Cottonwood Sedona Verde Valley
Deck Cleaning Deck Restoration
Deck Repair and Replacement

Stick with what was last applied. Roughing up the surface somewhat with a light sanding prior to staining will help the stain adhere better.

If it is properly maintained it will usually last about 20 years.

Transparent stains let all of the wood grain and natural wood beauty show but only lasts one season. Semi-transparent lasts 2-3 years and allows some of the grain to show depending on the brand and color of the stain. Solid is similar to paint but much tougher and lasts 4-6 years as long as the surface was prepared properly prior to application.

Getting a deck repaired, as long as the majority of it is in decent shape, is the easiest and most economical way to get a few more years out of an older deck.

Composite materials generally cost more than real wood but you can also expect them to last longer. The color and look of these materials depend on the brand and form. Some weather and some retain their color. Most are 16″ on center but some are 24″ on center. Some of the builds show screws and some don’t. A tip is to investigate what railing system will look good with your new deck. There are different railing systems available at different costs and different materials.

Pressure washing is the most common way to clean and prepare your deck prior to staining or re-staining. Pressure washing removes most of the old stain depending on the number of coats that were previously applied. Tannin in natural cedar and redwood bleed out over the course of time which makes the wood gray or black in color.

Commercially available conditioners, cleaners, and brighteners can be applied with a pump sprayer and will help restore the original color of the wood. Oxylic acid added to the spray mixtures neutralize the tannin and helps remove the gray and black colors.

I find that spraying at 3200 PSI removes most all of the dirt and tannin, and restores the natural beauty of the wood. Allowing the wood to dry for a full day to two days is recommended prior to re-coating with the stain of your choice.

Staining is the typical way we restore the beauty of your deck. Staining the deck, besides making it look its best, also provides protection from moisture and sunlight. Stain comes in 3 types: transparent, semi-transparent, and solid. Regardless of the type of stain applied, I tape off the house, steps, posts, and any other immovable objects that will not get stained with 12″ wide paper. My airless sprayer is then set for very low volume. This prevents over-spray onto objects that will not get stained.

I spray 3 boards at a time over the entire length as a helper runs a 7″ pad over the just stained area providing a perfectly even coating of stain on the wood. This technique works perfectly as it prevents overlaps, drips, and streaks.

Dry and weathered boards can be more of a challenge for many people, but I have perfected a technique which fills the cracks with material and makes the entire deck look new again.

Sanding may be required if it has been a long time since your deck’s last coat of stain. Sanding is a very labor intensive process. Edges and the areas near objects such as railings need to be sanded by hand, and it takes many hours of manpower to properly sand the deck for stain preparation. Railings are nearly impossible to sand properly due to the lack of space to work in. Sanding works well in cases where the same stain color will be used.

Replacing a deck is a very complicated process that we make easy for you. We help you decide what materials to replace it with, whether you want to change any part of the deck, and what kind of time-frame you are looking at. We will tear down the old deck, remove the old material for you, and build the new deck to your specifications.

Composite decking comes in different shapes and colors. The most outstanding quality is the 20-25 year durability of the product. Composite decking is more expensive than redwood and cedar in the short term, but over the course of its life it pays for itself in reduced maintenance costs as its beauty continually shines through.

Replacing the wood structure such as the joists is a serious consideration when replacing a deck. Sometimes the joists may be doubled up to add strength and resiliency but I do recommend replacing the structure as well if all boards are being replaced. This will guarantee a deck that will last for many years.

Railing systems play a key component in how your composite deck will look, and there are many different systems to choose from. If only deck boards are being replaced, the old railing system may stay in place if it is good condition. I can just stain the old railing to either match or contrast the color of the deck which could save you money on replacement.

I provide free written estimates with no obligation. You are always free to choose the materials for your deck, but keep in mind that some materials cost more than others. Deposits are required for larger jobs. I know that you will be satisfied with my work because your satisfaction is my #1 priority.