Treated Wood Deck Boards
The Pros Cons Of A Pressure Treated Wood Deck General Contractor with measurements 3200 X 2400Treated Wood Deck Boards – Wood decks, if left to the ravages of nature, can quickly deteriorate from that clean, shining wood surface you so admired whenever your deck was not used to a dingy, gray, mildew and dry-rot infested eyesore. If the damage is generally to the deck surface, quick relief is along the way while using cleaning and resealing methods I recommend below. Before you begin, though, you need to have a look underneath to make sure dry rot hasn’t found its way into your deck.
Checking for Dry Rot and Making Repairs. Dry rot is a fungus that forms in moisture soaked wood, most often in places shaded from sunlight. Left untreated it is going to spread and destroy the integrity from the timbers, resulting in structural failure. Seek out diligently. It will hide within you in places where are difficult to arrive at, often underneath the deck where boards and timbers meet. Use a screw driver or similar tool to jab at wood, searching for the tell-tale cardboard-like texture which offers little capacity your probing. Don’t be fooled by painted boards that appear to be sound. Dry-rot can hide behind a layer of paint and be difficult to notice and soon you probe. Badly damaged supporting timbers and deck boards should be replaced. If the damage isn’t severe you can chip away the loose wood fibers and apply a fungicide product such as Bora Care or Shell-Guard. Many people report good results with using anti-freeze to take care of the affected area. If a significant part of a timber is damaged, consider eliminating that part and replacing it using a tight-fitting plug that you just epoxy into place. (Follow recommended safety guidelines when working with epoxy.)
Cleaning the Deck Surface. Even after an individual season new decks, if not properly treated, can lose their original luster and turn a dingy gray. Ultraviolet rays in many cases are at fault. Grime, mildew and mold could also detract from the appearance your deck. Before you start develop your surface cleaning, ensure your deck has proper drainage. Clean the cracks relating to the surface boards using a pressure nozzle on your garden hose. (As tempting as you possibly can, avoid a pressure washer. Even if used judiciously the power from the spray can harm the soft fibers from the wood, giving your deck a grainy and fuzzy appearance.) Where stubborn grime remains in the cracks relating to the boards, utilize a putty knife or saw blade to the way for water to drain. This is especially important all-around a house where winter snow can trap water and create a pool inches deep.
The next line of attack is to apply an oxalic acid-based wood cleaner such as Wolman DeckBrite Wood Cleaner & Coating Prep or Armstrong’s Wood Cleaner. The oxygen bleach products tend not to contain chlorine and are dependable around plants and animals. The main ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, sometimes in a very liquid solution or perhaps in dry form with soda ash. As the solution soaks in to the wood, oxygen ions breakdown mildew, algae, and dirt.Another approach, if you’re dealing mostly with mildew, is always to create your own cleaning solution with 3 quarts water, one quart of oxygen bleach, plus a quarter cup of liquid dishwasher detergent. Use the ammonia free type. The oxygen bleach will get rid of the mildew and also the detergent will assist in its removal. After allowing the cleaning solution to mean ten to fifteen minutes, scrub with surface area using a medium-stiff brush, either over a pole like a push broom or upon hands and knees should you be just like me and also you want to put good tone muscles into your work. The final step is always to rinse it clean using a garden hose.
Apply a Quality Deck Sealer. Allow your deck to dry prior to deciding to apply any sealer or stain. Then select a day when you find yourself confident that you just won’t possess rain for the next 24 to 48 hours. You shouldn’t attempt to make use of stains or sealers over existing paint or stain since the sealer will not likely penetrate the wood. You can test this by sprinkling a little water on your deck. If the water beads which is still at first glance after fifteen minutes, you will have to return back and remove the current stain. When it comes to deciding on a sealant there are numerous things to consider. Natural oil sealants are certainly not recommended since the oils turn deck green or black. Also the natural oils be food for algae and mildew. Most clear sealants will not likely provide much protection against UV ray damage.
Among the best choices pigmented sealants since it is the pigments that absorb UV rays and diminish the discoloration usually seen on wood decks. An epoxy sealant, such as DEFY Epoxy Fortified, has chemicals that both deflect sun light and absorb harmful rays. It is a water based formula that comes in various colors such as natural pine, cedar, and redwood. Tinted finishes add color without hiding the natural wood grain, while semi-transparent stains add more color, allowing some from the wood’s grain to demonstrate. The semi-transparent stains provide longer protection than tinted finishes. If you have grown sick and tired with cleaning and your wood deck every number of years, you may well be prepared to consider another option-paint. A great choice, but tricky to make use of, is a new paint that is a blend of water-based urethane and acrylic resins, such as the Sears Weatherbeater Ultra. The advantage is the coating can last for quite some time. Although decks can demand a great deal of maintenance to keep them looking sharp, they also offer years of enjoyment.
