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Tips Archive #155 |
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| Topic :Cleaning Your Deck |
One of the more common questions for us this time of the year is about wooden decks. People want to know how to make their weathered decks look good again. Here are two most popular ways to restore decking to near-new condition: |
| [1] Pressure washing. |
A good power wash will deep clean even the nastiest wood, BUT it is also the best way to ruin wood that is soft or old. Pressure washing will actually wear away the top layer of wood to reveal its original look. If pressure washing your deck yourself there are a few things you should know:
1.) Only use a power washer on treated pine, DO NOT use on cedar or redwood decking as severe damage will result.
2.) Use only a 20-30 degree spray nozzle. Anything lower will again result in severe damage. 3.) Rent a power washer with a regulated 2000 psi, no more no less. Lower than 2000 psi won't clean effectively, more than that will damage wood.
4.) Do not get the nozzle too close to the deck surface, 6-8 inches is usually perfect.
5.) Wear protective clothing from head to toe. The chance of catching debris in the eye is very good, so safety glasses are a must too. The spray from a power washer is so powerful that it can actually inject water into the skin if you aren't careful, this can cause severe injury or death.
6.) Small splinters will most likely remain on some sections of wood when you're done, so be prepared to do some touch-up sanding on the softer boards. |
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| [2] Chemical treatments. |
Chemical treatments to clean wood are available under many brand labels. Generically, they go under the name of "wood restorers". They work very well on wood that's mildly to moderately dirty and discolored. These can typically be used on all types of wood. Typical application is done by a sprayer, watering can, or mop. The product is allowed to sit for 15 minutes to an hour then washed off with a garden hose. Wood restorers work best on wood that hasn't been protected or sealed for at least 2 years. Check the product label before buying.
After your deck is clean and has dried for a few days you need to seal it. There are hundreds of products to choose from. Anything from clear sealers and water repellents, to colored stains and paints. Even though most products will boast 5-15 year life, they usually only provide 2-3 years of good protection, even less in high-traffic areas. After 2 years you will need to recoat again to provide maximum protection of your investment. When shopping for a sealer, make sure to purchase something specifically made for decks. A general-purpose sealer/ stain won't hold up to the beating that decks take. |
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