Deck surface repair is mostly about removing failed coating, fixing soft spots, and putting down a finish that sheds water. Structural joist issues are a separate, higher-priority check.
Inspect before you refinish
Probe boards and joists. Replace anything soft. Tighten loose fasteners. Clean mildew with a deck cleaner rated for your wood species.
Sand or strip
Peeling stain must come off. Sand or chemically strip per product directions, then let the deck dry to the moisture level the finish maker specifies.
Choose a finish
Penetrating oils need more frequent upkeep but are easier to renew. Film-forming stains last longer between coats but peel if moisture is trapped. Follow the label for temperature and dry times.
Ongoing care
Sweep debris, clear between boards, and recoating on schedule beats a full strip every few years.
For more repairs like this, start in the Rot & Outdoor Wood hub. If you are working through a related problem next, see Wood Decking Repair: How to Fix Cracked and Rotted Deck Boards or How to Fix Rotten Wood on the House: Exterior Siding Repair.
