Tips and Tricks for Sealing Your Deck

By: Joseph Gardener

Outdoor decks can be a nice addition to any home, but they do require a bit of ongoing maintenance. Harsh weather conditions and moisture can destroy your deck's wood and lead to rotting or even collapse. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to weatherproof your deck and keep it in great condition for years to come. You can either waterproof and seal the deck yourself or choose one of the many professional New Jersey deck sealers. Commercial deck sealing can take the hassle out of annual maintenance while protecting the investment you have made in your home.

Most homeowners can handle the task of deck sealing on their own. It may require some tools and materials that are not on hand, but that can be solved with a quick trip to the home improvement store. Most decks will not need to be sealed every year unless you live in an extreme climate. Be sure to completely seal and waterproof your deck during the initial construction. After that, re-sealing the deck every few years should be sufficient to keep it protected from the elements. Periodically walk around and inspect the wood for signs of water or insect damage just in case your area requires more frequent deck sealing.

Deck sealing supplies can be found at any home improvement or hardware store. You will need a bucket of water, garden hose, sandpaper (or a belt sander), paintbrushes and some type of deck sealing product. The deck should be swept and thoroughly cleaned before sealing, so be sure to purchase any cleaning supplies you may need, including a broom and dustpan. Do not forget about safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, and a face mask. You will be kicking up a lot of sawdust and using noxious chemicals, so keep yourself protected at all times. For large jobs, you can rent an electric paint sprayer to cover the entire area in a short amount of time.

Before going out to weatherproof your deck or hiring a New Jersey deck sealer, you should always check the upcoming weather forecast. You need at least two days of dry, warm weather to complete the weatherproofing project. The first day you will clean the deck and apply the sealer. The sealant then needs to dry for at least 24 hours to ensure that it will fully seal and protect the wood.

Sweep off the deck and clean it as thoroughly as possible. Pay special attention to any cracks between the boards and in those hard to reach corners. You want to remove as much dirt and dust as possible before applying the sealant. This will help it stick to the wood instead of being washed off with dirt and oil the next time it rains. Once the wood is clean and dry, you can simply apply the deck sealer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Allow it to fully dry before allowing people to resume walking on the deck. If you run into problems during this process, your New Jersey deck sealers can come in and finish the task as a reasonable price.

Article Source: http://www.articlepro.co.uk/international

Want even more great tips on how to protect your investment in your home? Visit www.njpaint.com for more deck sealing tips.

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