How to Waterproof Your Deck

Is your deck all gray and it does not look as nice as it once did? Have you ever wondered if there was a way to waterproof it so that it lasts longer and does not weather as fast? Did you ever wonder if you could do it yourself without expensive labor? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading because I am going to help you learn how to waterproof your deck.

Most of the weather of a wood deck occurs because of two things: Sunlight and Water. Sunlight is what breaks down the original rich colors. Combined with rain or snow, the sunlight will penetrate deeper over time. So when you work on waterproofing the deck, the waterproofing material you choose should also protect against Ultraviolet, or UV, light.

Excessive moisture in your deck eventually leads to the break down of the wood with rot and – depending on your climate – insect infestation. When you waterproof your deck, if you can, be sure to seal underneath as well. Many sealants say they last 2 to 5 years, but I find when I waterproof my wood deck, I need to do it nearly every year due to my location’s harsh climate.

Here is a list of things you need to get started:

-A wood deck cleaner

-A power washer (either purchased or rented)

-A few cans of deck waterproofing sealant

-A hand pump sprayer or other kind of sprayer

-A roller paint brush with long handle

-A few normal paint brushes

First, use the power washer to wash off any debris and to take off that first layer of dirt and grime. You do not want to deal any dirt into the wood. Then, follow the directions of the wood cleaner. Be sure to check the weather forecast, because at this point you usually need to wait two or three days for everything to dry out again.

Next, put your waterproofing sealant into your sprayer and get your roller paint brush ready. The reason you need a long handle is so you are not bending over all the time. Working your way around your deck, first spray a section with the sealant and then use the roller brush to work the sealant into the wood. Do this first on your whole deck. Railing and steps often need to be done separately with a normal paint brush, otherwise you end up spraying sealant onto the deck or into the grass.

What products should you choose? Here are the products I have used to waterproof my deck over the years:

Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Advanced Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer: The product has the benefit of being able to clean and seal on the same day. This is what I used last summer.

Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Clear Multi-Surface Waterproofer: This product has the advantage of being easy to find at you local hardware store and relatively inexpensive.

Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Deck Cleaner & Brightener: This is the cleaner that you use to remove that gray look from your deck.

All these products and more can be found at the Thompson’s WaterSeal homepage.