Sealing exterior wood against water is important whether the wood is new or part of a decade-old back porch or deck. Exposed to rain and temperature extremes, exterior wood alternately soaks up water and dries out. As a result, the surface repeatedly expands and contracts like a sponge. These dual actions cause the wood to warp, crack, and splinter. Rain water can also wash the color out of redwood and cedar. Additionally, harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun break down the cell-structure of unprotected wood causing fading and deterioration.
Previous wood sealers had application restrictions, but the newest generation of exterior wood sealers can be applied to new or damp wood for no-wait project completion. Here are some simple steps that should help.
