Yes, when the temperature is over 70 degrees and in the sun it only takes a few hours for the deck to dry out.  The stain companies (for liability purposes) want the deck to stay dry for 2 days before sealing and 5 days after sealing.  In Michigan we all know that it is rare that it not rain for 7 days. 

Do you spray your stain?

No, all of our stain is hand brushed, even the floor.  The exceptions are gazebo ceiling/roofs and Clearguard.

When can I use the deck?

We recommend that you put the furniture back on the deck that evening or the next morning.  You can usually walk on the deck a few hours after is has been sealed. 

Why are there ring marks on the deck?

The marks are from plant pots and door mats, etc.  Since these items are rarely moved they do not receive the same amount of weather as the rest of the deck.  Therefore, they usually leave different marks. 

Do you need to do the underside of the deck?

It is personal preference. We can clean it for you and clear seal it.  Most people just clean it though.  The underside does not weather like the floor does because it is shielded from the elements.

Why does my Trex deck have spots?

Even composite deck need to be maintained. In the fine print most companies say their products are low maintenance. A light pressure wash and a composite deck cleaner will remove the spots for 1-2 years. Unfortunately, They will come back again unless the deck is sealed with a composite sealer.

Do you schedule your jobs so we can remove the furniture?

We try not to schedule the jobs unless the water supply is in the garage. It is extremely difficult to schedule around Michigan weather. We will remove the necessary furniture as needed to start the job; however we do not put it back on. If you would like us to make a separate trip back to put furniture back on the deck when the stain is dry, there will be a trip charge of $25.

Do you call prior to coming to start the deck?

Since we don’t collect deposits we usually do not call prior to starting your job. Since the job is performed outside, and we have everything we need, we don’t need anyone to be home. Most of our customers are out at work and we find most are not home anyway.

Can you give me a quote over the phone?

A professional deck care company should not be quoting over the phone with out seeing the job for the first time. Most customers do not know what the previous coating was, how many coats, height of deck is over the ground, amount of rails on the deck, or the exact square footage. There are several things that affects the price, we will come out for NO CHARGE and provide you with a written quote.

Why is your bid more than the other ‘guy’?

You need to be careful of fly by night and start up companies that buy a power washer from Home Depot and think they can restore decks. There is a lot more to restoring decks than slapping a coat of stain on them. Companies that do decks on the side can only compete on cost. Most times they end up cutting materials, spray the stain, quote prices over the phone, do not provide written estimates, or even carry insurance. Be careful of companies advertising deck washing for $99, upon completion the price is always more. Furthermore, they usually use high pressure to grind on the wood to remove any existing coatings, instead of using chemicals the right way. This can easily chew up the wood, destroy your deck, and end up costing more in the long run. We are priced to be competitive with quality deck care companies with a history, not start up businesses without experience. Since 1991, we have serviced over 9,200 customers and know how to do decks the right way. We strive for your repeat business.

Can I provide you with the product?

In our quote we will provide all the products that are needed to complete your job. We only like to use top rated sealers and stains. Over the years we have used almost all the popular products on the market and have found pros and cons with each. Most of the products found by homeowners are hard to spread, dry too fast, are film building, and are not contractor friendly.

Why didn’t my deck hold up after a year?

There are several reasons why deck sealers and stains do not hold up. The most common is that the deck was not prepped right. Anytime a finish is applied all of the previous coating must be removed. If it was not all removed the new coating will not penetrate all the way into the wood. Another reason is that an inferior product was used. Typically from Home Depot, Lowes, and other high volume box stores. They carry products for novice users and don’t carry the high quality oil products necessary to protect your deck. The last reason is that the stain was probably sprayed, which usually comes out uneven on the flooring.

How long can I expect my deck to last?

You can expect your deck to last 2-3 years on the rails and 18-24 months on the floor with one coat. Typically with 2 coats to the floor you can get closer to the 24 month range. Most customers maintain their deck on a bi-yearly basis.