Should I wash my deck?

Frequency. Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

Is deck wash necessary?

A: Yes. The answer is simple enough, but it really should be remembered that it's important to remove all dirt and contaminants from the surface of wood to ensure proper stain penetration and maximum durability of wood stains.

Can I wash my deck with water?

Warm water can be used on its own to wash a wood or composite deck. Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water.

What is the best way to clean decks?

To clean your deck, combine 240 ml vinegar with 3.8 litres of water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed timber and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of 240 ml of Borax to one gallon of water.

Can you wash a wood deck?

Yes, you can pressure wash your deck. However, be careful not to use too much pressure, which could damage the wood. If you choose to use a pressure washer, use the lowest setting. You should also be mindful of how close you hold the nozzle to the deck.

New Zealand Decking Advert

When should I wash my deck?

Frequency. Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

Can deck wood get wet?

Although most decks are built with pressure-treated lumber, they can still get wet rot. The most susceptible areas are where cuts in the lumber were not treated and where water pools or seeps into cracks. The fungus spores can germinate when the wood's moisture content exceeds 30 percent.

Is it OK to pressure wash decking?

The simple answer is yes, you can pressure wash your decking – but only if you have the expertise to do so. To take a pressure washer to your deck, you should know exactly what type of wood you're working with and how powerful the machine you choose to use is.

How do you clean a deck without damaging the wood?

Vinegar is a great option if you are looking for a natural way to clean your stained deck. It's eco-friendly and will disinfect the surface without harming the stain and wood. Vinegar can remove grease and dirt from your stained deck, kill mold and mildew, and remove stubborn odors.

Does water damage decking?

When water gets into cracks it can expand, further opening up cracks and in colder temperatures, it can even freeze, again causing additional damage to the surface and structure of your deck. Part of protecting a deck includes staining it, which helps add another layer of protection against the elements.

What if it rains after I clean my deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

How long to let deck dry after washing?

How long should you wait for your deck to dry after you power wash it? The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry.

Is it OK to leave deck unstained?

It is highly unlikely that the deck will rot, splinter or decay if you choose not to have it finished and you can always choose to stain and protect the deck at a later date. If you choose to revitalize the natural color of the wood, we recommend our two-step maintenance clean.

Is it OK not to stain a deck?

Staining a deck will lead to less work in the future. One of the main reasons the professionals don't recommend staining wood decks is because of the amount of time and energy involved. Stains don't generally last more than a year. This means yearly cleaning, staining and, if necessary, sanding of your deck every year.

How do you clean a deck everyday?

Will soapy water clean decking?

Clean decking with traditional soft soap

Always take care not to allow too much wastewater from it to make its way into your garden. Apply the soap undiluted or according to instructions, and work it in with a brush. With a little patience, you can ensure every inch of your decking is cleaned.

Will vinegar damage my deck?

Vinegar is acidic so, normally, it's actually used to remove stains. Issues can arise when vinegar is left to sit on decking for too long, as doing so can seep the color out of the wood. Using undiluted vinegar is especially harmful, as the stronger concentration results in even more acidity that can damage your deck.

Can I mop my deck?

Deck cleaning is easy with the right products. Clear the deck and sweep away any dry debris. Dilute ½ cup Pine-Sol^® in two gallons of water. Mop the deck with this mixture, using a brush or sponge to scrub siding.

Does pressure washing damage wood?

The pressure from the washer is strong enough to damage the wood if you hold it too close to the surface. That's why pressure washing experts always recommend keeping the pressure washer at least 18 inches away from any wooden surface.

Should I pressure wash my deck or brush it?

Which do we recommend? A power washer takes much less time, but it can be dangerous—for both you and the wood. A scrub brush takes more time and work, but it's much safer. In many cases, scrubbing also gets the deck cleaner than a power washer could.

How do I know if my deck is dry?

One way to clear way to check if the deck is dry enough for staining is by using a moisture meter. A moisture meter measures the amount of moisture within the wood itself. When using a moisture meter to inspect your deck lumber be sure to check in several spots along the board.

How long does deck need to dry?

As a general rule, 48 hours is sufficient drying time for a newly washed deck. But this also assumes optimal drying conditions, such as a sun-facing deck. If you are on the shadow side of the home where little to no sunlight reaches, wait at least 72 hours before applying any stain or sealer.

How do I waterproof my deck?

Apply a thin, even coat of high-quality, mold- and mildew-resistant, waterproof sealant with UV protection, such as Woodsman® Water Repellent or Woodsman® Wood-Toned UV Wood Sealer and Protector, using a stain brush, in the direction of the boards.