When applying sealant to wood decking, here are tips you’ll want to follow.
If you have a wood deck at home, you have the perfect hangout spot for your outdoor landscape. You can use a wood deck to relax after a stressful day, or you can use it to entertain guests. No matter how you use your deck, though, it’s important to take good care of it. One part of wood deck maintenance includes applying sealant on occasion. When applying sealant to wood decking, here are tips you’ll want to follow.
Apply Your Sealant to Dry Surfaces Only
Sealant can only be applied effectively when it’s put onto a dry surface. This is because any moisture that’s left on your deck will cause your sealant to be applied unevenly. This results in an incomplete application, so your sealant won’t be nearly as effective.
Therefore, you should keep an eye on the weather whenever you plan to add sealant to your wood decking. You want to apply your sealant when there’s no chance of rain or snow popping up. If your deck is already wet from previous weather, wait a minimum of one day before you apply your sealant.
Choose the Best Time of Day
The time of day, as well as the temperature outside, can affect when to apply sealant to your wood decking. When it comes to appropriate temperatures, you want to seal your deck when the weather is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As for the right time of day, you typically want to apply sealant in the morning. The sun can get strong in the afternoon, so you want to apply sealant earlier in the day so that the sealant has a chance to be absorbed into your deck’s surface.
Prepare Your Deck’s Surface Before Sealing It
We’ve already mentioned how wet surfaces can prevent a smooth application of your sealant, but you have to watch for other factors as well. If your deck is dirty, damaged, or not properly sanded, your sealant application won’t go over well. That’s why you have to make sure your deck is clean, sanded, and free of damage before you apply sealant.
Purchase Your New Decking from Fisher Lumber
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