Do It Yourself Weatherproofing
A deck needs to be weatherproofed when it is built and re-sealed every twelve to eighteen months to maintain its function and beauty. Weatherproofing your deck not only protects the wood from water damage, but also extends its life and keeps your wallet tighter as you don't have nearly as much to replace as often. Weatherproofing can be done by a professional, or with a little elbow grease, you can do it yourself. It isn't hard to weatherproof a deck when you start out on the right foot. The steps to weatherproof your deck yourself are as follows:
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Step #1: Clean it.
This step is the most important step to do thoroughly as it makes all other steps much easier if it is done right. Even if you hire a professional to weatherproof your deck, you'll have to do a lot of the work in this step yourself. You can't weatherproof your deck if it isn't clean. Take all the furniture, planter boxes, and anything else that may be sitting on your deck and remove them. Sweep your deck and remove the debris. Prepare a low-impact cleaning solution and use a stiff bristle brush or rent a power-washer to really get the job done. You'll want to remove all the dirt and loose paint before you put the sealant on to make sure your deck is fully proofed against the weather. After your deck is dirt and dust free, rinse it off with a hose and let it dry. Be sure to wear eye protection, especially if you are using a power-washer. This step takes the most elbow grease, but when done right can keep your deck functioning at the top of its game for years.
Step #2: Repair it.
What is the point in sealing a deck that is damaged? Repair and replace any decking that needs attention. Be sure to check your deck supports, railings, and stairs as well. Tap down any nails that have popped up and tighten any screws that have come loose. If your deck needs any sanding, now would be the time to do it, although you'll have to start at the first step again and make sure the deck is dirt and saw dust free. Get all your repairs done and make sure you've kept the area clean before you move on to the last step in the process.
Step #3: Seal it.
The last step in the process of weatherproofing your deck is to seal it. You can get a water-proofing or weatherproofing sealant from almost any home improvement store. The sealant is thin, like water, and goes on easily and quickly. You can brush, roll, or spray it on like paint. Be sure to seal every piece of wood top and bottom, paying special attention to the end grain where water is absorbed the easiest. Not only should you seal your decking, but also you stairs, rails and stiles, and supports. Pay special attention to your supports as well as it doesn't do you any good to have a deck with no support because they've water rotted. If you do the sealing process on a warm day it will only take a couple of hours for your deck to dry, then you can enjoy it all year long. There is a special kind of weatherproofing sealant for decks of redwood that has a mildewcide in it that keeps your redwood from loosing its color. Be sure to check into it if you have a redwood deck.
