Using
a sealer for waterproofing deck or staining a deck will greatly expand the
lifespan of any hardwood deck. The finish keeps the wood from experiencing wetting
and drying cycles. If left unstained, precipitationenters your deck and expand. Once the
wood starts to dry, it contracts. This process of contraction and expansion
results into the degrading of your deck. Sealing will prevent the water
from getting in and thereby greatly cutting down the drying and wetting
cycles.
Benefits of applying a deck finish
Periodically
using an ultraviolet graded deck finish prevents you deck from the
so-called 'graying' of the wood.
Applying
a deck with periodical coatings of a deck finish will also prevent the deck
from checking, splintering, warping and degrading.
When to apply a finish
Late
reports by the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) of the USDA show that deck
and lumber in general can be coated shortly after construction. Always
assure yourself from the instructions on the can since some deck finish
products may urge some time to wait before applying.
Periodical
coating of a deck finish is essential to protect your deck from degrading.
The length between coatings varies upon the type of finish and the way your
deck is exposed to the elements such rain, shade or full sun. Most decks
are better be cleaned, sealed and finished between every 1-5 years.
deck sealing drying time
Be
sure the wood deck is dry for several days prior to applying a deck sealer.
If you are not sure, check the wood moisture content with a special meter.
Apply the finish only the moisture content of your deck wood is beneath
20%.
To
apply the deck finish you should wait for dry weather. Once applied the
deck finish, most deck sealers require 24 to 48 hours of drying. A humid
day will extend the drying time and rain can cause finishing defects of
your recently sealed deck. So your weather forecast will interfere with
your plans when to seal your deck.
deck
stain - how to stain, refinish, clean and repair a wooden deck
one
way to apply a deck finish
coating
and finishing your deck
the
secret of a successful coating is an appropriate preparation first
Learn more on deck maintenance, renovation, deck
cleaning, brightening and stripping:
