Our deck looks terrible after this past winter - grey, mouldy, and some boards are rough. Can it be restored or do we need to replace it?

After a typical Vancouver winter of relentless rain and limited sunshine, most untreated or poorly maintained wood decks look pretty grim by March. The good news is that grey, mouldy, rough-looking decks can almost always be restored rather than replaced, as long as the underlying structure is sound. The first step is a structural inspection. Check the joists, ledger board, and post connections for soft spots or rot by probing with a screwdriver. If the structure is solid and the deck boards themselves are not split, warped beyond repair, or rotted through, restoration is absolutely worthwhile. The restoration process involves three main stages. First, a thorough cleaning with a deck wash solution to remove mould, mildew, and dirt. Second, a wood brightener treatment to reverse the grey oxidation and restore the natural wood colour. Third, light sanding to smooth any raised grain or rough fibres, which is common after winter moisture exposure. After the wood has dried for two to three days of good weather, apply a quality penetrating stain to protect it going forward. A full deck restoration including cleaning, brightening, sanding, and two coats of semi-transparent stain typically costs $4 to $8 per square foot in Metro Vancouver, so a 300-square-foot deck would run roughly $1,200 to $2,400. Compare that to full deck replacement at $25 to $50 per square foot and the value of restoration becomes obvious. The best time for deck restoration in Vancouver is late April through June, when you can count on enough dry days for proper curing. Contact a painting contractor now to get on the spring schedule, as this is the busiest season for deck work.

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