Pressure Wash Wood Deck

Deck Cleaning Seminole Power Wash with measurements 2848 X 2134

Pressure Wash Wood Deck – Wood decks, if left towards the ravages of nature, can quickly deteriorate from that clean, shining wood surface you so admired once your deck was a new comer to a dingy, gray, mildew and dry-rot infested eyesore. If the damage is generally towards the deck surface, quick relief is on how using the cleaning and resealing methods I recommend below. Before you begin, though, you should look underneath to be certain dry rot hasn’t found its way in your deck.

Checking for Dry Rot and Making Repairs. Dry rot is really a fungus that forms in moisture soaked wood, usually in places shaded from sunlight. Left untreated it is going to spread and destroy the integrity in the timbers, leading to structural failure. Seek against each other diligently. It will hide by you in locations that take time and effort to arrive at, often under the deck where boards and timbers meet. Use a screw driver or similar tool to jab at wood, seeking the tell-tale cardboard-like texture that provides little potential to deal with your probing. Don’t be fooled by painted boards that seem to be sound. Dry-rot can hide behind a layer of paint and turn into hard to notice and soon you probe. Badly damaged supporting timbers and deck boards should be replaced. If the damage just isn’t severe you are able to chip away the loose wood fibers and apply a fungicide product such as Bora Care or Shell-Guard. Many people report positive results with using anti-freeze to take care of the affected area. If a significant part of a timber is damaged, consider cutting out that part and replacing it with a tight-fitting plug that you simply epoxy into place. (Follow recommended safety guidelines whenever using epoxy.)

Cleaning the Deck Surface. Even after one particular season new decks, or else properly treated, can lose their original luster and turn a dingy gray. Ultraviolet rays tend to be to blame. Grime, mold and mildew could also detract from your appearance your deck. Before you start work with the particular surface cleaning, ensure your deck has proper drainage. Clean the cracks between your surface boards with a pressure nozzle on your garden hose. (As tempting as they can be, avoid a pressure washer. Even if used judiciously the power in the spray can damage the soft fibers in the wood, giving your deck a grainy and fuzzy appearance.) Where stubborn grime remains within the cracks between your boards, work with a putty knife or saw blade to the way for water to drain. This is especially important near to a home where winter snow can trap water and make up a pool inches deep.

The next distinct attack is to try using an oxalic acid-based wood cleaner such as Wolman DeckBrite Wood Cleaner & Coating Prep or Armstrong’s Wood Cleaner. The oxygen bleach products don’t contain chlorine and so are dependable around plants and animals. The main ingredient is peroxide, sometimes in a very liquid solution or even in dry form with soda ash. As the solution soaks in the wood, oxygen ions breakdown mildew, algae, and dirt.Another approach, in case you are dealing mostly with mildew, is always to you could make your own cleaning solution with 3 quarts water, one quart of oxygen bleach, and 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 treatment for mean 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with floor with a medium-stiff brush, either over a pole as being a push broom or down on hands and knees should you be at all like me and you also want to put your muscle in your work. The final step is always to rinse it clean with a garden hose.

Apply a Quality Deck Sealer. Allow your deck to dry before you apply any sealer or stain. Then go with a day if you are confident that you simply won’t have got rain for the next 24 to 48 hours. You shouldn’t attempt to apply stains or sealers over existing paint or stain as the sealer will not likely penetrate the wood. You can test this by sprinkling somewhat water on your deck. If the water beads and it is still on top after fifteen minutes, you simply must go back and take away the present stain. When it comes to selecting a sealant there are several things to consider. Natural oil sealants aren’t recommended as the oils turn deck green or black. Also the natural oils function as food for algae and mildew. Most clear sealants will not likely provide much protection against UV ray damage.

Among the most effective options pigmented sealants as it is the pigments that absorb UV rays and diminish the discoloration frequently seen on wood decks. An epoxy sealant, such as DEFY Epoxy Fortified, has chemicals that both deflect the sun’s rays and absorb harmful rays. It is really a water based formula that comes in numerous colors such as natural pine, cedar, and redwood. Tinted finishes add color without hiding the natural wood grain, while semi-transparent stains increase the color, allowing some in the wood’s grain showing. The semi-transparent stains provide longer protection than tinted finishes. If you have grown sick and tired with cleaning and handling your wood deck every number of years, you might be prepared to consider another option-paint. A great choice, but tricky to apply, is really a new paint that is really a mix of water-based urethane and acrylic resins, such as the Sears Weatherbeater Ultra. The advantage is the coating lasts for several years. Although decks can need a great deal of maintenance to make sure they’re looking sharp, they also offer a lot of enjoyment.