Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Westmorland, CA

In most cases, sanding an old deck before staining it is necessary to achieve a decent finish. If your old deck has a relatively new stain finish on it and you're only doing touch-ups, you can generally skip the sanding part. However, if your goal is to make the deck look and function better, sanding first is a must. 

The best time to paint your deck is when temperatures are neither too cold (below 60 degrees) nor too hot (above 85 degrees). Always paint your deck when there’s no risk of rain. For fast-drying paint like acrylic or latex, ensure your deck can dry for at least four hours. Oil-based paints take longer to dry and may require 48 hours to completely cure.

The average cost to professionally clean or pressure wash a deck is around $150, with prices typically ranging from $100 to $600. Several factors influence the final price, including the deck's size, material, condition, and how long it has been since its last cleaning. For a smaller deck of about 300 square feet, you might pay around $100. For a larger deck of 1,000 square feet or more, the cost could be closer to $300 to $400. Decks that are very dirty or haven't been cleaned in years may require more time and special detergents, which will increase the price. The deck's material also plays a role. Wood decks often cost more to clean because they require a gentle power washing technique to avoid damage. Composite decks are typically less expensive to clean, and cleaning a metal deck may cost around $100.

You can nail or screw composite decking, but 3-inch decking screws are the better fastener choice. Unlike nails, decking screws won’t back out of the composite material over time. There’s also little danger of splitting composite material when driving screws, so you don’t need to pre-drill holes unless otherwise recommended by your decking manufacturer.