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How to Salvage a Redwood Deck

Ripping down your bedraggled redwood deck and starting again from scratch is hard work and expensive. You can save yourself a small fortune by taking the time to renovate your old decking. After a few days and the application of a little elbow grease, you'll be left with a redwood deck that looks like it's been newly installed.

Things You'll Need

  • Power hose
  • Knife
  • Detergent
  • Cloth
  • Mask
  • Goggles
  • Drum sander
  • Edging sander
  • Hand sander
  • Paint roller
  • Primer
  • Exterior redwood stain
  • Claw hammer
  • Replacement boards
  • Nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove dirt, debris and any peeling paint or chipped wood with a power washer.

    • 2

      Run a knife between the deck's boards to remove dirt and debris. Scrub the deck with warm water and detergent using a scrub brush and allow it to dry.

    • 3

      Put on a protective mask and a pair of goggles and sand over the surface of your decking with a drum sander. Use an edging sander to work around the perimeter of your decking. If you need to work on any posts or fencing, use a hand sander.

    • 4

      Wash over your decking with warm water and detergent when you've finished sanding to remove sand particles.

    • 5

      Apply a coat of primer to your decking with a roller. Allow this to dry, and add a second coat. You should use a primer recommended by the manufacturer of the redwood stain you plan to finish your decking with.

    • 6

      Apply a coat of your chosen redwood stain. Use a stain that's water repellent and offers UV protection. Add another coat when your first has dried.