Warning Signs It Is Time to Restain Your Deck or Fence
A deck that has taken on a faded, gray appearance? Or perhaps the wood is no longer smooth to the touch and you are finding splinters. You may be left to question if there is any protection left in your fence at all.
Should any of this ring true, we can help. For 15 years 1st Choice Coatings has been of service to Pensacola and all of Northwest Florida; we have an intimate knowledge of what our climate will do to outdoor wood. For a professional take on your deck or fence, put us on the phone at (850)-813-4445.
Then there is the matter of restaining. While it is for appearances, the stain is really a barrier between the wood and the elements, be it moisture, pests or the sun. Without it the damage compounds in short order. Wood will tell you when it wants some attention, one only has to be observant.
The Color Has Gone Gray or Faded
You put down a fresh coat of stain for a uniform, rich tone but the sun will break that color down. What was once vibrant becomes pale and washed out. In Northwest Florida the sun is unforgiving. A gray cast is not merely unattractive, it means the protective layer has thinned to the point where bare wood is exposed. If your deck does not resemble how it did on the day it was done, the stain has ceased to be effective.
Water Does Not Bead Anymore
An easy way to find out is to put some water on the rails or boards of your fence and see. A good stain will hold the water in beads on the surface. But as the stain goes, so does its ability to repel and the water will be absorbed. That is a recipe for rot, swelling and cracks. See the water vanish into the wood and you know it is time for a restain.
Rough Spots, Cracks and Splinters
As the finish gives way, what was once smooth will get rough. Do not ignore small cracks and splinters, they are telling you the surface is drying out. Moisture will penetrate the grain and those minor cracks will become major ones. The moment you feel a splinter or roughness on a step or rail, the wood is calling for a new coat of protection.
Flaking, Blistering or Peeling
Occasionally the stain will not just fade, it will peel or flake. This is the old coat coming to the end of itself or because of trapped moisture. Aside from the poor look of it, you have protected wood right up against patches of exposed wood which are prime for damage. When you see it flaking off, do not put it off.
Green Growth, Mildew or Mold
The humidity in Northwest Florida is ideal for mold and mildew. Dark blotches or a green film on your deck are evidence that moisture has made its way in. Mildew will hasten the rotting process and leave stains. We can put a new barrier in place with a thorough restain and cleaning to deal with the growth.
Soft or Warped Boards, Cupping
This is the most telling sign of all. If a board is spongy or warps underfoot, you are looking at moisture damage in progress. Some soft wood will have to be replaced before you even think about staining. Regular inspection is what will keep you from having to go to that length.
Make a note to run through this checklist over the weekend:
- Any gray or faded tones
- Water that soaks in rather than beading
- Roughness, splinters or cracks
- A finish that is peeling or blistering
- Green growth or mildew
- Soft spots, cupping or warping
- A general dullness
If one or two of these apply, your fence or deck needs some help. Acting in a timely fashion is much cheaper than having to put in new boards or a whole structure. There is no need to be like so many homeowners who let the damage get to the point of no return.
We are licensed and insured at 1st Choice Coatings with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and more than 39 five-star reviews on Google to vouch for us. Along with restaining, we can refresh your home’s outdoor wood and siding. Our free estimates are available around the clock.
Why not give your outdoor wood the kind of lasting finish it should have? Contact 1st Choice Coatings at (850)-813-4445 and we will have our team protect your deck or fence from further damage.
