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 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.
CLEANING
THE SURFACESome products, like Thompson's Deck Wash ($10, 1 gal.
covers 250 sq. ft.), you mix in a bucket and apply to
the deck; others, like GE's Weathermate ($30, 1 gal.
covers 500 sq. ft.), come in containers with integral
applicators that you hook up to a garden hose.
Once on the deck, most still require a stiff-bristle
brush and a lot of elbow grease to work the mixture
into the wood.
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.
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