Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page! Here, you can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our services and company. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. Our team is always available to answer any questions you may have and to help you get started on your next project.
Deck and Fence Staining
Q: How do I prep my deck for MasterDecker services?
A: Simply remove any furniture/planters from the deck, close all nearby windows and doors, and confirm that the hose line has access to water. We’ll do the rest.
Q: Are the chemicals used safe for my plants and pets?
A: By spraying plants down with water prior to deck cleaning/stripping, any chemicals which may land on nearby greenery will be diluted and have no harmful effects. We also take care to neutralize and properly rinse off chemicals when completed, meaning pets and vegetation are completely safe.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: Cleaning/stripping will be completed on the first available day. After a minimum of 2-3 days of drying, the staining crew will come. Times will vary depending on weather, as the deck should be dry for a period of at least 24 hours before and after staining.
Q: How long should we stay off our deck once it’s finished?
A: We recommend homeowners to give their deck at least 24 hours to fully dry after all work is completed.
Q: How often should I re-stain my deck?
A: When you see your deck fading and absorbing water rather than beading it, it’s an indication that it’s time for a new coat. This is generally every year for transparent stains, every 2 years for semi-transparent stains and every 3-5 years for semi-solid stains.
Q: What’s a good way to make my deck stand out?
A: How about a dual-tone deck? At an extra cost we can give you a unique deck that stands out amongst your neighbours with two different stain colours used; one to highlight the borders, and the other to fill the main area.
Q: Why are oil-based stains better than water-based?
A: Oil-based stains are penetrating, which means they will have less chance of peeling as they soak into the wood and do not film on top. They are also easier to maintain by cleaning and reapplying every 2-3 years rather than performing a heavy sanding between coats.
Deck Building
Q: Who takes care of the permit process?
A: For an additional charge, we can take care of the permit process for you or you can choose to do it your self for no extra fee.
Q: What is involved with the permit process?
A: The permit process includes a permit application, submitting drawings to the municipality for their review, and then scheduling visits by the building officials to inspect the work at stages.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: The answer depends on the time of year. The permit process typically adds about 2 weeks to the length of the project.
Q: Should we seal the deck right away?
A: After your deck project is complete, we recommend waiting one winter season before sealing/staining the deck to ensure the wood has room for the stain to penetrate properly.
Q: How often should I re-stain my deck?
A: When you see your deck fading and absorbing water rather than beading it, it’s an indication that it’s time for a new coat. This is generally every year for transparent stains, every 2 years for semi-transparent stains and every 3-5 years for semi-solid stains.
Q: What materials can you build my deck out of?
A: We can construct decks out of multiple materials. Mostly the framing of a deck is always out of Pressure Treated lumber and the surface of the deck can be Pressure Treated, Cedar, Composite, or PVC materials. We work with various suppliers and brands as each requires a slightly different installation method.
Q: What options do I have for railings?
A: Railings have a standard height required by the Ontario Building Code, however, the style and material of the railing is determined by you. We can install Pressure Treated Railing, Cedar Railing, Aluminum Railing, or Glass Railing.
Fence Building
Q: Do I need a Permit for a Fence?
A: For a standard fence in most areas, you typically do not require a fence. However in special situations like the front of your home, you may require a permit. Best to reach out to us directly.
Q: What is the maximum height of a fence you can build?
A: While this varies by area, in most areas the maximum height for a backyard fence is 7′.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: To build a typical wood fence, the process takes about 3-4 days. The first day is used to layout the new fence or remove the old one along with digging and setting the new posts. Followed by another day of installing the rails and main fence sections. The final day is for rip cuts and detail work as well as cleaning up the jobsite. The answer will depend on the length and height of course.
Q: Does a fence need to be stained or sealed?
A: If your fence is made of wood like Pressure Treated Pine or Cedar, it is recommended to seal your fence to protect it from drying out, cracking, and rotting. We use the same products on fences as we do decks, however you can also use Solid Stains on fences.
Q: How do you mark out the boundries of the fence?
A: We typically would like the home owner to stake out the lot lines, but if a survey is provided we can also stake out the proper boundries.
Q: What materials can you build my fence out of?
A: For fences, there are several options for materials. The standard fence is made out of Pressure Treated lumber. Premium fences can be build out of Cedar, Vinyl, or Ornamental Metal.
Concrete Patios and Driveways
Q: What thickness do you form our patio and driveway?
A: The thickness of concrete is just one factor for the final strength. Driveways are typically formed to be between 4.5 -5.5″ thick and backyard patios are formed to be between 2.5-3.5″ thick.
Q: What options do we have for concrete?
A: Concrete patios and driveways can also be tinted with a colour or stamped with a design like the popular Ashlar Slate.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: A typical drievway or patio will take roughly 6-7 days to complete. This is because it requires a couple of days to remove existing grass, soil, patio stones etc. A day to form, a day to pour and finish, as well as a day to strip and cut.
Q: How long should we avoid parking on our new concrete driveway?
A: We recommend homeowners avoid parking on their new driveways until the concrete has had 48 hour to cure. It is even better to wait until the concrete is sealed if you are concerned with leaving rubber tire marks or other fluid spills from your vehicle.
Q: How often should I re-seal my concrete?
A: It depends various factors, but we typically recommend rewashing and sealing every 2 years on average.
