Deck Sealing

Your deck needs to be sealed before you can use it.   If you are using cedar, oak or other type of lumber to build your deck, you need to make sure that you seal it after you complete it so that it is ready to rebuff the elements.  Sealing your deck is easy to accomplish and can be done in one day.

In order to seal your deck, you first have to make sure that it is clean.  In order to do this, you may want to power wash the deck.  You can rent a power wash machine to wash the deck and remove any dirt and debris from the wood.  If you have just finished constructing your deck, you will want to power wash the deck before you do anything else to get rid of the sawdust and other particles still stuck to the deck. 

After you have finished power washing the deck with the machine, you are then ready to seal it.  The deck should be completed dry before you attempt this job.  You need to get deck sealer and a roller to seal your deck.  You can purchase these products at your local paint store, home improvement store or hardware store. 

A deck sealer is a clear coated polyurethane paint that will make your deck more resistant to the ravages of the weather as well as make it easier to keep clean.  If you do not seal your deck, you can expect the wood to turn gray after about a year.  By sealing your deck, you can keep it from turning this color.

If you want to stain the wood a certain color, you should do so before sealing the deck.  Stain works well when it is applied to raw wood and settles right into the grooves.  You can do this by painting the stain on the wood and then wiping it off.  Allow the stain at least 24 hours to dry before adding the seal coat. 

Applying the seal coat to your deck is just like painting.  Make sure that you have a clean roller as well as a brush.  If you use a power roller, the job will go by much faster.  You can rent a power roller to seal your deck at most home improvement stores.