Your outside deck can be a real center of activity as the warm weather approaches. After checking the structure for stability and safety, a little care may need to be given to the protection and look of your deck. This may include heavy cleaning, or pressure washing, with chemicals. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Before you start staining or sealing, check your local weather report to be sure you’ll have at least 48 hours of dry weather. The best outdoor temperature for cleaning and treating your deck is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before you start, remove everything from the deck, including furniture and potted plants. Loosely cover any delicate or fragile ground plants adjacent to the deck with tarps or drop cloths. Don’t use plastic sheeting on shrubs and plants. It can create a deadly “greenhouse effect” and harm your plants.
Remove drop cloths from your foliage as soon as your project is complete so they don’t suffocate. Sweep off loose debris with a broom and clean between the cracks using a slender stick or tool. Repair damaged boards and hammer in popped-up nails, as we mentioned last week.
Use a garden hose or a pressure washer to spray the surface of the deck, forcing away dirt, dust, oil and grease. This will also help remove the top layer of previous waterproofing. Begin at one end of the deck and continue until you have rinsed the entire surface and removed as much dirt as possible.
If you use a pressure washer, keep the pressure set to less than 1,000 pounds per square inch and leave a few feet between the spray nozzle and the deck to avoid damaging the wood. Set it to spray a fan of water so it pushes dirt and debris away faster. Spray between the deck boards to eliminate any remaining debris.
Use a pole sander or orbital sander with medium-grit sandpaper to smooth down any splintered areas and to remove remnants of the previous layer of sealant. Starting with as clean a surface as possible will help the new coat of sealant set in and provide a better level of protection.
Cleaning your deck at least once a year helps it last longer and look better while maintaining the integrity of the wood. And when you’re planning on sealing or refinishing your deck, you’ll have to clean it first.
Deck cleaning products are available in a variety of types and strengths. Some offer a special chlorine bleach formula for eliminating mold, mildew and algae. However, chlorine bleach formulas may require more frequent cleanings. Consider using a non-chlorine bleach cleaner instead, such as Woodsman® Premium Wood Cleaner.
Be sure to wear eye protection and cover your skin to avoid injury from chemicals, such as bleach. Never run bleach-based chemicals through your pressure washer. Instead, spray them on and then use the pressure washer.
Next week, we’ll talk about applying stain and sealant. Remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
