Dock & Pier Staining Lake Forest, IL

Dock & pier staining for Lake Forest homes

Lake Forest has estate properties, historic homes and mature old-growth lots, and that shapes how we approach dock & pier staining here. We see a lot of long fences and garden structures, and the work is planned around it.

Lake Forest sits on Lake Michigan, and waterfront wood weathers faster on the water-facing side than the house side. We check both and often give the exposed side a second coat.

Dock staining has a rule the rest of our work does not: what goes on the wood ends up in the lake. We use penetrating oil or water-based stains and sealers that are suitable for use near water, apply them with the dock sections on land where we can, and never over open water on a windy day. We also pay attention to slip resistance. A glossy film finish on a dock is a hazard. A penetrating stain is not.

How the job goes in Lake Forest

1. Schedule around the waterSpring before the pier goes in, or fall after it comes out, is ideal. Fixed docks are done in dry weather with drop cloths and containment.
2. CleanPercarbonate cleaner and low-pressure rinse remove algae, gray and goose mess. Slime on the lower boards gets a scrub.
3. Dry fullyDock wood is wetter than deck wood. We wait for a meter reading under 15% before anything goes on.
4. Stain or sealPenetrating finish, back-brushed, with attention to board ends and the underside edges where water wicks in.

Other work we do in Lake Forest

Homeowners here also ask us about Deck repair in Lake Forest, Deck staining in Lake Forest and Pergola & gazebo staining in Lake Forest. See everything on the Lake Forest service area page, or read the full dock & pier staining guide. We also cover nearby Green Oaks, Highland Park and Highwood.