Caring for Wood Decks
Caring for wood decks can be a bit challenging in Arizona. We have the wind, sun, heat, cold, and other weather elements to contend with.
Let me just tell you right now that all those stains claiming to give you 4 years of protection just don't work in Arizona. They might work great in places like, Seattle where the sun hardly shines! But not in Arizona.
Here are some of the things you should check for on an annual basis:
- Worn out boards (rot, cracks, etc.)
- Loose boards
- Nails and bolts that have popped out (happens a lot in Arizona)
- Damage from bugs
- Any other problems that may stand out
Make sure to repair or replace any loose boards. You might also like to consider replacing any cracked boards or those that have rotted.
Replace nails that have popped out and attend to any bolts that may have come loose or undone.
Clean Your Deck
You should give your wood deck a good cleaning at least once a year. The best way is to use some warm soapy water and a soft brush (or broom). This will help get rid of built up grime.
If you're concerned about damaging the finish on your deck, you can also buy a cleaning agent (known as a deck wash) to use instead of soapy water.
It doesn't take much time to clean your wood deck. This will not only help to protect it, but can also improve appearance.
How to Protect Your Deck
No matter how good of a job you did refinishing your deck the previous year - it always seems to need it again the next year. The Arizona sun and monsoons can be quite harsh on our wood decks.
Some would argue whether you should use oil, stain or just plain old Thompson Water Seal on your wood deck. Most experts would recommend an oil-based stain for better protection.
Many of us love the natural color of our wood decks, and are reluctant to use anything that will alter that look. Thompson Water Seal (and other similar products) look attractive for this purpose.
But most experts discourage this since water-based products (like Thompson Water Seal) don't penetrate the wood and therefore can't offer lasting protection. These types of products generally only offer about 8 months of protection.
That doesn't mean, you can't use Thompson Water Seal. But you'd be better to use it on top of a stain rather than as a stand alone finish.
To preserve the natural beauty of the wood, you should use a clear wood stain. This will offer better protection while keeping the natural wood look.
Refinishing the Deck
Now that you've decided which kind of stain you want to use, it's time to get the deck refinished. Here's what you should do.
- Clean the deck and let it dry
- Use a stain stripper to remove the old finish
- Sand the Deck to restore the smooth finish
- Hose the deck down to remove excess dust from sanding and let it dry
- Apply your new stain per the instructions and let dry
- Apply a second coat of stain (and maybe even a third coat)
Once you've applied all the stain coats (and they've had time to dry), you can add a water sealant (like Thompson's) if you like.
These tips can be applied to all your wood patio furniture too!
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Get a Hydro Spa 5-6 Person Hot Tub Spa Package
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for your newlly refinished deck.
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