Regular maintenance is important to the life of your deck. This article offers tips on how to strip, clean and seal wood decks.
Regular maintenance is important to the life of your deck. This article offers tips on how to strip, clean and seal wood decks.
View Patios and Decks Guide RSS feedRegular maintenance is important to the life of your deck. This article offers tips on how to strip, clean and seal wood decks.
Because it is exposed to all of nature's elements, your deck will need regular maintenance. Cleaning your deck will help remove the dirt, mildew and/or algae that has accumulated on its surface.
In addition to regular cleaning, your deck will also need to be stripped and re-sealed periodically in order to preserve the quality of the wood.
If the wood on your deck absorbs too much water, it can become warped, cracked and otherwise damaged. To protect the wood, you should apply a sealant. If your deck has already been sealed, you should test the sealant on a regular basis by drizzling water onto different areas of the deck. If the water beads up on the wood, no additional sealant is needed, but if the wood absorbs the water, new sealant should be applied as soon as possible.
To make sure the new sealant adheres to the wood properly, you will need to strip the old layer of sealant away. (If your deck has never been sealed before you can skip this step.) Stripping will be especially important if you plan to change the color of your deck.
To begin, choose a stripper that is formulated to remove the type of sealant that is currently on your deck. Some strippers are made for clear finishes and sealers, while other strippers are specially formulated to remove semi-transparent and opaque sealants.
The deck stripper should be applied according to the manufacturer's directions. Deviating from these instructions could damage the wood on your deck.
After the deck has been stripped, you will want to clean the wood thoroughly in order to remove any lingering residue. Rather than preparing your own cleaning solution, pick up a container of deck cleaning solution from a hardware or building supply store. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as any deviation could have poor results.
There are many different types of sealants available. Sealers that fully penetrate the wood will last longest and provide the most protection. Here are the most common types of deck sealers:
No matter which type of deck sealer you choose, you will want to apply it carefully to ensure even coverage on the surface of your deck. If applied properly, the sealer will protect your deck for many years to come.
To accurately determine space needs for patios or decks it is essential to consider every possible aspect of the home before and after the addition. Planning is the number one activity that needs to be thoroughly completed before contruction begins.
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