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Sealing a deck - to seal or not to seal?

4 years ago

Hello. I live in Northern Vermont and have just finished prepping my deck for sealant. I think the next few days are the best weather window I'll have 'til Spring, but the conditions aren't exactly what they should be according to the sealant (Thompson's Water Seal). It is currently above 50 and it's not supposed to rain for a few days (weather here is notoriously unpredictable) but it will be in the upper 30's / low 40's at night. The question is - if I seal the deck anyway, what is the risk if it gets too cold or rains? Will it just look crummy or will it actually cause harm? I worry that by washing and sanding I've now made the wood more vulnerable to the elements over the winter if I don't get it sealed. Should I go through with it now (surely my last chance for the year) or wait until Spring? Advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

Featured Answer

millworkman

4 years ago

Never. Use. Thompson's. Waterseal. You will regret it 5 minutes after it's down and never get a good finish from another product there after.

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Comments (6)

kim_in_vermont
Original Author
4 years ago
I should also add that foliage is peaking here right now and there's no chance of keeping leaves from falling on the deck after sealant is applied.
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millworkman
4 years ago
And yes by washing/sanding you have opened up the grain/pores of the wood. Visit a quality BM or SW paint store and see what they recommend best for you area and wood type.
party_music50
4 years ago
millworkman, I think that many products are incompatible with others. I've used Thompson's WS on a covered pressure-treated deck for years... never had a problem, but it's the only finish I've ever applied to that deck. HU, I've been in that situation with cold and potentially wet weather vs a winter with no protection and I've gone with my gut. I've always been sure that the deck was thoroughly dry before applying anything though, and haven't pushed the limits too much on recommended temps, etc., so that it's readily absorbed into the wood. Be sure your wood is dry before applying the water seal and don't leave any puddles of the stuff and you'll lessen your chances of any problems.
kim_in_vermont thanked party_music50
Izzy Mn
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Oil based stain is the best. Light quick reapply every 2-three years or so on horizontal surfaces, vertical every 2-6 or as needed. Soaks into and preserves wood. Water based acrylic stains can peel like paint, no matter what they say, no matter the quality.

No to Thompsons water seal.
kim_in_vermont thanked Izzy Mn
kim_in_vermont
Original Author
4 years ago
UPDATE:

Thank you all for taking the time to advise me. I ended up getting some Behr semi-transparent waterproofing wood finish since it's more tolerant of cold temperatures. Tonight I just rushed down the second coat ahead of a "Nor'easter of rain" that's due here in a couple of days. The job was nowhere near as thorough or as clean as I would have liked, but I feel better that at least the wood has some protection before the snow comes. (Had I known how much time and work the washing & prepping phase was going to take, I would have started mid-summer.) I hope what I've done isn't too little, too late - guess I'll find out. Live and learn. And thanks again.

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