Paint Archives - Inside & Out Property Inspectors

A freshly stained deck can boost curb appeal, protect wood from damage, and make your outdoor space more enjoyable. But if you stain a deck the wrong way—or skip important steps—you could end up sealing in problems instead of fixing them.

As home inspectors, we see it all the time: warped boards, hidden rot, or safety hazards hidden under a beautiful finish. Before you grab a brush, here’s what to know about how to stain a deck without creating bigger issues down the line.

Check the Deck First

Staining your deck without checking it first is like painting over a crack in the wall—it might look better for now, but the problem’s still there.

Before staining, walk the deck and check for:

Soft or spongy boards (could be a sign of rot)
Loose railings or steps
Rusty or missing nails and screws
Discoloration, mold, or mildew
Wobbly posts or joists underneath

If anything looks off, fix it first. Staining over damage won’t make it go away and could make it harder to catch later. For older decks, it might be worth getting a professional inspection to be sure it’s safe.

Prepping the Surface

Stain won’t stick to a dirty deck. And if your deck is too wet or too dry, the finish might not last.

Here’s how to prep it right:

Clear off furniture and debris
Sweep and scrub to remove dirt, mildew, and old finish (use a deck cleaner, not just soap and water)
If pressure washing, keep the pressure low to avoid damaging wood
Let the deck dry for 48 hours minimum before staining—longer if it’s humid

Not sure if it’s dry enough? Try the sprinkle test: if water beads up, wait. If it soaks in, you’re good to go.

Staining Mistakes That Lead to Bigger Problems

Even if you buy the best deck stain, poor technique can cause peeling, uneven color, or even wood damage. Here are some common missteps to avoid:

Applying stain too thick – it should soak into the wood, not sit on top
Staining in direct sunlight – it dries too fast and may not absorb evenly
Skipping edges, railings, or undersides – moisture gets in where stain doesn’t
Using the wrong stain – not all stains work on all wood types (check the label)
Not mixing the stain well – shaking isn’t enough; stir it to keep the color consistent

Aim for two light coats, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for drying time. Take your time—rushing is a recipe for regrets.

how to paint wooden deck without causing or covering defects

What Defects Look Like After a Bad Stain Job

Some staining problems don’t show up right away. Over time, you might notice:

Bubbling or peeling stain
Dark spots or streaks
Faded or uneven color
Water damage or wood softness
Slippery surface from mold or mildew

If your deck looks good for a few months but goes downhill fast, improper staining—or underlying issues—might be to blame. A thorough deck inspection can help catch what’s really going on.

While You’re at It

While you’re prepping or staining, it’s a great time to knock out other quick tasks that extend your deck’s life:

Tighten any loose screws or bolts
Replace cracked or warped boards
Check for termites or carpenter ants
Clear out leaves and debris under the deck
Inspect stairs, railings, and ledgers for stability

This type of maintenance keeps your deck safer and helps you avoid bigger repairs later.

When to Call a Professional

You don’t always need a pro to stain your deck. But you should call one if:

You’re not sure whether your deck is still safe
You notice signs of rot, sagging, or shifting
Your stain keeps failing or peeling after just a season
You’re selling your home and want it to pass inspection

A qualified home inspector can look beyond the surface and spot issues that others might miss. And if staining isn’t worth it due to structural damage, you’ll want to know before investing more time and money.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to stain a deck the right way is about more than looks—it’s about protecting your home and making sure your outdoor space is safe and long-lasting. Always inspect first, prep well, and avoid shortcuts.

Need a second set of eyes before you stain? At Inside & Out, we offer deck inspections that help homeowners spot problems early—before they turn costly or dangerous. Whether you’re maintaining your current deck or getting ready to sell, we’re here to help.

Buying an older home can come with a lot of questions. There were building materials and building codes that are completely different in today’s home market. As a home buyer, you should be very thorough with your home inspection. Ensure that everything in the home is up to building code, and there are no harmful materials in the home. Keep in mind that materials like asbestos and lead paint could have been used many years ago. When did lead paint stop being used? Lead paint was used all the way up to 1978. After 1978 it was phased out due to its toxicity.

Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding lead paint in the home.

What Is Lead Paint?

Lead-based house paint is a highly toxic material that was created before the 1980s. Lead is a metal that can cause major health issues in young children and adults. If lead is absorbed in the body, it can break down organs such as the kidneys, brain, nerves, and your blood. This toxic metal can create some major damage to the body.

It is estimated that 29 million houses in the United States have lead-based paint in them. This leads to a contaminated home with lead paint that can create damaging lead dust. If you ever suspect that your home has lead paint in it, call for a lead paint inspection. Once you have the lead paint inspection done, you can get a risk assessment to see how hazardous the paint in your home is.

Lead paint is highly toxic and should be removed with precaution.

How Can I Reduce My Exposure To Lead Paint?

To protect you and your family from lead exposure and lead hazards you will want to consider the following things below to reduce your exposure to lead paint. If the home was built before 1978 it is likely to have levels of lead that could result in lead poisoning. Let’s take a look at the ways we can reduce lead paint exposure.

Check-in – Reach out to your local health department and schedule a test for lead paint in your home.
Keep it clean – Inspect the entire home for any areas of paint that are peeling from the walls or other painted structures. Keeping your child from accessing any paint chips is important.
Safely renovate – If you begin to renovate the home, sanding, cutting, replacing windows, and other activities could create lead dust in the air and reduce the air quality. Also, this can expose you and your family to significant health damage. Be sure to review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for lead paint removal.
Removal – Hire a professional lead-based paint removal company to get all lead paint chips and peeling paint off their surfaces. This kind of work should be done with proper safety precautions and tools and equipment to protect all involved.
Mop regularly – It is recommended that you use a wet mop on your floors and dust the window sills and wells with a wet rag. Keeping all surfaces free from any dust is important for maintaining your health and safety.
Wash regularly – If you suspect that your home has contaminated dust or soil, you will want to wash your child’s hands on a regular basis.
Create a barrier – Use contact paper and duct tape to cover holes and walls that are contaminated. Consequently, this should be done as you await the proper removal of the contaminated areas. Also, keep children away from contaminated soils.
Keep away – Be sure to keep pregnant women and children from accessing the home during renovations. While a renovation is being done, dust is flying around and paint debris is in the area. Once the work is done and all areas are cleaned up, the pregnant women and children can re-enter the home.

Keep in mind that in the 20th century, the EPA banned the use of lead in paint and homes. Public health is the biggest concern. Lead creates health problems for property owners who purchase a home with lead-based paint.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know when lead paint was stopped being used you can read up on how to negotiate after the home inspection. If your initial inspection finds that you have lead paint in or on the surfaces of the home, you will want to negotiate the sale price as you look to remove all toxic lead materials from the home.

Next, be sure to read up on who the best home inspection companies are in your local area. It is vital that you not just hire the cheapest home inspector. Hire the most reputable home inspection team to assist with determining if the home you live in has toxic materials in or on it.

Lastly, keeping your home inspection report is important for having a point of reference during the risk assessment portion of the home. Finding out if the paint does have lead in it will be necessary for any home buyer to know before a purchase is made. The home inspection report is a great start in the process.

If you find lead paint in your home, hire a professional to remove it.

When Do I Call A Professional?

Dealing with lead paint is not ideal for any family. It can cause some major health issues for you and your family. Be sure to reach out to your local home inspection team. They will determine if the paint in your older home is lead-based. Protecting you and your family should be a priority before worrying about any home purchase. Additionally, your local home inspection team can recommend a local risk assessment company. They will determine how toxic the paint in your home might be.

Conclusion

Whenever you are concerned about paint and other potentially toxic materials in your home, you should reach out to your local home inspection team. They can conduct a full home inspection and let you know if you have lead paint in your home or other toxic materials in the home. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Tag Archive for: Paint

How to Stain a Deck & Prevent Errors or Defects