RELATED: What’s the Difference? This will not only make your deck slip resistant, it will also protect it from water damage, UV radiation, abrasion and foot traffic. Next time try a water-test to see if stain is actually absorbing or repelling water. If it is a water based stain it will only provide UV protection. They agreed to return and fix the problems. After 48 hours, let the partying begin! I used an oil finish, Wolman F&P. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. By Timothy Dale and Bob Vila. When your second coat is dry and you’ve finished staining your decking, make sure you keep on top of the cleanliness to ensure your deck lasts longer. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Answer + 11. Repair or replace any loose or broken boards, so that future breaks or cracks won’t create hazards. Why does my deck paint keep peeling? A professional will properly clean your deck for staining, whether it’s an older, weathered deck or brand-new. 10D10D. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. As with staining, you need to clean your decking before you oil it. Mold, mildew, moss, pollen or algae growing on a wooden deck in the shade or in a moist climate can become slippery, posing a special risk to elderly homeowners or guests. How many coats of stain should I put on my deck? To remind family members, put yellow caution tape across the access routes to the deck. If you rule out paint, you’ll want to consider either a semi-transparent stain or a clear sealer. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. Finally, sweep or vacuum thoroughly. Remove all furniture from deck and surrounding areas. It will have to be replaced. I've stained a few decks and I've been careful to avoid drips for the very reason that you found out. I wasn't here when they came to remedy the situation, but the rough spots appear to be sanded and the color is … Painting vs. Staining the Deck. Timothy Dale, Bob Vila, What’s the Difference? Wet sanding is used for smoothing clear wood finishes when fine quality is desired. As mentioned, when the leaves and debris pile up, it holds moisture to the deck, which creates a breeding ground for the mold and algae that can make your deck so slick. Deck sealant can be applied using a roller, a paint brush, or even a paint sprayer. That's what I thought. That is why the new stain is not drying. Algae is the top cause of a slippery deck, and the key is to prevent it from growing. Even after that, it needs to remain undisturbed for several days before you put outdoor furniture back on the deck. Debris such as leaves, twigs and dirt holds moisture against the deck, creating the right environment for algae to get a foothold. When it comes to your home's deck, a little neglect goes a long way. I'm in Chicago and the weather was pretty stable the day I stained, mid 70s and dropped to 50s at night. Depending on the sheen of your pain, your deck can become very slippery. But it does fill in the uneven parts of the wood and creates a film on the top of the surface -- and that is why it is slippery. Use a powered sanding tool to remove the top layer of wood, which could act as a barrier to the sealant. On a previously stained deck, also be sure to sand the entire surface—areas where the sealant has worn away as well as those that still have moisture protection intact. But preservatives in the wood often require about 30 days’ dwell time before the deck can soak up the sealant. Unfortunately there was a light / moderate down pour for a short period of time about an hour after applying. Recently, we published a response to a reader who had a problem with a sticky deck.It seems her handyman didn’t read the instructions on the sealer can and got carried away. A slippery deck can be hazardous if left untreated. Work slowly enough to ensure that every inch of the deck gets an adequate amount of sealant. reason I'm asking is that shiny spots can be caused by a couple things. Careful to not suffocate the plants. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Consider this a general rule, depending on climate and the age of your deck. You can tell whether your deck stain is still protecting the wood if it repels water. Proper prep is key to successfully sealing a deck. The other is called flashing, flashing results when someone paints to late in the day and the temp drops in the evening causing the paint to dry at different rates. Staining Your Deck: Pros and Cons. I love my deck so it's not coming down! Always allow the surface to dry for at least 24 hours after a rainfall before sealing a deck. That only temporarily improved the appearance. Painting vs. Staining Wooden Decks Tweet 1; Pin 22297; Share 442; Subscribe; Of all the structures in the world, the traditional wooden deck may well be my favorite. DonCanDo | Sep 09, 2005 01:16pm | #4. Beautiful in the summer but it is so slippery when it gets snow on it. Over the changing seasons, leaves and debris will accumulate on your deck. This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. What type finish, oil - latex? It will eventually dry (maybe a month) but you will be unable to use deck in meantime. A winter deck may become slick as a result of precipitation that has not been adequately swept from the surface. On the day of staining make sure there is no rain in the forecast for at least 12-24 hours. Northern regions may get away with a two- or even three-year cycle; however, these regions are more susceptible to moisture