Protect An Untreated Wooden Deck From Water Damage
If some of the untreated wooden boards that made up the deck outside of your home were recently replaced due to water damage that occurred after a flood, the following steps will teach you how to add a protective layer of wood sealer to the deck. Once you have finished cleaning and sealing the deck, there will be a good chance that it will remain damage-free if it is ever exposed to prolonged moisture in the future.
Materials
- broom
- thin scrub brush
- bucket of soapy water
- long-handled sponge mop
- water hose
- towels
- wood sealer
- mixing stick
- paint tray
- paint roller and frame
- narrow paintbrush
Sweep And Mop The Deck
Remove furniture and any other items from the deck. Sweep up loose debris that is on the deck's surface. Dip a sponge mop into a bucket of soapy water and move it in straight lines over each wooden beam. If any stubborn stains are on parts of the deck, use a stiff-bristled scrub brush and soapy water to remove them. Rinse the deck off with a water hose. Use towels to wipe up any water that has pooled on parts of the deck. Wait for the damp boards to dry completely.
Seal The Deck
Stir a can of wood sealer that is designed for outdoor use and pour it into a paint tray. Apply a thin, even coat of the sealer to a paint roller. Begin adding the sealer to one end of the deck. Move the roller across the wooden beams in straight lines. Add more sealer as necessary. If there are any small pieces of trim that make up the deck, use a narrow paintbrush to cover them with sealer. Wait several hours for the sealer to dry.
Add a second coat of sealer to the deck by using the same steps. Once the second coat of sealer dries, place furniture or any other items that were previously on the deck back where you had them. If flooding occurs in the future, the sealer will provide a barrier that will prevent moisture from penetrating.
Of course, it is still important to dry the deck soon after flooding to further chances that no damage occurs. It is also a good idea to have your deck inspected by a professional (such as one from Absolute Restoration LLC) if a catastrophe occurs to be sure that all of the wood is intact. Wood sealer will last for several years and can be reapplied in the future to provide the deck with continuous protection.
