Best Way To Clean Decking Before Staining

Preparing to wash this section looks at deck cleaning solutions that begin with an inspection and preparation for a wash.

Best way to clean decking before staining.

To keep your deck looking great clean it annually ideally in spring or early summer then follow up with a sealer to. If your deck is brand new you need to know how to stain a new deck so that it will continue to look clean and dirt free for a while. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. Cleaning the deck also gives you the opportunity to check the wood for loose nails or rough spots that could cause tripping or splinters.

Then rinse the entire deck and let it dry. Before scrubbing with a stiff bristle broom. Before you apply stain make sure the surface is clean no dust dirt wood fibers or grease dry and free from mildew. Once your deck is clean give it time to dry completely then apply a sealer to keep it looking good for another year.

This guide will walk you through the steps for how to prep a deck for stain and explain why cleaning a deck before staining is important. Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15 min. Left that way they can become old and weathered before their time. Be sure to sand all rough areas and remove.

The process removes decaying organic material that might erode the deck surface and prepares the wood for staining. If your cedar decking has been exposed to the elements for a longer period of time and has weathered a great deal then you should wash it before staining. This will renew the decking color as well as allow the stain to be absorbed. For this reason you should plan on sanding your wood deck after power washing and before staining and sealing this crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives.

After a deep power washing the wood fibers of the various components of the deck often raise as they expand with water once dry these wood fibers can often remain raised and may cause splinters. The best way to stain a deck is by having a nice clean surface on which to apply the new stain. Experiment with a small area to determine which is best. Clean weathered cedar before staining.

If the stain remains repeat the soak and scrub. Use a power washer or hose to thoroughly clean the surface of the deck. A new wood deck requires minimal preparation while old or damaged wood will require additional steps to ensure the best results when applying wood stain. A clean deck accepts stain better than a dirty one.