Deck Staining Gurnee, IL

Deck staining for Gurnee homes

Most of our deck staining calls in Gurnee come from homes with large 1980s-to-2000s subdivisions with a lot of original decks. That means builder-grade treated decks reaching 20 to 30 years old, which changes the prep more than the stain.

Gurnee sits along the Des Plaines River, and the tree cover that comes with it keeps decks and fences damp longer in the morning. We schedule washes early in the week so the wood has time to dry before stain goes on.

Most deck staining problems come from prep, not product. A deck that was power-washed and stained the same afternoon will look fine for a month and fail by the following spring because the wood was still wet inside. We wash, let the deck dry to under 15% moisture, sand any raised grain, then stain. It takes an extra visit. It is the difference between a finish that lasts three or four years and one that lasts one.

How the job goes in Gurnee

1. Walk the deck with youWe look at the boards, rails, stairs and any soft spots, and confirm the stain type and tone before anything gets wet.
2. Clean and brightenA sodium percarbonate deck cleaner lifts gray oxidized wood, mildew and old failed finish. A brightener follows to neutralize and open the grain.
3. Dry and sandTwo to three dry days depending on weather. Raised grain and rough spots get a light sand so the stain goes on even.
4. Stain and back-brushApplied by pad or sprayer and immediately back-brushed into the wood. Rails, spindles and stair risers are brushed by hand.

Other work we do in Gurnee

Homeowners here also ask us about Deck restoration in Gurnee, Fence cleaning in Gurnee and Pergola & gazebo staining in Gurnee. See everything on the Gurnee service area page, or read the full deck staining guide. We also cover nearby Green Oaks, Old Mill Creek and Beach Park.