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Wood Decking Maintenance-Pressure Washing

It often only takes one to two years for that once beautiful wood deck to turn ugly and dreary. You dread having friends over for a barbecue.  However it can be restored, read on dear reader.

Remember its best to perform this facelift either yearly on every other year otherwise, you risk ending up with an uglier deck and harder or near impossible to restore.  Remember decks are usually out in the open and subject to rain, traffic, and the harsh elements. Which mean your deck needs you; it needs your time and effort.  If you don’t particularly care to maintain your wood deck every year or two, perhaps a near maintenance free composite decking or eon plastic decking is your ticket to more time for other interests. 

Give your tired-looking deck a facelift sooner rather than later.

What Can Happen to a Poorly Maintained Deck?

Many people never treat and seal their decks. Untreated decks won't rot or collapse too soon. What will happen is that the wood will get dirty and the surface will become much rougher much sooner. It can create in time a slick surface and produce splinters. Much of the "dirt" we see on a poorly maintained deck is actually living organisms. Just like the algae and moss that grow on rocks next to a stream.  Eventually if left untreated, you will see splitting boards and run the chance that your deck and or framing will begin to rot.

Debris such as leaves and dirt can clog the spaces between deck boards.  The best way to undo that is to use a pressure washer but carefully, you run the risk of gouging the wood boards if done improperly.

 Best to keep the wand about 12 inches above the surface of the wood and keep it moving. If you don't, it's very easy to blast softer wood away leaving  a nasty  rippled effect on the deck Or a  garden hose equipped with a nozzle of some kind to get as much water pressure as possible.

How much for a Pressure Washer?  What Kind?

The dope on Pressure Washers:  Pressure washers may be purchased at all the large home centers. Costs:  It ranges from a few hundred to $1,500 and up.  For general household use, a pressure washer that generates  at least 1,500 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure is good. More pressure of course is better, for commercial use stick close to 3000psi and up. Pressure washers are also available to rent at your local rental center. Rental cost are  around $50 for a four-hour rental.

Cleaning  Solutions vs dirt and mildew

 If the deck has mildew on it, you can clean up the deck itself with  a Bleach-based product 50/50 solution of water and bleach.  Any store brand will do .Use a base of non-chlorine bleach base or oxalic acid are used to eliminate discoloration and stains. But after using  bleach it can  also leave a surface drab and washed-out.  For these problems, use an acid-based deck restoration product.  to use a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water to kill the fungus.

Test a small out of the way part of the deck by applying the solution. Rinse the solution off with a garden hose. If the result is acceptable, repeat the process on the remainder of the mildew. Then pressure-wash the deck to remove accumulated dirt.

If it looks like the wood is still gray, then try using a cleaner and brightener to work on that grey.  Just follow the instructions on the label.  Be careful of surrounding plants, that can be affected by these chemicals.  It may be necessary to hose down the deck and surrounding areas before applying cleaning solutions. Use a  garden pump sprayer to apply the wash to the deck and rails.. You can also use a mop or even a watering can. Once the cleaner had set for 10-15 minutes usually you wash it off with a pressure washer or garden hose, again read the instructions.

If I paint My Deck?

If you choose to paint your wood decking , use a stain-blocking oil or alkyd primer first. It’s best to you a paint product that soaks into the wood not one that is just a surface paint or product.

How about using a heavily pigmented solid stain on the deck wood?

 Its not  recommended for decking because it shows wear patterns and may peel. You want something that really soaks in.

 There are three important characteristics to look for in a finish. First, the finish should be "water repellent" or "waterproof," not just "water resistant." Second, it should offer UV (ultraviolet) protection. And third, if mildew is a potential problem, the finish should contain a mildewcide, which a "wood preservative" does.

See more  on Wood Decking Care

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