Last year, during our major home renovation, we replaced and expanded our deck. I've always known that a wood deck requires maintenance and it was true!
Quick recap on redwoods. Not all redwood is created equal. The most common (and most economical) grade is Construction Common, which is what you'll see on many decks and what you'll find at Home Depot. One step up is Common Heart, which contains more heartwood and is naturally more resistant to decay. Above that are premium grades like Clear Heart. And if you have a sizable budget, there's Ipe, an incredibly dense hardwood that's beautiful, incredibly durable, and can last for decades. They are beautiful.
About a year later, I looked outside and thought, "Great... my brand-new deck already looks 20 years old."
It had turned gray and was covered with black mildew even though I had it stained after the installation. It looked depressing.
The good news? That's pretty normal.
Redwood naturally contains tannins, which help protect it from insects and decay. But over time, UV rays from the sun break down the wood fibers and oxidize the tannins, causing that rich reddish color to fade into the classic weathered gray look. Add a little moisture from rain, morning dew, and mildew happily sets up camp on the surface.
Luckily, the fix was ridiculously easy after watching several Youtube videos. I picked up Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner from Home Depot, sprayed it on, let it sit for 15 minutes and the black mildew disappeared. The wood underneath looked almost new again. Once I let it dry for a few days, I'm going to apply a quality stain that's a bit darker in color so that it offers stronger protection against UV rays.
Check out the before-and-after photos. I couldn't believe how easy it was.
With summer winding down, this makes for a fun weekend project before the rainy season arrives. Your deck will look great and last longer!
