A deck is a wonderful addition to your home. It provides an outdoor living and dining space where you can enjoy nature and make memories with family and friends. To protect your investment in your home, your deck needs regular maintenance and upkeep. Every so often, your deck will need to be restained or repainted. This post will give you some tips to help you determine if it’s time to restain your deck, discuss the ideal time of year to do it, and understand what needs to be done to prepare it.
Signs Your Deck Needs Restained
Of course, outdoor decks experience a lot of wear and tear. They are exposed to all kinds of weather throughout the year, from high heat to rain, hail, and snow. Wooden decks also tend to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, causing the stain to crack and fade after some time. However, a high-quality stain job can last up to five years if done correctly.
Some telltale signs that your deck needs new stain include:
Faded or worn off stain
Cracking, chipping, peeling stain
Remodeling or replacing boards resulting in mismatched stain coloring
Best Time of Year to Restain Your Deck
When it comes to staining your deck, timing is essential. Generally, the ideal time to stain your deck is in the spring. Spring is a great time to stain your deck because it precedes the time of year you’ll want to use it most, and the weather tends to be conducive.
Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees are best for staining a deck because you don’t want conditions too hot or too cold. If you apply stain when the temperature is too hot, the stain will dry too quickly, leading to uneven texture and brush strokes. If the weather is too cold, the stain won’t adhere properly and will likely come off easily as the wood shrinks and expands. If you cannot schedule your deck staining in the spring, you can also do it in early fall, before the weather gets too cold.
Remember that specific stains may have recommendations for outside temperatures and application, so be sure to follow their instructions. When planning to stain your deck, consider the time required to prepare the surface.
Preparing to Stain Your Deck
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when restaining a deck is failing to do the proper preparation. Before applying stain, you’ll need to make necessary repairs and re-hammer any loose nails. Then, you’ll need to clean the deck thoroughly and remove as much of the old stain as possible.
Use an electric sander and/or handheld scraping and sanding tools to remove old stain and create a smooth surface to take on the new stain.
Clean the deck’s surface with a power washer to remove dirt, grime, and debris like grass and leaves. Depending on the type of grime, you may also want to scrub the deck with a brush and a cleaning solution of three parts water to one part bleach. Allow the deck to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Moisture can cause significant problems for your stained surface, so wait until it is completely dry to get the most longevity out of your stain job. Depending on the sun the deck receives, this can take two to three days.
When your deck is ready for a fresh coating of stain, know that the process will take a few days to complete. It’s essential to allow the stain to dry thoroughly once applied. So, make sure to block off all access and do your best to wait for a three or four-day stretch where the weather will be dry, and temperatures will be mild.
Deck Staining Services
For lasting results, your best bet is to hire a professional. Professional painters have all the equipment, experience, and quality materials to get the job done right, no matter what time of the year you choose to restain your deck. ONiT offers deck prepping, staining, and restaining services. We also handle painting and repainting if you’d prefer to paint your deck. And when your deck needs repairs and maintenance, we can help with that too. Get the most out of your outdoor living space with the help of ONiT’s professional home service team. We provide accurate estimates, timely responses, high-quality materials, and a collaborative approach to each project. Contact us today to get started.
