HELP - Need advise on deck cleaning and sealing

17 years ago

We just purchased our first home and the deck needs cleaning. We would like to get this in before winter as we don't want to wait another year (we are trying to get as much life out of this deck as possible).

I have done some research on the boards and understand we should first do a sodium percarbonate cleaning followed by acid pH balance and then seal the deck.

My first question is on sealers. I am leaning toward a semi-transparent oil based formulation. I have been looking at TWP, Cabots, Deckscapes (found at Sherwin Williams), or Olympic Maximum. Any suggestions on which brand is better?

Also I have found that it is hard to find the oil formulations in stores....they all seem to be water based. Is this typical?

Also we live in Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) so I understand VOC rules will determine what products we can buy....which ones can we use?

My other questions are on timing. We are trying to do this in a weekend and rain seems to be a problem as of lately.

Can we do this in one weekend? The TWP website says to give the wood 48 hours to dry after cleaning...that's a weekend right there! Is this true of all sealers or only the TWP brand (I couldn't find information on the other brands instructions online)? Does this mean that we can't seal within 48 hours of rain as well?

Can we clean the deck one weekend and then stain another weekend? What is the maximum amount of time we should wait to seal the deck after cleaning (again, I am not sure how much rain we are going to get each weekend) and TWP also said the sealer needs 48-96 hours to dry. Does this mean it can't rain for 3-4 days straight? That might be a little hard to manage. Ugh! I hate to do all this work and then not be able to get a sealer on in time...or do seal the wood and then have a quick storm come through and wash it all away.

Lastly, are their any rules regarding temperature outside (fall is flying by so quickly)? I am curious as to when it will be too late to get this project done this year.

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Comments (10)

srercrcr
17 years ago
This is what I don't understand why people build wood decks (of any variety). You're totally in the dark as to how to protect your investment. You have to search out info and hope it's correct. If you had gone the composite decking route, you would be absolutely DONE with it. Let that be a lesson to any prospective deck builders.....
john_hyatt
17 years ago
What kind of wood decking do you have ? John
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Unfortunately the wood did not arrive today. Shipping company screw-up. Their delay is costing me a lot of money. Grrrrrrr John, how much information can you condense in four lines? Gosh man, I had to read your response many times to get it through my skull. Ken and John, you guys are awesome. Here is an idea for you: Get together and write a book. I'm sure it'll be a hit. There are gazillion books about Âghow to build a deckÂh. But there are no books about handling different kinds of woods, decking tips, maintaining decks, gazebos, etc! I know you guys donÂft agree on 100% of the issues, but it would better than super cool and advantageous to deck-dummies like myself to see how two top notch experts like you two disagree on few issues and yet agree on so many other ones. IÂfm warning you, if you donÂft do it, IÂfm going to mine your collective experience from this forum and make that book myself. DonÂft worry; you will take most of the royalties ï Thank you again. I will keep you posted as I progress. Surely I will have to keep admiring the framing until the decking material is here. Meanwhile, I'm gonna place the order for RAD. Thank you Ken. Curious, The Son of Due
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pressurepros
17 years ago
Hello firsthome,

All the information you need and products formulated to do your job and give you professional results are located there. I got my first report today from a gentelman in New York that was estatic with the results of using the Restore-A-Deck cleaning system and Baker's Gray Away sealer. Application is simple and as I mentioned you would be very happy with your results.

One note: The R-A0-D cleaner is a blend of seven detergents, builders and surfactants. Straight sodium percarbonate is not the most effective cleaner by itself and oxalic acid by itself is a bit harsh for wood. It chokes me if I am around it. Also straight oxalicx acid has none of the neccessary builders to carry it deeper into the wood alowing maximum pH balance. As with anything, the right tools for the job.

If you have any specific questions I have a message board on my website and you may also contact customerservice@restore-a-deck.com

Here is a link that might be useful: R-A-D Cleaners and Sealers
jeffk
17 years ago
That first post hurt my head.
pressurepros
17 years ago
You can go the composite deck route and spend twice as much, have it look fake and sterile from day one and in ten years have a faded, scratched up, freak of nature that still requires annual cleaning and is very easy to damage with a pressure washer. srer, to each his own.

Here in the Philadelphia region they do not hold up.
piscesgirl
Original Author
17 years ago
First let me say that we didn't build our deck. We are newlyweds who just purchased our first home. The house is 32 years old (although I am sure the deck isn't 32 years old...hehheeheee) The deck looks like it needs some work. Don't get me wrong, the deck is not in horrible shape. Our home inspection was fine and we don't need a new deck, but some nails are popping up and we were told to hammer them down...and it also looks like it should be cleaned and sealed. We want to try and get as much life out of this deck as possible.

We are pretty sure we probably have a pressure treated pine deck.

Again, this is the first home we have both owned so we are have never had to do any deck work...this is all new to us! Any advise you can give or answers to our questions would be appreciated. Thanks!
pressurepros
17 years ago
Once again, read my website. It will tell you everything you need to know about decks. My company has been doing this professionally in Delware Coutny and the Philly Main Line for quite some time. The object of the website was to build the comprehensive place someone could come to read about deck maintenance and restoration.
srercrcr
17 years ago
Again we have false testimony from the "professionals".
Twice as much for composites, eh?
A gentleman just stated he was quoted $1.20 per lin foot for mahogany, and $2.20 for IPE for 5/4 X 4.
I paid $1.95 (plus tax) per lin ft for Trex Accents for 5/4 X SIX. Sounds like the IPE would be around $3.
My math says composites are 35% cheaper.
pressurepros
17 years ago
Ipe decks represent about 1/10 of 1% of whats out there. Redo your math using cypress as your factor. But I know, you are the true source of knowlege, you built one deck. I've only seen, built, cleaned or restored over 700 and do this work professionally. What could I possibly know?
srercrcr
17 years ago
Good, then share with us what you would pay for 5/4 X 6 IPE and we'll see how it stacks up with my $1.95. You told everybody composite decks costs twice as much, so I think you should be able to substantiate it.

Oh, and did I say, after I paid the $1.95 I was done paying.....no treatments, no sealers, no money pit.

If you feel composite decks are "fake" and don't care for them, that's fine....everybody is entitled to an opinion. I think they look very nice, as do IPE decks...I'm impartial.
All I ask is that since this is a deck forum....composites be given a fair shake, with factual testimony, instead of name-calling such as T-junk (John). Don't you owe that to the prospective deck builder?
Now about that IPE price?

HELP - Need advise on deck cleaning and sealing

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HELP - Need advise on deck cleaning and sealing

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