How To Clean A Wooden Deck Before Staining
A wood deck requires maintenance just like any deck surface.
How to clean a wooden deck before staining. Be sure to sweep the debris off the deck but don t forget to clear the spaces between the boards of your deck as well. Scrub the wood surface with a stiff bristle brush to remove loosened dirt and grime. Spray the wood cleaner solution onto the deck and railings then wait 10 minutes. This guide will walk you through the steps for how to prep a deck for stain and explain why cleaning a deck before staining is important.
A new wood deck requires minimal preparation while old or damaged wood will require additional steps to ensure the best results when applying wood stain. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. When a surface is not clean stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. Use a garden hose to wet down the entire deck.
When you re comfortable with what to use to clean deck before staining the staining process. Instead of using bleach or a commercial cleaning product that is filled with chemical ingredients safely clean the wood deck with a vinegar. Rinse the deck clean with a garden hose. The wood is highly durable in outdoor conditions and typically requires nothing more than an occasional cleaning when residue accumulates.
Before you apply stain make sure the surface is clean no dust dirt wood fibers or grease dry and free from mildew. Use a putty knife to remove debris from these spaces. A wood deck cleaner can help remove dirt nail stains algae and mildew. Lack of preparation is the most common reason why deck stains and sealers fail so don t skip this very important step.
Cleaning the deck also gives you the opportunity to check the wood for loose nails or rough spots that could cause tripping or splinters. Deck staining won t last forever though and you ll likely find yourself preparing to re stain your wood deck at some point. The process removes decaying organic material that might erode the deck surface and prepares the wood for staining. If your deck isn t brand new always use a cleaner before applying finish.