Moisture Check and Surface Preparation

What happens here

Before applying the stain, it's crucial to check the wood's moisture content, especially for new decks, using a moisture meter. The presenter stresses that if the wood is too wet, it won't accept the stain properly, leading to poor adhesion and premature failure. After sanding, use a leaf blower to remove all sanding dust and debris from the deck surface, ensuring a clean base for the stain application. Additionally, mask off any adjacent surfaces, like the house siding, with Frogtape yellow delicate surface tape to prevent the stain from bleeding or peeling off the house later.