We have all seen decks that look amazing: clean and inviting, with solid boards and beautiful coloring. We have also seen the other kind… decks with peeling, patchy coatings and warped, splitting boards. What can you do to keep your deck looking like the first kind? Does your New Jersey deck need to be painted or stained?
The first thing you need to do is assess the health of your deck, to see if it needs any kind of treatment or maintenance this year. Once we have discussed that, we can take a look at the next steps you should take regarding painting or staining your deck.
New Jersey Deck Care: Deck Health Checkup
If you can see any areas where your deck coating is peeling, bubbling or flaking off, it is clearly time for a new treatment. This often happens if you have paint or a solid color stain on your deck. In the case of other types of stains, you might notice that the color has worn off in patches, or that there are areas that look especially dingy or discolored. This would also indicate you are due for a new coating.
For decks that have not been stained or painted, you might be relying on a transparent sealant to keep the wood healthy. Alternatively, some people just assume that their pressure-treated lumber will resist the elements by itself. If this is the case, it is important that you perform a yearly water-resistance test on the wood, so you know if your wood is at risk.
To test how waterproof your New Jersey deck is, dribble a few ounces of water on a horizontal surface. If the water beads up on top of the wood and remains that way for 5-10 minutes, your wood is in great shape! However, if the water soaks in quickly, your wood is in danger. Water is able to penetrate into the fibers of the wood, and this will cause deterioration such as splitting, warping, and dry rot.
Deck Washing: Why It Matters
Here in New Jersey, the winters can be long, and the seasons leave a lot of residue on our decks. Leaves and other plant matter fall on them, pollen and airborne pollution settle on them, and it all tends to leave a layer of grime, especially in shady areas. Mildew is a common issue that many of us end up with on our decks in New Jersey.
Giving your deck a yearly washing, usually in the spring, is a fantastic way to keep it healthy and looking great. It is not just an aesthetic concern, however. This removes the buildup of substances that can degrade the deck surface and cause it to fail.
One good way to do this is with a long-handled scrub brush and a deck-cleaning solution. Spray or brush on the cleaner, let it sit for a couple minutes, then scrub it and rinse it with a garden hose. Another option is to use a pressure washer, but this can be dangerous and cause property damage if it is not done by an expert, so you may want to hire a professional pressure washer to do this. Even if the deck will be pressure washed, it is good to spray on a fungicidal deck cleaning solution beforehand.
Should I Paint My Deck or Stain It?
Deck paints and solid-color stains are designed to form a film over the surface of the wood, creating a uniform color and a solid barrier of protection. These generally last several years before they need re-treatment, and they look great! One downside is that they hide the wood grain, which many people prefer to leave visible. Also, if you wait too long before putting on a new coat and the paint begins to fail, the remediation process can be laborious.
Traditional stains, on the other hand, soak into the deck wood, changing its color. This allows the natural character and grain of the wood to remain visbile though the stain. When you stain a deck, you generally need to follow this up with a clear protective coat, since the stain does not repel water by itself.
If your deck was previously stained, you can stain it again, or choose to paint it. However, if the deck has been painted in the past, it can be quite difficult to switch to stain.
Cherry Hill Painting
Whatever care your deck might need, Cherry Hill Painting is ready to serve you! We provide pressure washing, painting, and staining for decks, so that you can get back to enjoying your favorite outdoor space.
Since 1968, New Jersey homeowners have trusted Cherry Hill Painting to provide exceptional quality at reasonable price. In addition to deck staining, we also provide interior and exterior painting, wallpaper removal, cabinet refinishing, and more. Contact us today to receive your free estimate for painting or deck staining services in New Jersey and the Philadelphia region.