Cleaning and sealing your deck are important, not just for looks but for longevity. Is it time? Sprinkle the decking with clean water. If it beads up and sits there, kick back and relax. If it's absorbed, it's time to clean and seal.
Never stain or seal without cleaning your deck; you'll lock in dirt and stains.
The job can be done by one person, but it's easier with two. You'll need a couple of days of drying time between cleaning and sealing, as well as a few mild, dry days for the sealer to dry.
Preparing and Cleaning Your Deck
You will need the following supplies:
- Sandpaper and sanding block, or power sander
- A stiff, non-metal bristled push broom, garden tank sprayer or paint roller with extension handle
- Deck cleaner
First, sand rough or splintered areas, drive in loose nails or screws and sweep thoroughly. Protect surrounding areas with tarps or plastic drop cloths.
If your cleaner is a concentrate, mix according to package directions and take care to follow instructions regarding whether the surface should be wet or dry when applying. Use a garden sprayer, a long-handled paint roller or a clean, stiff push broom to apply the cleaner, keeping it from forming pools. Scrub stubborn stains with the broom, and let the cleaner saturate for the recommended time. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose. Allow the deck to dry for two days minimum before sealing.
Choosing a Sealer
There are plenty of sealers to choose from; broadly, they're either water- or oil-based. Water-based sealers usually last longer and clean up more easily, while oil-based products generally keep their color better.
You can choose the color and coverage you want:
- Stain: Dense, solid color that offers supreme protection. Use this if your wood has lost its beauty, if you don't care to see the grain or if you want serious color. Lasts five or more years.
- Semi-transparent stain: Sheer color that lets the wood grain show. Lasts three to five years.
- Tinted water repellant: Just a hint of color that offers less protection from the sun than the more pigmented choices above. Lasts two to three years.
- Clear sealer: No pigmentation, so protection from UV rays is minimal at best. Showcases wood, but the sun will fade the wood within a few months. Lasts six months to two years.
Sealing Your Deck
The key to a great finish is great weather. Watch the forecast and start sealing when you're expecting several days of mild, dry weather.
After your deck has dried completely from cleaning, apply the first of two thin coats with a long-handled paint roller or a clean garden tank sprayer. To get an even coat, it's essential that the sealer does not pool or puddle. Work in small sections, taking care not to paint yourself into a corner.
Check the drying time on your product packaging before applying the second coat, and allow the sealant to dry thoroughly before walking on it.
Safety Tip
Let any rags you've used in the process dry out in a single layer, because some finishes can combust as they evaporate.
