Waterproofing decks is a job for carpenters who know how to deal with electricity, flashing, fasteners and caulking. This project requires attention to detail, patience and a willingness to experiment with new materials. An important featue of a waterproof deck is that it should also be sloped in order to drain water away from the house’s foundation. The angled surface should slope away from the house at least 4 inches per foot and no more than 7 inches per foot.
Most of us tend to think that the ground beneath our feet is waterproof. However, many people do not realize that wet ground is a common cause of serious wood rot. By following these simple steps, you can build a solid and durable waterproof decking surface that lasts for years while preventing costly complications down the road.
You’ve got your deck. The one you’ve been dreaming about for years, the one that will give you a comfy outdoor space to enjoy your evenings on. Now, how do you make sure that deck is waterproof? In this article, we’ll show you how to waterproof your deck before building it, so that when it comes time to build your favorite chair on top of it (or move in a hot tub), you won’t have to worry about water getting into the wood and rotting out your structure.
Start by drying the deck.
As you are building your deck, it is important to dry it. You can use a leaf blower, broom, and hose to remove excess water from the deck. If there is still moisture in the wood after using these tools, use a heat gun or lamp to aid in removing any remaining moisture.
Heat lamps are also good for drying out decks since they have a long reach and can dry large areas quickly. The main downside of using this method is that you will have to ensure that the area under your lamp does not get too hot by checking on it periodically during use.
Use a water repellent seal.
- Use a water repellent seal.
- You can apply it with a brush or roller, but use a sprayer if you’re doing more than one coat. It’s best to apply the sealant in two coats at least 24 hours apart, and preferably two or three days apart if you want the paint to cure fully before applying another coat.
Seal the gaps.
The best way to apply sealant is with a caulking gun. It’s easy, fast and mess-free. If you’re working alone and need to apply caulk by hand, use a putty knife instead of your fingers. If you’ve got more than one person helping out or just want the job done faster and cleaner, consider using a paintbrush instead of a roller or sponge each application method will produce different results in terms of texture and quality of finish, so make sure that you choose based on the look you want for your deck.
Remove debris and dirt.
- Use a broom or vacuum to remove debris and dirt.
- Consider using a pressure washer on your deck to remove stubborn dirt, mold, mildew and other contaminants. Note that if you don’t want to invest in this equipment at first, it might be worth renting it instead of buying one outright.
- If you have access to an outdoor power source (such as an outlet), consider using a deck cleaner or deck scrubber machine. This can help get rid of any remaining dirt or grime on your deck surface before continuing with waterproofing steps.
Dry and clean your deck.
Once your deck has been prepped, it’s time to get down to the dirty work. In order to ensure that your deck is properly waterproofed, it’s important that you remove any dirt or debris from its surface. Pressure washing is an excellent way of doing this because it allows you to thoroughly clean small as well as large areas of your deck. You can also use an old-fashioned scrub brush or broom if you don’t have access to a pressure washer.
To make sure that all of the debris has been removed from your wood, use a scrub pad on small areas of wood and then use a multi-purpose pad on larger ones like stairs or railings. When using these tools be sure not to soak them in water; instead dry them off before applying the finish coatings so they do not become too wet when they come into contact with each other later on during construction phase.
Waterproof your deck in the most appropriate way to help prevent rot and any other waterproofing issues from occurring down the road.
- Waterproof your deck in the most appropriate way to help prevent rot and any other waterproofing issues from occurring down the road.
- Use a water repellent sealer on bare wood, or if you want to hide the wood grain pattern use a deck stain. Deck stains are available in different colors and shades, so you can find one that matches your home’s exterior color scheme or simply have fun with it.
- If you want to cover up an existing stain on your deck, use concrete sealer or concrete stain instead of water repellent sealer. Concrete sealers and stains are designed specifically for concrete surfaces like patios and walkways; they’re also great at adding color while protecting against weather damage such as UV rays and rainwater runoff. Now that we’ve covered how to maintain outdoor waterproofing properties throughout autumn season let me tell how easy it is:
Seal gaps and cracks.
After you’ve sanded your deck, it’s time to apply sealant. The best way to do this is with a brush or roller, but you can also use a paintbrush and even a roller. A paintbrush will give you more control over the application than a roller, but brushes require more time and effort than rollers. Rollers are faster, especially if you’re applying multiple coats of sealant in one day (which I recommend).
Waterproofing your deck is important for your safety, so do it before you start building.
Waterproofing your deck is important for your safety and the longevity of the structure. If water gets into a deck, it can cause rot and mold problems that could lead to an unsafe environment for you and your family.
Special waterproofing membranes should be applied before laying down any other materials like mulch or gravel. You may also want to consider sealing gaps between boards with caulk to prevent moisture from getting through these openings in the future.
It’s also important to remember that waterproofing is not enough; you need to seal gaps between boards as well as cracks between them (like those caused by settling).
Final words
It’s important to waterproof your deck before you start building for safety reasons. Many people don’t know how to build a waterproof deck, but it is easy if you follow these steps. Removing debris and dirt from all surfaces will ensure longevity of the sealant applied later on. Dry out areas that are wet or damp as well by using fans, heaters, and other methods until they become completely dry prior to application of sealants. Seal gaps with a silicone gel or caulk so water does not seep through cracks into areas where it shouldn’t go such as between boards or around nails where decay can occur quickly if not properly sealed off first before installation takes place.
