Building Wood Deck Over Concrete Patio

Bluemetals Low Deck Over Concrete Finished But Not Finished for size 1024 X 768

Building Wood Deck Over Concrete Patio – Wood decks, if left on the ravages of nature, can quickly deteriorate from that clean, shining wood surface you so admired whenever your deck was new to a dingy, gray, mildew and dry-rot infested eyesore. If the damage is generally on the deck surface, quick relief is along the way while using cleaning and resealing methods I recommend below. Before you begin, though, you must take a peek underneath to make certain dry rot hasn’t found its way into the deck.

Checking for Dry Rot and Making Repairs. Dry rot can be a fungus that forms in moisture soaked wood, frequently in places shaded from sunlight. Left untreated it will spread and destroy the integrity with the timbers, leading to structural failure. Seek against each other diligently. It will hide within you in places where are difficult to achieve, often under the deck where boards and timbers meet. Use a screw driver or similar tool to jab at wood, trying to find the tell-tale cardboard-like texture that gives little resistance to your probing. Don’t be fooled by painted boards that seem to be sound. Dry-rot can hide behind a layer of paint and be challenging to notice until 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 treat the involved area. If a significant part of a timber is damaged, consider removing that part and replacing it which has a tight-fitting plug that you epoxy into place. (Follow recommended safety guidelines when you use epoxy.)

Cleaning the Deck Surface. Even after an individual season new decks, or else properly treated, can lose their original luster and turn a dingy gray. Ultraviolet rays in many cases are to blame. Grime, mold and mildew also can detract in the appearance your deck. Before you start develop the particular surface cleaning, make sure your deck has proper drainage. Clean the cracks between the surface boards which has a pressure nozzle on your garden hose. (As tempting as possible, avoid a pressure washer. Even if used judiciously the power with the spray can damage the soft fibers with the wood, giving your deck a grainy and fuzzy appearance.) Where stubborn grime remains inside cracks between the boards, utilize a putty knife or saw blade in order to the way for water to drain. This is especially important all-around a home where winter snow can trap water and create a pool inches deep.

The next distinctive 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 don’t contain chlorine and so are safe around plants and animals. The main ingredient is peroxide, sometimes in the liquid solution or even in dry form with soda ash. As the solution soaks in to the wood, oxygen ions break down mildew, algae, and dirt.Another approach, in case you are dealing mostly with mildew, is always to build your own cleaning solution with 3 quarts water, one quart of oxygen bleach, as well as a quarter cup of liquid dishwasher detergent. Use the ammonia free type. The oxygen bleach will kill the mildew and also the detergent will help in its removal. After allowing the cleaning treatment for are a symbol of 10-15 minutes, scrub with surface which has a medium-stiff brush, either with a pole being a push broom or down on hands and knees in case you are at all like me and you need to put your muscles into the work. The final step is always to rinse it clean which has a garden hose.

Apply a Quality Deck Sealer. Allow your deck to dry before you decide to apply any sealer or stain. Then select a day when you are confident that you won’t possess rain for an additional 24 to a couple of days. You shouldn’t attempt to use stains or sealers over existing paint or stain because the sealer won’t 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 will need to return back and take away the present stain. When it comes to deciding on a sealant there are several things to consider. Natural oil sealants aren’t recommended because the oils turn deck green or black. Also the natural oils serve as food for algae and mildew. Most clear sealants won’t provide much protection against UV ray damage.

Among the best choices are pigmented sealants as it is often the pigments that absorb UV rays and diminish the discoloration so 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 can be a water based formula that comes in a variety of 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 with the wood’s grain showing. The semi-transparent stains provide longer protection than tinted finishes. If you have grown sick and tired of cleaning and your wood deck every few years, you could be prepared to consider another option-paint. A great choice, but tricky to use, can be a new paint that can be a mix of water-based urethane and acrylic resins, such as the Sears Weatherbeater Ultra. The advantage is the coating lasts for countless years. Although decks can require a great deal of maintenance to ensure that they’re looking sharp, in addition they offer years of enjoyment.