Does the idea of waterproofing your deck scare you? Afraid if you do it yourself you’ll end up with a surface filled with bubbles or an uneven finish? Hey, save your fears for the ghosts, goblins, and the zombie apocalypse. Like most things in life, deck waterproofing isn’t scary if you properly prepare.
Clean Deck Before Waterproofing
In order for the deck waterproofing material to adhere firmly to your deck, the deck surface must be absolutely clean. This is work, so download a few podcasts and gather your materials:
- broom
- hammer
- rubber gloves
- stiff deck brush
- handheld scrub brush
- deck soap
- bleach
- water hose
- power wash spray nozzle
- 5 gallon bucket
Sweep with broom to remove large debris. If you have a wood deck, inspect the nails. Grab the hammer and take care of any nails that have popped before you proceed with cleaning. Skip this step if you have a tile or cement deck. You don’t want to be hitting your deck with a hammer!
Mix your cleaning solution according to the directions. House Wash Concentrate is a powerful cleaner but you can use any good strong soap. Add bleach if you have mold or mildew stains. Spray cleaning solution onto deck and allow to sit. Then scrub scrub scrub with your deck brush. For rails and balusters, scrub with a small brush.
Attach spray nozzle to your water hose and rinse. If you missed any areas, repeat until entire deck is clean. Allow to dry before applying waterproofing.
Deck Waterproofing for Wood
There are clear deck waterproofing products for wood and deck waterproofing products that include a stain. No matter what product you use, make sure to mix it thoroughly before pouring it into your paint tray liner.
Apply your deck waterproofing with a lint free roller. Never cover more than 3 boards at a time. If you are applying a stain, always apply with the grain of the wood and stain one board at a time.
Depending on the product you use, you might need to sand between coats.
Deck Waterproofing for Cement
Cement waterproofing products take the form of microtoppings, paints or clear coats. Paint and clear coats must be reapplied regularly for the best protection. Both are applied just like paint. Make sure your deck is clean and dry. Applying on a cloudy day is ideal because the product won’t dry out as you apply it.
Microtoppings are the most effective form of waterproofing, but they require laying a layer of metal lathe and several thin coats of polymer products. Best leave this to the professionals.
Here the final coat is being applied by roller to achieve a uniform surface. There are a variety of colors to choose from.
Deck Waterproofing Experts
Of course the easiest way to apply deck waterproofing is to just pick up the phone and call Crank Waterproofing at (949) 646-9356 and let the experts do the work. There’s nothing to fear when you work with Crank. Since 1945, Crank Waterproofing has been taking care of decks, patios, balconies, and roofs in Orange County. No matter the surface, it will be expertly prepared. The process will leave your deck watertight and won’t drain your wallet.
