The Pitfalls of Refinishing Decks in Autumn

In “Sonnet 73,” Shakespeare wrote about the aging process, of being in the autumn of his life, and he begins like this:

  That time of year thou mayst in me behold
  When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
  Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
  Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang

You get a load of those “yellow leaves, or none, or few” that hang on the boughs? It’s them, the falling leaves—along with pine needles and other deciduous matter—that present a major problem to homeowners looking to refinish their decks during the fall. Debris like that sticks to wet finishes. And finishes, unfortunately, stay wet for longer when the trees “shake against the cold,” when it’s windy, when cold mornings keep dew on the deck well into the early afternoon. Temperature has a major effect on stains and the drying process, and unexpected rain can force homeowners to start the project all over again in more reliable weather.

The best times to refinish a deck are during the spring, summer, and early fall. The key is that the surface temperature of the deck be above 50 degrees and below 80 degrees. That way, the stain will dry at an optimal rate. Basically, as a rule, you want to make sure the weather is temperate, there will be no rainfall for at least 24 hours, and the moisture level is low. That way, you can ensure that your refinishing job will go off with minimal complications.

If you have any questions about refinishing decks, the best time of year to do the work, or are looking for a helping hand, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. At Tom Curren Companies, we love decks and our experts will make sure the process goes smoothly.