damage, so be vigilant about sanding the deck before sealing to ensure that the sealant is able to soak into the wood to provide long term protection against melting snow and other moisture damage. Bottom line: A combined stain-and-sealant product offers durable, moisture- and UV-protection with the least drawbacks. If it beads up, the wood is still too wet to seal, but if the water is absorbed, it’s ready to seal. Staining your deck can enhance the appearance of the timber by changing the existing colour. While sealing a wooden deck isn’t the toughest DIY project, there are definitely tricks and techniques that help ensure quality results. However, It shouldn't be any more slippery than it is now, and possibly even less slippery than it is now, if you wax it with the Top Shield floor wax after staining and sealing it. The deck is cedar. How do I keep my stained deck from being slippery in the winter? How long before you can stain a deck? Add a cleaning and brightening agent to the deck and scrub with a … I figured it was pooling but didn't think I used that much. I just stained my deck yesterday after doing a thorough job washing and stripping it. We bought several outdoor oversized mats & put them in the high traffic areas just for the snow season. My neighbor on one side of my house is now having her deck boards replaced along with balusters, hand rails, and steps. Older decks may need stripping, and they most definitely need thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt and other residue. You can solve this problem by rolling on a few coats of high grade acrylic resin. If there are any concrete patios nearby, it would be best to cover them as well. (There was no rain forecast, only sun). Doing this revitalises the deck and helps highlight the natural grain. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. A couple of years ago they had their deck professionally cleaned and stained. Why is My Deck Slippery? Why is the Deck Stain still sticky? My husband has just finished staining our deck (laid last summer but fully cleaned and prepped for staining) at the weekend. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. The company I hired to refinish the deck initially stained it the wrong color, and failed to sand prior to staining. You can work from a standing position with a pole or on your hands and knees (kneepads highly recommended). All decks should have a slight slope to allow for moisture runoff and … The wood wasn't in great condition, not being treated in years previously, and there was a lot of variation in how much stain it sucked up. Painting vs. Staining the Deck, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, The Dos and Don’ts of Mulching the Garden, The Most Beautiful Chicken Coops We've Ever Seen, 13 Breathtaking Ideas for Backyard String Lights. Start by repairing any wood that needs attention, then powerwash the deck getting all the cracks and crevices. on Jun 30, 2017. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to regularly sweep all of the leaves and debris and remove them from your deck! In sunnier regions, adhere strictly to a once-a-year schedule to protect the wood from powerful UV rays. Osmo anti-slip deck oil can be used on new, previously untreated decking. Again, you need to strip the old oil … Staining can also help preserve the wood if the stain is carried in an oil. Water takes a toll on a wood deck’s finish, whether it’s pounding rain or piles of snow. I think you're going to have to live with it. Thanks for the advice! An algae stain on wood will be greenish brown in appearance and slippery to the touch. But you need to weather it first, leaving it untreated for 2-4 weeks in the case of softwood decking and 3 months for hard and exotic woods, and after applying 1 coat of your chosen decking oil, be it coloured or clear. Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection. We suggest the use of stain pad applicators and or a pump type sprayer. Overly thick sealant is prone to peeling and chipping, so avoid oversaturating the surface by applying only one coat of sealant at a time. While you can hire a decking contractor to seal the surface, many homeowners opt to tackle the task—and save between about $550 and $1,260, according to HomeAdvisor. New decks need cleaned to remove any mill scale, which is a crushing of the grain that takes place during the milling process. I sand and stain my deck every year. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood is ready; leaving the deck exposed any longer increases the likelihood of both ultraviolet (UV) and moisture damage. This may seem harmless at first, but the longer you wait to clear debris off your deck, the longer moisture will stick around, providing the conditions for mold, mildew, … First is that there was less penetration and more film build in areas, probably caused by previous coating. My neighbor on the other side has a deck that is a mess, with all kinds of stuff living off of it. After a 30-day period, pour some water on your deck. Top Shield floor wax was designed for commercial applications originally and it has traction characteristics built in. Stain needs to dry for several hours for it to set. Some wood staining can be as slick as paint, but in general, staining usually creates a flatter finish that is not very slippery. New decks constructed of pressure-treated or SPF timber should be stained or sealed as soon as the water stops beading. The first coat was applied and dried