08/20/2026
The homeowner had already been told to tear it out.
Fair enough, on the face of it. This Oakland redwood deck had almost no finish left. Gray through the surface, exposed to sun and rain for years, the kind of deck most people write off without a second look.
So we looked at it properly.
Most of the wood was sound. Redwood weathers from the surface down, and that gray layer is thinner than it looks. Power wash, sand every horizontal surface, bleach to bring the color back, preserve it, including down between the boards where the moisture actually sits.
A small number of boards genuinely had gone. The board ends over the step fascia had rotted and got cut flush. Two planter boxes had turned soft and came out. The steps got a new handrail while everything was open, which is worth doing every time.
So: most of the deck saved, a few pieces replaced, and a handrail that wasn't there before.
That's a very different afternoon than a demolition crew.
Has anyone ever told you your deck was beyond saving? We'd genuinely like to know how often that call gets made.
Free evaluation if you want a second opinion before you commit.
calpreserving.com
๐ Oakland, CA
๐จ Deck Restoration, Steps, Fascia & Railing, Board Replacement, Handrail Installation
