How often should I seal my deck?

When Should I Reseal My Deck? You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.

How often should you waterproof your deck?

The general rule of thumb is to get your deck waterproofed once a year, especially if you live in areas that see a lot of rainfall. Another thing to consider is whether or not you live in an area that gets a lot of direct sunlight year round.

What time of year should I seal my deck?

Summer is generally the best time to waterproof your deck because it gives you the opportunity to clean it thoroughly and seal it properly without worrying about rain. It takes about two to three days for a deck to completely dry out after sealing and you'll need up to six days for it to be fully functional again.

Is it better to stain or seal a deck?

Deck sealing will protect the wood from splitting, cracking, moisture, mildew, and rot while maintaining the color and grain of the wood. A stain will protect the wood and provides a more uniform tint or color to the wood to complement surrounding structures.

How often should you seal a pressure-treated deck?

Over time, reapplication of a sealer is recommended, perhaps every year or two; follow the manufacturer's instructions. Over several months, pressure-treated Southern Pine lumber will weather naturally to an appealing silver-gray color. Treated Southern Pine lumber will accept a finish similar to untreated material.

When to Seal or Stain a New Wood Deck

How long does deck sealer last?

You should reapply wood sealer at least every three years. In many cases, you need to seal a wood deck once a year. The more foot traffic and sun exposure your deck gets, the more often you need to apply deck sealant.

What happens if you don't seal pressure treated wood?

As they dry in the sun, they'll shrink. Over time, this constant cycle of swelling and shrinking will cause your deck to become cracked, splintered, and warped.

What happens if you don't seal your deck?

It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date. If you choose to revitalize the natural color of the wood, we recommend our two-step maintenance clean.

How much does it cost to seal a deck?

Cost to Seal a Deck

Sealing a deck costs $906 or typically between $551 and $1,293. You'll pay $0.75 to $4 per square foot for both materials and labor. Labor alone makes up 50% to 75% of the total price. Cost factors include regional worker rates, complexity, size, prep needs and accessibility.

Is it too late to seal my deck?

DO wait 30 days before sealing a new deck. If you've just built a new deck, you're probably itching to finish the job by sealing it. But preservatives in the wood often require about 30 days' dwell time before the deck can soak up the sealant.

How long does seal once last?

Born of innovation in 2003, SEAL-ONCE is the leading brand of Eco-friendly, non-toxic, high-performance waterproofing wood sealers & deck stains. Our products are warranted to prevent long-standing water accumulation for up to 10 years on vertical surfaces and up to 6 years on horizontal surfaces.

How cold is too cold to seal a deck?

Don't seal a deck below 50 degrees.

You don't want to begin the sealing process until you can safely guarantee the temperature will remain above 50 degrees for at least 48 hours.

Do I need to sand deck before sealing?

Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.

Is it worth sealing a deck?

Taking proper care of your wood deck is extremely important. Because decks have direct contact with the outdoor elements, wood decks need to be properly sealed and waterproofed. If you haven't sealed and waterproofed your deck, we highly recommend you invest.

Is Thompsons water seal good for decks?

Thompson's^® WaterSeal^® Maximum Strength Deck Stripper is the strongest option and will remove any coating - even a solid stain. If your deck is made of redwood or cedar,Thompson's^® WaterSeal^® 3 in 1^™ Wood Cleaner will help restore those wood's natural color.

How long does Thompson's water seal last?

Water Seal can only be used on bare and uncoated brick, stone or concrete. How long will Water Seal last? If applied correctly, Water Seal will last up to 4 years. This is dependent on conditions such as orientation of the wall and local climate.

How soon can you walk on a sealed deck?

In most cases a full body stain or acrylic deck finish will be dry to touch within an hour in dry, hot weather. After two hours you could take a chance and walk on it with shoes, though I'd recommend barefoot. After about 4 hours you should be able to safely walk on your deck.

How much does a gallon of deck sealer cover?

On average most deck stains cover 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood.

How much does it cost to stain a 12x12 deck?

A 12x12 deck costs $226 to $582 to stain when paying someone, or $59 to $176 to stain it yourself. A gallon of stain costs $20 to $50, which covers 200 to 300 square feet. Get free estimates from deck staining companies near you or view our deck stain cost calculator below.

What is the life expectancy of a wood deck?

THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WOOD DECK: Typically 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan of your wood deck will depend on the type of wood you've chosen and how well you keep up with wood's rigorous maintenance schedule.

Can you leave your deck unstained?

It may be many years before an untreated deck becomes completely unusable. However, a deck that is properly sealed and maintained with a yearly maintenance program consistently outlive a deck that is left to its own devices by a significant margin.

Does power washing damage a deck?

If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibers. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.

Can you use a sprayer to seal a deck?

An outdoor deck is more exposed than indoor wood, which means regular sealing is required to keep it protected. While you can apply the sealer by hand with a paintbrush, a sprayer is the much more efficient solution.

What is the best wood sealer for decks?

How can I make pressure treated wood last longer?

To make your pressure treated wood last longer, you'll want to apply water-repellant sealers annually and use a mildewcide cleaner at the first signs of any mildew growing on your wood.