How to Seal a Deck From Leaking

Work on the deck on a cloudy day or when the deck is in shade to block sunlight. Take everything that can be removed from the deck off of the deck, including deck furniture, swings and grills. Cover nearby plants with transparent sheeting.

Sand any damaged spots of the deck down with coarse sandpaper until the damaged wood is gone and then go over the area again with fine sandpaper to produce a smooth surface. If the deck has an old stain that no longer looks good, sand the entire deck surface to remove the old stain and reveal the healthy wood underneath.

Sweep the deck to remove the dust that sanding creates. Check between all of the deck boards. Remove any debris that you find stuck amongst the boards.

Apply a joint stain and sealer to the deck with a paint roller to two or three at a time if the deck needs restaining. If you don’t need to stain the deck, apply a transparent sealer to the deck with the paint roller. Roll the roller back and forth over the newly applied stain or sealer to prevent the stain or the sealer from forming puddles on the deck. Use a paintbrush at the edges of the deck where the roller won’t fit.

Let the stain or sealer dry for the length of time the manufacturer recommends. Apply a second coat of stain or sealer over the first once it dries to get full coverage.