If your deck is looking worn out, a deck restoration service can make it look new again. Deck restoration services specialize in repairing and refinishing decks to restore their beauty and function. This guide will provide an overview of what deck restoration services are and what they offer, their benefits, how to tell when your deck may need extra care, and more.

What Deck Restoration Services Do

Deck restoration services perform a variety of repairs and refinishing techniques to fix issues and upgrade the appearance and structure of your deck. Their services typically include deep cleaning the deck to remove stains, mold, and mildew, to prepare it for refinishing services. Any loose boards, damaged wood, or safety issues are fixed during the repair phase. They also sand down the current surface to prepare for staining or sealing. Custom color stains can be applied to match your home's style. Finally, protective seals prevent moisture damage and inhibit mold regrowth. Deck restoration projects are growing increasingly popular.

Benefits of Professional Deck Restoration

Hiring a professional contractor provides immense advantages over tackling repairs yourself. Their industry expertise and best practices ensure structural repairs meet code and are completed to the highest quality standards for optimal safety, performance, and longevity compared to DIY attempts. Restoration crews use specialized diagnostic tools the average homeowner lacks for accurately assessing hidden defects.

Professionals can restore even massive decks faster and more efficiently than solo efforts. Investing in top-tier stains, seals, and lumber further enhances durability compared to products from local hardware stores. Flawless application techniques create a renewed uniform appearance that seamlessly blends repaired areas. Simply put, professional deck restorers have the next-level tools, materials, and workforce training needed to swiftly yet safely transform your eyesore into a stunning showpiece. If you're considering removing the deck and installing a new one, you may want to find out if deck restoration professionals can restore your deck first.

Cost Factors

Pricing varies greatly based on factors like the square footage of your deck, type of repairs needed, choice of stain/sealant/paint, and local labor costs. Reputable companies, like ours, provide free estimates detailing the recommended services and materials and may even offer finance plans. In addition to financing and free estimates, deck restoration services are generally more cost-effective than total replacement, in our experience. While a deck restoration service may still have a significant price, the average return on investment for a new wooden deck was 66% in 2021, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Signs You May Need Deck Restoration

When considering if your deck may need to be repaired or replaced, there are a few signs you can look out for. If you notice any of the following issues, it may indicate the need for professional deck restoration services:

1. Appearance Problems: Your deck may exhibit fading, cracked, or peeling paint/stain. The boards themselves might be warping, cupping, splintering, or show signs of mold, mildew, moss, or leaf accumulation. You may also notice dirtiness, difficult stains, or discoloration. Even if your deck is structurally sound, restoring it to like-new condition can improve the aesthetic while keeping up the current condition. Improving your deck appearance can also improve the look of your home and backyard overall.
2. Structural Issues: Soft spongy areas or dry rotted wood points to water damage or decay. Loose nails, screws, or boards present a safety risk. Sagging beams, joists, or posts imply a stability defect. Railings pulling away from posts also compromise structural soundness.
3. Safety Problems: A slippery deck surface that doesn't have a grip or has exposed nails, screws, or splinters creates injury hazards. Visible insect tunnels or damage also warrant inspection to rule out instability from the damage in our experience. Any problem with steps, lighting, or railings should likewise be addressed. While keeping up with aesthetics is important for a homeowner, making sure your deck is safe is even more essential. You may be tempted to demolish your deck due to safety issues, but it may be able to be restored instead.

If any of these deck deficiencies are visible, professional restoration services can identify and permanently fix the root causes. This ensures your deck will be safe, sturdy, and great-looking for years to come.

What to Expect When Working With Restoration Services

The deck restoration process is complex, requiring specialized skills and equipment to upgrade your deck through several tailored phases. Here is a detailed overview of what to expect from start to finish:

1. Inspection Phase: This vital first phase begins with an exhaustive inspection of your deck. The contractors will assess every square inch, including underneath the deck, stairs, railings, and other structures. They evaluate the decking, beams, rim joists, and foundations for problems affecting appearance or structural integrity. This allows them to create a custom restoration plan addressing each deficiency in a logical order based on priority.
2. Repair Phase: The most urgent structural and safety hazards get top priority for repair scheduling. Any severely loose boards that are a trip danger, dry rot destroying load-bearing stability, protruding nails, or critically dysfunctional stairs or rails have to be fixed right away during this phase. The crew may temporarily cordon off unsafe areas pending repairs. They use specialty tools and fasteners along with matching deck lumber for seamless fixes that restore load capacities to like-new status.
3. Surface Preparation Phase: With a sound underlying structure assured, the focus shifts to aesthetic upgrades, starting with pressure washing. Commercial power washers employing heat, detergent mixes, and high PSI blast away years of dirt, stains, mold, and debris that simple cleaning cannot match. After drying, sanders smooth out the top layer of weathering and old stain/sealant for ideal adhesion properties and an even finish with the new coatings. Dust and grit are vacuumed and disposed of safely.
4. Stain and Sealant Application Phase: Based on samples shown for the desired look, commercial-grade stains, paints, or water-repellent sealants are applied using sprayers for the fastest coverage with consistency. Multiple coats may be utilized along with additives to increase durability depending on your preferences. Paint accents can also be added for details like deck railings that pop visually against the main stain color.
5. Finishing Touches: Finally, they will tidy up the work area and complete the final touches. Last comes final inspections, checking for uniform appearance and ensuring cleanliness on nearby structures like homes or patios. The crew clears away any equipment, leftover materials, and debris, leaving only your revitalized deck to admire.

If your deck has seen better days, don't replace it and restore it instead. Deck restoration services possess specialized skills and efficiency at repairing safety hazards, removing existing finishes, upgrading with new stains and seals, and performing structural repairs. Use this guide to understand the deck restoration process and find the right contractor for affordably transforming your worn-out deck into an eye-catching showpiece.

Investing in professional restoration services pays dividends through improved safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. If you're interested in deck restoration services, reach out to us at Deck Soldier. With over 30 years of experience, we can inspect your deck and create a plan of action for your deck restoration project based on its specific needs. Call our team today to learn more and receive your free estimate!