I’m in a similar boat—first time dealing with this, and I went with water-based last fall because I was in a rush. Regretting it now. Some spots are already flaking, especially where snow piled up. Next round, I’ll probably switch to oil-based even if it’s a pain. The screwdriver test is surprisingly helpful... caught a soft patch near the stairs that I totally missed by eye. Definitely agree, replacing sketchy boards beats dealing with bigger headaches later.
The screwdriver test is surprisingly helpful... caught a soft patch near the stairs that I totally missed by eye.
That test has saved me more than once. I used to just tap boards and hope for the best, but after missing a rotten spot under a heavy planter, I learned my lesson. Oil-based is messier, but it really does hold up better through our winters. I still sand everything down before sealing—takes time, but it’s worth it.
I’m curious—when you’re prepping for underlayment, do you ever check the moisture content of the boards? I’ve had a couple of jobs where everything looked and felt solid, but after pulling up the old covering, there was hidden dampness that didn’t show up until later. I started using a cheap moisture meter after that, especially in shaded spots or anywhere water might pool. Not sure if it’s overkill, but it’s saved me from sealing in moisture more than once.
Also, on the oil-based vs. water-based debate... I get why people stick with oil for durability, but I’ve noticed it can make future repairs trickier—seems like nothing wants to stick to it once it’s cured. Anyone else run into that? Or maybe I’m just being too picky about adhesion.
One more thing—do you guys ever use a primer before sealing, or just go straight to the finish coat? I’ve heard mixed things about whether it actually helps with longevity, especially in climates with big temp swings.