May Home Maintenance Reminder – Staining Your Deck

Staining your deck can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our expert crew here at Handyman Connection is here to help make it a little easier on you if you’re looking to stain your deck on your own. Check out some of our tips:

Prep

As with many home maintenance projects, preparation is key. Before beginning any actual work, make sure that you have the proper tools and the right stain for what you’re looking to accomplish. Additionally, make 100% sure that the deck is completely dry and clean before starting. That means if it rains, you’ll need to push back your job a couple of days so that the wood is completely dry. The stain won’t hold as well if it’s applied when damp.

There also may be issues with the hold of the stain if it isn’t properly cleaned. That cleaning process includes removing any old stain prior to applying the new stain. You can use a wood cleaner for this to help strip off old stain and to get rid of dirt. If the layers of old stain are too thick, you may need to sand down the problem area so that you are starting the new stain from scratch.

Brightener

We recommend investing and doing some research into wood brightener before applying the stain. The brightener has a dramatic effect on the final results of your project, in the best way, as it opens up the surface to improve stain penetration, will help neutralize any stain strippers, and will restore the appearance of the wood. All of these things will drastically improve the quality of the stain, as well as the final result. You can just simply spray on the brightener, let it dry for a while, and then rinse it off and let the wood dry thoroughly before applying your stain.

Stain Application

If you did apply the brightener, make sure it’s completely rinsed off and that the deck is completely dry before starting this step. Each stain has a different set of instructions and potentially a slightly different application process. Be sure to follow those instructions very closely to ensure the efficiency and quality of your work. Also make sure to note the amount of coats that are recommended and complete that accordingly.

Finish

We would always recommend a weatherproof sealant to secure the excellent work you’ve done. There are many good ones on the market. Make sure you are patient with the finish as well, and that everything is completely dried before putting furniture or other items back on the deck. Keep pets and family off of it for a couple days to ensure the stain is all set.

If you need help staining your deck, or if you’d like a professional to tackle the job for you, give Handyman Connection a call and we’d be happy to take care of it for you.