How to Seal a Rooftop Deck

An outdoor rooftop deck is a useful space to entertain friends and family and enjoy the weather. However, the constant exposure to the weather is one thing that can ruin the deck's wood in a hurry. With a waterproof sealant application every two to three years, though, you can greatly extend the life of the rooftop deck and enjoy the space for years to come. Even for people inexperienced with sealing, the application process is straightforward and simple enough to complete in a day.

Garden hose
Wood deck cleaner (biodegradable)
Pump sprayer
Nylon brush
Wood sealant

Instructions

- 1
  Spray the rooftop deck using a garden hose so that the wood is damp to the touch. This moisture will help the wood cleaner spread evenly in future steps.
- 2
  Fill a pump sprayer with an even mixture of tap water and wood cleaner. Once you have secured the cover on the sprayer, pump it as outlined in the user manual.
- 3
  Spread the water and wood cleaner over the entire surface of the deck with even strokes of the sprayer.
- 4
  Rub down the deck's surface with a nylon brush to remove debris from the surface.
- 5
  Rinse the cleaner off of the rooftop deck with the garden hose and then wait approximately three to four hours for the surface to fully dry.
- 6
  Fill a clean pump sprayer with waterproof wood sealant. Prepare it for use by pumping it as instructed in the user manual.
- 7
  Start at one corner of the deck and make long, straight motions with the wand of the sprayer to apply the sealant. Keep the tip of the wand approximately 3 to 4 inches away from the deck's surface. Slightly overlapping each pass of the sealant will ensure an even coating. After you have completed the coat, wait 48 hours before enjoying the deck.

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