If you have a deck, chances are you spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying it. Some people use the deck to relax with a cup of coffee and a paper in the morning, some to eat outside with the family, and for others, the deck is a place for entertaining friends. Regardless of the way you use your deck, if it has not been stained, this would need to be done. In addition to a stained deck looking better, the stain works as a protective barrier against the elements.
When ready to tackle the DIY project of staining the deck, it would be worthwhile to locate and replace any loose or damaged boards first. Check the underside of the deck, as well as railings, steps, and the wooden boards. You can purchase replacement wood from any home improvement store or lumberyard for very little money. The goal would be to purchase the same type of wood and have it cut to size. If unsure the type of wood, remove one of the boards and take it with you.
In addition, if the slats on the deck are open, even those relatively close together but you have small children or if the deck is high off the ground and you have pets, before staining you might consider adding additional slats, putting up lattice, or installing mesh. With this, the open space between the slats would be closer together or completely sealed, making the deck area far safer. When done, you would be ready to get started.
However, before you apply any stain, the deck should be cleaned. If the deck were in good condition, cleaning may only involve a good sweeping and hosing off but if the deck is extra dirty, has any fungus or mold growth, or has spots of grease, you would need to use a heavy-duty cleaner formulated specifically for wood and tough stains. This process involves good, old-fashioned hard work but it would prepare the surface so once stained, the deck looks amazing and without trapped dirt and grease, it would last longer.
For some species of wood such as redwood and cedar, or for wood that is heavily stained, you may need to strip the surface. You can purchase actual wood stripper from a local hardware or home improvement store, which is mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and poured into a plastic garden sprayer.
Prior to spraying the surface, remove all plants, furniture, toys, etc. If the furniture is heavy and difficult to move, you could cover it with a heavy plastic painter’s tarp. Working in small areas, spray the formula onto the deck, followed by working the area with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse the area cleaned and then move on to the next area going through the same process.
Once the deck has thoroughly dried, you would then apply the stain. For this, make sure you choose the right product. While some brands are better than others are, regardless of the brand the stain should be UV, water, and mildew-resistant. While not mandatory, you may consider a quick-drying product so you can put everything back on the deck to enjoy time outdoors.
One important note – make sure the deck is stained only during dry, warm weather. To apply, the easiest way is to use a paint roller screwed into an extension handle so you do not need to bend over. Of course, a smaller roller would be used for the tighter spaces or an angle brush if needed. Finally, by brushing the stain backward from a dry area to a wet area, the surface would be smooth and void of any roller marks.
