How often should you reseal a deck?

For most decks, sealing once each year is a good rule of thumb. Depending on the condition of your deck this can be adjusted, but keep in mind that you should never go beyond three years maximum before re-sealing and staining.

How often should you seal a wooden 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 do I know if my deck needs to be sealed?

A water test is the easiest way to ensure that the wood can absorb sealer or finish. Sprinkle water on the deck. If it soaks in immediately, you can seal the deck. If the water beads up or stands on the deck, you may need to wait to seal it.

How much does it cost to reseal a deck?

Hiring a handyman, contractor, or deck company to clean and seal a deck average about $2-$3.50 sq. ft. ($300-$525 for a 10'x15′ deck or $640-$1,120 for 16'x20′), depending on local rates, deck condition, the height and location of the deck, and the number of levels, railing, stairs, and other components.

What time of year should you reseal a deck?

The ideal outside temperatures for deck sealing are between 50 and 90 degrees. Usually, late summer and early fall are the best times for deck restoration and sealing.

When to Seal or Stain a New Wood Deck

Should I pressure wash my deck before I seal it?

Pressure washing is the best way to prepare your deck for sealing. After you've pressure washed your deck, you'll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it's dry, you'll want to sand your deck lightly.

Can you reseal a deck without sanding?

With a solid color stain, anytime you would like to give your deck a fresh coat, simply go-ahead with a simple light cleaning and put another coat on. You don't even have to sand unless you want or if it could really use one.

Can you just seal a deck and not stain it?

A: It's really up to you. Just staining the deck will give you the color you want, although in high-traffic areas the stain could wear away quickly. Many deck companies recommend using a combination stain/sealer product, which is basically a sealer with pigment added.

How long does Thompson's 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.

Can you put too much sealer on a deck?

If too much sealer is applied, it cannot be absorbed into the wood. Wood is a fiber, and just like any other fiber it is capable of absorbing only so much. If you wet a sponge, and keep wetting it, eventually it will become oversaturated and the water will just pool on top until you squeeze it out.

Is it better to paint or water seal a deck?

Because sealers offer temporary protection from the elements, you should apply the sealer seasonally. If you prefer less maintenance, a stain or paint is a better choice.

Can you seal a deck without cleaning it?

You Will Need to Wash, Repair, and Sand First

You'll want to start with a clean slate, so your first step is to clean your deck thoroughly before sealing. Brush away dust and debris and use a utility brush to get at any problem areas. If you have an old layer of sealant or paint, you'll want to lightly sand this away.

Do I need to water seal the underside of my deck?

July 21, 2021. Deck waterproofing is an important part of deck installation, as water can be disastrous for any deck, especially a wood deck. While most homeowners know to take care of the top of the deck from moisture, it's also important to waterproof under a deck as well.

Is Thompsons water Seal good for decks?

Choosing a Deck Cleaner

If there is dirt and stains from mildew but no coating, then a general purpose cleaner like Thompson's^® WaterSeal^® 3 in 1^™ Wood Cleaner will work on any type of wood.

Do I need two coats of deck sealer?

The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless you are dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.

Is it OK to stain a deck every year?

Staining Existing Decks

As a general rule, your deck should be stained every 2-3 years. This can change, however, if you are in an area of high-humidity or especially volatile weather. The signs to look for when determining if you need deck staining are: The stain color of the wood is wearing off.

Is one coat of Thompson's Water Seal enough?

One coat is enough, but if more color is desired, a second coat can be applied within two hours before the first coat has dried. Be sure to read the back label to understand how to properly clean your tools after application. Let the deck dry for at least 24 hours and you're ready to replace the furniture.

Do you need 2 coats of Thompson's Water Seal?

Thompson's WaterSeal products typically need only one application, but you can apply a second coat of stain to darken the wood, if desired. However, you must wait for the first coat to dry (typically about 2 hours) and apply the second coat within 4 hours of applying the first coat.

Is Thompson water Seal worth it?

Thompson's WaterSeal has clearly not been a consumer favorite with deck stains or sealers. Mainly as it does not offer any UV protection and it grays in a few months. The Transparent and Semi-Transparent versions are prone to premature peeling and wearing after about 1 year.

Do you need to pressure wash a deck before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.

What time of year should you stain a deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry. Check the weather and find a time when it's not expected to rain for two days before and following the deck treatment.

Is it ever too late to stain a deck?

Is It Too Late to Restore Your Deck? If it's been much longer than the recommended three years since you last stained your deck, you might wonder if it's even worth getting back on track. Fortunately, unless your deck is in a total state of disrepair, it's virtually never too late to provide it with a fresh coating.

Can I pressure wash my deck instead of sanding?

That being said, sanding is a lot of work. You can get the same clean, fresh surface with a good pressure washing. A pressure washer removes the deteriorated finish and some of the decayed wood fiber leaving a like-new surface after the wood dries.

Do I need to remove all old stain before restaining a deck?

Generally speaking, it's a good idea to completely remove all traces of the previous coat of deck stain before applying a new one. The reasons for this may be fairly obvious -- a previous coat of stain might be peeling away from the surface in several areas.

Can I seal deck myself?

Apply painter's tape to any nearby surfaces — such as siding — that you need to protect. Apply the deck sealer with a natural bristle brush. A roller is faster, but brushing helps force the sealer into open pores and grain. Make sure to get the sealer into joints where two boards butt together.