How Soon to Seal New Wooden Decks? Why Use Linseed Oil or Tung Oil on Wooden Decks? Richmond, VA and Southern Home Wood Deck (804)585-8016

Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, VA 23225

Why Use Oil-based Water Sealants vs. Acrylic Water Sealants?

If you are a homeowner with a new deck or an older deck and this is the first time that you are planning to treat the deck, you probably want to know how to clean it to make it look new again. And, you probably are trying to figure out the best product to use on the deck to keep it looking nice and to protect the wood against rot and decay. 

There is a multitude of fabulous products on the market, each providing great protection, but some create wood that will look good for years instead of just months. So, let me touch base on a few choices between products in the Richmond, VA area, Northern, VA area, and Cary, NC areas. It is important to mention available products along the east coast, for they do vary somewhat between what is available in other parts of the country. Wood decks in these areas are generally built with Pine lumber. In other parts of the country, Cedar is more prominent. 

Wood is cut and milled and brought into big box hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes regularly. It is a very short time period between the cutting and infusing/pressurizing of outdoor woods with chemicals to keep bugs from eating your new decks and fences. Usually, only a few weeks pass before the wood is shipped and stacked at your big box hardware stores. Wood can seem moist, and a little bit of time should pass before applying sealants or stains. A moisture meter is the best method to tell when the wood is ready to seal!

When wood is adequately dried, there are many products to choose from. For new wood, I almost always recommend using a product that contains Linseed Oil. Linseed oil helps to condition the wood. It strengthens wood fibers by pulling them back upon themselves. It keeps wood from cracking and splitting, by pulling fibers of the wood together and replacing natural oils that get lost during the pressure-treating phase with new wood, or with time as with old wood. Acrylic sealants do not give you the conditioning properties offered by Linseed or Tung oil. Wooden boats have been conditioned for thousands of years using these special oils. 

One of my favorite products is one of the more natural-looking products, called Ready Seal Water Sealant. It contains both Linseed and Tung Oils. Another favorite is Olympic Maximum with Linseed Oil. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, both offer Linseed oil-water sealants and both are offered nationally. Read the label while searching. 

Acrylic water sealants can be applied the same day that you clean. But, these products do not help to condition and strengthen the wood. Thompson's and Olympic both have good acrylic sealants, they may gray quicker on wood surfaces, but they both do a nice job of keeping water from penetrating a wood's surface and thus keeping rot and decay from taking hold.

If you are thinking about hiring a company, or if you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, Va, and allow us to discuss the pluses and minuses of using either version and what we feel about the various products available. Call, (804)585-8016 to reach Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, VA. We clean Wooden Decks, Wooden Fences, and Seal with the highest quality Wood Sealants available on the market. 

Richmond, VA and How to Clean and Stain a Wooden Deck Sherwin Williams Solid Stain

"How to Clean and Stain a Wooden Deck"

Southern Home Wood Deck 

(804)585-8016

Richmond, VA, 

 Fredricksburg, VA 

Cary, NC

Featuring world-class stains by Sherwin Williams, Ready Seal, Benjamin Moore, Cabot Stains, CWF, Sikkens

Southern Home Wood Deck and Fence Staining Specials. Inflation Buster Pricing! Pricing at 15% Off.

Wood Deck Cleaning and Sealing, House Pressure Washing, Wood Deck Staining, Fence Cleaning and Staining, Aggregate Driveway Cleaning and Sealing. Please, Contact Southern Home Wood Deck for Cleaning and Sealing or Staining of Wooden Decks and Fences. (804) 585-8016. 

Free Estimates! Visit our website at www.southernhomedeck.com or www.powerwash5000.com and get the experienced job that you deserve! Since 1987.

#SouthernHomeWood Deck.com in Richmond, VA, #Ready Seal Water-Sealant, Handsome Darker Colors!

Southern Home Wood Deck Pressure Washing and Staining
Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 585-8016

Send a pic and we can show you how to make your wood deck look NEW and Special! We are using wonderful, oil-based wood water-sealants to help protect the structural integrity of your special architectural structure. Using Ready Seal on floor and hand-rails. 

 Cleaning and Sealing Wooden Decks, Fences, Gazeboes, and Structures at a reasonable price. Mold and Mildew were removed with a gentle bio-degradable Cleaner. Looks like New! 

Please call: (804)585-8016, or email  JSowell879@gmail.com. 

Southern Home Wood Deck Pressure Washing and Staining- "Water Sealants 1980's to present. Modern day products for Wood Decks and Fences in Virginia."

www.southernhomewooddeck.com

"We Clean and Stain Wood, the Proper way!"

Richmond, VA 23225

(804)585-8016

Southern Home has been cleaning and staining wood decks and fences in Richmond, VA and Cary, NC since 1987. That is a lot of years and tons of experience that goes into making every deck and fence look new again. Over the years, we have used various products that give us a unique understanding of the properties of each. 

In 1987, there was only one product that existed to put on wood- Thompson's Water-seal. At that time it was a mixture of solvent and silicone that formed an outer layer when put on wood. The barrier kept water on top of the wood, never touching wood.

