One of the questions that people who have had a new deck installed wonder about is when to seal a new deck. Ideally, people would love a specific answer, such as the day it is installed or six months after it is installed. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not so simple. There are many different factors that need to be considered when deciding when the ideal time is to have your new deck sealed. Read on to learn about each of these factors to help you determine when you should hire a company to seal your brand new deck.
If The Wood Is Dried Out
One of the first factors that needs to be considered before having a new deck sealed is whether the wood is dried out. Freshly cut wood tends to retain moisture for anywhere from three to 12 months. Think about the wood like a sponge. If a sponge is already saturated and you try to pour more water on top, the water will simply run off, with very little new water being retained by the sponge. The same is true with wood. As it dries out, the fibers open up, allowing it to soak in the materials used to seal your wood. If the wood is still holding on to moisture, it cannot hold onto the seal.
The Temperature Where You Live
Another factor that needs to be considered when determining if your new deck should be sealed is the season and typical temperature for that season in your area. Ideally, the temperatures should be above freezing, yet under 85 degrees for the two to four days after the seal will be applied. As such, typically, it is best to have your new deck sealed in late spring or early to mid-fall.
The Current Weather Conditions
The last factor to consider if you are thinking about when to seal a new deck is the current weather conditions. It needs to be dry out when wood seal is applied. As such, if rain is in the forecast, you may need to put off sealing your deck. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may also want to check the forecast for the humidity levels and select days that have relatively low humidity levels to ensure your deck dries properly.
Sealing a deck helps to protect it against water, sunlight and excessive wear. As such, you want to seal a deck when it is opportune to do so. Once a deck has been sealed, it will need to be resealed every 12 to 18 months, depending on how often it is walked across, weather conditions where you live and the amount of direct sunlight the deck gets. If you have questions about determining when the best time is to seal a deck for the first time or when the best time is to have your deck resealed, reach out to a professional such as us here at Capital Deck & Stair Waterproofing.
