What happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck?
The “standing water on newly stained deck” is a problem that can occur if you have a freshly stained deck. It will cause the wood to rot and become brittle. The best way to prevent this from happening is by using a sealant or paint over the stain.
Staining your deck, whether for the first time or to preserve the quality of an existing deck, should be a well-planned project. We can’t control the weather, but it’s a good idea to pay attention to the predictions and err on the side of caution while staining your deck. A good staining prediction would be 24-48 hours with no risk of rain. What happens, though, if it rains on a newly coloured deck?
Contents
How Long Does It Take For A Stain To Dry?
The amount of time required to guarantee that a stain is dry before utilizing an area cannot be readily determined without first identifying the number of factors involved. Not all stains react in the same manner, and not all woods react in the same way.
From a strictly technical standpoint, the staining process is more of a curing than a drying procedure. Curing refers to the time it takes for the stain to sink into the wood’s surface, cure completely, and take on its final color. Wood stain is largely self-curing. Stains that are healed under moist or other improper circumstances might become polluted, discolored, or moldy.
In addition, following cleaning, the wood should be left to air dry for 24-48 hours before staining. It’s also important to consider the drying time between the first and second coats, as well as how long the stain will take to apply. This will undoubtedly be determined by your level of expertise, the size of the deck, and the equipment at your disposal.
The Location of the Deck
In some situations, undercover decks will take longer to dry, so keep this in mind while planning your job and when using your deck after staining.
The kind of weather that your outdoor deck will be subjected to will also influence which stain-base is suitable for your project. If the deck will be directly exposed to wind, rain, and sunshine, an oil-based stain is the best option.
Stain: Everything You Need to Know
Deck stains are often used to protect and preserve external wood. They resist water, protect against UV rays, inhibit fungus development, and enhance the wood’s inherent beauty.
If the deck you want to stain already has a coat of paint or stain on it, you’ll need to take some extra measures to get a fresh protective, even layer. Although determining the preceding layer might be difficult, it will aid in deciding whether to use an oil-based or water-based stain.
Decking stain is different from paint in that it soaks into the pores of the bare wood and becomes a part of the top layers of the wood. As a result, if stain is placed properly, it will endure a long period. Rain may destroy a freshly stained deck or, at the very least, add a lot of additional effort.
When the wood is cold and dry, the stain penetrates the best. When it comes to treating fresh wood, it’s important to make sure the tannins and oils have been removed. This is referred to as leaching. This may be accomplished by allowing the wood to naturally weather or by using professional wood preparations. This will guarantee that your coating’s final finish looks fantastic and lasts longer. Tannins may make the wood seem uneven and discolored after it’s been treated.
Deck stain should not be applied in direct sunlight; instead, wait until the sun has gone over your deck. Before applying the stain, allow the deck slats to cool.
Wood Staining Types
When deciding on the right sort of stain for a deck, there are many additional aspects to consider. The location of the deck, as well as its exposure to environmental and weather conditions, will have a big impact on the sort of deck stain that will work best in that region. The age and kind of wood being coloured will also be taken into account. Some woods, such as Cedar, Cypress, and Redwood, are naturally resistant to decay and hence better suited to a water-based stain.
The desire for an oil-based or water-based stain will also impact the stain selection. These many possibilities will provide different outcomes and need different approaches. Because of various state regulations, certain stains are prohibited from being marketed. Test the stain on an unobtrusive piece of the decking if feasible. If your deck was previously stained with a dark stain, be cautious not to apply a light stain.
Oil stains are simpler to deal with since they penetrate the wood grain and take less effort to reapply. They are incredibly durable and create a better seal for the deck since they penetrate the wood deeper. If the freshly stained deck is rained on during the first 12-24 hours of stain application, oil-based stains take longer to cure and might create difficulties.
Water-based stains dry rapidly and last for four to six years, although they will ultimately peel and need additional prep work before being repainted. Water-based stains have the benefit of being free of unpleasant scents and fumes, as well as being non-flammable. They’re also resistant to mildew and mold. Latex stains that are opaque stay longer than those that are semi-transparent.
A Second Coat Is Applied
A second layer of stain is required when staining any outside construction. Although it may seem self-evident, keep in mind that the second coat will be the one that sticks out the most, therefore it should be smooth. Use a clean brush and the same stain, regardless of style or company. How long does it take for wood stain to dry?
A Second Coat Is Applied requires some precision in the time that elapses between the first and second. Much will depend on the outside temperature, the stain being used, and decking material. A good rule of thumb is to lightly touch the portion that has been stained. If it feels tacky to the touch (a little sticky but not wet), then you can apply the second coat.
Dealing With Various Wood Types
Decks may be constructed from a number of materials. When exposed to water and humidity, wood swells and expands by nature. The first thing to think about is whether to use hardwood or softwood.
Teak, Ipe, Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood, Oak, and Massaranduba are all common hardwood species. These woods have a gorgeous, opulent look, but they are costly and often difficult to come by. Hardwood decks, on average, outlast softwood decks in terms of weather resistance and general durability.
Softwood refers to a group of plants that grow more quickly, such as evergreens and conifers like Pine, Fir, Spruce, and Cedar. Softwoods are often treated with preservative chemicals and are a more cost-effective option at first, however they will need regular care to ensure that they last as long as possible.
