Many homeowners face the same problems every year with their decks.  Over the winter, the elements, kids and pets take a toll on their backyard deck.  The appearance of many decks leaves a lot to be desired.  What can homeowners do to protect their deck?

Regular maintenance will help a deck last for twice as long as it would without.  The good news is that most decks can be rejuvenated for a lot less than the cost of replacement.   Often, homeowners don't realize that cleaning a deck is essential every year. 

A power washer is best for removing sun-damaged wood fibers and for tackling scrub-resistant stains.

Always wear eye protection and gloves when working with concentrated chemicals.  You'll also want to protect nearby plants.  The level of plant protection depends on the type and concentration of the chemicals you choose.  For weak solutions and "plant-friendly" cleaners, you may need to only mist the plants before and after using cleaner.  Powerful deck restorers can burn leaves on contact; in that case you should cover nearby plants with plastic sheeting.

Use a brush to work the cleaner into the wood fibers. The boards should be kept damp in order for the cleaning solution to work effectively.

For tackling tough stains, use a pressure washer (about $70 a day).  Graf recommends using a fan-type nozzle instead of a pinpoint nozzle that can dig into the wood.  For removing the mildew, Graf mixes his own cleaning solution, which he feeds into the intake hose on the washer.  Go over the deck with a stiff-bristle brush, and then rinse. Allow the deck to dry thoroughly before staining.