Next, a few years later came Olympic, Thompson's only competitor. It was a paraffin wax and oil-based solvent that contained linseed oil. It worked equally well, but like Thompson's, wood slowly greyed with time.

These two products solved the problems of flat wood surfaces being exposed to the elements. They kept moisture above the wood's surface. They helped to keep wood protected from rot and decay. Also, more importantly, the wood would not suck up moisture during the winter months, freeze and cause wood to crack, "gator", cup and split.  

The elements create a lot of damage! Wood is exposed to rain, snow, hail, ice, Ultraviolet rays, the harsh environment of our geographical location- high humidity, mold, and mildew that can transfer from the air and onto the deck, and with the environment, a wooden deck may exist in, age and damage can come quickly. A clear sealant will age more quickly, so many of the wood sealant companies added a chemical to protect the wood from mold and mildew. 

More and more modifications came to the existing formulas and these companies figured out how to keep wood looking new for longer. That is when color became a major component of the water sealant, to mask the gradual graying of the wood and by using color, the wood appeared to hold a newer look much longer. 

With these two very good water sealants, came many new products from other architectural coating companies to further extend the life of the coating- CWF by Flood, Sikkens, Cabot, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore to name a few. 

It is easy to see why the need for a specialist who understands these environmental challenges and architectural coatings is very important in determining what to put on your wooden fence or deck.

I intend to offer a synopsis of tinted sealants and stains in a future blog. Each water sealant or stain company has wonderful advantages over the other- some last longer, some hold color longer, I have seen how each product holds up over the years and I can possibly offer some insight so that you can make the proper choice in the future. 

If you would prefer direct advice from me, or if you would like me to take care of a future project, please send any emails to, JSowell879@gmail.com. Many thanks for visiting my blog, good luck on your wood refinishing project!

 

 

READY SEAL tinted-Water Sealant in Richmond, VA Oil-based Protection for your Wooden Deck or Fence!

 

Richmond, Virginia (804)585-8016

In Richmond, VA the environment is such that homeowners must consider protection for their exterior wood surfaces and to upkeep the structural integrity and protect the wood from rot and decay. Humidity, mold, mildew over time translates into eventual degradation of the integrity of the wood. 

At Southern Home Wood Deck, or www.southenhomewooddeck.com or www.powerwash5000.com, we assess a piece of wood's condition as if it were our very own. If it has been neglected, if wood has been unsealed and has no protection on it, the pores of the wood are open and water is able to seep into the inner portion of the decking board and that is where mold and mildew growth will begin. Unprotected wood is vulnerable, mold and mildew float through the air, and with the perfect environment, it will begin to grow. In such a way, mold can quickly grow over the wood and within several months the wood can become covered in mold and mildew spores and spread very rapidly across the surface of your wood deck or fence or even your home's siding. 

Ready Seal brand water sealant has been around Richmond, VA for about 5 years. Our customers like the fact that the product contains Linseed oil and Tung oil. These products help to condition the wood by tightening wood grains and bringing them closer together. Linseed Oil products are purified and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. A light wax additive is used to help seal pores and keep wood looking natural and pure for much more time than simple acrylic sealants available at big box hardware stores.

Southern Home Wood Deck can help revive and protect old-looking wood and to make it look new again. Ready Seal Wood Sealant will protect your wood in a variety of different Natural-looking colors. Take a few pictures of your wood, and we may be able to help assess the condition of your wood. Gentle cleaning with bio-degradable products helps wood look new again.  

Southern Home Wood Deck, www.southernhomedeck.com in Richmond, VA

(804)585-8016

SPRING Pressure-washing a Wood Deck! Olympic Elite oil-based Stain is an Excellent Sealant and Stain!

 www.southernhomedeck.com or www.powerwash5000.com

In Richmond, VA, or Cary, NC, customers depend on being offered high-quality water sealants that will last over time. Nobody wants to use a product that looks terrible after one year. Here, at Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, VA, or Cary, NC, our company uses nothing but the very best water sealants. We prefer oil-based products for durability and ones that contain Linseed oil to help strengthen wood-fibers. 

Olympic has been around since the late 1980s. We know because we have been around since that time period and Olympic was one of the few companies that offered water sealants for wooden decks at a time when few products existed.

Durability, a product that will hold up and look decent for at least three years is key. Olympic products hold up over time. (804) 585-8016, give us a call and we can discuss with you the differences between Olympic and other brands. We can explain how using oil-based products help to condition the wood and strengthen wood fibers. 

 www.southernhomedeck.com or www.powerwash5000.com

(804)585-8016

Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, Va

www.southernhomedeck.com

       www.powerwash5000.com

Gentle pressure-washing and cleaning of a wood deck are made to look new again and sealed using Cedar colored Ready Seal brand water sealant. This product is a Premium grade and contains natural oils to preserve the wood and keep moisture from penetrating below the wood's surface. Natural coloring keeps wood looking new longer.

