How to Repair a Cedar Deck
Cedar decks are very popular because of their durability during bad weather. They're not totally indestructible however and require repairs once in a while. Don't waste your money replacing the wood; most repairs can be done with a few simple tools.
Things You'll Need:
- Deck Cleaning Soap
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Sandpaper
- Deck Sealant
- Paint Roller
- Thoroughly clean the deck before starting any repairs. This will make it easier to see the damaged areas and also potentially find new ones. Most home care stores sell special deck cleaning soap that can easily remove most dirt and debris. Use a putty knife to clean the debris between each board. Allow several hours for the deck to thoroughly dry.
- Inspect all screws and nails in the boards. Make sure the screws are properly tightened and the nails aren’t becoming loose. Use a screwdriver to fix any loose screws and replace any nails that are loose.
- Use sandpaper to smooth any spots that have become rigid. Talk with an expert at a local home care store about what grade of sandpaper would be good for your deck. Using the wrong grade of sandpaper could cause more damage to the deck.
- Seal any cracks in the deck. The sealant should also be found in the same home care store. Sealant is usually applied with a paint roller. Apply the sealant over the entire board and not just the cracks. Applying it over the entire board will help prolong the life of your deck.