Deck sanding 2013

We have a deck that needs to be restained every few years and we've been lucky the last few times to have either Patrick or my dad to come help do it. But this year, we were on our own.

We've tried every method known to man, and have decided that sanding, though brutal, was probably the easiest way to go! I thought, i'd blog about this as we'll have to remember how to do this in a few years time.

For our deck, we first tried taking it off with the stain remover and scrubbing but that was just brutal as it's hard work, hurts the skin and just totally a waste of time. So, we upped it by washing it off with power wash and that although does remove a lot of the stain with A LOT less effort was also patchy and it does gouge the wood. Alan finally went and got the power floor sander and that was the most efficient and probably because of the condition of the wood, was probably the way to go this time. Our deck was so much smoother and even! We also finished off the railings and seats with a hand sander. After everything has been sanded, we used the power wash to clean off the surfaces and dug out all the debris in between each plank.

Last of all, after a week of drying, we used the deck mate to reapply the stain. Alan goes over the planks with the deck mate while i run along after him with a brush to smooth it all out. We had used a solid stain as this was what we used the last time.

And this is what we have to show. We were quite happy with the results!

And while we were busy with our deck, our tenant next door came by and said, they want theirs done too! So, we went to check it out and we agreed it was time. But that deck has been neglected much longer and barely had any stains left. So, we went with sanding as the wood was also quite rough. We also got Armen to help us replace a few of the split planks.

After the sanding and everything, we also power washed it to get it all dust free. The same staining method was applied and the railings were just painted on with brush. This was a semi transparent cappucino stain.

Armen showing us how to use the sander

Alan tries it

Here's the deck all sanded down. 

Painting the vertical rails

The finished product!

And what are the kids doing, while we're slaving away?? They were having a good time pretending to help!

The get to play with real tools

And picnic on the side

All in all we were quite pleased with the results and have been spending more time on the patio! :)