Fall Maintenance Series #2: Inspect and Seal Deck

The crisp, cool nights are already upon us and the days are not far behind. The humidity is dropping off and those pesky summer pop-up showers and storms are trailing off with it. It’s time to put away the pool toys, clean up the barbecue grill, and prepare to spend a lot more time inside.

When most people think “fall,” they think football, chili, hoodies, and all things spooky. When it comes to maintaining your property, the cooler, drier fall temperatures are perfect for staining and sealing your deck. Not only are these conditions ideal for the material to more strongly adhere to the wood, foot traffic is also reduced due to people naturally spending more time indoors, meaning less disruption to your routine.

If you’re wondering whether your deck needs sealed and stained, there are a number of factors that contribute: the amount of foot traffic, the type of stain or sealant that was used, and even just the age of the deck itself.

• Transparent stains provide a slight color to the wood and offer limited protective value. It is recommended that a sealer is applied with these types of stains to add extra protection and extend the life of the wood. A sealer does not provide any color, but rather it helps protect against moisture that would cause rotting and other damage. Sealers should be applied once per year, especially in more harsh or extreme weather conditions.

• Semi-transparent stains allow you to change the color of the wood while still allowing some of the natural grain to show through. This type of stain still offers protection to the wood but will need to be recoated more often—usually on an annual basis.

• Solid stains will cover most of the wood grain and will provide a dramatic change to the color of the wood. These stains typically provide a thicker layer of protection which extends the life and allows more time to pass between applications. Typically, solid stains will need reapplied every four to five years.

Before applying any stains or sealers to your deck, it is essential to inspect and repair any damage caused by rotting, cracking, twisting, loose boards, or missing screws and nails. You may want to look for signs of pest damage from termites, ants, carpenter bees, or even rodents. Once repaired, the deck must be cleaned to remove debris, mildew, and any previous sealers applied using a pressure washer and a gentle cleanser.

There are several benefits to staining and sealing your deck regularly: longevity of the deck, increased property value, and of course the general aesthetic enjoyment of having a well-maintained area to entertain or sit and drink your morning coffee.

For any additional questions we may not have covered, consultations, product recommendations, or ideas on topics you’d like us to cover in the future, feel free to drop us a form on our Contact page! If you're enjoying our Fall Maintenance Series and want more tips and ideas, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

#2 - Inspect and seal deck