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Renewing the Deck
Cleaning and brightening a deck is a simple way to improve your outdoor space. Old paint and stain should be scraped off the wood, and then the wood should be sanded. A stiff-bristle brush should be used to remove any flaking stain or dirt. For pressure-treated decks, an orbital sander can smooth out rough areas on deck boards, railings or stair treads. The Makita 18 Volt LXT Lithium-ion Cordless 5-inch Random Orbit Sander has three speed settings, and is designed for efficient sanding, fast material removal and a swirl-free finish.

Before cleaning and refinishing a deck, you need to check posts, supports and decking for loose, weak or damaged areas, then replace or repair as needed. To handle long or large screws and bolts, an impact driver, such as the Ryobi 18 Volt ONE+ Lithium-ion Impact Driver Kit, gives you power and control. Once the deck is clean and secure, a new stain or paint may be applied. Whatever finish is chosen should be rated for outdoor use, deck surfaces and UV inhibitors.

Project Clean Up
Whether you decide to take on one of these top projects or all, post-project clean up is an important step for all DIY tasks.

For small post-project clean ups, keep household wipes handy -- not only can you clean up any spills or smudges you made, you can clean up your hands, too. For bigger jobs, a wet/dry vacuum can do wonders. It can do all the traditional things a regular vacuum can, while also getting into hard-to-reach areas and cleaning spills and liquids. The Milwaukee M18 Lithium-ion 18 Volt Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum has a HEPA-rated filter that can be washed and does not need to be changed between wet and dry applications.

Top DIY Projects for 2013
The Home Depot's Facebook community is planning a lot of home improvements in 2013. Top projects include:
-- Painting
-- Organizing closet/garage
-- Installing new cabinets
-- Revitalizing a deck
-- Cleaning

Battery Buying Guide
When using power tools, the latest advancements in lithium-ion technology can make the job easier.

Lithium-ion is a technology that started in power tools in the home improvement sector and now crosses over to additional categories like outdoor power, paint and flooring. The battery's technology provides customers with a number of advantages over traditional ni-cad battery-powered tools.

Learn more about lithium-ion batteries at www.homedepot.com/tools.

-- Lithium-ion batteries produce a consistent charge throughout the life of the battery. Ni-cad batteries lose power as the battery runs.

-- Lithium-ion batteries can be charged many more times than ni-cad batteries, and are not damaged by leaving the charger on too long.

-- Lithium-ion batteries are lighter than ni-cad batteries, allowing for smaller, more powerful outdoor and power tools.

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