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Deck Cleaning Tips 2019

Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?

by Deck Stain Help 04/16/2019

Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?

What is the Best Deck Deck Prep 2019

In this article, we help by guiding consumers in finding the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same and this article with some input and pictures from you will help determine the proper way to prep.

What is the Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?

This is the 2nd most popular question that deck owners have on this website with the first being What is the Best Deck Stain? Prepping your deck is the single most important aspect in the deck restoration process and will determine your final appearance and the stain longevity. Not prepping properly can lead to premature stain failure and overall poor appearance results. How to best prep your deck could vary on numerous scenarios:

Is the wood new or old?
Does it have a previous coating on the wood?
Are you recoating with the same brand and colors as last time?
When was the last time it was stained?
What type of stain was it coated with before?

A better way to approach the deck prepping question is to ask, “what is the best deck prep for my deck due to its current condition and age”?

The three main ways to prep a deck are:

Deck Cleaning followed by Wood Brightening
Deck Stripping followed by Wood Brightening
Power Sanding
Or a combination of the above.

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How to Restore Your Deck all in One Day

by Deck Stain Help 05/20/2019

Tips on Restoring Your Deck in One Day

In recent years there have been a few new deck and wood stains coming to the market that allow the ability to prep and stain your deck all in the same day. As contractors in the deck restoration business, this allows us to save money and more importantly time by completing everything on the same day. No need to wait days or even weeks for the wood to dry or the rainy weather to cooperate. This frees up a lot of time for the average homeowner as the task of redoing the deck or exterior wood does not take up multiple weekends.

Here are the 3 basic restoration steps on prepping and staining your deck on the same day.

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Prepping Your Wood Deck – Cleaning

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Prepping Your Wood Deck

Prep and clean your wood deck

Deck Cleaning Update 2019

We have updated our DeckStainhelp.com site with numerous new reviews and articles for 2018 on deck cleaning products and how to tips. We strive to remain your number one deck stain information source.

Please ask any questions below that you may have in our comment area.

Exterior wood decking when left neglected oxidizes from the Ultra Violet rays from the sun. This will patina the exposed layer of wood cells turning the deck gray. Cleaning the deck first will a deck cleaner will remove this layer of graying wood cells while removing accumulated dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and algae.

Prepping your wood deck is the singular most important step when it comes to getting maximum performance out of your deck stain. Failure to prep and your stain will fail faster than it should and will not give the wood it’s natural beauty.

This article will go over the needed steps to properly clean your deck prior to applying the stain.

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Best Deck Cleaner for Mold on Decks 2019

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update for 2019: Best Deck Cleaner for Mold on Decks

Since we’ve published this article, we have received some input on the best deck cleaner for mold on decks. Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s go-to source for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Like before, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your deck stain projects.

Wood decks are not naturally resistant to mold. When speaking of “mold” on decks, mold is a general term people commonly use to describe what might be moss, lichen, green algae, mildew, or other types of fungal growth. Mold is like the universal word to cover anything green or spore-like growing places it should not be growing like on your deck. Mold on decks can cause problems besides just being treacherous to walk on when wet. The issue with mold on decks can range from completely unsightly to decay, wood rot, and major structural damage. The good news is that mold can be removed from decks using common deck cleaning methods.

The best way to rid mold on decks is to use the right cleaner. The best deck cleaner for mold on decks is not bleach. Bleach will kill mold but it can also break down the cellular structure of the wood fibers and dry out the natural oils. Avoid using bleach for wood cleaning at all costs. Bleach-based deck cleaners should also be avoided as they can damage the wood’s lignin. In addition, bleach is only an average cleaner of dirt and grime that also need to be cleaned from the deck prior to staining.

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How to Remove Mold and Algae From Decks

by Deck Stain Help 03/05/2019

Update for 2019: How to Remove Mold and Algae From Decks

Deckstainhelp.com is your number one source for deck staining tips and trends on the internet in 2018. Mold and mildew can be problematic for your wood decks, see below for why this happens and what you can do to prevent it. Leave us a comment if you’ve encountered mold and mildew on wood decks.

