How long should I season my deck before staining?

• <div><p>It’s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don’t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.</p></div>

How hard is it to build a deck yourself?

• <div><p>Building a deck isn't too hard if you’re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don’t have experience in those areas.</p><p>Note: You’ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don’t have an extra set of hands to help.</p></div>

Get matched with top deck maintenance specialists in Baker City, OR

Q: How long should I season my deck before staining?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don&rsquo;t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.</p></div>

Q: How do I prepare the ground under the deck?

• <div><p>Before installing any materials under the deck for removing moisture, you should perform some prep work on the ground. Work the dirt under the deck to create a grade away from the home. A grade of at least six inches for every 10 feet works well. Do not leave a gap between the dirt and the home&rsquo;s foundation where water could pool. Once you or a contractor <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-do-i-regrade-around-my-house-foundation.htm">regrades the dirt under the deck</a>, you then can add materials over the top.</p></div>

Q: What type of sander is best for sanding a deck?

• <div><p>A random orbital sander is best for sanding a deck because it is easier to handle than other power sanders and is less likely to damage the wood. Most decks are made of types of softwood, so a gentler sanding process is essential to prevent permanent blemishes. For example, belt sanders can gouge softwoods. </p></div>

Q: Can I pressure wash my own deck?

• <div><p>It is possible to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-power-wash-deck.htm">pressure wash your deck</a>, but it&rsquo;s usually best to leave the work to a professional for two main reasons. First, power washers are expensive, and you can avoid high upfront costs by hiring a deck washing pro instead. Second, you must be careful to use the correct setting to avoid damaging your deck material. You can only clean soft woods like pine with a wide spray and a low pressure; otherwise, the water will leave unpleasant marks on your deck. Hard woods, composite material, and metal can stand up to increasingly higher water pressures.</p></div>

Q: How hard is it to build a deck yourself?

• <div><p>Building a deck isn't too hard if you&rsquo;re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don&rsquo;t have experience in those areas.</p><p>Note: You&rsquo;ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don&rsquo;t have an extra set of hands to help.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Baker City, OR

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Baker City, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Baker City, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

Last update on September 27, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
Andy and Brian are very good contractors and I’m very pleased with the work they did and would hire them again for anything
Bakers Best Painting Plus, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2024
Dave and his crew were great and our new gutters have made a HUGE difference in our yard and driveway this Spring. I highly recommend Top Notch here in Baker city! We are fortunate to have a seamless gutter business in Eastern Oregon to avoid travel charges out of Boise or the like. Thank you,...
Top Notch Roofing & Gutters, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2024
Beau w. And Anthony v. were our installers were excellent installers. From the start they called to let us know ETA. They were most professional, efficien, courteous. All our questions were answered. Spent time explaining lock system, care, and maintenance. Cleanup was excellent. Hauled off all...
Renewal by Andersen of Boise
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Reviewed in June 2023
They were so nice and professional. Great pricing and did a awesome job. Highly recommend.
Steele Roofing And Construction LLC
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Reviewed in March 2023
Very friendly, prompt service. Made sure everything was in good working order before leaving. I would definitely recommend.
First Rate Chimney
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Reviewed in May 2020
I needed lawn mowing and maintenance service and through Home Advisor I found DMJ Property Services. I couldn t be more pleased with the service and response time from them, it s great to know I don t have to worry about my lawn for the rest of the season.
DJM Property Services, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2019
completed the task of rebuilding my deck quickly and very neatly
Scrivner Painting, Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2019
Good customer service-returned to clean a missed area on the deck. However, work not completed on driveway. Area too far from the house and uphill for the machine to work. No offer to decrease contract price for incomplete job.
Peace Time Contracting, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2014
Seven years previous I had to rip out two layers of vinyl flooring and the particle board substrate in the kitchen and laundry rooms of my home due to infusion with mold, leaving me down to the tongue and groove subfloor, which I cleaned, colored and waxed to seal. I stuffed every blessed...
Cover Works
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Baker City

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Baker City, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Arrived on time, polite & professional, pressure washed deck and sealed it. Deck looked brand new when he finished
"

Recommended by53%of homeowners

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal

Serving Baker City, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Great quality installation, respectful of their space and workers, amazing clean up and timely order."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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JBC Group Solutions Inc

4.0(

)

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Baker City, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Emergency services offered

"They did a real good job. They were real professional. We can now open the garage door from the inside of the house and now it is so smooth that we have to check to see if we hit the button to open it or close it. Before we used to know when it was opening or closing because it used to make a noise. It helps when you move to a city where you are new. "

Recommended by75%of homeowners

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Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

It’s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don’t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.

Before installing any materials under the deck for removing moisture, you should perform some prep work on the ground. Work the dirt under the deck to create a grade away from the home. A grade of at least six inches for every 10 feet works well. Do not leave a gap between the dirt and the home’s foundation where water could pool. Once you or a contractor regrades the dirt under the deck, you then can add materials over the top.

A random orbital sander is best for sanding a deck because it is easier to handle than other power sanders and is less likely to damage the wood. Most decks are made of types of softwood, so a gentler sanding process is essential to prevent permanent blemishes. For example, belt sanders can gouge softwoods.

It is possible to pressure wash your deck, but it’s usually best to leave the work to a professional for two main reasons. First, power washers are expensive, and you can avoid high upfront costs by hiring a deck washing pro instead. Second, you must be careful to use the correct setting to avoid damaging your deck material. You can only clean soft woods like pine with a wide spray and a low pressure; otherwise, the water will leave unpleasant marks on your deck. Hard woods, composite material, and metal can stand up to increasingly higher water pressures.

Building a deck isn't too hard if you’re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don’t have experience in those areas.

Note: You’ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don’t have an extra set of hands to help.

The Baker City, OR homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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