Pressure Washing Guide

Midwestpro

We have gotten some feedback from customers and the general public about pressure treated decks and lumber. Through our experience we have found that a lot of homeowners thought that pressure treated decks do not need to be protected with a deck sealer or deck stain.

The reason they thought this was the case was because of the word "treated." It seems as though treated meant...... well, that it was treated. But more specifically treated from sun and water damage. Unfortunately this is not the case.

The treatment or chemical that is in pressure treated lumber is only to deter bugs from eating the wood. That's it. It is an insect repellant but it does not protect against the sun's UV rays or water damage. The sun will still turn the wood grey and water will still penetrate and begin to crack and splinter the wood.

So it is still very necessary to clean and seal a pressure treated deck with a quality oil based deck sealer that will penetrate and protect the wood from the elements.

Aries · Joined: 19 Mar 2009 Posts: 24

My auntie learned that the hard way, she nearly broke her ankle and threw a fit at the guy who installed her deck. I took one look at the deck and saw that she never bothered getting it treated to protect it against sun and water damage.

One of the planks had actually rotted all the way through, and her foot went right through it. Well, she learned her lesson that time.

mvanderwal · Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

What types of sealers and cleaners are the most effective for pressure treated lumber on my deck? I always worry that whatever I end up using might damage the deck itself and make things worse....

Midwestpro · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:

Oil based semi transparent sealers are best. Stay away from solid stains, water based, or anything that is silicon enhanced.