1. Pressure-wash with a cleaning solution like Deckwash from Sherwin Williams or Jomax.
2. Strip previous coating of existing stain and reapply new stain. 

In the first example, a deck is power-washed with a bleach-solution. This will remove any dirt and grime in addition to mold and mildew from the deck. The power-washing will most likely raise the grain in the wood a little, so sanding is required. We like to use 80 or 100 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander and lightly scuff all of the deck surfaces. Not only will the sanding remove raised grain but will help the the new stain soak in evenly across the deck boards and railings. 

Always make sure to let the deck dry a day or two in the sun after power-washing before sanding or staining.

The second example, we are using a more drastic approach to the deck refinishing. Here, we are stripping the previous coating off and starting new. 

When to strip a deck? A: When the previous coating is peeling or wearing off unevenly. Or when switching from a solid-color stain to a semi-transparent stain.

MADISON, March 2, 2013 - Eric Welch Painting is going to provide pro bono, lead-safe painting services for the Wisconsin Academy's Old University office as part of a new business partnership. What started as an emergency call, has turned into a longer term relationship.

Due to failing (and falling) paint in the Wisconsin Academy’s coffee room, an emergency call was made to the experts at Eric Welch Painting. "The paint was literally falling off the wall," remarked, Eric. "Once the wallpaper was removed, it would expose more and more peeling paint." Preparation is key for any paint job, interior or exterior, and especially when lead-based paint is involved.

Through pro bono and discounted work, EWP will provide the painting and lead-safe renovations in current and future projects, while the Wisconsin Academy will offer their vast network of publications, artists, and academic knowledge. A community like Madison is strengthened both socially and economically when people and their businesses work together towards mutual goals. EWP helps by adding color and vibrancy, and at the same time helps make safe potential health hazards, such as lead paint. The Wisconsin Academy offers many avenues for leading artists and academics to share their works and knowledge, shining a spotlight on some of Madison's best intellectual capital.

Eric Welch Painting is a Madison area painting contractor that specializes in interior and exterior painting services. Through lead-safe practices, we make dirty, exterior paint jobs, painless and clean with a focus on the future.

The leading character in this story is a 115 year old, three-story, two-flat home located on Willy St. It has a storied history that can be traced back through historical society documents to its birthplace around the capitol in downtown Madison. By horse and carriage, it was transported, along with the neighboring house, 1.3 miles to its final resting place.

The home was purchased in the fall of 2008 during the mortgage crises. Lehman Brothers fell about 10 days after the deed was signed. But, the price was right and it will always attract renters, so on with the story.

There was no driveway or parking, the shingles were starting to buckle and disintegrate, lead based paint was falling off the soffits, gutters and trim. Both porches, front and side, were in tough shape; one still is. Over the last 4-5 years my handy parents and I have given the house a total interior and exterior paint job, new roof, put in a driveway and parking lot and replaced floorboards in the porch. We’ve updated the upstairs bathroom and redone floors throughout, moved doorways and added ceiling fans as a final touch. Total investments so far have been around $20,000-25,000 in labor and materials.

On the plus side, all the windows in the house were replaced about 6 years ago and 18” of fresh insulation was put in the attic. Project Home’s visited the little old lady who owned this home before us and even dropped in wall insulation and foamed the basement foundation. I’m very thankful for the work Project Home’s has done and continue to volunteer for their annual Paint-a-Thon.

Now, the current project, slated to begin in two days time, is a complete lower-unit bathroom and kitchen tear-out and remodel. The kitchen and bathroom have been designed by my mom and much of the building and carpentry will be handled by my dad. I’ll be assisting with the finishing work and will give each room a complete new paint job. We are a good team, and together will bring this house into the 21st century.

Gross! but accurate picture of what the lower-unit kitchen and bath look like:

The plans were done digitally by Home Depot and all the cabinets and fixtures were found with the help of Google and local hardware stores. The space was not easy to work with, but my mom found a way, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Again, I'm so sorry to have posted these before photos. I am not responsible for the condition of these rooms. But, after the remodel and new tenants, we will see a huge improvement. Part Two.