How to Stain Your Deck

If your home has deck or porch, then you are blessed with a beautiful space that has multiple usage possibilities. However, like many other home features, a deck is only as good as it is maintained. One such aspect of deck maintenance is the need to stain it-usually once every 2 to 8 years-depending on whether you choose water or oil based stain.

Getting Started

Like many other jobs, how you start is one of the most important parts of the job. This is the case in regards to deck staining. Following these steps can make all the difference between a professional looking finish and a mediocre one:

1. Sweeping- Use a stiff broom to sweep any debris and dirt off of your deck; do your best to get everything off.
2. Cleaning-This is especially important in older decks as it is not uncommon for an older deck to have places where there is mildew or mold. Use a deck cleaning product and be sure to follow the instructions exactly as it says. Once the deck has dried, you will need to sweep it again.
3. Pressure washing- The easiest way to remove old stain is by using a pressure washer. These can be rented by the hour or by the day. However, before you begin using the pressure washer on your deck, you may want to practice on a few boards laid on the ground to get a feeling for how the pressure washer handles as some of them have more power than others. Once you are comfortable with the pressure washer, you are ready to begin on the deck's cleaning. Just sweep the pressure washer across the deck's surface without spending too much time on one part of the deck as the pressure washer can actually gouge the wood.

Applying the Stain

When staining your deck, you will find 2 choices in product-an oil based stain and a water based stain. (An oil-based stain will need to be re-applied every 2-4 years while a water -based one only needs to be done every 7 to 8 years.) Also, deck staining is best done on cooler days, as the sun can result in the deck drying too quickly and then having an uneven appearance.

1. Choose an inconspicuous spot on your deck to test out the stain to be sure that you are going to be pleased with the final result.
2. If you are satisfied with your color choice, stain 2 or 3 boards at a time without stopping in the middle of a board or there will be lap marks that will not go away. Also, be careful not have any puddles of stain, for the same reason. The easiest way to apply deck stain is with a roller or a spray gun as this provides a more even coverage.
3. If you have a large deck, be sure to mix the stain often, as it doesn't stay mixed.

For additional information on the topic of decks and patios visit Paradise Decking. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Paradise Decking. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.