Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck in need of serious TLC
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1sttime_owner
10-11-08, 01:26 PM
Hi all,
My deck is in serious need of TLC. As a new homeowner that has never had a deck (and I rarely have time to use the deck), I've unfortunately been ignoring it and I need to start taking better care of it.
One of the main problems is that it doesn't get a lot of sunlight (a lot of trees & position of deck), therefore, its looking more greenish & dingy than its original look. I suspect that the
previous owner didn't take much care of it either as I had to replace the stairs and there is lot of cracks in the wood through out the deck.
Where would I start? A Power wash? What products should I use? I suspect that it may be too late to seal it (Chicago)......or is it? If I can't seal it before the winter,
should I cover it up?
Any suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks.
My deck is in serious need of TLC. As a new homeowner that has never had a deck (and I rarely have time to use the deck), I've unfortunately been ignoring it and I need to start taking better care of it.
One of the main problems is that it doesn't get a lot of sunlight (a lot of trees & position of deck), therefore, its looking more greenish & dingy than its original look. I suspect that the
previous owner didn't take much care of it either as I had to replace the stairs and there is lot of cracks in the wood through out the deck.
Where would I start? A Power wash? What products should I use? I suspect that it may be too late to seal it (Chicago)......or is it? If I can't seal it before the winter,
should I cover it up?
Any suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks.
marksr
10-11-08, 02:49 PM
Painting/staining this time of year can be iffy. Different coatings have different specs - which one you use might be a determining factor.
The easiest way to clean would be to wet the deck, spray on a bleach/water solution [using a pump up garden sprayer] and then rinse with a pressure washer.
A pressure washer isn't imperitive - you can rinse with a water hose. Care must be used when using a PWer as too much pressure can harm the wood. Bleach solutions stronger than 50/50 can damage wood fibers. There are some commercially prepared cleaning solutions that will also work and they can be a little more user friendly.
There are mildewcides that can be added to the coating to help fight mildew in damp shady conditions.
The easiest way to clean would be to wet the deck, spray on a bleach/water solution [using a pump up garden sprayer] and then rinse with a pressure washer.
A pressure washer isn't imperitive - you can rinse with a water hose. Care must be used when using a PWer as too much pressure can harm the wood. Bleach solutions stronger than 50/50 can damage wood fibers. There are some commercially prepared cleaning solutions that will also work and they can be a little more user friendly.
There are mildewcides that can be added to the coating to help fight mildew in damp shady conditions.
1sttime_owner
10-15-08, 12:11 PM
Thanks Marksr for the info. I'll have to stop my Home Depot and see if I can rent a PW and also checkout the mildewcides available.
marksr
10-15-08, 02:15 PM
Some paint stores rent pressure washers. If no luck at either of those type locations; try your local commercial equipment/tool rental store.
CanadianInIowa
10-15-08, 03:16 PM
Yes, be careful with a pressure washer! My kids discovered they could 'write' their names in the deck! (my old deck), now we have a signature series deck! :p
the_tow_guy
10-16-08, 05:20 AM
Our "deck" is a concrete pool deck these days, but where we lived previously [NC] I cleaned the deck with a Wolman product:
http://www.wolman.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=3
Works very well.
http://www.wolman.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=3
Works very well.