Find a professional deck sealing service in Melbourne

Deck sealing usually involves preparing your deck, applying sealant, and waiting for it to cure. It sounds easy enough, but several steps must be followed to ensure your sealant does its job. When you request deck waterproofing services through Airtasker, you can expect a Tasker to bring the necessary tools and materials. And once they get to your location, they’ll follow these steps:

Checking the condition of your deck

First, your Tasker asks you about the age of your deck and when it was last sealed. If it’s newly built, you’ll need to wait 30 days before pre-sealing preps can begin. This is because the wood may be too wet to absorb the sealant properly. But if you go too long before sealing or reapplying sealant to the deck, you run the risk of moisture damage or UV ray damage. 

The deck sealing specialist also checks the weather forecast for the day you expect to seal your deck. If it rains or snows, you’ll need to wait 24 to 48 hours for the moisture to dry up.

Picking a product

A typical sealant is waterproof or water repellant and won’t stain or colour your deck’s wood. Sealants primarily protect against moisture damage, though they offer a degree of UV protection. 

Meanwhile, stains or paints may protect against UV and moisture damage but won’t give the type of protection a sealant can provide. 

Your Tasker may recommend a stain-and-sealant product that gives the deck your desired colour and offers more excellent protection from UV rays and moisture.

Repairing, cleaning, and sanding the deck

Your tradesperson sets out to do any repair work and cleaning before sealing the deck. If you’re having the deck sealed yearly (as recommended), this is a great time to check for any cracks or hazards. Once all this is taken care of, it’s time to clean the deck. Your Tasker uses a power washer to clean every surface of the deck, then lets it dry for 24 hours. You may ask a Tasker to include cleaning in their quotation.

After the deck is clean and dry, your Tasker sands down the deck. This step makes the sealant adhere better to the surface. It also gets rid of any spots of old sealant to ensure an even, thorough coating. Finally, the Tasker will need to sweep or vacuum the deck to eliminate any sanded-off bits. For newly-built decks, your Tasker can skip the other steps and goes straight to sweeping and vacuuming. 

Sealing the deck

Finally, it’s time to apply the waterproofing material! The Tasker goes one thin coat at a time, lets it dry for 24 hours, then applies another coat if necessary. If you need help with other fixer-uppers in the house, a nearby Tasker can lend a hand. You can use our platform to find plumbers and even painters in your area to improve your home overall.