Having a wooden deck requires DIY skills to maintain its beautiful surface and keep it splinter free.
There are several ways to apply a deck sealer. You can do this with a brush, paint roller or a garden sprayer.
A brush gives you a good control, so you end up with even applications. It also forces the deck sealer into the open pores and grain. However, this is a long and tiring process. You can also opt to use a paint roller. Although it is faster, you have little control, so you end up going over some areas again just to make sure that everything is evenly covered. Another method is through the use of a garden sprayer. It’s the fastest and cleanest way to do the job. However, the best way to apply a deck sealer would be the according to the written instructions on the product container. So pay careful attention to it.
Now, let’s go to the step by step application process of the deck sealer.
1. Spray down the floor with water and scrub it to remove dirt, grime, mold, and other debris that has collected on the surface. Screwdrivers and putty knives will be particularly useful at this stage. If you do not do this, you will have an uneven surface and the deck sealer will also trap elements that may cause problems in the future.
2. Sweep away the debris you have managed to scrape off.
3. Protect nearby foliage from chemicals with a plastic sheet.
4. Use deck cleaners on the surfaces for thorough cleaning. These are available in hardware stores. You can also create your solution by mixing equal amounts of high-quality oxygen bleach with warm water. Use deck brighteners to remove molds and mildew stains mainly for redwoods and cedars. Apply the cleaner to the railings and posts from the bottom up to avoid spills and splatters.
5. Let the cleaner sit on the wooden surfaces according to the manufacturer’s directions.
6. Then, spray down and rinse the deck well. For large areas, a pressure washer will get the job done fast.
7. Allow the deck to completely dry for at least 48 hours before moving on to the next step.
8. Put on your protective safety equipment like your goggles and face mask.
9. Sand the entire deck by moving your sander in the same direction as the grains on the wood. If you do the opposite, you will be creating grooves on the wood which are weak spots for pooling of liquid. Just sand the surface to remove the old sealant and expose the bare wood with an even surface. You can also use an 80 grit sandpaper for this.
10. Sweep off or vacuum the sanding dust from the surface to get a smooth and even surface. This will make it ready for the first coat of sealant.
11. If you notice any loose screw or popped nails, now is the perfect time to fix them. If there are boards that need to be replaced, do it now.
12. Use painter’s tape to protect surfaces from the sealant.
13. Get your deck sealer and follow the instructions given on how to apply the sealant. Brush the sealant using even strokes in the direction of the wood grain. Pay careful attention to the nook and crannies and make sure to paint over them as well. Avoid stepping over the wet sealant.
14. Allow the deck sealer to dry for a few hours before applying the second coat.
Now that you are done using the floor sealer grab a cool drink stretch out, and relax while waiting for it to dry completely. In a day or two, you can put back the furniture and lounge in the area again! Wouldn’t that be great?