DIY Wood Protection: Sealing Your Fence and Deck Like a Pro

Introduction

The Importance of Wood Sealing

Wood is one of the oldest and most common building materials in the world. From outdoor spaces like decks and gazebos to the very skeleton of most modern homes, wood is absolutely essential for most building projects. Protecting wood from the elements by using a nanotechnology-based wood sealant will keep your wood looking new and feeling strong for longer.

Benefits of DIY Sealing

Sealing your own deck or fence is a great way to save money and ensure complete coverage exactly how you want it. Doing it yourself also allows you to know the condition of your wood surfaces and structures, which allows you to maintain them more effectively.

Preparing Your Wood Surfaces

Cleaning and Inspection

Before you seal your wood, you want to ensure you aren’t sealing in anything harmful or unsightly. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your wood surface for defects such as chips, splinters, fasteners like nails or screws missing or sticking out. You want to address these minor imperfections before applying your sealer. Afterward, clean your wood thoroughly and let it dry.

Materials and Tools Needed

Depending on the type and size of the wood structure, different tools are needed. You may decide to use a sprayer for fast and easy application or a paintbrush or roller for more control and precision. You will also need a good-quality wood sealer, such as GoNano’s Wood Saver, which can extend the life of your wood by five to seven years!

Choosing the Right Sealant

Types of Wood Sealants

There are many options when it comes to wood sealants. Some penetrate the wood, while others create a barrier on the wood’s surface. Some come in colors like stains, and others are clear and preserve the natural wood look. Pretty much every sealer is primarily focused on preventing the wood from becoming overly saturated with water, which leads to a litany of issues that all degrade the quality of your wooden structure.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sealant

From a performance point of view, you want a sealer that stops water penetration. Ideally, you choose one that goes on relatively easily and lasts for a long time without the need for frequent reapplications. The other thing to consider is the aesthetics. How your decks and wooden features look affects the value of your home. Consider this when choosing stain colors or going for the natural wood look.

Application Techniques

Applying Sealant to Decks

There are several different ways to apply stain or sealants to your deck. The most common methods are using a paint brush, a roller, or a sprayer. For some jobs, a combination of any or all of those methods could be utilized. Hand painting gives you the most control, rolling is a bit faster than brushing, and spraying allows you to avoid some of the cleanup and prep work associated with the other methods.

Applying Sealant to Fences

The same basic methods and principles apply to sealing fences, but there are a few special considerations as well. Be sure to think about what is on the other side of your fence. If it is up against a neighbor’s house, they probably do not want you to spray sealer all over it. Opt for more precise application tools like smaller brushes and rollers for more control and reduced spread.

Tips for Even Application

Even application is crucial for a sealant to work correctly. It is much easier to tell if the sealer has a color to it whether or not you have applied an even coat, but because of differences in the wood itself, it may still not be obvious. If you want an even coat, try to use the same amount of sealer on each board or group of boards at a time, ensuring that it does not overlap. After that first coat, you can touch up less-covered areas.

Maintenance and Care

Regular Maintenance Tips

After applying your wood sealer, let it dry completely. After it is dry, inspect it again and look for any places you may have missed. After the first rain, you can look at the wood surface and see if water is soaking into the wood or beading on the top and not letting moisture in. Be sure to check your wooden surfaces periodically and make sure water is staying out.

When to Reapply Sealant

Depending on the type of sealer you are using, you may have to reapply fairly often. If you want to not have to worry about it for 5-7 years, you can depend on the nanotechnology in GoNano’s Wood Saver. Areas of discoloration, warped wood, or protruding nails may mean it's time to reapply.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Preparing the Surface Properly

If you do not make sure that the wood surface is clear of any large or small debris, oils, or old paints or stains, the sealer is less likely to be as effective for as long. Pressure washing and/or sanding the wooden surface before sealing is a great way to minimize the chances of this common mistake.

Mistake 2: Choosing the Wrong Sealant

Doing your research before purchasing your sealer is very important for you to get the proper protection for your specific needs. Knowing how long it is supposed to last is important, too. Even if it is cheaper now, the cost of frequent reapplication and inferior protection can make what seems like a bargain turn into a poor investment.

Mistake 3: Inadequate Application

While you don’t need to go crazy triple- and quadruple-coating your surfaces, it is important to know that the wood is properly sealed. Seeing how water responds on the surface is a key indicator of whether you used enough sealer and spread it evenly. Remember, we want water to stay out of the wood!

Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

In conclusion, it is essential to seal your wooden surfaces and structures if you want to keep them looking good and functioning properly. Preparing your surfaces by removing debris and thoroughly cleaning them with a pressure washer is a great way to ensure you aren’t sealing anything on the surface you don’t want. Using the proper tools and methods is easy when you know your own specific needs. Staying vigilant and looking for areas of moisture damage is the best way of knowing when to reapply before it is too late.

Encouraging DIY Confidence

Some projects are best left to the pros, but sealing your own wooden surfaces is fairly easy and requires just a few tools and a little know-how. After reading this article, you should have no problem protecting your wood for years to come!