Restoring a deck advice

[Ekim]

Moved in to our house in October of last year and we have some decking. Having never owned a house, let alone decking before my DIY knowledge is sorely lacking.

Was hoping some more knowledgeable people can help me.

I have some photos of the deck that you should be able to see here:

https://goo.gl/photos/PNTMU4QbNeufhwLm6

I don't know how long the deck has been there, how it has been treated in the past, or what it is made from!

I've had a look at the deck and some of the boards and are loose or cracked - the ones that made the step into the conservatory are failing and need to be replaced.

I've done some Googling about what to do , but wanted to get some additional consensus from here.

I think I need to something along the following

1) Clean the deck - with a brush to get rid of all of the debris
2) Use some deck cleaner to get rid of all of the gunk, and then use a pressure washer to clean off
3) Do I then need to strip the current stain on the deck?
3a) Replace the current decking that has issues - how do I get a like for like replacement, or doesn't it matter.
3b) I guess just using deck stripper is right, I couldn't sand down the entire thing, especially given it has grooves.
4) Restain the deck?
5) ???
6) Profit?

Any advice would be useful, I'm happy to do the work myself just need guidance on what to do. I wish there was a DIY consultancy service for someone to come out look and it all and tell me what to do!

 

[Capt Doufos]

I think it depends whether it was water based or oil based stain / preserve that was last used. Decking is a PITA to maintain and you will end up doing yearly. For ours I have done nothing more than pressure was off what was there (Dirt, old finish). Then retreated with an oil based treatment. 2nd year I just pressure washed the winter dirt build up again an topped the oil up. Decent oil is expensive and if it's the first oil based treatment it has had it won't go far. However you shouldn't need as much the next time.

Wood usually cleans up really well, even the most horrid looking green covered dirty wood can be made to look as good as new with the help of a pressure washer, light sanding and treatment.

 

[Ekim]

Just had a look around the shed to see what was left by the previous owners. There was some Homebase Decking Oil, so guess that was the last thing applied. I might just get a pressure washer and some more oil and try and get it done next weekend. Some of the bits are looking worse than others though.

 

[toprock]

If pressure washing dont put the nozzle too close easy to damage the wood permanently.

This is the best reviewed decking all in one treatment available

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p25816?searchstr=barre


I use the oak colour every 2 years.


To get your deck looking good before treatment, try pressure wash, but I much prefer OSB sander, £30 from b+q, take it back to decent wood if you can spend a few hours on it. Then treat with Barrentine.

 

[Ekim]

I have a grooved decking unfortunately so sanding would be a waste of time as I couldn't get in the grooves.

I'm thinking about buying some deck cleaner and seeing where I get to with that and a brush first. And then will look to stain. I don't have a pressure washer at the moment, considering getting one for this, but if I don't need it then I won't bother.

 

[toprock]

I've got grooved decking and if I get chance later can put some pics up, was in worse nick than yours, OSB sanded, barrentined, looks like new. I did pressure wash it off after the OSB. Original owners had painted it.