- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Staining a 25 year old wooden deck?
Posted on 5/21/21 at 10:14 am
Posted on 5/21/21 at 10:14 am
Purchased a home not long ago with a sizeable backyard deck. It's in pretty good shape with a few slightly rotted boards here and there that will be replaced.
Found out from my neighbor that it was built mid-late 1990s by an engineer who lived there, a couple of owners ago. He did a pretty good job considering its age and current condition. Also has some electricity wired in for lighting that still works. Most recent previous owners did jack shite to keep it up, hence the few rotted boards. Apparently they rarely used the back yard.
My question: Can you apply sealant/stain to a quarter century old deck without negative repercussions? I'm trying to take a good situation and make it better, not make a good situation bad or create unnecessary complications for myself. Plan to pressure wash first, obviously.
Would feel like a jackass if I ruined our deck and had to demo/replace it at high cost, esp with current price of lumber.
Found out from my neighbor that it was built mid-late 1990s by an engineer who lived there, a couple of owners ago. He did a pretty good job considering its age and current condition. Also has some electricity wired in for lighting that still works. Most recent previous owners did jack shite to keep it up, hence the few rotted boards. Apparently they rarely used the back yard.
My question: Can you apply sealant/stain to a quarter century old deck without negative repercussions? I'm trying to take a good situation and make it better, not make a good situation bad or create unnecessary complications for myself. Plan to pressure wash first, obviously.
Would feel like a jackass if I ruined our deck and had to demo/replace it at high cost, esp with current price of lumber.
4
Posted on 5/21/21 at 11:02 am to tigahbruh
LINK
As long as most of the wood is in good shape, it all comes down to prep work. The linked article recommends sanding and pressure washing. I would definitely give it a shot and it will probably turn out great.
There are also the deckover type products, but those kind of leave a tacky/sticky finish at first. My mother in law did that at her old townhouse, and while it did a great job of water beading up and protecting the wood, it always felt tacky when walking on it.
At my mom's house, they pressure washed and painted the deck several years ago, and it was a house built in the early 90s. Turned out great, and looked much better than the stained look. I think it was a solid stain they used, but looks painted. I actually know the previous owner, and my parents bought it in 2012. The previous owner lived there about 7-8 years, and told me several things about it, and the deck was original to the home.
As long as most of the wood is in good shape, it all comes down to prep work. The linked article recommends sanding and pressure washing. I would definitely give it a shot and it will probably turn out great.
There are also the deckover type products, but those kind of leave a tacky/sticky finish at first. My mother in law did that at her old townhouse, and while it did a great job of water beading up and protecting the wood, it always felt tacky when walking on it.
At my mom's house, they pressure washed and painted the deck several years ago, and it was a house built in the early 90s. Turned out great, and looked much better than the stained look. I think it was a solid stain they used, but looks painted. I actually know the previous owner, and my parents bought it in 2012. The previous owner lived there about 7-8 years, and told me several things about it, and the deck was original to the home.
Posted on 5/21/21 at 11:17 am to TU Rob
Thanks! and thanks for the link. It will help me.
Posted on 5/21/21 at 1:39 pm to tigahbruh
Think of deckover as paint, not stain.
I’ve used it and it’s certainly effective at extending the life of an older deck but it’s not going to give you any of the underlying tones of the wood, it’s there to cover imperfections.
I’ve used it and it’s certainly effective at extending the life of an older deck but it’s not going to give you any of the underlying tones of the wood, it’s there to cover imperfections.
Posted on 5/21/21 at 5:50 pm to tigahbruh
They make special wood nozzles for pressure washers that won’t tear the wood up. Hit it with diluted H2O2 with the normal black soap nozzle. Then come back with the green “wood” nozzle. It’s designed to not cut the wood grains. It will look like brand new wood. Seal as is, or stain and then seal, or sand then stain/seal. Once it’s clean you have lots of options. Please counter sink all nails after pressure washing to save your feet from murder and especially if you want to sand it. Pull up nails that won’t grab and replace with deck screws as needed.
Posted on 5/21/21 at 6:05 pm to tigahbruh
Do not replace everything. It would seem like a good idea to start from scratch & get everything new on top (not necessarily the support boards underneath).
Just know that 1990's boards are FAR FAR superior to todays deck boards. Only replace those that are worn or rotten. The deck lumber today is not treated with the same chemicals. It might be better for the environment, but its definitely not better for the home owner.
TSP is a good stain/sealant in my opinion. But read my comments more than once. Do not replace those 1990's boards unless thay are rotten.
Just know that 1990's boards are FAR FAR superior to todays deck boards. Only replace those that are worn or rotten. The deck lumber today is not treated with the same chemicals. It might be better for the environment, but its definitely not better for the home owner.
TSP is a good stain/sealant in my opinion. But read my comments more than once. Do not replace those 1990's boards unless thay are rotten.
Posted on 5/21/21 at 7:05 pm to tigahbruh
Use Restore-A-Decks system (strip, brighten, stain) and it’ll be great.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News