Deck sealers are important to protect your deck and give them a longer life span. So if you want your backyard deck to be beautiful and new for an extended period of time, then sealing is the appropriate option.
If you have a deck in your backyard, you must have witnessed that it gradually gets damaged due to the ravages of sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations. If your deck doesn't have a protective coating, then extreme heat and cold can have a detrimental effect on it. So it's recommendable to have a seal over the deck. Hiring professionals for this job can cost you a fortune, but you will get some quality results. Fortunately, a person himself can execute this task because sealing a deck is not that difficult. One thing that comes to every beginner's mind is how to seal a deck; this question is answered in this article in a detailed manner.
What is deck sealer?
Deck sealer is a transparent coat that, when applied on a block of wood, seeps deep into it and creates a layer on the wood's surface; this will help maintain the natural finish of the wood. The deck sealer aims to penetrate into the wood and create a protective layer that prevents the wood from water infiltration and locks out moisture. This layer prevents the wood from rot and fungal growth; thus, the wood will not get damaged for an extended period of time and will have a more significant life span. So it's an excellent thought to seal your deck and prevent it from future damages.
What is deck stain?
Deck stain is a product that can also prevent the wood from water because it has water-resistant abilities. It is known for adding pigments with varying opacities into the wood. The stains come with a wide variety of color choices to choose from, allowing the users to have a color of their choice. The deck stain protects the wood from the UV rays of the sun, which is an essential advantage. The darker the stain, the more pigment is added to the wood; thus, there will be more protection for the wood against water infiltration, UV rays, etc.
Steps to seal, a deck
Before sealing a deck, the one thing that goes up in everybody's mind is that 'How to seal a deck.' It is an easy task, and you just need to follow the required steps then you are good to go. Anyone can apply the seal to his/her wood deck without facing many difficulties. Yes, there is always an option to hire a professional for the work, but it will cost you a fortune, so if you are capable of affording a professional, then it's better to hire one despite trying it on your own.
In order to apply the seal effectively, always remember to clean the deck properly. Make sure that all debris and dust are removed from the surface of the wood.
Before discussing the step-by-step details of how to seal a deck, there are some points that you need to keep in mind for the efficient and effective completion of the task. First of all, don't ever think of applying a seal in direct sunlight; the rays of the sun will dry the seal too quickly. The sealer needs to get absorbed by the wood entirely for the best results in the future. If you have purchased a brand new deck, then leave it to dry completely so that it can absorb the seal effectively without any trouble.
Now let's discuss the steps that are needed to be followed to apply the seal into the deck in the right way:
Check the weather forecast
Before applying the deck sealer, you must ensure that the weather will remain dry for at least the next two days. If there is a slight chance of rainfall, it's better to postpone the task to another day. While applying the deck sealer, you must also ensure that the temperature is between the range 50-90° F. If the temperature and weather match the basic requirement, then the deck sealer will get applied effectively.
Clear the deck
The next step is to ensure that there is nothing present on the deck's surface, in which you are going to apply the deck stealer. If objects like furniture, plants, and other furnishings are scattered on the surface of the deck, then it's your duty first to clear all this thing and then apply the seal into the deck.
Use sand if required
Before starting the process of sealing, it is required to sand the deck so that the sealer will get absorbed by the wood adequately without any problems. Sanding is a long process, and it consumes a lot of time, but it is essential for sealing, so we can't skip it. If needed, grab a pole or a palm sander to speed up the process and make sure that you sand in the same direction as the grains. Always remember to wear a mask while executing this sanding task to be secure from the sawdust.
Debris removal
After sanding the deck, you must ensure that the whole deck is free from debris. You can remove the debris by checking the cracks of the deck and also ensure that the surface is dry before starting to apply the deck sealer.
Stir sealer
Before starting to apply the sealer, make sure that you have property stirred it so that it is free from bubbles.
Apply sealer
To apply the sealer, you can use a paintbrush, roller, or sprayer. Apply a thin coat over a two to three board section. If you want, then you can add another coat only after the first coat dries. This will give more protection to the surfaces of the deck.
Repeat and fine tune
Repeat step 6 until the whole deck is covered with the seal, then you can use a paintbrush for sealing the cracks, railings, and steps.
Let it dry
After applying the sealer, the last step is to leave the deck to dry so that the wood will perfectly absorb the deck sealer.
Conclusion
Deck sealers are important to protect your deck and give them a longer life span. So if you want your backyard deck to be beautiful and new for an extended period of time, then sealing is the appropriate option.
Reference links:
https://www.decks.com/how-to/articles/how-to-seal-your-deck-best-deck-sealers
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/sealing-the-deck/
Photo by JamesDeMers from Pixabay
