| A beautiful wooden deck, properly maintained, can add | | | | very |
| | | | close to it's original color.Add approx. 5oz. acid to each |
| greatly to the aesthetic and resale values of a | | | | gallon of water.Citrus Acid- Used on hardwoods.Oxalic |
| home.Just look around, decks are almost everywhere. | | | | Acid- Primarily used on redwoods.Phosphoric Acid- |
| Not just | | | | Used when an unfinished deck has turned |
| houses but both municipal and commercial facilities | | | | "gray".I'm very hesitant to suggest a pressure level |
| use | | | | when it comes |
| wooden decks and walkways extensively. Because | | | | to cleaning decks because it's just so subjective. One |
| of this | | | | deck |
| pressure washing decks can be a great profit center | | | | will have harder wood than another andother decks |
| for your | | | | will have softer and harder areas on the same |
| business or even the whole business.The great news | | | | deck. In this respect only experience can really guide |
| is that decks need maintenance. As beautiful | | | | you. |
| as a wooden deck can be it can be a real eyesore if | | | | As a general rule of thumb use the least amount of |
| not | | | | pressure |
| properly maintained.Why Decks Need | | | | that will get the job done.Test pressure on an |
| MaintenanceWhen a wood deck absorbs water the | | | | inconspicuous area of the deck. The |
| natural resins and color | | | | underside works well for thisExcessive |
| can be washed out over time.The combination of | | | | Pressure.Excessive pressure will cause a deck to |
| wood and water creates a food source for | | | | "furr".This is the |
| mildew, fungus and mold promoting their growth. | | | | appearance of small hairlike fibers protruding from the |
| Wood and | | | | |
| water combined with dirt and even air pollution will also | | | | wood.. Your customers will not like the way this looks |
| | | | and |
| contribute to the proliferation of mildew, fungus and | | | | light sanding will be required to correct this |
| molds. | | | | condition.Ready, Set, Go!Soak the area to be cleaned |
| One thing to remember is that a wet deck with a | | | | thoroughly. This serves several |
| thick | | | | purposes but most importantly, the deck must remain |
| coating of mildew is very slick and slippery. This | | | | damp |
| creates | | | | throughout the entire cleaning process.Apply cleaning |
| one heck of a "slip and fall" liability problem. Keep this | | | | chemical with the applicator of your |
| in mind when speaking to the decision makers of | | | | choice.When just starting out a pump up type sprayer |
| commercial | | | | will |
| and municipal facilities.Learning CurveThere is a | | | | work nicely. Allow your chemical to dwell for 15-20 |
| learning curve involved when getting proficient | | | | minutes. |
| enough to clean/seal/restore wood decks for the | | | | Do not allow to dry. If necessary spray more water |
| public. It | | | | or |
| is best to learn on your own deck or on the decks of | | | | reapply chemical.If you've sufficiently dampened the |
| close | | | | deck and haven't dawdled |
| friends and relatives. When learning make sure to do | | | | this shouldn't be a big problem.Clean. Remember when |
| more | | | | cleaning use low pressure. Never clean |
| than one. Different decks can present different | | | | against the grain or across the grain. Feather each |
| challenges.InspectWhen organizing your project or | | | | pass. |
| preparing your bid make some | | | | The pressure used should be enough to remove |
| simple observations.Has the deck ever been sealed? | | | | dead wood but |
| Is there old sealer that | | | | not enough to cause "furring" Experience will be your |
| needs to be stripped and reapplied?Do I have all the | | | | best |
| chemicals, tools and equipment required | | | | teacher.Rinse deck thoroughly removing all chemical. |
| for this project?( we will include a sample list at the | | | | Apply |
| end of this article)Is there any damaged or rotted | | | | neutralizer/brightener solution, wait 10-15 minutes and |
| wood that needs to be | | | | rinse well again.If you are going to seal wait 24 hours |
