Stain Peeling From a Wood Deck

Dirt

• Stain won’t absorb properly into wood in the presence of dirt, dust or other debris. Uneven, sticky results occur, leading to peeling once the stain has dried. Before staining, wash the wood deck with a pressure washer. Allow the deck to dry fully before applying stain.

Moisture

• The most common cause of stain peeling, according to LeVahn Brothers Plumbing and Hardware, is moisture in the wood. Moisture drawn into untreated wood from beneath the deck works its way up through the stain, causing peeling and flaking. When homeowners stain their decks, they may forget to stain the bottom. The untreated side soaks up the water from the ground and won’t have anywhere to go but up through the stain. LeVahn Brothers recommends ensuring good drainage beneath the deck before staining, then treating both sides of the wood.

Sealer

• Another common cause of peeling stain is applying too much sealer before staining. Stains are designed to soak into the wood surface; if too much sealer soaks into the wood, not enough of the stain will. When this happens, the remaining stain stays on the surface, dries out, then begins to peel off. You can spot this when the stain begins to get sticky. If you are going to stain your deck, apply only one coat of sealer. Test the amount of sealer used by sprinkling a few drops of water over the wood surface. If the water beads up and doesn't soak in, you've applied too much sealer. If this happens, wait till the following spring to stain or purchase a deck finish remover to take off the sealer.

Considerations

• When applying any type of stain or sealer, read the instructions on the back of the product carefully so you apply the correct amount. Any amount over that recommended could cause peeling to occur once the excess has dried. Should you accidentally apply too much, apply a finish remover or sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper to remove the excess.