Should I stain the deck in the morning or afternoon?

• <div><p>Hot, intense sunshine can cause your stain to dry too quickly, which could lead it to look uneven or patchy. If you’re staining the deck during hotter months, it’s best to do it in the morning or evening once the wood has had time to cool down. If you’re staining in cooler weather with less sunshine, the time of day won’t make as much of a difference.</p></div>

How much does a five-gallon bucket of stain cover?

• <div><p>A five-gallon bucket of deck stain will cover roughly 875 square feet in a single coat. Actual coverage will vary based on the type of wood you’re staining and the number of coats. If you plan on doing multiple coats, multiply the square footage by the number of coats to calculate how many buckets of stain you’ll need.</p></div>

Get matched with top deck staining pros in Ehrhardt, SC

Q: Do I need to sand my porch before painting?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s a good idea to sand your porch before painting. This will remove loose or chipped paint and debris, and give you a cleaner surface so that your new paint goes on smoothly. But if the existing surface is in good condition, it&rsquo;s not necessary to sand your porch before you paint. </p></div>

Q: Can you put too much sealer on a deck?

• <div><p>Applying too much sealer to a deck might seem like extra protection, but it can cause more harm than good. Wood is a porous material with a limited capacity to absorb liquids. When you go overboard with sealer, the excess can't soak in and instead forms a film on the surface. This leftover layer is prone to peeling, cracking, and trapping moisture, ultimately defeating the purpose of sealing in the first place. </p></div>

Q: Do I need to clean my deck before staining, and what happens if I don't?

• <div><p>Yes, you must thoroughly clean your deck before staining. If you don't, dirt, debris, grease, and mildew can get trapped between the wood and the new stain. This not only looks unsightly but also prevents the stain from penetrating the wood properly, reducing its ability to protect the deck from weather and UV rays. As a result, the stain won't last as long or look as good. Any existing mold or mildew left untreated can continue to grow beneath the new stain, potentially leading to wood rot and structural damage. Always wait at least 48 hours after cleaning for the wood to dry completely before applying stain.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your deck staining project in Ehrhardt, SC?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Deck Staining pros in Ehrhardt, SC

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

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

Last update on October 30, 2025

Reviewed in October 2025
Great experience super nice. I had trees trimmed that were over my house and few dead limbs removed at a great price. They did a fantastic job with clean up you couldn’t even tell that I had trees trimmed after they left I would definitely recommend this company to anyone.
Kay's Tree Service and Pressure Washing LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2025
Jones Tree Service did a great job on removing trees from my yard. I would highly recommend jones tree service for your tree removal project.
Jones Tree, LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2024
Awesome job done and super nice people to hire to get a thorough completion. All crew workers were polite and helpful. Clean up was spectacular down to the last twig. I will use them always when needed. I recommend, you do too!
Ace Basin Excavating
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2023
East Coast did not waste any time. They removed the tree and ground the stump, plus a couple of small stumps, all for the same price.
East Coast Tree Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2023
Mike Cortes and Cole Harris were very professional and polite gentleman and they did an amazing job. I love my new shower.
West Shore Home Charleston
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2023
Did a great job on my roof, got everything done even construction clean done within 2 days. Tim also a great guy to work with!
Empire Roofing & Remodeling LLC.
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2022
He was very professional, did everything on a timely manner, he explained everything clearly, and was very thorough.
CT Home Repair
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2021
They did a phenomenal job! He put in a fireplace for me! He redid the whole line and had him come back to work for my stove and pool heater!
Robinson Gas Services LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2021
We also had siding put up and a basic platform porch. All great work quick!
Hammertime Roofing & Remodeling LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2014
<p>-D<strong>AVID AND THE CREW DID A FANTASTIC JOB CLEANING MY HISTORIC C.1897 VICTORIAN HOME FROM THE ROOF DOWN INCLUDING ALL PAINTED SURFACES, WINDOWS AND BRICKWORK AS WELL AS 2 WOODEN DECKS, A BRICK PATIO, CIRCULAR DRIVE AND CURBSIDE SIDEWALK. DUSTIN AND JIMMY CAME OUT FOR A PRELIMINARY...
PALMETTO PRESSURE CLEAN
Request a quote

Find Deck staining pros in Ehrhardt

Better Built Custom Home Builders

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"The project was top notch. Not only did they consistently show up on time, but they finished the project early and very Professional. Final project turned out great"

Response time7 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Mike's Painting & Pressure Washing

4.7(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 1996

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"
We recently purchased a 2nd home on Lake James with an exterior that is 100% cedar. The exterior was in serious need of cleaning and re-staining. It had not been maintained; and, had a significant amount of mold staining and several areas of the trim had the original finish peeling off.

