Deck sealers have been reviewed in Consumer Reports magazine. Check the May, 1997 and June, 1999 magazines for more information about what products worked and what products didn't.
Q&A /
Deck stripping products come in a variety of chemical strengths. Deck strippers can range from mild to toxic. Try the least aggressive stripper first on your wood deck. If it doesn't work, move up in strength.
Sealing decks every year is a pain. Avoid the yearly deck cleaning and deck sealing by using oxygen bleach and a synthetic resin sealer. Always clean after stripping wood decks of old finishes.
Whole house fans provide enormous air movement through out your home. Install one in a home with a cathedral ceiling. It can be done.
Power washing does erode wood, despite what many people think. To wash a deck properly, use a solution of oxygen bleach and seal the deck the next day with a synthetic resin sealer.
Chlorine bleach is a great sanitizer but it can harm wood. For deck cleaning, use oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach doesn't harm wood or remove color from your deck. Stain Solver is my brand of oxygen bleach.
The following chart displays the results from 25 tested wood sealers and water repellents in 1996. The synthetic resins tested best. The top product was Sikkens, an expensive film former resin. The second place product, called Defy, is not a film former and is an excellent product.
Pier foundations resemble wood decks or a common table. The actual foundation is a series of vertical columns, or piles, that transfer the building load to the soil. Beams are built on top of the vertical columns that hold up the walls of the house or structure. These specialized foundations work great around trees or in other locations where it is difficult to dig a traditional foundation.
Deck cleaning takes a lot of work. Oxygen bleach works wonderful to clean your deck without harming it. The next step to keeping your deck clean is sealing it. Imagine a deck sealer that lasts two to three years! It is possible to get results like that if you choose wisely.
Deck finish test results from 2000 were published by Earlham Analytical Testing Labs in Indiana. They weathered 30 deck finishes for at least six months to see how well each performed in outdoor exposure and repelling water. Here are the top five deck finishes.
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