- After the chemically preserved lumber has become a full-fledged deck, you need to wait until you can apply stain, as the pressure treating process may leave dampness in the wood. It's after the wood has dried that you can stain it. Natural Handyman and Southern Pine by Design (two contracting-related businesses) both recommend waiting one to two months after construction before staining. Toward the end of the two-month waiting period, perform this test to see if the wood is dry: throw a few splashes of water onto the boards. If the water beads on the surface, the wood is still damp and you must wait a bit longer. If the water soaks into the boards, then they're dry. It's time to apply the stain.
- Natural Handyman and Southern Pine by Design also champion light stains over dark stains. The light ones last longer, while the solid---or darker---ones tend to peel. That's because they work like paint when you apply them to pressure-treated wood. The special levels of moisture in pressure-treated wood ultimately work against paint or dark stains.
- Now that the stain adorns--and seals--the deck, there are a few easy steps you can take toward regular maintenance. First, and easiest, is general upkeep. Sweep the deck to keep debris from collecting on it, especially rotting leaves or wet soil from potted plants. Second, every few months, perform the water test. If the water forms beads on the deck's surface, then the stain is intact and functional. If the water absorbs into the wood, it may be time to re-stain.
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