Building your home to perfection is an investment that you should not take for granted. Each aspect and detail of it should be done to perfection to feel comfortable, and it’s certainly your dream home. A deck makes the house on entry and can be used as extra space to relax while having a chat or having a cold drink. Sealing the deck gives it a perfect touch, which should be done the right way.
There are some do’s and don’ts you should know how to seal a deck. They include the following:
1. Do’s
Only apply when ready
The first thing you need to consider is to apply your sealant when the wood is ready. This should not be done 30 days less to when you put the deck. A sealant is used to protect against moisture damage, which, if not done right, can cause some serious problems for you. After 30 days are done, you can test the wood if it’s ready by pouring some water on it. If the wood soaks up the water, it’s perfectly ready to get sealed. Leaving the wood exposed for a period longer than 30 days may lead to UV and moisture damage, which are some of the reasons why you should test after 30 days.
Prepare your deck before you seal
After you are certain that the deck is ready to be sealed, you need to prepare it. The first preparation you need to do is fix any damaged parts of the deck. Cracks and any parts that need to be replaced can cause some serious issues later on, which means a repair needs to be done before you seal. After the repairs are done, cleaning your deck should be the next thing you need to do. A scrub needs to be done neatly using a power-washer for a sparkling clean and to get rid of any tough debris on the deck. Now that your deck is clean, you can easily see stains and surfaces that are uneven. Now with the use of sandpaper after 24 hours of letting it dry. Carefully and finely sandpaper your deck to perfection till you are satisfied that no stains are left and that the surfaces are even. Once you are done, vacuum it to get rid of the dust particles left.
Seal with the right tools
Now that your deck is ready to be sealed, you need to invest in the right tools to get the job done. Sealants can be applied using either a roller, even sprayer, or smooth-bristle paint brush. Do a temperature check as part of your routines on how to seal a deck before you proceed for a successful day. The day needs to be about 50-90 degrees, which is ideal for a not too sunny day. Sealing your deck when it’s too hot will cause the sealant to evaporate, which is the last thing you need. Start sealing from one corner as you proceed while on your knees. Ensure you have the entire surface sealed without leaving an inch of it. This should also be a routine done once a year for a durable deck.
Don’ts
Use the wrong thing to seal
Sealants are the only thing you need to use to seal your deck for moisture protection. Using paint or paint may not be the best idea for you. Paints protect it from both UV damage and moisture damage, but they are not effective for long. Stains on the other side are used only to protect from UV damage.
Applying on damp or uneven surfaces
Applying sealants on a wet deck after cleaning or a rainy day may not lead to the actual results that you want. It will not get absorbed well or dry to perfection. Uneven surfaces will not be appealing, which is why you should not apply before you sandpaper your deck.
Use the deck for 48 hours
Although a sealant takes just but a few hours to dry doesn’t mean it’s ready to use. You should give it at least two days for it to soak and protect your wood to perfection. Also, do routine checks to see if your sealant has dried up completely.