| replaced?( Now is a good time to measure.)Are the | | | | if not 48. If you |
| any missing or loose bolts, nails or screws?Are there | | | | chose your day well rain won't become a |
| any adjacent bushes or plants that need to be | | | | problem."Furring" Happens.Sometimes "furring will |
| protected?Are there any electrical appliances, outlets, | | | | become apparent even at low |
| light fixtures | | | | pressures. These short hair like fibers are the result of |
| or telephone jacks?Note: these will have to be sealed | | | | a |
| water tight. Remember | | | | "tearing" action on the wood. These will probably be |
| water and electricity is a dangerous combination. | | | | gone in |
| Decks in | | | | 2-3 weeks but your customer will want them gone |
| upscale neighborhoods will probably contain most of | | | | sooner than |
| these | | | | later. Give them a light sanding with a bronze metal |
| challenges. Make sure the circuit breakers will be | | | | scrubbing pad. Use bronze, steel wool can leave rust |
| accessible to you prior to starting.BeginningOk you've | | | | stains.What not to leave behindHere is a general list of |
| cleared everything from the deck and placed it far | | | | things to bring to your job site. |
| enough to be out of harms way. You've locked out | | | | Some of this may not apply to you. The point is to |
| the circuit | | | | always |
| breakers that provide electrical service to the deck | | | | work with a job list to avoid the embarassment or |
| area. | | | | expense of |
| Outlets, fixtures and jacks have been sealed water | | | | missing that tool you need right now.Pressure |
| tight.Close proximity plants and bushes have been | | | | Washer- Cold water gas machine 5.5-11HP commercial |
| protected with a | | | | |
| clear plastic tarp.Loose bolts. nails and screws have | | | | grade unit.(Hot Washers are also used but at very |
| been tightened or | | | | low temperatures not |
| replaced.with galvanized fasteners.Rotted or | | | | exceeding 110F)Hoses- Sufficient lengths of both |
| damaged wood has been replaced.Only now are you | | | | pressure hose and supply |
| really ready to begin.Clear the Deck of Dirt and | | | | hose.Brooms/Blower- A stiff bristled push broom (not |
| DebrisWith a stiff bristle broom or a leaf blower clear | | | | metal) |
| all loose | | | | and/or a gas powered leaf blower.Chemical applicator |
| dirt and debris from the surface of the deck..What | | | | - Pump-up type sprayer or Flo-Jet type |
| Chemicals to UseSodium Hydroxide ( a high caustic | | | | sprayerMixing Buckets - 2or3 5 gallon plastic mixing |
| chemical) is very popular | | | | buckets.Mixers- Drill type chemical mixer.Respirator- |
| with professional deck cleaners. Because this | | | | Cartridge type with spares(When working with high |
| chemical does | | | | caustics and acids)Face and Eye Protection- Some |
| most of the work very low pressures of 500-1200 | | | | type of helmet with face |
| PSI can be | | | | shield.Cordless Drill- With phillips screw bits and chuck |
| used which helps avoid the condition known as | | | | large |
| "furring".Safety note: Always wear headgear with face | | | | enough to acommodate the chemical mixer.Hammer- |
| shields and | | | | If nails are required.Deck Screws, Nails and Bolts- As |
| cartridge type respirators when working with high | | | | required, use galvanized |
| caustic or | | | | only.Duct tape, Clear plastic sheeting,Cardboard- To |
| acidic chemicals. This is not a suggestion it's a | | | | protect |
| must.While Sodium Hydroxide is a very effective | | | | areasExtension Cords- Must be adequate length and |
| chemical it will | | | | gauge. 12 gauge |
| darken or may even blacken the deck. Because of | | | | minimum.Electric Rotary Sander- With 60 and 80 grit |
| this the PH | | | | sandpaperKnee Pads - You didn't think you'd always |
| will have to be neutralized with a mild acidic solution. | | | | be standing when |
| Acids used are Citrus,Oxalic or Phosphoric.These acid | | | | sanding did you?Remember practice makes perfect |
| solutions will act as brighteners. Neutralizing | | | | get out there and start |
| the PH of a high caustic cleaner will restore a deck | | | | learning. |