Things You'll Need
Plastic sheeting
Tape
Rubber gloves
Goggles
Deck cleanser and brightener (optional)
Hose (optional)
Power washer (optional)
Broom (optional)
Thompson's Water Sealer
Paint pan
4-inch paint brush
Paint pad
High Volume Low Pressure Sprayer (optional)
Sealing outdoor features such as decks, patios, pathways and fences is essential to prolonging the life of the items. Wood quickly degrades when exposed to the weather and patios are subject to staining if they aren't sealed. It makes good sense to protect these expensive landscaping features through routine maintenance such as applying a waterproof sealer like Thompson's Water Sealer. This product is easy to apply and it will enhance the look of the items while protecting them from the elements.
Step 1
Using plastic sheeting and tape, mask off surrounding walls, concrete, grass, shrubbery, fences, patios or other adjacent areas that are vulnerable or that you do not wish to seal.
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Step 2
Wearing goggles and rubber gloves, clean older decks with a deck cleanser and brightener, a hose and a power washer. For a new deck simply sweep off all dirt and debris. Allow a wet deck to dry for 48 hours.
Step 3
Pour Thompson's Water Seal into a paint tray. Using a paint pad and a 4-inch paint brush, apply sealer to the deck. Work the pad or brush in the direction of the wood grain and be sure to coat all sides, including the underside of the wood, where possible. Apply two coats within a 24-hour period.
Step 4
You can also use a high volume low pressure sprayer. This is particularly good for large decks with many small posts. When applying Thompson's Water Seal with the sprayer, make sure it does not create mist clouds of sealer. Apply two coats within a 24-hour period.
Tip
Wagner also sells a product called a Deck Mate that has a valve and fingers to go between deck boards. This product has a sealer reservoir and may make applying the sealer faster.
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