Learning your deck has attracted unwanted mold and algae can be disheartening but it is not the end of the world. These contaminants can be removed to reveal a beautiful surface once again. How to remove mold and algae from decks is a common question asked by homeowners. But with the right knowledge, it can be done over a weekend with no problem.

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Clean or Strip the Deck Stain?

by Deck Stain Help 03/08/2019

Update for 2019: Clean or Strip the Deck Stain?

We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2019. Below, we talk about whether you should Clean or Strip the Deck Stain? Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have.

Deck Stain Stripping vs. Deck Cleaning

Knowing the difference between deck stain stripping and deck cleaning can be vital to your deck maintenance or restoration project. It’s important first to understand why cleaning a wood surface is necessary.

Besides the obvious of overall appearance and curb appeal, a wood deck should be cleaned and sealed every couple of years to prevent structural damage. Water and moisture wreak havoc on wood inviting mold and mildew which can lead to wood rot. The sun’s U.V. rays also damage wood fibers and turn them an unsightly gray. In colder climates, freeze/thaw occurrences can warp, crack, and split boards ruining a deck in no time.

By cleaning the wood and protecting it with a quality wood stain, you are locking out moisture, blocking sun rays, and protecting the deck from the environment. This ensures a better overall appearance and a longer lasting wood structure.

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Deck Cleaning Tips

by Deck Stain Help 03/10/2019

Pressure Washing A Deck

Update for 2019: Deck Cleaning Tips

We appreciate you visiting Deckstainhelp.com as we continue to be your go-to source for the latest in deck restoration news and trending topics through 2019. Below, we talk about Deck Cleaning Tips. Feel free to leave a comment below with any pictures you may have.

Wood restoration can be one of the most misunderstood services and one of the toughest for do-it-yourself homeowners. One thing to keep in mind is that the main reason a new deck sealer will fail prematurely is that the wood was not cleaned properly beforehand.

When wood becomes weathered, it needs to be cleaned prior to sealing. Cleaning a wooden deck can be a difficult task for a homeowner that is uneducated about the process.

Using a pressure washer can be an effective method. You must also use the proper cleaners to get the dirt and grime out that is deep down in the wood. Most people make the mistake of using too much water pressure when using a pressure washer. Wood is actually pretty soft and can damage easily from excessive water pressure.

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Bleach vs. Oxygenated Deck Cleaners

by Deck Stain Help 03/08/2019

Update for 2019: Bleach vs. Oxygenated Deck Cleaners

Welcome to Deckstainhelp.com, where deck staining experts come to share their knowledge and insights. Water-based stains have come a long way as far as quality and longevity go in the last 10+ years. In this article, we highlight the difference between bleach wood cleaners and oxygenated wood cleaners. As always, comments are encouraged.

Wood deck cleaners are used to clean and prepare exterior wood prior to staining or sealing. Wood cleaners can contain different ingredients and come in different concentrations. The goal of a deck cleaner is to remove natural pollutants like dirt, grime, graying, fungal growth, and sometimes an old failing stain. Most deck cleaners contain caustic detergents that help break up contaminants making it easier to clean by scrubbing or pressure washing. This caustic nature will cause the wood to be alkaline, which is not ideal for accepting stain. Using a deck brightener after cleaning will neutralize the high pH and prepare the deck for stain.

Oxygenated Deck Cleaners

Oxygenated deck cleaners have become increasingly popular in the past decade. These types of deck cleaners contain Sodium Percarbonate an active ingredient that is EPA registered for removing mold and mildew. Oxygenated deck cleaners also include additional surfactants that help boost the total cleaning effectiveness. These powdered concentrated cleaners are mixed with water and applied to the wood with a pump sprayer then scrubbed or pressure washed off. Oxygenated deck cleaners are eco-friendly, easy to use, and extremely effective.

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