How To Waterproof Your Timber Decking

Home & Garden Blog

Outdoor decking can provide a great space in which to entertain friends and family during the summer months.  You can extend the life of your decking considerably by waterproofing it.  This is a simple project that requires very little DIY experience, so it would be suitable for a newbie homeowner.

Read on to find out how to do it.

What you'll need

• deck sealant (available from gardening and DIY stores)
• sandpaper
• stiff brush
• paint tray and roller
• small paint brush
• lamb's wool pad

How to do it

1. The first thing you'll need to do is clean and prepare the decking.  Remove everything from the decking that's going to be in your way, such as furniture, planters, and your barbecue. 
2. Now give the deck a thorough going over with a stiff brush to get rid of any dust and surface debris. 
3. Take a piece of sandpaper and sand out any rough areas or splinters, working lengthwise down the decking to ensure the best effect.  Sweep the deck again and give it a good swill down with clean water.  Allow the decking to air-dry completely for a day or so before continuing. 
4. Now it's time to seal the decking and waterproof it.  When you open the tin of sealant, you'll probably need to give it a thorough stirring, as the product may have settled whilst it was in storage; a piece of stick is fine for this job.  Pour the sealant into a paint tray. 
5. Apply the sealant to the decking with a paint roller, working across a couple of sections of board at a time so that you achieve a thin, even coating.  Use a paint brush to coat the corners of the decking and the railings with sealant.  It's important that you apply several thin coats, rather than one really thick one.  This ensures even coverage and therefore provides more effective waterproofing. 
6. Now take your lamb's wool pad and smooth out the final coat of sealant, working from one side of the decking to the other. 
7. Allow the sealant to dry completely.  This usually takes a day or so, but different brands of sealant can require different drying times so remember to check the manufacturer's directions first before replacing items on the decking.

You can easily waterproof and prolong the life of your garden decking by following the guidelines given above.  If your decking is heavily used or you live in a climate with wet winters and very hot, dry summers, you might need to repeat this exercise every other season.

29 June 2016