How To Restain A Wood Deck

If you have a brand new deck made of treated lumber as opposed to cedar or redwood wait at least a few weeks before sealing it for the first time.

How to restain a wood deck. Power washing can be a very effective way to deep clean a deck but it can also easily damage the wood if it s done improperly. Use a garden hose to wet down the entire deck. Using too much water jet pressure holding the spray nozzle too close or using the wrong sprayer tip can etch the wood and possibly ruin some deck. Rinse the deck clean with a garden hose.

Prepping the deck properly is critical to achieving an even application that penetrates adheres well repels water shields against sun damage and lasts the longest. Stain needs time to absorb into the wood but dries quickly so avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight. When you use a pressure washer don t let the spray linger in one spot too long or it may gouge the wood. Unless the deck is entirely new you ll need to clean the surface and allow a day to dry before staining.

Power washing your deck. Most pressure washers can be used with trisodium phosphate tsp or other deck cleaners for an even better result. Wooden decks look amazing until the stain starts flaking off and makes them appear quite old patchy and unmaintained. When learning how to restain a wood deck make sure the deck has had at least two days to dry before applying stain or sealant.

If your deck sucks up moisture like a sponge or has begun to fade flake or is looking dingy it s time to restain it normally every 2 to 5 years. Deck stain stripping vs. Pressure washing the standard in deck cleaning efficiently removes dirt old stain and debris from wood. Wood cleaner neutralizes the stripper removes dirt brightens the wood and opens the wood s pores so it can more readily absorb the new stain.

If you ve replaced a warped or damaged board the new wood won t be the same shade as the rest of your deck. Spray the wood cleaner solution onto the deck and railings then wait 10 minutes. You can also apply stain with a paint sprayer. Deep cleaning of the wood is an important step in refinishing but you must be careful here.

A stained wood deck should be maintained every one to three years. Scrub the wood surface with a stiff bristle brush to remove loosened dirt and grime. Deck stain protects the wood from moisture and uv damage helping to prevent rot mold and mildew. Learning how to stain a deck begins with scheduling.