Cleaning & Staining Your Deck
Stained Decks are one of the more popular
additions to any outdoor living space and if maintained
properly can last for many years. Whether you have a
newly built deck or an existing one that is beginning to
look faded, it is possible to preserve and restore a
deck's natural beauty. As with any home improvement or
landscaping project, good planning and preparation key
to the job's success.
Very detailed instructions that are well worth reading.
Stained Decks are one of the more popular additions to any
outdoor living space and if maintained properly can last for
many years. Whether you have a newly built deck or an
existing one that is beginning to look faded, it is possible
to preserve and restore a deck's natural beauty. As with any
home improvement or landscaping project, good planning and
preparation key to the job's success.
Waiting for the Weather
Deck staining results are best when the deck has been
thoroughly 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 process every year,
so choose a typically dry period. In general, it is a good
idea to avoid any extreme weather conditions.
Do You Require Sealer And Stain?
Sealer and stain can usually be found at any reputable
gardening, landscaping, or hardware store. The majority of
deck stains that can be purchased are, in fact, a
combination 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
ensure what type of stain/sealer you have chosen and to read
all manufacturers instructions before beginning your work.
If the stain you choose does not include a sealer as well,
you will need to purchase and apply one separately.
New Wood Treatment
Newly Finished DeckThe single most effective treatment for a
new deck is the application of a specialist new-wood
treatment. This specifically formulated chemical will help
to protect your deck over its' life, and enhances 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 approximately 6
months before staining and sealing while the product cures.
The Best Stain for the Job
There are four main types of stain. The type you should
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 the
most natural look to your deck because it is essentially
clear and can really show off a wood's grain.
Colored water repellent is similar to the clear repellent
except that it is lightly tinted. The mild 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 additional tinting provides
extra 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 appropriate finish.
Solid stain is essentially a paint based product. Very
little texture of the deck wood will show through, but the
extra 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
* Paint Tarp
* Tape
* Newspaper
* Old Blanket or Cloth
* Sprayer, Paint Roller, or Broom
* Sandpaper
* Hose
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* Safety Clothing and Equipment
* Sealer or Stain
* Deck Cleaner or New Wood Treatment
* Paintbrush
* Mineral Spirits
* Power Washer |
Safety Precautions
As with any landscaping project safety is of the utmost
importance. Stains and sealers can be highly flammable and
are typically an irritant to the eyes and skin. If you have
pets or small children then extra vigilance is required to
ensure project safety.
Always wear goggles and gloves suitable for landscaping
projects, as well as long sleeved shirts and pants. This
prevents contact with the stain and ensures that you don't
endure the arduous 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 damage any
garden plants it may come in contact with.
* Remove all furniture and other objects from the deck.
* Tape up windows and the bottom of any structures that are
in the vicinity of the deck using tape and newspaper.
* 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
Before applying any landscaping stain or sealer you must
thoroughly clean the deck. Different cleaners have different
requirements. Concentrated cleaner should be mixed according
to the manufacturer's guidelines, and some may require a dry
surface while others require a damp surface. Ensure you
follow the instructions and guidelines closely to obtain the
best results.
* Prepare the decking by sanding any splinters and repairing
any general damage.
* Secure any boards that have loose nails before sweeping
off dust and debris.
* Water and cover plants with cloth.
* Evenly apply the cleaner to the entire deck. This can be
done using a broom, sprayer, or paint roller.
* If any puddles form, back roll the deck to even out the
solution.
* Ensure that all of the deck is wet with cleaner while
paying extra attention to particularly dirty areas.
* Allow the cleaner to soak into the wood according to the
manufacturer's guidelines (typically ten to
fifteen minutes).
* Rinse thoroughly using a hose, ensuring that you rinse off
all remaining cleaner.
The cleaning process should be relatively quick, depending
on the deck's condition. Once completed, you can rinse and
remove the cloth covering your plants. You will need to wait
at least a day or two until the deck is completely dry
before beginning the staining process.
Staining the Deck
* Re-cover all plants with cloth and sweep off any debris
that may have collected since cleaning.
* Stir the sealer or stain.
* Apply a thin coat of stain to a relatively small section
of deck, approximately 3 boards.
* Back roll any puddles that form to prevent an uneven
finish from forming.
* Repeat this process until the deck is completely stained.
* Use a paintbrush or sponge to stain difficult areas such
as railings.
* Apply a second coat, if required.
* Allow stain to dry and set. Typically this will take
around 24 hours.
* Rinse and remove all cloths and taped areas.
Regular Deck Maintenance
Depending on the type of sealer or stain that you use it
will be necessary to regularly repeat this process. In order
to check whether the sealer is still repelling water,
sprinkle a few drops of water onto the decking every few
months. If the water soaks in immediately, then you should
apply sealer. However, if the drops sit on the surface of
the decking then it should not require more sealer at that
time.
Article Author -
Marc Hudson
Marc Hudson is an author for
LandscapingScene.com a national directory of
landscape contractorsArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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