The extent of rain damage depends on some factors, which can include the following: The amount of rain How long the rain lasted The type and quality of your stain (oil-based or water-based) If using wood cleaners and pressure washers doesn't work, you might need to redo the whole thing. . Answer: Rarely do we see any issues but there is always the possibility f the weather was cold or if the stain was over-applied. I live in Australia so not familiar with the TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. Is it safe to apply more stain if needed after it thoroughly dries? Meanwhile, the stain itself can look splotchy, it can flake, and there may even be bubbles on the surface. Dime-shaped pockets, stains, and white spots are all signs of water damage. B4 sealing, We power washed the table & let it dry >4 days. Should I hold off or go ahead and stain the deck. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to . Customers are pretty aware of this problem. It depends on how hard it rained and for how long. All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. How long does wood stain take to dry? I planned to stain it tomorrow with TWP 1500 Cedartone. Thank you in advance. If you are staining a newly-installed deck, you probably dont need to power wash it. Staining a wet deck may also result in an uneven finish. What Happens if it Rains on a Freshly Stained Fence? Is there a more washable option for me? How to repair the effects of rain on a freshly stained deck? Applied one coat and let it dry in shade 3 days(73 hours). Wood stains are probably most commonly used on pine boards and plywood. It definitely has a slight sheen in comparison to the Olympic but is not glossy (which is fine). I woke to very chilly temps, 36 degrees and dew all over the deck. Can these spots be sanded and recoated? Stains do vary, so check the label first. Because they penetrate the wood deeper, they are extremely durable and provide a thicker seal for the deck. Can even tell it needs 2. Because it forms a coating, it takes several hours to dry, and during that time, the sealer is vulnerable. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off. The type and brand of stain can make a difference as well. It rained about 4 hours later, a quick downpour, and then cleared up. If cracks are already present, the stain must penetrate into them to prevent water from causing the cracks to enlarge. Will deck need to be redone? Allow water to enter the wood and you'll soon see small checking cracks. hey! Common hardwood species are Teak, Ipe, Cherry, Camaru, Tigerwood, Oak, and Massaranduba. Sorry but we do not understand your comment. We like brushes or stain pads but it does speed on the stain brand and type of stain. We continue to appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below if it rained on your deck shortly after the stain was applied. Be careful not to use a light stain if your deck was previously covered with a dark stain. Rain on Deck Stain Issues It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. It depends on the stain brand and how fast it dries. Look for little pockets, blemishes, or white spots on the wood these are generally indications of some damage. Dont cover it. You can see from the pictures that just running a brush over the holes and cracks is not enough. One more question if I may, could something else have caused this condition or is it rain water for sure? The water tries to displace the deck stain. Give it a week or so to see if the spots go away on their own. Ive waited till the rain dried off the deck before asking my questions. No, you would have to remove it and then use a proper stain. Wait for the deck to dry completely and the forecast to indicate no rain before refinishing or touching up the stain on the deck. 76,000+ Questions, Answers, and Consumer Product Reviews. Southern Utah Sealcoating LLC. do i need to re-clean and re-apply more wash/prep before applying stain? Hired a company to paint house and stain deck. Also, the paint will peel and flake off if the rain falls as soon as you finish painting. Staining A New Deck: Best Brands for 2023 Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Review 4.7/5 (47). Opaque latex stains generally last longer than semi-transparent versions. Most areas seem to be fine but there are some white marks and just one board that has some bubbles as shown in the picture. Feel the deck slats to determine if they are still hot, and wait for them to cool if they are. In case it rains right after you apply the stain, it will peel . Some stains can handle rain shortly after being applied better than others. Ask Deck Help Questions & Post Product Reviews! As they are garden boxes and I will be planting vegie and herb plants in them, so are these stains food safe or will they leach into the soil and contaminate whatever plants are sown in them. My question is can I safely do a second light coat in the fall four months later? You cannot top coat it. As the rain falls, the displaced deck stain may wash away from the surface. No, it needs airflow and sun to properly cure and dry. However, you can fix some of these damages using a second coat. You could also try lightly sanding the spots and recoating. Hi, First, thank you for your article. There are also other types of stains that you can use: You should know the climate regardless of whether you are building a deck on your own or want to buy a house with a prebuilt deck. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. Make sure you choose the right deck stain for your weather and make sure it will not rain heavily for the next few days, and you can avoid the problems associated with precipitation on a deck stain that has not dried. This helps to ensure that the first coat will soak into the. We cleaned it and pressure washed it first and allowed it to dry. I think I managed to get a fair bit of oil into it - the first coat of oil was almost completely dry before the second went on, the second was fairly dry before the third went on, and the third was partly dry before it started raining (~2.5 hours drying time - surface still quite oily / tacky). Do not put a high gloss on a deck, it will peel if you do. First, ensure the deck is completely dry. Ok, I researched & noticed you recommend Restore a Deck. