Waterproofing Your Deck

There is one final step that many builders take before completing the deck.

To protect the wood and extend the life of the deck, you will need to coat the deck with water-repellent sealer.

This will prevent rotting due to exposure to moisture, AND prevent the costly effect of needing to repair your deck.

Also use water repellant with a mildewcide especially on redwood to keep its red color and not turn black with age.

You can also apply sealer to all pieces before construction, for a more complete coverage. This sealer serves well for a base coat for other finishes. If you apply the sealer to a redwood deck after it is completed, you can apply coats at 12 to 18 month intervals to eliminate the darkening effect and preserve the beautiful buckskin color.

If wood is left unsealed, it can rot, stain, and decay, often resulting in your having to replace the wood prematurely. Because of the enduring qualities of heart redwood, this is not as much of a problem with redwood as it is with other woods.

You can apply the water repellant with a brush, roller, or spray. It penetrates quickly because it is thin.

Cleaning and Waterproofing Your Deck

There are several options for you to take when cleaning your deck. You can use a pressure washer, a scrub brush and some detergent or try a commercially available deck cleaner.

Use deck cleaners that are biodegradable and safe around pets, plants and of course children.  Also remember to use gloves, protective eye wear and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty in.

  1. 1. Remove everything from your deck. Then sweep the deck to remove dust and debris.
  1. 2. Prepare the cleaning solution by mixing it with water as directed on the label. Use a pump sprayer to apply the cleaning solution to the deck.
  1. 3. Start scrubbing the deck with a stiff-bristle deck scrub brush when the solution starts to foam. Scrub the deck thoroughly, rinse it off with a garden hose.
  1. 4. When the deck is dry, apply a clear or tinted water repellent to protect the wood.