Whether you've lived in your townhome, single family home or condo since it was newly constructed or just bought an older home, if there is a deck there it's going to have to be refinished at some point. To keep a wood deck in optimum condition it needs to have routine maintenance ideally performed once a year or at least every two years. But you don't have to hire a professional to do it or spend a lot of money to have a deck that looks like new. With a little effort, a couple of power tools that you can rent and the right supplies you'll have a beautiful deck to enjoy and also prolong the life of the wood.

The main enemy of a wooden deck is moisture. If your deck isn't protected against that, it won't be long before you have serious structural damage. Unless your deck is only a year old or less, before you do anything it's a good idea to inspect it for any rotting that might have occurred, especially on the underside of the boards, including the steps. Pressure treated lumber is most resistant to rotting, so hopefully that's the material that was used to construct your deck.

If you do find any weak or rotted places, they need to be repaired for safety reasons. You can hire a professional to do the work, but if it's simply replacing a board or two you may be able to do it yourself. Be sure to use pressure treated lumber for the replacement. Also, if any nails or screws are coming out you should remove them and replace with longer or wider ones.

Once all repairs are made, pick a warm day, preferably after a few dry days so that your deck isn't holding any moisture, and sweep and clean it to remove any dirt, leaves or debris. If any sanding needs to be done, do it before starting to apply and finish and be sure to sweep thoroughly. You can also use a solution of plain soap and water, water and white vinegar or even water with a small amount of bleach to remove any stains, mildew or marks. You can also buy deck cleaners or even rent a power washer.

After the deck is clean and dry, now is the time to apply stain or paint if you want. Wood stains have a more natural look and allow the wood grain to show though. Paint covers blemishes more readily and makes a bolder statement, so you'll have to decide what type of look you're after. You can get ideas of how you might like you deck finish to look by checking out some of the decks on these townhomes Just be sure that the stain or paint you purchase is for exterior use. Some stains and paints come with urethane or oils that help prevent moisture from soaking into the wood. There are also brands that guard against UV rays to keep the finish from fading in the sun. Some even are meant to repel termites or other destructive insects.

Depending on the brand of stain or paint you buy, there will be specific instructions on the can about how to apply the finish. Some basic rules are allowing enough drying time before any predicted rain, applying in temperatures usually above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and putting on more than one coat. It's important not to put on too heavy of a coat at once because it won't dry properly. Several normal, not thin or thick, coats with dry time in between are best.

Methods of applying paint or stain include using a brush, a roller or even a sprayer. A brush often gives the best results but takes a little longer. Rollers can also work very well but are harder to get into tight spots. A sprayer takes less time but also takes some practice to use well and you have to be careful not to over spray onto your house. Clean up of the hoses and other parts must also be done immediately to prevent clogging of the parts. Brushes also need to be cleaned right after using, and most rollers are disposable although they can be cleaned and reused.

For many home owners, a deck is the equivalent of another room that gets a huge amount of use for parties, grilling and relaxing during the warm months. With a little basic care and maintenance you can keep it in top shape and enjoy it for many years to come.