All wooden decks should be stained. Not only does staining a deck protect the deck from ultraviolet radiation, but you get added moisture protection. Staining will also prevent weather damage, like “checking” or cracking.

Checking refers to the cracks that spring up, starting at the end of a board and running its length. They are caused when lumber dries out too fast. Checking is more frequent in 6 x 6 posts used for support, and because they tend to dry out unevenly, they can have extreme checking. Similarly, pressure treated lumber is not immune to checking either. This type of lumber is often sold very green and is put under a lot of stress while drying out.

If you are staining a deck, you will want to follow these steps to get the best protection possible.

Inspect the Deck

The first thing to do before staining your deck is to inspect it. Your inspection should include looking at the floor, joists, beams and posts to make sure they are not damaged or rotted. Check that screws or nails are in place and that the railings are not loose.

If a deck is well maintained, any problems found will be minor in nature. If there is rotten wood, or even worse, dry-rot is found, immediate action is required. Rotted pieces of lumber can be replaced with little problem. Dry-rot, on the other hand, is a fungus. It is evidenced by spongy, discolored pieces of wood that easily fall apart when wet. Dry-rot attracts termites and depending on the extent of the damage, could lead to replacement of the whole deck.

Clean the Deck

The next thing you should do before staining a deck is clean it. You can clean the deck with a hose or pressure washer. When cleaning a deck, you should use a good mildew cleaner. Oxygen-activated cleaners sold today will remove dirt, most stains, mildew and algae from wooden decks. After cleaning, let the deck dry a minimum of 24 hours.

Stain the Deck

After inspecting and cleaning the deck, you are ready for staining a deck. When choosing the stain for a deck, you can use either a water-based or oil-based exterior stain. Latex stains, being water-based, are easier to clean up and have better weather protection than oil-based stains. Latex stains also have the advantage of being environmentally friendly with no nasty chemical smells. And equally important, you must use a good brush. And when applying the stain, it is important to apply the stain going with the grain for a professional look.

Professional Deck Staining in Atlanta, GA

Staining a deck is a job that most homeowners can handle on their own with the right instruction and materials. However, if you don’t have the time to put towards staining a deck, Patriot Painters can handle the job for you. Contact our licensed and insured painters today for a free estimate on staining your deck.