Rainy mornings, hot cups of coffee, and outdoor wood decks go together like nothing else. However, as enjoyable as those elemental mornings on outdoor patio decks can be, they’re also pretty abusive to the wooden deck flooring. Sunlight, precipitation, and debris are all pretty damaging, and can ruin wooden deck flooring over time.
Luckily, there’s something you can do to make sure the elements don’t destroy it. Here’s how to clean a wooden deck, and undo all that damage.
Sweep It.
The first thing you’re going to want to do when cleaning wooden deck flooring is to properly sweep the debris — all those twigs, leaves, and dirt — away. You’re going to want to pay attention to the cracks between the boards, since leaves often get down there and eventually wind up rotting the deck’s boards. You can use a putty knife to get in there and get them out, though.
Scrub It.
The next thing you’re going to want to do is to scrub it with a cleaner. There are tons of different cleaning products out there, which work great and all, but you can also use some bleach that’s cut in half with warm water. Use a scrub brush for smaller decks, as it’s ideal for small areas and is perfect for killing mildew, algae, and any other gross, growing things. If you have a bigger deck, you’re going to want to use a power washer. Spread your cleaning agent on the wooden deck flooring before you start spraying, and let it soak for a good while. You’re also going to want to cover up any shrubs, bushes, or plant life nearby before you start spraying with bleach, too.
Seal It.
Now that your wooden deck flooring is all clean, you’re going to want to apply either a waterproofing deck sealer or some kind of staining agent on it. These will repel water and other nastiness and improve the lifespan of your deck. When you apply the sealer, use a foam roller to go over the whole surface quickly, easily, and thoroughly.
The elements will destroy your wooden deck flooring. That is, unless you do something about it. Cleaning wooden decks can keep them not only looking great, but in excellent shape. If you have any questions about cleaning wooden deck flooring the right way, feel free to ask in the comments. See this link for more references.
