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How to Repair and Refinish a Weathered Wood Deck
Fix before you finish
Pull and replace any soft, cupped or splitting boards, reset popped screws and nails, and make sure every railing and step is solid — that’s a safety item, not a someday item. A beautiful finish over a wobbly rail is still a hazard.
Clean without damage
Use a deck cleaner and a soft-wash; too much pressure furrows the soft wood and ruins the surface (see our pressure-washing guide). Let the grain reopen, then rinse.
Dry, sand, seal
Let it dry fully — Florida humidity means days, not hours — then sand splinters and rough spots and seal with a UV-resistant stain. In our sun, plan to reseal every one to two years; it’s cheap insurance against gray, cracked wood.
Repair or rebuild — and safety
Surface boards, railings and fasteners are handyman work. Structural rot in joists, beams or posts is licensed-trade and a safety matter — we repair the deck surface and refer the structural side. Check your job on our license tool. We repair and refinish decks across Broward.
Frequently asked
How often should I reseal my deck in Florida?
Every one to two years — our UV and rain are hard on wood, and the seal is what prevents graying and cracking.
Stain or paint a deck?
Stain is usually better underfoot — it won’t peel like paint and is easier to refresh. We’ll match what your deck needs.
My boards feel soft — what now?
Soft boards are rotting and should be replaced; if the framing underneath is soft too, that’s a structural, licensed-trade repair we’ll refer.
Does a deck need a permit or licensed contractor?
Surface repair and refinishing don’t; structural rebuilds and new decks can require a permit and licensed contractor.