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FAQs frequently asked questions
Why should I maintain my deck? Can't I leave it alone?
What is the green stuff on my deck?
What are the black spots on my deck?
How do I get the grey out of my wood?
Will powerwashing hurt my wood?
What is the difference between staining and sealing?
How long will having my wood re-sealed/stained last?
How long should I wait to seal after installation?
What makes a good sealer or stain?
How often should the exterior of my house be painted?
What's growing inbetween my brick pavers?
Do I have to seal brick pavers?
Why should I maintain my deck? Can't I leave it alone?
Unprotected wood, when exposed to weather, will decay at an accelerated rate and will shorten it's life. When you walk over the surface of an unmaintained deck, you are bringing bacteria, dirt, and algae back into your home.
Why is my deck peeling?
In most circumstances, peeling is the result of improper application of a coating, over-applying the product, or using a product that didn't penetrate into the surface of the wood.
What's the green stuff on my deck?
Algae grows in areas that suffer from excessive moisure, including morning dew, that aren't exposed to the sun. In most circumstances, proper chemicals and powerwashing will kill and remove algae.
What are the black spots on my deck?
The spots are spores of bacteria growing in the pores of the wood. Wood is food for bacteria, but coating it retards its growth.
What makes wood turn grey?
The discoloration is a deterioration of the wood as a result of a combination of dirt, bacteria, decay, and fading from the sun.
How do I get the grey out of my wood?
With proper chemicals and professional powerwashing, the grey can be removed and the wood will look like new.
Will powerwashing hurt my wood?
When using the correct PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) the wood should not be damaged. Correct cleaning and powerwashing is recommended by all stain manufacturers before application of their products.
What is the difference between staining and sealing?
Both protect wood in the same manner by repelling damaging water, but still allowing the wood to breathe with the transfer of moisture. Stain is more heavily-bodied and is tintable into a wide range of colors, while sealer is ultra-transparent and is only available in minimal wood-tones.
How long will having my wood re-sealed/stained last?
On fences, sealers will show wear in about 2 years and will need to be re-sealed in 3. Stain will show wear in about 4 years and need maintenance in 5. On decks, vertical surfaces will wear the same as fences, while the horizontal surfaces (floor, handrails, stairs) will last 1-2 years with either stain or sealer.
How long should I wait to seal after installation?
Stain manufacturers recommend that the wood reach 15% moisture or less before application. This can take 30 days of 50+ degree weather with minimal amounts of rain.
What makes a good sealer or stain?
A penetrating, oil-based product that provides long-lasting protection and includes UV-protectors and mildicides.
How do I keep bees away?
In recent years, wood-bees seem to have become more prevalent. While there is no guaranteed cure for this problem, most local municipalities recommend using wood sealers and stains to deter bees.
How often should the exterior of my house be painted?
Paint manufacturers recommend that the wood be painted every 3-5 years, before it shows signs of wear.
What's growing inbetween my brick pavers?
Leaf compost, dirt, and moisture collect between the cracks and make an excellent home for bacteria, fungi, and plant-growth.
Why clean my brick pavers?
Cleaning helps get rid of unsightly stains and the foreign matter between bricks. It must be performed before any sealers are applied.
Why re-sand my brick pavers?
As the existing sand wears away from time, water will fill those cracks, freeze and expand in the winter, and move the pavers. It also helps to prevent the compost and dirt from collecting between the bricks.
Do I have to seal brick pavers?
Like any other material that is left out to the elements, sealing brick pavers will help maintain the color of the brick and keep the surface from deteriorating.
Do I have to seal concrete?
As with pavers, sealing concrete helps prevent its surface from breaking down and stops stains from plaguing it.