While temperatures are still above freezing, you can get a lot of important home maintenance projects done. Fall is a great time to protect and seal your wooden decks so that they can continue to be water-resistant and protected against wood rot and pests. How do you stain your deck and what are the best products for this job? This brief guide will show you what to do and explain another option, deck membranes, that makes it possible to skip this chore altogether.
Clean Your Deck
Before you can stain your deck, it’s important to clean your deck properly. This ensures that the stain gets into the wood and seals it for the next year. By sticking to this maintenance, you can have a beautiful deck for years that’s protected from water damage.
Step 1: Sweep Deck and Clear Cracks
The first step to properly sealing a deck is to sweep away all the debris. The process is faster if you use a push broom with bristles that are strong yet won’t scratch the surface of the deck.
Sweep the deck in the same direction of the wood boards to get rid of all the leaves, twigs, and dirt. When you are done, the surface and spaces between boards should be clean. If you leave any debris in the joists or between planks, they will rot and eventually rot your deck. For tough places, use a putty knife to get rid of debris.
Step 2: Scrub the Wood
The next step is to make sure the wood is sparkling clean. To do this, you can use a pre-made deck cleaner from the hardware store or use a mixture of bleach and water. Fill a container with one part bleach and another part warm water. Then, carefully apply scrub the wood with this solution. Use rubber gloves to make sure that none of the cleaner gets on your skin.
This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of algae and mildew stains. Never use undiluted bleach on your deck because it can cause damage. If you have a lot of area to cover, apply the bleach and water mixture and then spray your deck gently with a pressure washer.
Step 3: Apply The Stain or Sealant
Once your deck is sparkling clean, let it dry completely. Then, apply your choice of stain to it with a deck stain applicator pad. You may want the shade of redwood this year or go for something transparent to draw out the natural hue of your deck’s wood species. Applying your preferred stain or sealant will improve the look of your deck. Depending on the type of coating you use, you can also waterproof your deck. Do not allow anyone to walk on the deck until it dries.
Best Deck Stain Brands
If you’re new to DIY projects, it can be daunting to find the correct deck stain. Which one produces good results? Here is a list of top products from seasoned DIY deck stainers.
- Cabot Wood Toned Deck Stain
- Cabot Semi-Transparent Deck and Siding Stain 6300
- Superdeck Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
- Ready Seal 105 Exterior Deck Stain
- DEFY Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain
- Penofin Deep Penetrating Deck Stain
- Storm System Penetrating Deck Stain
- DeckWise Ipe Oil Hardwood Deck Stain
- Olympic Stain Maximum Waterproofing Deck Stain
- SaverSystem Semi-Transparent Deck Stain
- Sikkens Cetol Dek Finish
- Sikkens Cetol SRD
Or You Can Skip The Sealants with Continental Deck Membranes
Want to cut your time by more than half? Get a Continental Deck Membrane. It’s waterproof. It’s surface is easy to clean and doesn’t require any staining or sealing, saving you hours of work every year. With a deck membrane, you don’t have to worry about sealing your entire deck every year. Instead, just focus on other areas like the railings and sides! This one-time application is convenient and can give you hours of your life back. If you’re interested in getting your deck sealed before winter begins, contact us!
Deck Replacement & Repair in Northern Virginia
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new deck is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for all home improvement projects in Centreville VA and its surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.