Wood Porches

• 1). Hose down the porch with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris.
  
  
• 2). Test an unpainted porch to see if it has been sealed. If you notice water beading up when you wash the porch, it has been coated with a sealer that must be removed so that the wood will accept the stain. Remove the sealer with a stripper according to the manufacturer's directions.
  
  
• 3). Repair or replace damaged wood planks.
  
  
• 4). Scrub the porch with detergent and water or a commercial wood cleaner.
  
  
• 5). Thoroughly rinse the porch with a strong spray from a garden hose, pushing off any excess water so that it does not pool on the surface. Allow the porch to dry for at least 24 hours.
  
  
• 6). Lightly sand the surface of the wood with a power sander. Sanding helps open the pores of the wood so that it will better accept the stain.
  
  

Concrete Porches

• 1). Scrub the concrete with a soapy solution of detergent and water to remove surface dirt, debris and efflorescence. Efflorescence is white, chalky mineral salts that sometimes appear on concrete and natural stones. As water evaporates through the concrete or stone, the salts get pushed to the surface.
  
  
• 2). Remove oil stains with a commercial concrete degreaser. Oil stains block the absorption of concrete stain.
  
  
• 3). Thoroughly rinse the porch of all cleaning products and degreasers with a garden hose or power washer and allow it to dry. Push off any pooled water with a brush or push broom. Standing water can cause efflorescence to form on the surface. Drying time is generally 24 to 48 hours, depending on outdoor humidity and temperature. Cooler, drier days accelerate drying time.
  
  
• 4). Fill minor cracks of less than 1/4-inch wide with epoxy filler for concrete. Mix the filler according to the label and apply it to the concrete with a putty knife.
  
  
• 5). Fill larger cracks with self-leveling concrete sealant. This type of sealant is available in a tube and can be applied to the cracks with a caulking gun.
  
  
• 6). Allow sealant and epoxy to thoroughly dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
  
  
• 7). Run an angle grinder across the repairs to smooth and level out the repairs. Clean up debris with a shop vacuum.