Refurbishing the Community Pool Just in Time for Summer

Condition of Property:

The existing wood, have never previously been stained, was beginning to show it’s age along with wear and tear. In addition, some of the wood components were in need of replacement with new pressure treated wood. The Trex components were also in need of a good cleaning to enhance the overall appearance.

Project Involvement:

The project involved a multi-faceted approach to properly preparing the surfaces to be stained. Our skilled crew performed the following steps to enhance the pool deck for staining:

a. Wash/Clean – The crew washed all surfaces to be stained with low pressure power washing with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and diluted bleach and Simple Green. This removed dirt and algae, mildew and mold from the surfaces. Washing was done with a power washer (low pressure), by hand for delicate areas, and/or a combination of the two – whichever was more appropriate for the substrate. The crew also washed all trex surfaces (deck floor, hand rails, landings, walkways) with low pressure power washing with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and diluted bleach or similar solution. All surfaces to be stained required at least 24 hours to dry. We do not stain surfaces when moisture content of the wood is greater than 18%.

b. Restore –Product: Benjamin Moore RESTORE Wood Restorer. The crew applied diluted solution liberally to the surfaces with plastic garden sprayer, brush, or through power wash chemical injector and allowed the solution to stand for several minutes. The crew then agitated with stiff bristle brush in direction of wood grain and rinsed using a garden hose with nozzle or power washer once again allowing surfaces to dry thoroughly.

c. Brighten/Neutralize –Product: Benjamin Moore BRIGHTEN Brightener & Neutralizer. The crew applied diluted solution liberally to surfaces with plastic garden sprayer, brush, or through power wash chemical injector and allowed solution to stand for several minutes. The crew then agitated with stiff bristle brush in direction of wood grain and rinsed using a garden hose with nozzle or power washer once again allowing surfaces to dry thoroughly. This product counteracts the darkening effect caused by the Restore product and effectively neutralizes pH of the Restore product.

d. Stain – The crew applied 1 coat of Benjamin Moore, WOODLUXE Water Based Exterior Stain. Semi-Transparent. Color – Coffee Brew. To achieve the best look, the crew sprayed/brushed stain onto boards fully coating a few at a time lengthwise for uniform drying and applied evenly, allowing the stain to penetrate into the wood while also brushing from dry into wet areas, stopping at natural breaks. This is a premium quality water-based waterproofing, stain + sealer that utilizes a proprietary, acrylic resin designed to beautify and protect exterior wood surfaces. This penetrating formula minimizes film build, reducing the risk of cracking and peeling. Trans Oxide pigments are used to provide excellent resistance to harsh weather conditions in addition to being a UV and mildew resistant coating.

Special Challenges:

Due to the scope of work and being a fully operational community, CertaPro Painters, the Commercial Operations Manager, the Commercial Production Manager, and the Property Manager coordinated daily access and staging areas. The project involved professional coordination and a daily schedule to ensure staining of the enclosed pool deck was completed in a timely manner while alleviating any concerns of residents and Property Management.

All cleaning agents and stains were applied in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s minimum recommendations. CertaPro Painters followed Benjamin Moore’s specifications in regard to preparation and applied wet film thickness of all products. These premium stains far surpass other quality stains guaranteeing great lasting results that will enhance the property’s appearance and reduce the maintenance burden.

Time Length:

1 Week