We contracted with Mike and Crystal to prep and re-stain the exterior of our home. Throughout the process, Mike demonstrated thoroughness, competency and responsibility. Mike and Crystal took personal responsibility to ensure they delivered a quality product. Mike kept his commitments and did not compromise his work product even when faced with the stripping process taking more time than he expected. He completed the project per the schedule he committed.

Mike demonstrated a high attention to detail in the finishing process and ensured the project was completed to my satisfaction. The home looks beautiful...we could not be happier.

I solicited bids from several paint contractors and evaluated several before selecting Mike. His pricing was very competitive versus several other contractors; but, I never observed where Mike cut corners.

I would definitely recommend MIke's Painting and will plan to use Mike again when we have painting needs.

"

+161

Recommended by91%of homeowners

Request Quote

Luke's Painting Company

4.4(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"He pressure washed it and then painted a stain on it. It looks amazing!!"

+76

Recommended by93%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

"He finished on time and did quality wok. The house as left clean & no paint on the floor. I was very happy with his work."

Recommended by82%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Credit card accepted

"Very well, completed when said they would and cleaned up after installation."

Recommended by92%of homeowners

Request Quote

Welcome Home Moving Services

5.0(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Tanya and her crew are professional and get the job done."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I was very impressed with the quality of work received and professionalism of of Not Just a Handy Man. I had several rooms painted and was even able to get a tv installed. I would definitely use this company in the future for other projects!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

JR Painting and Cleaning

4.3(

)

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 1987

Free estimates

"Excellent work on exterior paint. Vinyl flawless. Estimate/bid very competitive."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Lee Jones, the owner of the company, is very easy to work with. He instructs his crew of his expectations. He follows up to see if work is completed to specification. The exterior of our house looks great. This company surpassed what we expected. We have hired them to do interior work for us. Mr. Jones crew is very courteous and worked the entire time they were here, except for a lunch break. We would not hesitate recommending them."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Exterior Home or Structure - Paint or StainExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: LargeExterior Home or Structure - Paint or Stain: Medium

Serving Ehrhardt, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"He always does amazing work, and has never failed to please me yet."

Response time4 hrs

Response rate93%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 36

Deck Staining questions, answered by experts

Hot, intense sunshine can cause your stain to dry too quickly, which could lead it to look uneven or patchy. If you’re staining the deck during hotter months, it’s best to do it in the morning or evening once the wood has had time to cool down. If you’re staining in cooler weather with less sunshine, the time of day won’t make as much of a difference.

It’s a good idea to sand your porch before painting. This will remove loose or chipped paint and debris, and give you a cleaner surface so that your new paint goes on smoothly. But if the existing surface is in good condition, it’s not necessary to sand your porch before you paint.

Applying too much sealer to a deck might seem like extra protection, but it can cause more harm than good. Wood is a porous material with a limited capacity to absorb liquids. When you go overboard with sealer, the excess can't soak in and instead forms a film on the surface. This leftover layer is prone to peeling, cracking, and trapping moisture, ultimately defeating the purpose of sealing in the first place.

Yes, you must thoroughly clean your deck before staining. If you don't, dirt, debris, grease, and mildew can get trapped between the wood and the new stain. This not only looks unsightly but also prevents the stain from penetrating the wood properly, reducing its ability to protect the deck from weather and UV rays. As a result, the stain won't last as long or look as good. Any existing mold or mildew left untreated can continue to grow beneath the new stain, potentially leading to wood rot and structural damage. Always wait at least 48 hours after cleaning for the wood to dry completely before applying stain.

A five-gallon bucket of deck stain will cover roughly 875 square feet in a single coat. Actual coverage will vary based on the type of wood you’re staining and the number of coats. If you plan on doing multiple coats, multiply the square footage by the number of coats to calculate how many buckets of stain you’ll need.

The Ehrhardt, SC homeowners’ guide to deck staining services

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

See all articles

Deane Biermeier
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Deck? [2026 Data]
The cost to stain a deck varies depending on its size, location, and type of stain. Keep reading to learn more about how much you might spend.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Deck Replacement or Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Deck replacement costs depend on materials, any structural damage you need to fix, and more. This guide explores how much it costs to replace or repair a deck.
Deirdre Sullivan
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
5 Deck Stain Problems and How to Fix Them
Don’t let deck stain problems steal the spotlight from your outdoor space. Here is how to fix these issues before your next backyard party.
Erica Lamberg
•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
How Often to Stain Your Deck and When to Do It
The best time to stain a deck is when it’s dry but not too sunny. How often you restain a deck depends on climate and wood type, but every two to three years is normal.
Deirdre Sullivan
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
What Are the Pros and Cons of Staining a Deck?
A well-stained deck is beautiful and durable. Dive into the pros and cons of staining a deck to help your outdoor oasis stand the test of time.
Angi
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
Who to Hire for Deck Staining and Painting Services
Not sure who to hire for deck staining and painting? Learn which pros to call, how they work, and how to choose the right fit.