Pressure treated or modified wood are two of the most common decking board materials. These woods have the appearance of genuine wood, but they are more durable and need less upkeep. The majority of pressure-treated decking is made of southern yellow pine that has been chemically treated to prevent rot, fungi, and wood-boring insects. Modified wood is made from a softwood species that has had its cell structure altered by a non-toxic solvent, resulting in a thick wood. Modified wood does not attract insects or other pests, and it performs well in any environment.
Because tropical hardwood decking is so thick, it doesn’t take stain well, but a penetrating stain designed particularly for hardwood decking might be explored.
It started to rain shortly after I finished staining my deck.
Finally, what happens if a newly coloured deck becomes wet?
When thinking what would happen if it rains on a recently stained deck, bear in mind that you may need to perform some repairs. Any wet sealer containing linseed oil or mineral oil will be damaged by rain. It takes many hours to dry since it produces a layer, and the sealer is susceptible during that period. Examine the deck after the rain has gone and it has dried. It depends on how hard and how long it rained.
You may not have an issue if the surface is dry enough to touch and the rain is light, but a heavy deluge might ruin your work. The kind and brand of stain applied might also have an impact. Some stains are better at withstanding rain after they’ve been applied than others.
Look for small pockets, flaws, or white patches on the wood to see if there has been any damage. With a second coat, you may be able to cover up some of these flaws. To test whether the stain cures the rain damage, try it in an inconspicuous area. If a mild recoat doesn’t work, try washing the areas with a mixture of wood cleanser and a power washer to see if you can remove the spots without damaging the stain.
You might simply gently sand the areas and repaint them. If the pigment is applied too thickly, flaking and peeling may occur. If washing, sanding, and recoating do not solve the issue, the stain must be removed using a stain remover and the process must be repeated.
Other Things to Think About When Avoiding Bad Weather
If you live in a high-rainfall location, it’s occasionally a case of taking advantage of the chance to stain during a shorter dry period than would be ideal.
Using a moisture meter to test the level of moisture in the wood is one technique to determine whether the deck is dry enough for staining. The meter has one or two probes that stick into the wood to provide a reading. If you’re going to use this strategy, make sure you check the moisture level in a few different places. When using a moisture meter, aim for a value of 12-15 percent or less. If the readings are higher, the deck will need to be air dried before applying the stain.
Some deck staining preparations also need you to clean the area, so you’ll have a damp deck after washing, since power-washing provides the greatest cleaning results. Waiting 1-2 days after cleaning is usually sufficient, however this might vary according on sun exposure, environment, wood type, and age. Look for any signs of swelling or puffiness in the wood, as well as any signs of softness on the surface.
If you don’t allow the deck dry completely before staining, moisture will be trapped behind the fresh layer of stain. The wood then becomes susceptible to mold and mildew, which may lead to rot and deterioration. It’s also possible that staining a damp deck may result in an uneven finish.
You generally don’t need to power wash a freshly built deck if you’re staining it. You might apply a cleaning solution to assist remove gray fibers, dirt, mold, mildew, and other pollutants from the wood’s deep layers. When a surface isn’t clean, stains and other finishes struggle to adhere and may peel.
The Amount of Foot Traffic in the Neighborhood
Consider how you and others will enter the home while the freshly stained deck is curing if the deck is in a high traffic location or offers an entry point to the inside of the property. It’s better to leave the deck for as long as possible, but at the very least wait 12-24 hours and test it with bare feet.
It’s advisable to let the deck a full 24 hours before returning light furniture. Bulky things like umbrella stands, barbecues, and planters should be kept off the deck for at least a week, since heavier furniture may adhere to the stain and rip the stain away if moved before it has entirely set.
Last but not least,
- Plan your project to take advantage of the best weather conditions possible (preferably in the dryer months of the year)
- Do your research on the wood characteristics you want and the style you want to create – Consider the staining resistance and durability of various timbers.
- Keep in mind the upkeep requirements for each sort of wood you’re contemplating.
- Consider bringing some stain samples home and testing them out on different types of wood.
- Shop around for the greatest prices without sacrificing quality.
- Before you begin your project, double-check that you have all of the necessary ingredients.
- Have support on hand on the day so that you can speed up the procedure if it appears like it may rain.
- Allow for extra time than you think you’ll need to accommodate for any unforeseen circumstances.
- Allow enough time for the second coat to dry before applying it.
- Take some time to admire your lovely new or remodeled deck.
Last Thoughts
It’s preferable not to find out what happens if it rains on a newly stained deck in order to prevent having to repair the possible damage. However, if rain is inevitable or unexpected, there are techniques to mitigate the consequences.
We hope you found our guide on what occurs when it rains on a newly stained deck useful! Have fun with your decorations!
If it rains 12 hours after you stained your deck, the wood will be dry enough to walk on. Reference: rain 12 hours after staining deck.
Related Tags
- cover deck with tarp after staining
- what happens if it rains after you paint your deck
- how long does stain need to dry before rain
- cabot stain drying time before rain
- water bubbles on deck after rain
Also Read:
- None Found