Page 10 - July-Aug 2022_LB

Once you’ve landed on a stain or paint to use, you’ll also need to gather:
• bristle brushes;
• rollers;
• a roller tray;
• a stain pad;
• a bucket;
• stirring sticks; and
• cloths (for cleanup).

Step 4: Do the prep
You’re all set on the product front, but
the real work starts now. Staining or
painting your deck requires a bit of
prep to make the application easier.
You don’t want to rush the cleaning,
sanding and priming phase of this
work because it’s what helps the paint
or stain go on smoothly and stay there

“Don’t forget to check the forecast for
the week,” advises Wallace. “Always
be sure to pick a clear day with low
humidity and no chance of rain
because moisture is your enemy.”
You should only paint or stain your deck when the moisture level is low. The general rule of thumb is that wood
surfaces should have no more than 15% moisture. A great way to test your deck’s moisture level is by pouring a bit of
water onto the wood. If it beads up, the wood is too wet to paint or stain. If the water is easily absorbed, you’re good
to go. Be sure to wait for days when the humidity outdoors is between 40% and 70%—any higher could affect drying
quality and time. As far as primers are concerned, use a shellac-based formula if working with paint. You can skip this
step when using stain.

If your deck has surface cracks and other easy-to-fix imperfections, you can fill them with an exterior-grade wood
filler before you sand the surface in the direction of the wood grain. If your deck needs more serious repairs, you
should schedule an assessment with a professional.

Once you begin to apply the paint or stain, give each coat a few hours to dry. How quickly the coats dry depends on
the temperature outside and the size of your deck. In a nutshell, give yourself two to three days to get the job done.

While these tips are for anyone looking to update their deck, they can also be applied to new decks that haven’t been
painted or stained. Just keep in mind if you’ve recently installed pressure treated boards “you should wait six months
to a year before staining or painting it,” says Wallace. “This is because this type of material is typically installed soaking
wet.”

There’s quite a lot of effort that goes into upgrading your deck’s appearance, but it’s a project that’ll leave you feeling
accomplished. Add to this all of the warm, sunny days you’ll get to enjoy from your very own backyard oasis and
you’ve got a summertime DIY activity that’s hard to resist. ■

10 | REAL ESTATE NOW | LB@LoraleeBurns.com