Deck Maintenance

[Michael S.]

I have a house in South Carolina with 150 sqft of decking that needs to be refinished. The house is 8 years old, and I don't think the decking has ever been touched.

I have gotten one quote to clean and seal the deck: $400. That seems a little steep, but I don't really know the first thing about refinishing decks. I could do the job myself, but the websites I have been reading tell you to let the deck dry 48 hours after power washing it and before staining, then another 48 hours before sealing. I live a 5 hour drive away, so I if I do this myself I am trying to get it done in a single weekend.

Do any of you have advice regarding deck maintenance? The deck is about the height of a standard step. It is very gray in color and starting to splinter off if you walk on it in bare feet. There are no railings. I apologize but I don't have any pictures.

Thanks in advance for any replies,

Mike

[Will Barnard]

By the way, $400 does not sound like a bad deal. My entire weekend is certainly worth more than that, especially when you figure cost of materials and the cost to rent the belt sander. All you are saving is maybe $200 and your time should be worth more than that.