Wood decking collects algae, mildew and greying UV damage, and stain applied over any of that won’t bond evenly. We start with a low-pressure soft wash designed for wood, then let the deck dry fully, sometimes a few days, before checking for loose boards and applying stain.
Sun exposure greys and dries out wood decking over a season. Stain restores colour and protects the surface underneath.
Moisture-holding areas of a deck collect algae and mildew, which a low-pressure soft wash removes without damaging the grain.
We check for these during the dry-out window before staining, so small issues get caught early.
Low pressure suited to wood, not the higher pressure used on concrete.
Stain applied to a fully dry deck bonds and lasts longer.
Different areas of a deck may need different product recommendations.
We clear the surface to stain it properly and put things back after.
We check the deck's condition and any repairs it needs, then confirm a written price.
We soft wash the wood and let it dry fully, checking for loose boards or nail heads.
We apply a stain matched to the deck's traffic and sun exposure.
We check the finished deck with you before we leave.
Capital Wash & Seal provides professional deck sealing and staining throughout Ottawa and the surrounding area. Homeowners typically call us when a deck has greyed from sun exposure, developed algae or mildew in shaded corners, or has stain that is peeling or worn thin from a few Ottawa seasons of sun, rain and snow. Wood decking needs a different cleaning and sealing approach than concrete or interlock, since too much pressure or the wrong chemistry can damage the grain instead of just cleaning it. We wash the deck with a low-pressure soft wash, let it dry fully, and apply a semi-transparent or solid wood deck sealant chosen for the wood type and how much sun and foot traffic the deck sees. Typical deck staining costs in the Ottawa area run about $1.75 to $3.25 per square foot, confirmed for your deck in a written quote before we start.
Semi-transparent stain shows more of the wood grain and tends to need refreshing sooner, while solid stain covers more like paint and hides wear longer; we can talk through which suits your deck's wood and condition when we quote the job.
This depends on the wash and the weather, and we confirm a realistic dry-time window as part of your written quote rather than guessing at a fixed number.
Yes, if the wrong pressure is used. That is why we use a low-pressure soft wash approach on wood decking instead of the higher pressure suited to concrete or asphalt.
Most decks in the Ottawa area need restaining every two to three years, depending on sun exposure, traffic and the stain type used previously.
We work on both. Older, greyed wood may need extra cleaning or light prep before stain will take evenly, which we assess during the quote.
New pressure-treated wood generally needs a few weeks to a few months to dry out before stain will absorb properly. We can assess your deck and advise on timing.