The Perfect Amount Of Time To Wait Before Sealing Your Wooden Deck

A new wood deck adds valuable square footage and copious amounts of enjoyment to your outdoor area by extending your living space for dining, relaxing, entertaining, gardening, and so much more. Considering the substantial cost to build a deck, it is essential to protect your investment by properly sealing it to extend its lifespan. However, do not make a common decking mistake that everyone makes in their outdoor space, which is sealing your deck too quickly or waiting too long. Instead, wait about one month after the wood deck is built to seal it for the best results.

Sealing a deck is crucial because the sealer creates a clear barrier that protects the wood from moisture, rot, and pests like termites while enhancing the natural color or wood stain you choose. Many sealers even contain additional UV protection that helps reduce the risk of the deck boards turning gray as they age. However, be sure to wait the ideal amount of time, about 30 days, after the deck is built to get the most out of your sealer.

The reason why you need to wait a month to seal your deck all boils down to the characteristics of wood. Wood contains natural resins and oils that create a layer of defense from UV rays. As these break down, the wood is susceptible to weathering and damage. Therefore, in order for the wood deck material to take and hold sealer, the wood must dry out of these preservatives enough for the sealer to adhere properly. Waiting about four weeks after a new deck is built to apply a sealer allows for some of the wood's natural oils to evaporate due to sun exposure, leaving small gaps for the sealer to better penetrate and stick. However, since it has only been about a month of evaporation, most of the wood's natural defense layer is still in place as well, which will help with the deck's lifespan.

How do you know that you have waited long enough? After your 30 days are up, try a simple test by pouring some water on the wood. If the water beads up, the wood is still too wet. On the other hand, if the water is easily absorbed, get your sealer ready. Once you've waited the right amount of time and properly sealed the surface, you'll have successfully built the perfect deck.