Spring is blooming and it is finally time to start thinking about stepping outside and enjoying your deck! Perhaps what comes along with spring is the thought that your deck needs some care. Was your wood deck built last year and you are finally ready to stain/seal? Has it been a few years since the last maintenance was done? Has your deck ever been stained/sealed? This article is for you!
Maintaining your deck is very important for the material to have the lifespan and beauty you desire. If your deck has had some care in the past and you are trying to decide if this is the time to stain/ seal again, you can perform a simple test to find out. Sprinkle some water on your deck. Does the water soak in or bead up on the top? If the former is true, it’s time to think about resealing. If the latter is true, your sealant still has some life left in it.
If it is time to move forward with staining and sealing, the first step is to clean your deck. This is also a good principle to follow on a routine basis. Using a broom, clear any debris from the surface of your deck and from between the boards.
After your deck is cleared of debris, we recommend purchasing a good deck wash solution. Apply the solution to your deck according to instructions before power washing. Deck wash assists in removing dirt, mildew, algae, or fungus from the surface of your deck. When you are ready, carefully power wash your deck. You may want to cover any surrounding landscape to keep anything from becoming damaged. Give your deck 1-2 days to dry before you apply stain. Washing your deck is an important step for your stain and sealer to work effectively.
Find a local paint and stain store and choose a reputable brand of stain for your deck. Typically stain and sealer is an all-in-one product. You will want to have two dry days in a row with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees to properly apply your product, since stain will dry best when there is little moisture in the air (such as humidity and rain). You’ll also want to allow yourself enough time that you do not feel rushed.
Make sure that you cover or move anything from off your deck that you don’t want stained. Coat your deck surface completely with stain/sealant, but not so much that it puddles. You may need to do a second coat; however, going slower is better in a situation like this. Try to apply your stain in one direction (preferably the direction the grain is going). Allow to dry completely!
If you want your stain to look darker, you can apply more coats. Just be sure to allow for enough dry time between. As the months go by, you may want to continue the water test to be sure that your stain and sealer are still in good condition. We hope you will soon be able to enjoy your beautiful and freshly sealed deck this spring!
