A courtyard deck is an awesome platform for enjoying yourself with your friends and family. It can serve well as a party floor as well as a place to relax and enjoy the early mornings. But, keep in mind that you need to seal the deck properly to protect it against damage from the sun, rain and temperature fluctuations.
As professionals, we get a lot of inquiries from our potential clients regarding sealing the decks.
Therefore, we are creating this blog with the intent to help our clients with all their questions & assumptions regarding sealing a deck. You can consider this blog as an expert’s advice to go ahead with confidence!
Sealing a Deck: The Do’s that should follow:
- Wait for 30 dates before you seal the deck
If you have put together the deck recently, then you can seal the deck. The reason behind this is that there are preservatives added to wood that require 30 days of dwell time before absorbing the sealant. To know whether your deck is ready, you can pour some water on the deck after 30 days. If the water comes together in droplets, then the wood is not ready and too wet to seal. But if the water gets absorbed in the deck, then it is ready to seal. Make sure that you apply the sealant to the wood when it is ready. Otherwise, if you leave your deck without sealing, then it might get damaged from the UV rays/moisture damage.
- Wash and sand your deck before sealing.
You need to do proper preparation before you start the sealing process. Wash the deck with a power washer. Scrub & clean the surface Use the powered sanding tool for removing the top layer of wood to act as a barrier & sealant.
- Use proper tools/techniques for sealing the deck
Take a deck sealant and apply it properly with a roller/paint brush/paint sprayer. You can do it while standing, or you can use your hands & knees to cover every inch of the deck with adequate sealant. Make sure that you apply the sealant with consistency, as overly thick sealant is vulnerable to peeling/chipping. Avoid oversaturating the surface, apply only one coat of sealant, and wait for 24 hours to apply the second one.
- Apply a sealant/stain once a year
If you live in a sunny climate, then you should follow a once per year schedule to protect the wood from the harmful UV rays. On the other hand, if you live in hot climatic conditions with a hot sun, then you can do a two-three time cycle every year. Also, the decks are more prone to moisture damage, and you should be aggressive with the sealant to ensure that the sealant absorbs all moisture. It provides long term protection against melting snow and moisture damage.
The Don’ts that You should avoid while sealing
- Do not get confused between the sealant, stains or the paint. Most people get overwhelmed with multiple terms such as sealant, stain and paint.
- Sealants are applied to decks to avoid damage due to moisture. They are waterproof/water repellent with a thick viscosity than deck stains. But, sealants do not have pigmentation like stains, and they provide less UV protection.
- Stains have pigmentation, it adds colour to the deck while protecting it against all kinds of UV damage. But, these do not provide moisture protection as good as sealants.
- Paint: These are made from latex/oil-based material that protects against UV rays and moisture damage, but paints do not hold up as good as a sealant/stain. Also, if moisture comes through the wood during the application, then the paint might lead to bubbling/chipping.
- Do not use sealant on a frosty/damp deck
If you apply the sealant to a damp/frosty deck, then it won’t be able to protect your deck. The worst-case scenario would be that the sealant will not absorb the water, and lead to water droplets sitting on the deck. As a result, it will create a slippery, messy and dangerous situation. Once you have applied the sealant, then you should wait for 24 hours to check the sealant.
- Don’t ignore the temperature/time of the day.
Once you plan to seal the deck, make sure that the temperature is between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit. The climatic conditions should be pleasant and avoid doing it in the afternoon as the sealant might evaporate quickly without proper absorption.
Do not use the deck for 48 hours
A proper application of sealant takes a few hours. But it is recommended for you to stay away from the deck for at least 2 days. To keep your family members away, you can restrict the area with a seal across the whole surface of the deck.
Use a combined stain+sealant product that provides durability and protection against moisture and UV rays. You can also apply a single stain on the deck, and leave it for 48 hours. Apply the sealant with a similar level of protection.
Also if you have already stained the deck, then make sure that you sand the entire surface area, do the same to the area with worn off sealant or moisture protection. The moisture protection here will prevent the sealant from getting absorbed. Therefore, you should make sure that you sand it evenly and ensure a bare surface.
For further information, you can refer to our guide to maintain and clean your custom Deck.
Once you have done this, then you can start with the process of adding the protection of sealant and stain together to improve the longevity of your deck.
Looking to build your dream Deck? Contact JVK & Sons Today!
We at JVK and Sons Construction look forward to helping our clients. We care and value your time and investment. We serve across the suburbs of Brisbane, chapel hill, Fairfield, Wavell heights, Carindale, and the neighbourhoods of Donnybrook Moggill.
Our decking experts are ready to work, and we provide services for:
● Timber Decking
● Composite Decking
● Merbau Decking
In case if you have any inquiries then you can get in touch with us and get a free assessment today.
Start building your dream deck today!
