Over time, your deck can become weathered and shabby and be an eyesore in your backyard if you don’t know how to improve it.
If your deck is in need of some TLC or you’re looking to get rid of it altogether, you might be wondering: What can I do with my old deck?
In this article, I will cover some important information on how to dispose or restore your deck. So, you have a better understanding of how to improve the appearance of your backyard.
If your deck is in need of repair or replacement, you might not know where to get started. Below I will go into some solutions on how you can restore or dispose of your old deck.
Restore your deck
Clean and refinish
If your old deck doesn’t need to be repaired, but still requires a revamp, a good way to restore a shabby-looking deck is to clean and refinish it. To achieve this, you will need to strip, clean, and stain your deck.
You might find that this is a boring chore and it might take you several days to complete, but this is the most economical solution to your problem if your deck isn’t in need of serious repair.
A pressure washer is an excellent tool when it comes to cleaning your deck and stripping old finishes. They’re available as gas or electric models and vary widely in price.
It’s important to know that you’ll have to carry out this process every few years to maintain and keep your deck looking as smart as possible throughout the years.
Replace the deck boards
If your old deck is in need of some TLC, you can always replace the deck boards to improve the appearance and to make it more structurally sound.
Replacing your wooden deck boards with synthetic decking could be your best option when it comes to both time and money. In no time at all, you will have a stunning deck that looks brand new!
Build something new
If you’re adamant about not wanting your old deck up anymore, you could always build something new with the old deck boards.
As some of these materials have a lifespan of over 40 years, your old deck boards are likely to have some time left in them. You could try building a variety of new projects, including a new garden bench.
This will not only provide you with a new piece of furniture for free, but it will also give the wood a new lease of life while getting rid of what’s bothering you in your backyard.
Dispose your old deck
What type of decking material you’re trying to dispose of goes a long way toward determining the best way to dispose of it.
Sell it
If you want to dispose of your old deck, you can always try selling it. Deck materials were designed to last a very long time, upwards of 40 years or more. With that in mind, chances are at least some of the material you’re getting rid of still has some life in it.
Since decking material can also be fairly expensive, you wouldn’t struggle to sell it to another individual out there that would love to get the materials at a fraction of the cost. Both seller and buyer can benefit in a situation such as this provided that the pricing is realistic.
Give it away
Depending on the condition of your unwanted wood and the location of where you live, you could consider stacking the boards on the curb with a “Free Wood” sign. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
If you live in a remote area, you can also consider advertising your free wood online and see how many people you have interested. You’d be surprised by how many people are often on the hunt for their own projects around the home!
Trash removal services
This is arguably one of the easiest options to dispose of your old deck. However, the downside to it is that it is also expensive.
Simply take your deck down and there are a variety of services who will be willing to pick it up for you. The majority of trash removal services will give an estimate of what it will cost, so you will need to call around to see who is willing to take away your old deck for the best price.
You will need to be prepared to pay upwards of a few hundred dollars for a large pile of wood, though. That being said, if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider another alternative.
When disposing of old deck boards, there are a few methods that you should avoid. These include:
Burning
Under no circumstance should you burn your old deck. While you might think this is a quick and convenient way to get rid of old deck boards, treated lumber is infused with dangerous chemicals that should not be released into the air.
Burning treated wood sends all of these harmful chemicals into the air, and are terrible for the environment. That being said, you should never burn your old deck no matter how quickly you think it will fix your problem.
Composting
Composting as opposed to filling up your local landfill with scrap wood might seem like the responsible thing to do. However, for the same reason as burning, this should be avoided.
Toxic chemicals can end up in your plants and eventually into your homegrown vegetables if you’re not careful. No one wants to eat that!
In summary
There are a variety of ways to revamp or dispose of your old deck safely and without having to spend a tonne of money.
However, there are also methods that you should avoid at all cost to ensure that you are not harming the environment.
