Outdoor Deck Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
By Anne Del Rio
The outdoor deck is vulnerable to the elements of nature. For this reason, it needs frequent upkeep. Here are some tips that can help you maintain your porch. Sweep the floor thoroughly. Remove the fragments wedged between wooden planks with a putty tool. This special knife has a wide and flat blade made of metal for scraping and applying cement.
Mold can cause the deck to deteriorate quickly. Wash on a regular basis. Use the right cleanser. The typical deck cleaner is appropriate for wood. Just make sure to follow manufacturer’s guidelines. A specific formula is needed if your deck is made of composite material. Standard de-greasing substances can eliminate oil stains. The vinyl deck can be cleaned easily using mild soap and warm water.
The best time to wash your deck us when the day is cool. Sunlight can dissolve cleansing chemicals. Thus, avoid cleaning during hot days. For wooden verandas, apply the cleaner using a brush with stiff bristles, paint roller or garden spray device. Scrub the flooring before the deck dries up. Douse the floor with the cleaner for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
Clean the wood rails from the bottom going up to avoid leaving stubborn marks. Scrub composite materials using a soft brush. Refrain from using a pressure washer. This can damage the deck permanently and cancel and warranty. Take away corrosion and leaf stains with deck brightening products that contain oxalic acid. Scrub decks made of vinyl using a rigid broom before washing thoroughly. Wait for 48 hours prior to application of sealants. Toners can also provide protection against excessive sunlight or ultraviolet rays.
It is possible to sand the material grit paper to remove wooliness due to washing. Replace broken or missing screws and nails. There should be no protruding nails since this can cause accidents. Pound these objects with a hammer. Examine the deck during summer for signs of rotting. Scrutinize areas near the soil, water sources and plants. Poke structural members by using a flat-blade screwdriver. Check stairs and perimeter posts carefully.
Inspect the frame beneath the deck. This is also called the ledger. The broken structure can cause the entire deck to cave in. Ledgers must be fastened with lag screws and not ordinary nails. Metal caps (flashings) that cover the top prevents dampness from accumulating at the back of sidings. These must always be free from oxidation and holes.
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Your tips for cleaning the wood rails on my deck were really helpful. I was just wondering about the best way to clean away the marks that I found on them the other day. Using a soft brush seems like a good way to clean them. I’ll avoid using a pressure washer to prevent damaging my deck. Thanks for the tips!