Deck Sanding Brisbane

Sanding a deck or verandah that’s subjected to the great outdoors will bring it back to life and allow it to be re-coated to perfection. Over time, exposed areas of a deck can become sun bleached, warp and even deteriorate. This can become a safety concern and it certainly won’t look welcoming. Preparation is the key to a high quality finish, so if you are considering restoring your timber deck, the first step before applying a new coat is good deck sanding. If your searching for ‘Deck Sanding Brisbane’ and want to know the best options, Brisbanes Finest Floors is the best place to start.

Benefits to sanding your deck

There are many benefits homeowners can reap by renewing their deck. Neglect and wear and tear can turn a functioning outdoor area of a home into a space not fit for entertaining. Deck sanding helps to even out the colour of pre-existing timber coats, works to remove old colour without the need to apply harsh chemicals and ensures that the re-coating process is so much easier.

Deck sanding is also recommended to smooth rough edges and remove splinters, which can cause much discomfort under foot and injury to pets too. The main benefit of stripping back existing timber boards is to ensure that new sealant and coats have a much better chance of adhering and lasting longer, which means the overall look will be far better.

Preparing a deck for coating – DIY style

There is no denying that Brisbane homeowners can tackle sanding alone, DIY style, however depending on the extent of the damage or the age of the timber, there could be more to it than brushing the boards and smoothing over with sand paper. Typically the steps are:

• Sweeping the deck with a hard bristle broom. This helps to loosen debris that has adhered to the timber over the years.
• Look out for any nails that have lifted or require replacing.
• Fill any holes, dents, cracks or deep scratches in the deck with an appropriate timber filler and allow it to dry completely before continuing.
• Give the deck a good wash down. Typically a mixture of warm water and detergent in a bucket is all you need. Just like washing the floors inside, clean the decking boards with a mop and then rinse well.

An alternative option is to use a pressure hose at low pressure. This will not only work to scour away dirt and debris that has adhered to the deck over time, but it also helps to wash away mould and mildew that has made a home on the timber. While your deck is drying, it’s a good idea to manually work with a paint scraper and get in between the decking boards to remove any debris that is remaining. The more you can remove, the better the final coating result will be.

When it comes time to sand your deck, there are many home improvement stores where you can hire out the necessary equipment. Knowing how to best use the machinery, what sandpaper is required and even the exact timber you are working with is essential. Using sandpaper that is too aggressive for your deck and you could cause further damage. Don’t forget to get into the corners and sand the handrail too.

A word of warning though – check the local forecast and opt for a period of time where no rain is expected. If you are in the middle of sanding your deck and the timber becomes exposed to water, the wood grain will raise. When it dries you will need to sand it again to achieve a smooth finish.

Professional Brisbane deck sanding

If doing it yourself sounds like a job that has far too many elements to consider, too many ‘what ifs’ and is too time consuming for the large deck you have to tackle, there is good news. Brisbanes Finest Floors, one of Brisbane’s most experienced and reliable timber floor sanding and polishing businesses can do all the hard work for you. Leave the sanding of your deck to the experts and if you are looking to save some money, you can then take over and apply the deck coating of your choice.