How To Seal Your Deck For Winter
If you've never sealed a deck for winter yourself, then you might be surprised to know just how easy it can actually be. Sealing is how you prep your deck for winter to keep it from being damaged, so it's incredibly important. The process of sealing a deck for the winter can actually be broken down into the four very simple steps that we've outlined below. If you follow them carefully, then you will be able to seal the deck yourself this year, preparing it for the coming winter without needing to hire outside help. Continue reading to learn more about how to prep deck for winter.
See Our Wood Staining Guide
Step One: Perform a Deck Inspection
Before you can begin preparing your deck to be sealed for winter, you first need to find and address any problem areas. Any issues you find need to be either replaced or repaired, or the sealing process will be much harder to complete and won't be as effective over the winter as it would otherwise.
Find the Right Products for Your Project
Step Two: Perform a Deep Cleaning on the Deck
Sealing a deck for winter requires a very clean surface free from any debris. If this step is skipped, then the seal you apply later on won't be able to adhere properly and sink into the wood, making it ultimately ineffective.
Purchase a cleaner specifically for decks and apply it generously to the surface. Use a cleaning brush with firm bristles to scrub the wood and remove any stains, debris, growing mold, mildew, and whatever else may be adhering to the deck's wood.
You don't want anything between the sealing materials and the deck, so be sure to very thoroughly rinse away all the debris and cleaning product after scrubbing. You will want to make sure that the deck's surface is completely dry before moving on to the next step fo sealing your deck for winter.
See Deck Cleaners
Step Three: Apply Sealer to the Deck
With the deck completely clean and dry, you can begin applying the sealing materials. If needed, tape off areas where deck meets your lawn or home to avoid these areas being damaged by the sealer.
If you want to know how to seal wood, the easiest way to apply sealer to the deck is with a good quality roller brush. Make sure that it is completely saturated in sealer, then use even pressure to apply a thin coat to the entire surface of the deck.
Be sure not to walk over areas of the deck that have sealer on them as you go. Start with the area furthest away from your door or deck's exit, and work your way back towards it.
Use Our Stain Calculator
Step Four: Allow the Deck Seal to Dry Completely
It is very important to not walk across the deck or put anything, such as deck furniture and rugs, back on the surface until you know for sure that it has dried completely. If something touches the wood before the sealer has dried, there is a good chance that it will wipe off before sinking in.
Wait about 42 hours and check for dryness before you begin using your deck again as normally. If you live in a particularly humid area, then you may want to give the deck a little longer to dry than usual after sealing it for winter.
Easily Seal Your Deck Yourself
See, sealing a deck for the winter is much easier than most people believe it to be. Now you know how to seal wood and keep your deck properly maintained. Additionally, this process adds value to your property by preventing weather damage to the deck and making it easier to maintain over time. We hope you found this guide helpful as you learned how to seal your deck for the winter without hiring outside help.
Find a Retailer Near Me