Decks

Posted in: Decks
Deck Sealer - Clear Epoxy
By Martin Smith
May 12, 2008 - 2:12:49 PM

Question- I have applied several deck sealing products, but I am quite disappointed with the results. The look of the clean look of the deck is so nice, and I have tried maintaining the deck of my house with various clear sealers, but whatever I use, I notice that in 6 to 9 months, the surface of the deck becomes dull and black or green in color. The store keepers have recommended several different products for cleaning my deck which have colored pigments to control the graying process, but it doesn’t work. Can you suggest me a product which is effective? Are there any measures to clean the deck before sealing it?

Answer- Even I have been recommending use of deck sealers which possess colored pigments, for years now, as it helps in controlling the graying process of the wood. Many water repellants and sealers are equipped with pigment particles which are minutely small and aren’t visible by naked eye; these are very effective in contradicting the ultraviolet rays which are responsible for turning the wood into grayish shades. But with time and experience I now recommend the new brand named clear epoxy sealers which possess a couple of revolutionary crystal-clear chemicals. They share the responsibility by deflecting and absorbing the ultraviolet rays.

A lot of deck sealants manufacturers have claimed that their products were clear, but in reality the sealers possessed a small content of amber pigment which was only helpful in controlling the graying process up to a certain extent and after a few months the affects started wearing off and the wood still turned gray. As many of us have experienced, these sealants under performed in comparison to our expectations. But there is a good news for everyone who is concerned about this problem. This clear epoxy sealant has been tested and experimented many times and has proved results for over eighteen months.
This sealant primarily consists of synthetic resins rather than the natural oils which are used to produce the water repellants. In fact most of the brands advertising these products have been using natural oils in their products, which ultimately result in the deck color turning into black and green. The other fact is that these natural oils attract the mildew and algae which feast on the natural oils and are responsible for the graying process. After the effects of the fungicides and mildewcides are washed off with snow or rain water, the algae and mildew grow on the natural oils present in the sealers and cause damage to the wood. But it is always suggested to use repellants made using synthetic resins as these do not attract the mildew and algae or let them grow.

I have a sample of a test conducted by me over fence wood, which can prove the efficiency of the new clear sealer, in comparison to other deck sealants. The strip on which the sealant was applies still glows like a new piece of wood and I haven’t observed any grayish tinge on the wood which is caused by the ultra violet rays. The other strips on which different sealers were applied have begun to turn gray, and on one of them you can clearly see the mildew growing.

The more astonishing fact is that I tilted this piece of wood at an angle of 45 degrees and facing south, without any shade being offered to it, which means it was clearly exposed to the UV rays. To understand this, please be aware that this can be harshest method used to determine the effects of the harmful ultraviolet rays.

Another factor to be considered is the presence of water –based epoxy possessed by this product. The product does not require any sort of mixing and can be simply applied by opening the lid and the solution being stirred gently. After drying, the epoxy forms a resolute bonding with the wooden fibers of the deck.

Another experience I faced with the same product was when I applied it tried it on my front porch. During this somehow some of the sealer got applied on the lowers side of my forearms. A few days later I noticed it in the mirror, while brushing my teeth. Though it went away after around 3 weeks, my front porch is still gleaming without any signs of graying.

Pressure watering is another major cause which adds to this damage, which may have proved to be highly responsible for ruining the decks. You must have observed wooden bands in the wood of the deck. The light ones in color are the growth rings which are formed during the springs and light summers, and are not as dense as the dark colored rings which are formed during the winters as the lumber hardens. Use of pressure water can conveniently erode the light rings and make your deck look dull and ugly.

It is recommended not to clean the surface with products which contain sodium hypochlorite, which is the main ingredient in chlorine bleach, used in the homes. The chlorine bleach can prove to be poisonous for vegetation around and also affects the wood color, by destroying the elements which keep together the wooden fibers. But if you oxygen bleach you need not worry about such factors and forms froth which help in cleaning the surface of the deck.



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