How to Waterproof the deck?

To prolong the lifespan of your outdoor wood deck, you must install proper drainage. Over time exposure to harsh weather conditions, water and temperature can cause your outdoor living space to decay and lose its shine. Water, when combined with UV radiation and changes in weather and temperature, can cause your deck to look dull and weathered by washing away your deck’s finish, natural resins, and color. While you can’t completely prevent your deck’s exposure to the elements, sealing your deck will help sustain its finish, which may save you time and money.

 

Installing a deck drainage system during construction is the best way to waterproof your entire deck. A deck drainage system diverts water away from the joists and beams. An over-the-joist deck drainage system provides 100% protection from the damage caused by wood repeatedly getting wet. It covers and protects all of the wooden substructures and can be installed with a composite or wooden deck.

 

Prepare the Deck for Waterproofing

Before you start, remove everything from the deck including furniture and potted plants. Loosely cover any delicate or fragile ground plants adjacent to the deck with tarps or drop cloths. Don’t use plastic sheeting on shrubs and plants. It can create a deadly “greenhouse effect” and harm your plants. Remove drop cloths from your foliage as soon as your project is complete so they don’t suffocate. Sweep off loose debris with a broom and clean between the cracks using a slender stick or tool. Repair damaged boards and hammer in popped-up nails.

 

Use a garden hose or a pressure washer to spray the surface of the deck, forcing away dirt, dust, oil, and grease. This will also help remove the top layer of previous waterproofing. Begin at one end of the deck and continue until you have rinsed the entire surface and removed as much dirt as possible. If you use a pressure washer, set it to spray a fan of water so it pushes dirt and debris away faster. Spray between the deck boards to eliminate any remaining debris. Use a pole sander or orbital sander with medium-grit sandpaper to smooth down any splintered areas and remove remnants of the previous layer of sealant. Starting with as clean a surface as possible will help the new coat of sealant set in and provide a better level of protection.

 

Regular Cleaning

Cleaning your deck at least once a year helps it last longer and look better while maintaining the integrity of the wood. And when you’re planning on sealing or refinishing your deck, you’ll have to clean it first. Deck cleaning products are available in a variety of types and strengths. Some offer a special chlorine bleach formula for eliminating mold, mildew, and algae. However, chlorine bleach formulas may require more frequent cleanings. Consider using a non-chlorine bleach cleaner instead.

 

Make sure your deck is compatible with the cleaner you choose, especially, if your deck is made of soft wood like redwood or cedar. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see whether you should start with a dry or wet deck. Try to clean on a calm day to keep the wind from blowing the cleaning agent around the yard. Use a deck stain applicator to apply the cleaner to the entire deck. While applying, be careful not to allow the cleaner to puddle anywhere on your deck to assure an even appearance.

 

Scrub tough areas with a stiff brush or a broom. Don’t use wire brushes as wire bristles can break off into the wood and cause rust spots. Follow the product’s instructions regarding how long to let the cleaner soak into the wood, usually about 10 to 15 minutes. After the cleaner has been allowed to soak, rinse the deck thoroughly with a hose. After cleaning your deck, let it dry for at least 24 hours.

 

Apply Sealant

Apply a thin, even coat of high-quality, mold- and mildew-resistant, waterproof sealant with UV protection using a stain brush, in the direction of the boards. Don’t forget to cover corners and other difficult areas such as steps, railings, board ends, and cracks. Apply two coats if needed.

 

Finish Up

Stay off the deck while it dries, for at least 48 hours. Allow the sealant to dry completely before replacing any furniture and potted plants. When you’re finished, remove your drop cloths, return furniture and other items to your deck, clean your tools and enjoy.

 

Importance of Waterproofing Your Deck

The importance of waterproofing is something you’ve perhaps ignored, despite hearing about your neighbors and friends using it on their decks. If you’ve had your deck for at least a few years, things can start to happen that quickly snowball and become a bigger problem.

 

Neglect waterproofing could ultimately lead to a complete deck restoration or rebuild due to extensive deterioration. Yet, you may not know what signs to look for to see if you need waterproofing.

At issue here are mainly wooden decks that easily become damaged from water exposure. Let’s take a look at why waterproofing benefits you, and what could happen if you ignore indicative signs.

 

What Waterproofing Is?

You may only know general information about waterproofing without understanding the specifics. Basically, it provides a protective surface on the wood of your deck to protect from deterioration due to water. This protection comes in the form of sealers, membranes, or specialized coatings.

Almost all of these benefit you in different ways. For instance, a water sealer coats the boards on your deck using a long-handled paint brush or roller. While some people attempt to do this on their own, it’s best to have a professional do it because it requires the right application to avoid lap marks.

 

You’ll find some companies offering vinyl membranes for elevated decks, or roof decks. Vinyl ultimately requires professional installation rather than being a simple do-it-yourself project.

The same goes with rubberized coatings, which are a common application used by waterproofing professionals. This usually gets applied to plywood, though the coatings are sometimes specialized to provide extra protection for many years.

 

Signs That You Need Waterproofing

Before you make any decision with the above applications, you need a professional analysis of your deck. When you ignore waterproofing, you may start to see many signs you can’t tuck away any more. It’s not to say early signs aren’t sometimes missed without an expert inspection.

Water stains are one of the first signs on wooden decks, especially if you live in an overly rainy climate. Rusty or loose areas in your deck materials can usually get scoped out on your own, but early signs are sometimes subtle. Soft spots in the wood are usually obvious as well, and this could become very dangerous if you ignore it for another year. Deck collapse could happen eventually if you think it’s just a temporary problem. Cracking and peeling in the deck’s wood gives the same signals waterproofing is mandatory. Your best move is to get a waterproof coating on your deck before next summer, despite weather being a factor.

 

SWC Construction provide a complete waterproofing solution to waterproof the deck flooring. We are experience waterproofing contractor for more than 20 years. Contact us, to find out what we would propose to you to waterproof your favourite chill-out and relax area on an outdoor deck.