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A deck looks beautiful when it is brand new, but after just a year so it can
begin to look weathered and shabby if not properly maintained. Consequently it
is important to subject your deck to a regular deck cleaning and maintenance
schedule if you want to keep it looking like new.
A light deck cleaning can be done with a broom and some soapy water a few times
a year. However at least once a year you should plan on a more serious deck
cleaning. To properly clean a deck, first remove everything off of its surface
and inspect the deck boards for any damage.
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Replace any damaged boards and use Turpentine and a plastic scrub pad to
remove any dried sap stains.
Next use a broom or a leaf blower to remove all of the dust and debris off
the surface of the deck. Follow with a garden hose and hand sprayer to
remove dirt that is wedged in between the deck boards.
After giving the deck a once over with the garden hose, grab a pale, broom
and brush, along with a commercial deck cleaning solution, and scrub the
surface of the deck. When cleaning a deck it is best to start in one corner
of the deck, preferably near the house, and work your way to the other side
of the deck. Working in an organized fashion insures you don’t miss any
spots.
Periodically turn the garden hose on your work to wash away the dirt you
have scraped off the deck surface.
Finally, after scrubbing the entire deck use your garden hose again to
completely rinse down and clean the deck surface.
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Cleaning Decks with Pressure Washers Caution
Note, if you decide to use a pressure washer to clean your deck make sure to
use the lowest pressure nozzle and keep the nozzle at least 2 to 3 feet away
from the deck surface when using it. A pressure washer can easily damage the
grain of your deck wood if not used properly.
Selecting a Deck Cleaning Solution
When selecting a commercial deck cleaning solution select one that will not
bleach out the deck boards nor cause the deck hardware (screws and/or nails)
to corrode.
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Also look for deck cleaner solutions that will remove algae and mold if you
observe dark black or green areas on your deck.
Deck Maintenance after Cleaning a Deck
After a thorough deck cleaning, inspect the deck for any other deck
maintenance issues. Again, look for damaged or loose deck boards, deck paint
or sealer peeling, sap bleeding knots, and popped nails. Replace any damaged
deck boards that you may have additionally discovered during the deck
cleaning process. Use a hammer to nail down popped nails. Alternatively, you
may want to remove the popped nails altogether and replace them with
slightly larger ones.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
If your deck is painted and you see sap bleed through, then you may want to
seal the knots with a Bin sealer and then repaint the deck.
If your deck is peeling then you have a bigger deck maintenance issue to
deal with. You will need to consider sanding the entire deck surface and
then either repainting it or resealing it.
With these simple deck cleaning and maintenance tips you should be able to
keep your deck looking like new and extend the life of it for many
additional years.
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For help on building a new Deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Deck Installation Bid Sheet.
The
Deck Installation Bid Sheet
will teach your how to hire the right deck contractor, and help to ensure that your
deck project is completed on time and budget.
How to Finance your Deck Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Deck Information
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