Bought A House With An Old Deck? 3 Tips To Renovate It So You Can Enjoy It

If you purchased a house with an old, rundown deck, you can renovate the deck in many ways. This will bring it back to life so you and your family can enjoy it during the warm weather. Below are three tips to help you get started with this project.

Check for Damage

Before you do anything, you need to check the wood deck for damage. You never know if the wood has rotted in any areas. One easy way to check this is by using a screwdriver. Stick the screwdriver in the wood and if it easily goes in then that wood is rotted.  Look extra close at any wood that touches the ground as there is more of a chance it will become rotted here. Some things that touch the ground include joists, stairs, and posts. If you have a lot of rotted wood you need to replace the deck instead of renovating it.

If the wood is in good condition, make sure the deck is secure to your home. It is easy for bolts and screws to rust or become loose. If they are loose use a screwdriver to tighten the screws. If any are rusted replace them. Look at the flashing also, and if you see any that is rusted or bent, you need to replace it.

Clean and Stain the Deck

You can purchase a deck cleaner to clean the wood surface. Follow the instructions on the product to mix it with water in a bucket. Follow the instructions on how to use the product to clean your deck.  Deck cleaners have chemicals, so wear gloves and eye protection. Be careful that you do not get the cleaner on any nearby vegetation, as the plants would likely die. You can cover all plants and bushes with a tarp while cleaning.

Once the deck is clean, apply a stain to the wood. This will protect it from damage. You can buy the stain at the home improvement store, and it comes with complete instructions on how to apply it.

Install a Decorative Railing

Once you finish repairing, cleaning, and staining your deck, add a decorative railing. Railings not only make your deck look great, but also they provide safety, especially if you have small children who will be on the deck.

Instead of square railings, you can purchase decorative railings made with unique design, as well as shape. You can choose to add carvings to the railings. Lattice looks nice, and you can find in in a variety of sizes and shapes.

If you do not want wood railing, you can choose vinyl instead. Vinyl is low in maintenance and durable, and you can find it in a variety of shapes and colors.  Metal is also available, and you can have it sculpted with unique designs. You can find decorative railings online or anywhere that sells decking materials.

Once you finish with these three tips, add some furniture and plants to the deck to make it look even better. For more information, contact a business such as Tampa Bay Hand Railings.