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Deck Maintenance: Cleaning and Staining

Decks are one of the more popular add-ons to any outdoor living space. A deck can provide a perfect addition to any home, and if maintained correctly can last for many years. Whether you have a newly built deck, or a pre-existing one that is beginning to look discolored, it is possible to preserve and restore a deck’s natural beauty. As with any home improvement or landscaping project, good planning and preparation is key to the job’s success.

Waiting for the Weather

Deck staining results are best when the deck has been carefully cleaned and given at least 48 hours to dry. In addition, the treated deck should be kept dry for at least 48 hours after staining. If you use a separate sealer and stain then you will need to repeat this procedure every year, so choose a typically dry period. In general, it is a good idea to avoid any extreme weather conditions.

New Wood Treatment

The single most effective treatment for a new deck is the application of a specialist new-wood treatment. This specifically formulated compound will help to protect your deck over its’ life, and improves the decks appearance more than just cleaning and staining alone. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your new feature from the elements and the surrounding landscape. If you do use a new-wood treatment, you should allow at least 6 months before staining and sealing while the product cures.

Do You Require Sealer And Stain?

Sealer and stain can usually be found at any reliable gardening, landscaping, or hardware store. The majority of deck stains that can be purchased are, in fact, a mixture of stain and sealer. This means that they can be applied with a single coat and in a single step. However, this may not be the case with all types of stain. Always be sure what type of stain/sealer you have chosen and to read all manufacturers’ guidelines before beginning any work. If the stain you choose does not include a sealer as well, you will need to purchase and apply one separately.

The Best Stain for the Job

There are four primary types of stain. The stain to select will depend on the desired look of the deck, the material used, and the level of protection required.

Clear water repellent stains provide a very basic level of protection for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Waterproofing and very basic UV protection may also be combined with some mildew protection. This stain gives a more natural look to your deck due to its’ clear and can really show off a wood’s grain.

Colored water repellent is similar to the clear repellent except that it is somewhat tinted. The light coloring provides some extra protection against the sun’s rays and can mask some minor damage. However, the life of this stain is about the same of clear water repellent.

Semi-transparent stains are the next step up from colored water repellent products. The extra tinting provides additional protection against UV rays and lasting water proofing for a period of around 3 years. This durable stain needs to be matched according to the material and color of your deck to ensure you get the correct finish.

Solid stain is in essence a paint based product. Very little texture of the deck wood will show through, but the additional color pigment added to the stain means that you should not need to repeat the staining process for at least another 5 years. Solid stain is the longest lived of all outdoor wood stains.

Tools and Materials

• Tape

• Newspaper

• Paint Tarp

• Old Blanket or Cloth

• Sprayer, Paint Roller, or Broom

• Hose

• Safety Clothing and Equipment

• Sealer or Stain

• Sandpaper

• Deck Cleaner or New Wood Treatment

• Paintbrush

• Power Washer

• Mineral Spirits

Safety Precautions

As with any home improvement, project safety is of the utmost importance. Stains and sealers can be highly flammable and are usually an irritant to the eyes and skin. If you have pets or small children then extra caution required to ensure project safety. Always wear goggles and gloves suitable for painting projects, as well as long sleeved shirts and pants. This prevents contact with the stain and ensures that you don’t endure the painstaking task of removing stain from your skin.

Protecting the Area

It is important to protect all deck furniture as well as any structures and surrounding landscaping. Deck stain will permanently stain most objects and can kill or injure any garden plants it may come in contact with.

1. Remove all furniture and other objects from the deck.

2. Tape up windows and the bottom of any structures that are in the vicinity of the deck using tape and newspaper.

3. Cover surrounding plants with old cloths (not clear plastic, because the sun beating through clear plastic is likely to create a greenhouse effect, scorching and killing the plants)

Cleaning and Preparing the Deck