Caring
for your new Deck
Your new deck or porch is more than likely built from lumber that is Pressure treated
which means just that. The process forces ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary)
treatment which is made from recycled copper and quaternary, a fungicide under
pressure into the wood. This is true for all Pressure Treated wood manufactured
after 2003 at least in New York State. The old Arsenic base treatments are gone,
and a much safer alternative is now being used (ACQ).
So what do you need to do to help make the deck look and last a long time?
Actually nothing if you would rather. The lumber will last many years if left
along, but if you want a smooth surface while minimizing and checking or
cracking following these guidelines will make it look new for years to come.
Keep it clean. Rinse off debris like leaves and dirt. Anything left on the
surface may stain the wood.
If you are going to stain or preserve the deck wait at least a month to allow
the lumber to dry and the Pressure treatment to dry.
Wash the deck surface with a deck wash. You can make your own from Dawn
dishwashing detergent and bleach mixed with a gallon of water. Or buy it at the
local lumber yard / Home center.
Scrub the deck with this and rinse well with a garden hose or pressure washer.
If using a pressure washer don’t use real high pressure as this will dig into
the wood.
Allow to completely dry. A day or two in the sun should do it. Add an extra day
if your deck is shaded.
There are three basic types of deck stain. 1. A clear sealer type. 2. Semi
Transparent. 3. Solid color. They have different purposes and this is a matter
of taste and how much maintenance you wish to do. I will explain.
Clear is a sealer and wood preservative that will make the wood smooth and may
or may not add a slight tint to the color. This is based on the product. If it
has color it will be very minimal. This type of product requires the least
amount of maintenance. Clean the deck yearly and recoat every 2 or 3 years.
Semi Transparent is like the clear except there is pigment (color) in the
sealer. You can add color to your deck with this type and still see the word
grain through the product. This requires only a bit more maintenance. Clean
yearly and recoat every 2 years.
Then we have solid color stains. These do the same job as the clear and semi
transparent but look more like paint. You can have any color mixed just like
paint so if you want to match your homes siding color and have it all blend
together you can with a solid stain. This type requires the most maintenance
and gives you a solid color on the deck. You will not see the grain of the
wood.
- All three products are applied
the same. You can brush it on roll it on or spray it on. I find a roller
to be the fastest way to apply. Apply the stain with a brush to areas
close to the house and roll as much as you can after that. Stain is a
great word for it. If you get any on most anything it will "Stain". So
be careful, wear old clothing, and protect things that you don’t want to
stain. Bushes, hedges, lawn mowers, grill, anything below or around the
area. You can use a sheet of cardboard between the railings and the
house to protect the house while staining.
Once done allow the deck to dry before you walk on it. It may take a day
or two.
You will be left with a nice finish that is both beautiful and easier to
clean.
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