A Guide To Cleaning Your Wooden Deck

A new deck or patio can help enhance your outdoor space and provide a place to relax, entertain guests, and enjoy the outdoors. It's essential to know how to care for it properly to keep your deck maintained to last over the years. Cleaning your deck will not only keep it looking beautiful but also help preserve the wood, making your deck last longer. All decks are different, and they require various types of maintenance. Some decks you can take care of on your own, but others are better left to the professionals. Regular deck maintenance will ensure that your deck is safe. Below are a few tips on how you can continue the upkeep of your wooden deck and patio.

One of the first steps to cleaning your wooden deck is taking the time to sweep away any leaves, dirt, or buildup. Sweeping will help prevent stains and mildew. You can take this time to look for any loose boards, weak rails, or nails sticking out where they are not supposed to. If you notice any loose screws, tighten the loose screws or replace them and also replace any damaged boards. The outside elements also play a significant role in the health of your deck. Over some time, the finish on a wooden deck breaks down due to the weather naturally aging the boards. Rain can penetrate the wood leading to a potential buildup of mold and mildew. Finally, don't forget to remove any debris that is trapped in between the deck boards.

Next, use a garden hose with a spray attachment piece to remove leftover dirt, wash the surface, and rinse it clean. Focus your attention on any difficult spots to ensure that your deck is free of any debris. Even though you have already swept, leaves can still get trapped in tight spaces, so it's essential to be thorough with this step. Make sure to rinse the entire space from front to back. You can start at one end of the deck and continue to the other side so that the whole area is clean. Similar to when you're sweeping, use the hose to get between the cracks of the board.

Next, apply a solution. You can use a standard deck cleaner to remove stains. If you're using any commercial cleaners, make sure to follow the directions, so you don't ruin your progress. Some commercial cleaners need the deck to be wet before application, so it's vital you don't miss that. It's recommended to apply a cleaner on a cloudy day. Check your local forecast to see when would be a good day to take on this project. On an overcast day, the deck will remain cool, and the cleaner solution will do its job more efficiently without the sun interfering. For this step, you can use a paint roller, a stiff brush, or a garden sprayer to spread the solution on your deck evenly. Lastly, let it soak and then rinse the entire area of the deck with water to remove the cleaner.

The final, and perhaps most important part of the process is sealing your deck. For sealing, you can use a large roller to put on the boards. It's recommended to do 3-4 at a time. Sealers provide a wide variety of protection for your outdoor space, which will elongate the life of your deck. They can prevent mold and mildew from forming on the wood and shield the deck from water damage. Instead of penetrating the wooden surface, the water evaporates. There are many different sealers available. Make sure to take a look at all of your options and determine which one is the best. Some sealers may include a waterproofing agent that offers year-round deck protection. Follow all of the instructions for the best results.

Now that your deck is all clean, you can take this as an opportunity to renovate your outdoor space. You can vamp up your deck with pottery, flowers, art, anything you would like to create your ideal space. If you're looking to entertain more, you can add new furniture pieces for people to sit and eat. Now all you have to do is kick back, and enjoy your deck and the beautiful weather!