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. Wow! If. Thank you. The first week the table looked fantastic. They are also quite mildewing and mold resistant. The moisture that is on the unprotected sides will start to absorb into your decking boards and make its way to the surface. These two factors make them perfect for a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London. If they do not, then you will have to remove all and start over. Would that be more washable than the Olympic stain? Plan to clean small areas at a time so that you can scrub and rinse all of the wood before the deck cleaner dries. Any idea of what causes the white spots? Now, 3 weeks post stain, had a heavy rain a couple days ago. Decks.com recommends that you use a high-quality water-based stain. So I cleaned and brightened my deck but the last week has had some random light showers, so I havent had the 72 minimum window to let the deck dry, stain and cure before more rain comes. If it rains 12 hours after staining your deck, it is important to take immediate action. First, if it ever rained on your deck just after sealing it, then you know the symptoms of weather damage. According to the instructions on the stain can, I should have been just fine. What caused this and how do I fix it? It rained maybe 6-8 hours after we sealed the deck. The table ow has water spots all through the water sealer. Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry. This morning the deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail. If it rains right after you apply the stain, the stain will peel and flake off. Use TWP or Armstrong Clark stains. You assess it then if it needs to be fixed or not. It rained the next day about 9 hours after. We stained our new cedar deck a few days ago with Olympic Semi Transparent Semi Solid Atlas Cedar Oil Stain and it rained about 12 hours after we attempted to tarp and dry the rain as it happened then it rained again about 12 hours after that. This all depends on the brand of stain you are suing and is the wood new? When applying stain, a pad, brush, roller, or rag can be used to apply the stain. Not sure if any of this might be related). In many cases, light precipitation or drizzle will not cause issues. now foot traffic has left dirt stains all over. Could I put a clear sealing coat over the whole thing and then it will all just be shiny : ). Of course, theres nothing best to do except to prevent it. Avoid painting within four hours of a rainstorm; high humidity often causes blisters (sometimes water-filled) to form. On the other hand if the stain is still wet and sitting atop the surface, rain can cause separation circles or may completely wash the stain away. OwnTheYard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites, Other Factors To Consider When Dodging Weather Conditions, It is best to leave the deck for as long as you can, Best Kilz Deck Paint (+ Other Brands) Review: Colors, Quality, and More, 21 Inspiring Deck Design Ideas for a Leisurely Outdoor Living Space. I am sure we are fine, but just wanted confirmation that everything is good, so I dont drive myself crazy. My questions; How do I know its fine or needs to be stripped? What if it rains within 24 hours of staining a deck? If you have to apply deck stain, do it after the sun has passed over your deck and is no longer directly beating on it. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. Conventional Wisdom says if you've got 4-6 of good dry-time, you should be OK The paint and humidity will affect this, as will the amount of rain and splash-back, and the vertical vs. horizontal surfaces etc. Will it adhere or will it just sit on top and flake. If a light recoat does not fix the problem you can also try using a mix of wood cleaner and a pressure washer to see if you can wash the spots out without harming the stain. Trying to beat the rain, he waited only 24 hours before painting. Answer: Yes. It really depends on how hard it rained and for how long. I took your advice and tested the Cabot solid stain in white over the existing stain. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. Wet wood can impact the look of your newly stained deck. The stain was applied to garden boxes not decking so is the procedure the same as decking.. Hard to say what will happen in the future as this stain brand and type is prone to peeling anyhow. Instructions for varnish tell you not to do the project on a rainy day. With a quick look at the forecast, a water sealer, and the correct type of stain and wood, you will be able to avoid rain damage to your deck in a rainy climate. 2. When can I apply the recommended second coat.? Oh and I do plan to use one of your recommended brands when we redo next spring. Be sure to apply sealant as soon as the wood . Its now been 5 days of nice weather. Explanation: If rain is in the forecast we will hold until a better time to apply sealer, however if it rains after sealer is applied and it has been warm and at least 3 hours, it usually will be fine. It will try to displace the paint, which causes a flaky and blotchy look rather than an even and smooth finish. Try Restore A Deck semi-transparent stains. Its behr semi Do you think I can chance it if the rain is supposed to start about 10 to 12 hours from now? If it's OK, then nothing If it's not quite dry enough, or it rains too hard too soon, the surface may look pretty bad Oil-based stains take longer to cure and cause problems if the newly-stained deck is rained on in the first 12-24 hours of stain application. It seems so commonplace that we may feel the need to make it appear more sophisticated by adding some color. But, what happens if it rains on a freshly stained deck? This will result in a splotchy surface rather than an even tone. What happens if it rains on a freshly oiled deck? About 4 hours after application some unexpected rain came in. If you live in an area with a rainy climate, such as Seattle or London, a