5 Steps to Follow Before Painting a Deck

Many homeowners love spending time outdoors in their respective yards. Unfortunately, a yard can become quite difficult to spend time in without a deck. Having decks allow homeowners to spend time with family and friends in a perfect outdoor setting. Considering that, it’s understandable that certain homeowners are unhappy with the color of their deck. While there is paint for decks available, it’s important to follow a few tips before applying this material. Here are five important steps to follow before painting your deck.

1. Clean Deck Thoroughly Before Painting
   
   If you’ve ever repaired a paint scratch on your automobile, you know the importance of treating the vehicle. Treating is done by ensuring the surface you’ll be painting is clean. This same theory applies to painting your deck. Painting a deck that is dirty will reduce the ability to properly adhere to a surface. In turn, this can turn any deck painting job into a complete disaster. For instance, pressure washers work extremely well for cleaning a deck.
2. Check for Unsecured Nails
   
   In certain situations, cleaning your deck can cause nails to loosen. These nails were likely already in need of replacement. If you come across nails that are sticking out of your deck’s surface, it’s important to remove them. Loose nails are safety hazards that must be taken care of immediately. In addition to injuring those around you, running into loose nails can damage your painting equipment. After this takes place, replace them with slightly bigger nails which will create a tighter hold.
3. Secure All Loose Boards
   
   Speaking of creating a better overall hold, it’s important to check for any signs of loose deck boards before painting begins. In addition to being another potential safety hazard, loose deck boards are notoriously difficult to paint. This means it’s best to paint a deck on a surface that is flat. In addition, this makes it easier to ensure that paint is evenly applied. You’ll want to use fresh nails to nail down any uneven boards.
4. Prime the Wood
   
   While it seems like applying paint to your deck would be the next step, this isn’t true. Before applying a drop of paint to your deck, you’ll need to ensure it’s been thoroughly primed. Primer is used on surfaces to protect them from the elements. Considering that, wood is a material that can quickly become ruined if it retains excess moisture. Therefore, priming your deck before painting will help ensure that this area keeps its structural integrity.
5. Choose Low VOC Paint for Decks
   
   Before painting, it’s important that you’ve chosen the right type of deck paint. With that in mind, many prefer paint that contains low amounts of VOCs or volatile organic compounds. Numerous studies have found that inhaling indoor and outdoor organic compounds can contribute to a wide range of potential health problems. In fact, a recent report by CBC Marketplace found that paint containing VOC levels higher than 500 PPB can cause health problems for those with sensitivities to chemicals. Therefore, it’s a wise decision to avoid painting materials that have large amounts of VOCs when in search of new deck flooring paint.

In conclusion, it’s important to remember several tips before painting your deck. In turn, you’ll help ensure that painting your deck goes as smoothly as possible. While look at various types of paint for decks, it’s wise to consider an option that contains low amounts of VOCs. Painting a deck is a way for homeowners to express their creative sides. In addition, a deck that features custom paint can potentially help increase the resale value of your home in the future.