How to Prep a Wood Deck

Remove all dirt and debris from the surface of the deck. Over the winter months, you can expect your deck to accumulate dirt, stains, mildew and even tannin bleed in new decks. Clean the dirt and stains using a liquid deck cleaner specially formulated for wooden decks. Never clean a wooden deck with chlorine bleach or any product that contains chlorine bleach, though a mixture of three parts water and one part oxygen bleach is an ideal cleaning solution for wooden decks. You should be able to remove most stains with a cleaning solution and scrub brush.

Wash stubborn stains that you were not able to scrub out with a scrub brush by using a power washer. You can rent a power washer at any tool rental store. Not all decks need the high-pressure washing, but lighter-colored decks are usually more susceptible to staining throughout the year.

Apply a stripping agent to the entire surface of the deck with a rolling paintbrush. Many types of stripping agents are available. Select one that will strip the type of finish that you have on your deck. You may need an oil or latex stripper, and you may need a stripper that works on the specific type of stain that you have, such as a clear or semi-transparent stain. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely. After application, you should be able to use the power washer to remove the stripper after approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Wait two full days for the deck to dry. If your deck appears to have a layer of fuzz on it, it may be because you over-washed it with the power washer, which is common when prepping a wooden deck. Before you seal the deck, you will need to go over the entire surface of the deck with aluminum oxide sandpaper. After you sand the deck, vacuum or sweep up any wood dust before you seal the deck.

Apply a water-based epoxy sealant to the surface of the deck with a paint roller. Roll on the sealant in a very thin later. Once it dries, which could take a full day, apply a second coat of the sealant.