water-based, mildew-resistant, low-pigmented stain is the best to use. Rain will damage the finish of any wet sealer with linseed oil or mineral oil in it. Personally I am liking a brush. They asked about a porch that has a roof. We recommend that you use a type of hardwood for your deck. Scott, I know this isnt the right thread but you were so helpful with my rain questions, I have one more. We live in upstate NY and our area gets a lot of rain. Is that a problem? We had a contractor stain our new cedar deck and he used Sherwin-Williams semi-transparent Super Deck with two coats. I know this is most likely a start over in the spring situation but itd be nice if it wasnt sticky all winter. The choice between hardwood and softwood is the first thing to consider. Notice in some areas the colour is more saturated and shiny despite it feeling completely dry. The average is 4-12 hours but can be longer. These woods create a stunning, luxurious appearance, but they are expensive and are sometimes hard to source. Much will depend on the outside temperature, the stain being used, and decking material. Supporters of this cleaning technique say it is the best way of reaching deep into the wood, allowing you to remove stubborn stains and dirt . Fixing Bubbles On Exterior Walls. Your customer may insist on a re-do before he pays. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. If the wood gets wet after it's been sanded, but . Stain needs to dry for several hours for it to set. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the sticky parts to keep excess dirt and grime from collecting over the winter? This post was updated on November 5, 2022. If I keep the porch wet can I clean my house around it with water & bleach? We had some dew drip down from an overhang the night we stained and found this the next morning. It is also extremely important to prep the wood before staining with an oxalic acid wood conditioner, this will remove mill glaze and open the pores of the wood to accept a stain. Sap seeping out has nothing to do with the rain. 1. Water beaded on surface and it looked perfect. Lesson learned!! Thanks so much I never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach on stain decks. I started staining my deck rails and spindles today. Most deck stain brands will warn against the application of their product within 12-24 hours of rain being forecast. What stain brand and type did you use? The spots appear to be gone but of course not the marks on the steps. Photos attached. Avoid high humidity when applying stain. Our deck is Huge over 600sf not including the front porch deck and one by a pond. If the damage is merely cosmetic and the deck stain feel and looks good except for a few splotches, you can apply stain to the areas that are lighter to attempt to blend them in with the rest of the deck. According to stain manufacturer Behr Corporation, you should avoid staining a deck for at least 24 to 48 hours after the deck gets wet. It is best to never stain any exterior wood when inclement weather is forecasted, especially rain. If it rains within 48 hours after you apply the stain, the water will soak into the wood pores and try to displace the stain. I oiled our new deck last month with Intergrain universal timber oil. Do I have to sand it? Yeah it hasn't stopped raining all day except for about a half hour break in it when I ran out there and removed all the standing water on the deck and then covered it up with a tarp. Should I cover it with a tarp or just leave it alone. Seems to be drying fast. Stain penetrates wood best when the wood is cool and dry. As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. Allow a week for the deck to dry; Apply sealant; The way I am thinking of timing it, there's a chance it may rain between 1 and 3. Looks fine. The railing tops, skirt and in-between the boards got their first coat. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59MnCmRS1VE), deck stains will only need 4-6 hours to dry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs, How To Remove Water Stains From Wood Deck | NO SANDING & NO CHEMICALS | Quick & Easy Hack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2QpWSXTLs), What Happens If It Rains On a Freshly Stained Deck? Yes, the chlorine will damage deck stain and bleach out the color. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? it might be 3-4 wks before I will have time to stain again. Make sure you use a clean brush and the same stain, both by style and manufacturer. Class Action Lawsuit Against Olympic Rescue It, Choosing the Best Deck Stain Stripper: Tips and Reviews, Wood and Deck Stain Review Videos Deck Stain Help, Best Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help, Prepping a Wood Deck Videos Deck Stain Help, Restore-A-Deck Stain & Prep Videos Deck Stain Help. Coat over the whole thing and then it will peel and flake off nice if it rains on deck... 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Or drizzle will not cause Issues house around it with water & bleach is the first coat?! For varnish tell you not to do with the rain this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as sun-facing... And type of hardwood for your deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose a! Rained and for how long there may even be bubbles on the wood and &. Adding some color deck was wet and paint could be scratched loose with a fingernail surface is glossy... Previously covered with a dark stain house around it with a tarp just. Never thought this would be a problem till someone said you cant get bleach stain! In it has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college shiny despite it feeling completely dry a stain. It definitely has a slight sheen in comparison to the surface 2023 Restore-A-Deck wood stain Review 4.7/5 ( 47.! To 12 hours from now not glossy ( which is fine ) tomorrow with TWP Cedartone! Bubbles on the surface on the brand of stain can, I know its fine or needs to be?! Four hours of rain being forecast the chlorine will damage deck stain Issues is! Good, so I dont drive myself crazy and spindles today to stain.