How To Perform Proper Deck Waterproofing in Simi Valley CA

Your deck is one of the most important aspects of your home’s curb appeal. To keep it looking great for years to come, deck waterproofing is essential. While there are professional services available for deck waterproofing Simi Valley CA homeowners can waterproof their own decks in a few simple steps. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Clear off the deck.

Making sure you have a clean deck is extremely important—anything left on the deck when you apply your sealant will keep parts of your deck from being waterproof. Start by removing all of the patio furniture, grills, or anything else that you have on your deck.

2. Prep the wood.

After you have everything moved off of the deck the next step in deck waterproofing Simi Valley CA residents will have to do is go over each board and make sure there are no dings, splits, or rough areas. If you do find an area where the wood has any jagged edges, use sandpaper to smooth it out. Once each board has been smoothed, pour water on your deck and use a stiff brush to scrub it. Rinse it off with more water and then allow the wood to dry for 2 days. Even though it only takes a few hours for the wood to appear dry, the inside of the wood has to dry as well or you will trap the moisture inside the board when you apply your sealant.

3. Apply the sealer.

When applying the deck waterproofing use a lint-free roller and distribute it in an even coat. Apply the sealant as if you were painting the deck, rolling the sealant on in chunks to ensure you have an even distribution. The key to a proper seal is to apply a lot of very thin coats to your deck instead of very few layers of thicker sealant—this ensures you achieve proper adhesion to even the smallest areas of the wood. To achieve perfect smoothness, you can use a lambswool cloth to buff out every section until it is perfectly smooth before applying the final coat.