Deck Maintenance: Sealing and Staining

Stains, sealers and finishes are designed to protect decks from damaging rays, mildew and mold. Renewing the protective finish is part of routine deck maintenance. Application Techniques Stains and sealers are applied the same way—with a sprayer, roller or brush. Although a pump spray can be used to apply stain, many professionals prefer a roller-and-brush application because it helps the stain penetrate the voids and crevices. A deck should be cleaned and allowed to dry before applying a stain or a sealer. Most professionals recommend waiting 24 hours after cleaning before applying stain or sealer and to apply stain during the cooler part of the day and out of direct, baking sunlight. “Some products are temperature-sensitive,” says Mathew McKinley, yard manager for Redwood Products of Oklahoma City, Okla. He prefers to stain in the early morning hours, after the dew has burned off. A technique called back-brushing is important when applying stain. It involves going back to brush out any stain or sealer puddles. Stain boards covered in sheepskin or cloth can also be used to work the stain into the surface. It is common for applicators to roll a stain over a section of the deck and follow up by back-brushing with a brush or pad to work the stain into cracks and in between boards. Most stain and sealer manufacturers recommend waiting at least 24 hours after application before using the deck. Hiring a Pro Professional deck maintenance contractors will have access to high-quality stains that are harder for non-professionals to find and may use commercial airless sprayers for speedy stain application. A professional will typically get the job done quickly. “When we do a job, we are often able to clean the deck in an hour and stain it in an hour,” says Crump. When considering paying for a professional clean and stain, homeowners should make sure the contractor inspects the deck prior to quoting a price. “Most contractors will base the price on time and materials, and they price by the job,” Crump says. He adds that a typical wash and stain for a 10’x 15’ deck would cost about $150, but costs will vary by region, size and the nature of the job.

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