Make restoration decisions that fix the root cause—not just the symptom. This category organizes the most common wood failures—graying, stains, biological growth, and rot—into clear diagnosis and repair paths. You’ll find side-by-side chemistry choices (oxalic acid, oxygen bleach, sodium hypochlorite), structural repair logic (consolidate vs replace), and maintenance calendars that reduce 10-year cost.
Confirm the problem type (UV graying vs tannin/iron stains vs mold/mildew/algae vs soft rot) and identify the moisture source that’s feeding it. Then match chemistry and repair depth to the actual failure.
Read next: Wood Restoration
UV Graying: Sun-killed lignin turns wood gray and rough. Restore color with an oxalic-based brightening step, then protect.
Read next: Greyed Wood Restoration
Tannin & Extractive Stains: Brown streaks, tea-colored weeping, and black drip marks—especially on cedar/redwood and near fasteners. Use the right cleaner sequence and pH neutralization to avoid fiber damage.
Read next: Remove Stains from Wood Siding & Decks
Nail & Screw Staining: Blue-black halos from iron-tannin reactions or galvanic corrosion; fix the chemistry and the hardware choice.
Read next: Nail & Screw Staining on Wood
Separate true mold remediation from cosmetic mildew cleanup and algae slicks; pick chemistry by surface and risk profile.
Black Mold on Decks: Safety-first removal with containment and correct dwell times.
Read next: Black Mold on Deck
Mildew Films: Compare hypochlorite speed vs oxygen bleach fiber-friendliness for periodic maintenance cleans.
Read next: Best Deck Mildew Remover
Green Algae on Fences: Non-slip, long-term prevention via shade, drainage, and finish selection.
Read next: Green Algae on Wood Fence: Removal & Prevention
Decide whether to stabilize, patch, or replace—based on cross-section lost, load, and embedment.
Soft Rot in Deck Posts: Diagnose moisture wicking and base embedment issues before repair.
Read next: Soft Rot in Deck Posts
Consolidate vs Fill: When a penetrating consolidant makes sense, and where fillers/epoxy take over.
Read next: Wood Rot Consolidants • Wood Filler vs Epoxy for Exterior Repairs
Pick the right tool for the job—and neutralize or rinse correctly to avoid finish failure later.
Oxalic/Brighteners for UV gray and some metal transfer → rinse and pH-balance.
Read next: Greyed Wood Restoration
Oxygen Bleach (Sodium Percarbonate) for maintenance cleans and fiber-safe brightening.
Read next: Best Deck Mildew Remover
Sodium Hypochlorite for heavy mildew/mold when used correctly—with protection for adjacent plants/finishes.
Read next: Black Mold on Deck
Tannin/Iron Protocols for siding and decks with extractive bleed or fastener staining.
Read next: Remove Stains from Wood Siding & Decks • Nail & Screw Staining on Wood
After the fix, keep water moving off the surface, break ground contact where possible, choose finishes that match your sun/shade and maintenance appetite, and calendar light-touch maintenance before failure.
Read next (overview): Wood Restoration
Complete Guide to Repairing Damaged Wood Mini-plan Wood restoration can be as simple as lifting a watermark—or as complex as rebuilding structural members riddled with rot. This encyclopedia organizes the entire journey: diagnosis, products and techniques, a universal step-by-step protocol, and maintenance so your “before and after” still looks amazing years later. Throughout, I’ll share […]
