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| How To Restore Or Refinish Your Deck |
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A well maintained deck add charm and beauty to your house. Beside, it's your connection to the outdoor. Unfortunately, the continues exposure to the sun, rain, snow and temperature changes, can negatively affect it. First, ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun breaks down surface fibers and lignin, causing graying and surface erosion.Water from moisture settles in the open cellular layers wherever there is a break and promotes rotting.
Temperature change especially where water has penetrated the inner cellular layers, accelerates cellular deterioration.
Microorganisms-Mold and mildew are particularly common trouble makers. Green, black, or gray discoloration is caused by mildew colonization.
Particulate-Particulate matter comes in many forms such as dirt, soot, pollen, and food. These organic particulates provide nutrients for microbial growth and accelerate wood deterioration. stains may result from iron in nails or other hardware darkening the surface. Lime found in mortar mixes may leach from adjacent brick or stonework and coat the deck surface causing a variety of staining. |
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| The following steps should help you restore your deck properly: |
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If your deck is brand new, use a high quality deck cleaner/brightener. This will eliminate mill glaze and provide a clean surface for deck sealer. |
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If your deck had been stained, you need to use stain stripper, or sand deck to bare wood. |
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Apply oxalic acid, then rinse your deck. |
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Apply stain water proofing. |
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You should follow manufacture recommendation for each product. |
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Note: |
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| If your deck has nails, make sure you countersink all of them. |
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All Pro Deck serves the Bay Areas community since 2000. We serve most of Contra Costa County including but not limited to the following communities: Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Walnut Creek, Danville, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Kensington, El Cerrito, and Black Hawk. |
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We serve most of Alameda County including but not limited to the following communities: Oakland, Montclair, Piedmont, Berkeley, Alameda, Dublin, and San Leandro. |
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We serve most of Marin County including but not limited to the following communities: |
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Mill Valley, Sausalito, Greenbrae, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Ross, lark Spur, Novato,San Anselmo, and Belvedere. We serve most of South Bay including but not limited to the following communities: |
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Woodside, Los Altos, and Atherton. |
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Dry rot
Decks are a great way to enjoy the outdoors given it is an extension of the home. Decks can be a gathering place during a party, but an underlying problem may be at hand. Undetected dry rot caused a deck to collapse in San Francisco many years ago causing many injuries and one death. But the tragedy highlights the significance of having your deck inspected.
Recently I had a call regarding deck refinishing in Oakland . The deck was ten years old and had not been refinished for several years, I noticed so many white spots under the deck, some of them made wood planks soft. I was able to get my flat screw driver go through a few boards completely. On the other hand I had a call regarding deck refinishing in Walnut Creek. The deck was fifteen years old. The stain/sealer had deteriorated, however all wood planks looked solid without any damage. The deck in Walnut Creek, had been refinished on regular basis. All we had to do, is sand the deck, and do deck staining. On the other hand, the deck in Oakland needed several boards replacement, then refinish the deck and apply stain.
Some repairs are simple like replacing a few boards and adding additional support on joist. But if major structural damage has started the deck may need to be torn down and rebuilt. Once dry rot has occurred it will eventually spread so early detection is imperative. Repair cost can range for from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
The best way to minimize dry rot is to reduce the moisture it needs to thrive. We always recommend refinishing your deck on regular basis. We also recommend cleaning space between boards.
Moisture causes much damage on wood decks. Fungi thrive in the wood and during the right conditions breaks the wood down causing the spongy texture or the dry crumbly texture. This maybe be notable on the surface of the deck, but underneath fungus growth may be detected as white spots. Professional deck cleaning is highly recommended, especially in foggy areas in San Francisco and Oakland Hills. The fungus growth under the deck must be professionally treated to keep it from spreading. But some simple measures can be done by any homeowner or renter.
*Any planters sitting on the deck should not sit directly on the wood. The water dripping from the pots or just inhibiting airflow will evenly cause rot. It is best to place the pots on some sort of pedestal or feet to elevalate them off the ground.
*Sweep away any standing water. Some decks may slope or have an area which water tends to gather. It is best to call a professional to evaluate and recommend a fix.
*Keep the space in between boards clean. During the year debris can buildup and clog the gap between the boards. Clogged debris inhibits air flow causing moisture and eventually dry rot. A good time of year to have this done is the autumn before the wet season.
Deck refinishing, deck maintenance, deck restoration.
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure treated wood is lumber treated with a preservative to inhibit the wood from normal decay. Depending on environmental factors, untreated lumber can decay and rot within a few years. To treat lumber, chemicals are pressure infused deep into the wood structure. These preservatives are injected into the wood about 150 pounds per square inch, giving the wood a dimpled appearance. The cells are surrounded by chemicals thereby making the wood useless as a food source for fungi, termites and other organisms that destroy wood.
Up until 2003 the most common preservative used was CCA (chromated copper arsenate). Since this chemical contains arsenic, the industry has shifted towards other less toxic preservatives. Now most common type of preservative used now are a derivative of copper, such as copper azole and alkaline copper quaternary.
When building a deck, pressure treated lumber is used where the wood is in contact with dirt. Ideal placement for this treated lumber is deck posts, beam, joist and any below grade foundation.
Pressure treated wood does not emit any vapors and is considered safe, but careful handling should be observed.
There are thousands of old redwood decks in San Francisco bay area that didn't use pressure treated wood in the past. To avoid costly deck repairs, or deck replacement. It's highly recommended to replace untreated structural wood with pressure treated lumber, or at least apply Copper green or similar chemical to areas in contact with dirt. So many times we apply copper green to areas in contact with dirt at owners request. Deck refinishing, and deck restoration definitley helps preserve your deck, however old untreated decks, may need more than deck staining and deck refinishing. you can also use copper derivatives to treat areas affected with fungus (as long as the wood is not badly damaged). It is always recommended to replace damged boards or at least repair them. Sometimes deck restoration may consist of replacing damaged boards, treating deck boards affected by fungus, then do deck refinishing which will include sanding and staining deck using high quality deck stain which protects wood against UV and sealing it against water damage.
Deck refinishing, deck restortion, deck cleaning
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deck refinishing Walnut Creek
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