Dear James: We have an old wood deck and are expanding its size. The old deck looks bad compared to the new one. How can we make it look newer to match?—Valerie M.
Dear Valerie: If the old decking was not cleaned and treated regularly, it can look almost black. The mildew can get slippery when it is wet. The appearance is not the only issue. The wood can begin to deteriorate to the point that it cannot be cleaned and brightened.
When it has been more than three years since you treated your old deck, it is due for both a cleaning and treatment. Your new deck needs to be treated too but wait about a month for its moisture level to stabilize. Treat both the decks at the same time so they are on the same treatment schedule….