1. Sealing your deck adds vital nutrients to the wood surface, so that it will not deteriorate at an accelerated rate.  Wood products take a tremendous beating through seasonal changes, i.e.; warping, cracking and/or graying  (ultraviolet damage).  With these elements attacking wood on a day to day basis, you can see the importance of having your deck treated right away.  

1. Oakland Home Services specializes in treating wood surfaces with high quality products designed to produce lasting beauty and  protection.  As a consumer, we understand the importance of protecting your investment.  

1. Deck replacements can be very expensive if left untreated.  The average price for a deck ranges from $1000.00 -  $4000.00 (depending on size and design). 

1. To insure the best protection and the best appearance for your deck, it should be maintained on a yearly basis. Decks take a tremendous beating from the weather and will deteriorate rapidly without proper care.  We recommend a yearly power-wash and the application of another coat of sealer to keep your deck at its best.   

1. Most sealers will protect your deck for 1 to 1 ½ years on the horizontal surfaces and 3-4 years on vertical surfaces depending on use and weather exposure.  

1. Sealers use oils as their protective ingredients.  Although decks sealed with an oil-based sealer do not bead water, they are fully protected from any damage that may be caused by water. 

1. All the chemicals used to clean and brighten your deck are environmentally friendly and will not harm your plants, children or pets.  The sealers, however, will kill plants if saturated.  We will do our best to cover all plants and grass before sealing.  We have never had any complaints.

1. When wood has been weathered, it will have to  be restored before it may be sealed. In our process, we first apply an environmentally-safe cleaning chemical, then power-wash the deck. This process removes all the gray discoloration caused by damaged wood fibers, and restores the wood to almost its natural color. All decks, including new ones, should be cleaned before they are sealed. Once the deck as been power-washed, we then apply a wood brightener to neutralize the cleaner and further restore the wood’s natural color.   

1. We recommend waiting a minimum of four weeks after construction of your deck before we apply a penetrating sealer. The problem with new wood is that the grains are closed while still containing natural chemicals called tannin and mill glaze.  If left to nature, it would take 3-6 months for the grains to open and the natural chemicals to leach out.  By using a combination of power-washing and mill glaze remover,  we can speed up this process. 

1. When we use the term “sealers,” we are referring to a semi-transparent product designed to give your deck a warm, natural  appearance.  Sealers allow the natural grain of the wood to show through the color.  When sealing the wood, weathering, shade lines, sun exposure and wood structure greatly affect the color and evenness of the sealer.  It is not uncommon for there to be lighter and darker areas on the floor.  Stains, on the other hand, are similar to paints and completely cover the wood surface.  When stains are used on horizontal surfaces, like the floor of a deck, cracking and peeling usually occur within one year.

1. All sealers are applied according to the manufacturer recommendations. They can be sprayed, brushed or rolled depending on the product and the specific deck. Some products require one coat and some require two.  Please ask if you have questions regarding these procedures. 

1. Most sealers need a minimum of 8-12 hours to dry, although this can vary depending on the weather and the condition of the  deck.  If it rains soon after we apply the sealer, look for water spots (discoloration on the wood similar to water marks left on fine furniture.)  If the deck has water spots, please contact us immediately to have the sealer reapplied.