanks again Diz

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 17, 2018

    Here in northern MN just about everyone I know (and me too!) have just given up on stain or paint on top of our decks because it will never last more then a year. With that in mind when I built my treated deck I didn't put anything on it and it turned a nice shade of gray.

    • G.w11046322 G.w11046322 on May 17, 2018

      Think the problem is that it was awful type decking put down in the first place - hence the ongoing maintenance!! Thanks anyway for your answer. Diz

  • Emily Emily on May 18, 2018

    Our decking that was replaced last year was (to the best of my knowledge,) 106 years old, which is the age of the house. If you remove the decking what will support the artificial grass? Could you have a roofing over the decking?

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