In Richmond, VA call (804)585-8016 and (919)234-7922 for a quick discussion and estimate to clean and seal Your wood deck, fence, or wooden structure.

Let us explain our simple cleaning process and discuss how we can make your wood look new again! 

www.southernhomedeck.com

www.powerwash5000.com

www.southernhomehandyman.com

 

Southern Home Wood Deck, Richmond, VA 23225 and Cary, NC 27519

Sikkens brand 

Sikkens products are produced by Azko Nobel, a European Wood Sealant and Paint company. The product has very rich colors and has long been considered some, one of the best Water Sealant companies around. I like the way that this product looks. As you can see in the photo above, it has a very rich color palette and when applied properly, it is one of the prettiest water sealants available. 

It is a tough product. But, it is also very tough to use. For most of the Sikkens water, sealants are supposed to be sanded before a new application. Pressure washing does not work to remove old sealant by Sikkens. Removing the old finish is supposed to be done by sanding the old finish off of the surface. If you do not use this method when restaining over top Sikkens, it does not adhere properly. The look on new wood is stupendous! But, the downfall of the product (in my opinion), is that it is so hard and takes so long to hand sand every board to remove the old finish. Pressure-washing with Oxalic acid doesn't do anything to remove the old product- it is that good!

That being said, I like the look of Sikkens, but it is a lot of work! And, pricing must reflect the additional labor. If you have any questions, I am happy to offer you solutions. Call, 804-585-8016, and speak to me, Joseph Sowell. I can give you suggestions and explain the process as I am a Certified Sikkens Contractor.

www.southernhomewooddeck.com

 

Ready Seal Oil-based Water Sealant is Great on New Wood! Strengthen and Protect, Conditions New Wood! Southern Home (804)585-8016 Richmond, VA

 

Southern Home Wood Deck, Southern Home Fence, Southern Home Pressure-washing

Richmond, VA 23225 (804)585-8016

www.southernhomedeck.com 

15% Spring Discount, see website for details.

Cleaning and Sealing a wooden fence and Wood Deck and attached Trellis in Richmond, VA off of Libbie Avenue. Here, we are using the tinted Ready Seal product with Cedar coloring. 

Southern Home Pressure Washing and Staining created a beautiful look that our customers are very proud of. The Ready Seal sealant contains Tung oil and Linseed oil, perfect for conditioning new and old wood. 

Please, call: 804-585-8016 and have Southern Home, professionally clean and seal your new or older wooden fence to make it look new again and to protect it for several years. 

www.southernhomedeck.com and www.powerwash5000.com and Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore and Olympic and Behr

 

Southern Home Wood Deck- Cleaning and Sealing Wooden Decks, Wooden Fences, Wooden Pergola's, Wooden Trellis's, Pressure Washing Houses, Pressure Washing Concrete and Stamped Concrete Surfaces 

This time of the year, new wood that has been sitting and drying out should be sealed before the winter months. New Wood is rinsed with a chemical bleach to kill any mold or mildew spores on wood, dried out and then Sealed with a nice Water-sealant that contains Linseed Oil or Tung Oil. Both products Condition new wood and help to promote stronger wood fibers. 

Please, Contact Southern Home at (804)585-8016 for a free estimate in Richmond, Va or Cary, NC. 

Ready Seal water-sealant, Seal before the Winter! Olympic, Thompson's and CWF in Richmond, VA

 

www.southernhomedeck.com, www.pressurewash5000.com, www.southernhomehandyman.com

Richmond, VA Pressure Washing, The Very Best!

Winter months are hard on wood! New wood comes from the forest and is milled and cut into timber. The timber then goes through the process of becoming pressure-treated with the arsenic or other chemicals that keep insects from eating or living on your outside, architectural structures- Wooden Decks, Wooden Fences, and Wooden Patios.

Most new wood sits and dries in the lumber yard. In this day and age, lumber moves quickly from their yards to local companies like Home Depot, Lowes, and Siewers, and when your Carpenter goes to these spots to purchase his wood for building your new fences, decks, and wooden structures. 

There is a misperception that many months must go by before the chemicals put into the wood at the mill evaporate and water sealant or stain can be applied to the wood. This is a misperception! Wood must be dry and with a special tool, the cleaner can accurately determine if the wood will accept your protectant. Most people do not realize it, but Acrylic water sealants can be applied to moist wood even if it is wet. Thompson's and Olympic offer very good quality clear sealants that can be used on newer wood. However, it is best to use products that contain Linseed Oil the very first time a wood deck is sealed. 

Linseed Oil is a known wood conditioner and literally promotes the strengthening of wood fibers. Wood strands and grains slowly pull apart from one and another and wood that has never been treated before appears swollen. Linseed oil tightens the wood strands and grains and causes rigidity. 

Call Southern Home Wood Deck in Richmond, VA at (804)585-8016 and let us explain the various products available. Ready Seal, Olympic, Thompson's, CWF, Cabot, Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore are all brands we use and recommend. Here are a few pictures of our work. 

(804)585-8016

Southern Home Wood Deck, Richmond, VA 23225