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Outdoors > More outdoor > How to Care for Exterior Wood

Learn how to use the latest sealants on new treated lumber or freshly cleaned wood.

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.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

Step
1

Splash Water on Wood to Test When to Reseal

Splash water on an existing exterior wooden surface to test whether or not it needs to be resealed. If the water beads and runs off, the surface is sealed. If the water soaks in, then apply a fresh coat or two of water-proofing agent as recommended by the product manufacturer.

Step
2

Apply Sealant to New Pressure Treated Lumber or Damp Lumber

Apply sealant to new pressure treated lumber or freshly-cleaned damp lumber. The new products permit you to build and seal a new project or clean and seal the wood in existing decks and lawn furniture in the same day with no wait time between the two processes. Both of these improvements offer huge time savings by letting you work on your schedule to start and complete your projects.

Step
3

Apply Sealant with a Brush or Garden Sprayer

Apply water-proofers with a brush or a garden sprayer. If you spray, follow up with a brush to ensure that the sealant is worked well into all faces of the wood, particularly if the surface is already deteriorated.

Step
4

Select from Clear or Tinted Water-Sealers

Select a clear or tinted water-sealer. The newer products come in many colors that let you coordinate your target wood project with existing features in your home and garden.