fine. Cover with plastic tarps all shrubs and flowers. If you’ve just put in a new deck, you’re no doubt itching to finish the job by sealing it. How do you remove peeling stain from a deck? Can I sand when wood is wet? I tried to spray enough to make sure the wood was saturated and did what I thought was a good job at brushing over to spread it out. oops. Even a brand new deck will need at least a brief washing and drying to banish any dirt and grime accumulated during the initial 30 drying period. This moisture protection would prevent new sealant from being absorbed, so sand evenly to ensure a clean, bare surface. Plan to seal your deck when temperature and time of day are ideal. While sealant is normally dry to the touch within a few hours, for a proper seal that protects the wood, stay off your deck for two full days. Painting a deck is never a good idea unless you can paint all sides of your decking boards. JavaScript is disabled. The second coat was applied 24 hours later in warm sunny weather. Where are you located? A backyard deck is the perfect platform for good times, but that wooden surface needs a proper sealant to protect it against the ravages of sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations. Then, wash the deck using a power-washer to scrub the surface clean. Aim for a pleasant, not-too-windy day between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. An acrylic coating system makes a deck slip resistant. So consider these dos and don’ts for sealing a deck so you’ll get the job done right the first time. For us in the North East if you were to paint with oil, that has a longer dry time, late into the afternoon and then the temp went from 80 to 40 you would pretty much expect to see some shiny spots the next morning. Answered. Hosing off the deck on a sunny day when it will dry quickly is a good part of regular maintenance too. If a deck is not properly cleaned the stain will not penetrate the wood or can cause possible “lifting out” of the wood shortly after staining. I guess it doesn't penetrate the wood wuite as well as other stains. If you worry about the grain raising after staining i would recommend wetting the surface evenly with water after doing initial sanding then finish sand when dry. Staining your deck is not the easiest task as there are lots of things that can go wrong during the whole process. If your stain … Because algae is caused by excessive moisture, you are more likely to find it in shady areas of the deck that do not have the benefit of being rapidly dried by the sun after it rains. Why is my deck slippery after staining? A stain can enhance the color of the wood and provide a more consistent pallet. How to oil decking. This leaves the natural unevenness of the wood, which greatly reduces the slipperiness. We had this problem at our cabin. Use a stiff broom, and remove debris before it gets wet, when possible. 7 answers Carol. In most cases, all you’ll need is one coat, but should you wish to apply a second coat, wait at least 24 hours. If your deck is going to get a lot of foot traffic, for example, then you’ll probably want to opt for staining instead. Helping You to Do It Yourself! Applying sealant to a damp or frosty deck will lead, at best, to an uneven, splotchy seal that can’t effectively protect your deck. If you use transparent stains and/or water repellents, they soak in rather than forming a film on the wood. It soundless like the previous layer of stain was not ready for re-stain. If you hate the way your old deck looks bad again six months or less after restaining, you’re not alone. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Allow to dry for 24 hours, then sand the surface with between a 60 to 150 grit sandpaper or sanding disk. In lieu of that, you can apply a simple stain to the deck and, after 48 hours, apply sealant for a similar level of protection. Long lasting deck stain beauty means you need to do things differently than most folks. One of the most frustrating problems that can crop up when you decide to stain or restain your deck is that the stain doesn't absorb into the wood correctly. I'm not sure what to do about my deck. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. you don’t need to sand after staining. First time I ever stained a deck like that. This causes your perfect paint job to peel. The case for staining the deck. Doesn’t get too slippery. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. If you’re concerned about slips and falls, you might want to simply stain your deck instead. Find trusted local pros for any home project. At worst, the sealant will bead up on the water and fail to be absorbed, creating a messy, dangerous slipping hazard. I've been reading online and found some other people with this problem with Wolman F&P. Applying sealant to a damp or frosty deck will lead, at best, to an uneven, splotchy seal that can’t effectively protect your deck. Get to work in the morning, as the hot sun of a summer afternoon can cause sealant to evaporate quickly, preventing adequate absorption. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. More consistent pallet top Shield floor wax was designed for commercial applications originally and it traction! Be greenish brown in appearance and slippery to the deck and helps highlight the natural of. 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Attention, then sand the surface remove any mill why is my deck slippery after staining, which could act as a of.