How often does a wooden deck need to be treated with water repellent?

Is Thompson's Water Seal a good choice or would you recommend something else?How often does a wooden deck need to be treated with water repellent?
If it were my deck, I would treat the flat surfaces every year, and the vertical surfaces every other year, especially if the flat areas get direct unshaded sunlight most of the time.


I cannot imagine any treatment lasting more than one hot summer, and it doesn't take that long to spray on a coat of sealer.


Use a wood sealer with the least amount or no paraffin wax. This will repel water but it leaves a tacky film. I use products from ';BEHR';.


And do not power wash the deck every year - this is the most damaging thing homeowners do to their decks. Powewashing actually blasts away old wood and good wood. A good blast of the water hose will clean out the little grooves and spaces between the deck boards-let dry for one entire day.Spray on sealer toward the end of the day so it can soak in vs. evaporate quickly in the hot sun.


Clean out your pump sprayer good when finished.


Good Luck.How often does a wooden deck need to be treated with water repellent?
It depends where you live. Normally they say you need to do it every year, but I've had decks go as many as 5 years without needing to be refinished. Hope I was of some help, good luck with your project!
Whenever water stops beading up on it. I prefer Cabot products over Thompsons for durability.