How a Deck Cleaning Company Restores the Overall Beauty of a Deck
Decks are treasured parts of any property, which is why service from a deck cleaning company is worth the investment. Homeowners use decks to relax after long days, and they act as fantastic settings for backyard barbecues. Decks are useful for commercial property owners, too. For example, restaurant owners can use a deck as scenic outdoor seating, helping to provide an experience that stands out from the competition. However, decks quickly lose their appeal if they are not properly taken care of. To ensure that this does not happen, consider deck washing and staining, a two-part process that revitalizes any wooden deck.
To boil the process down to its simplest parts, deck washing and staining removes debris from decks, and then restores their appearance with a transformative stain. This process can be performed by DIYers, provided that the correct equipment and preparations are made.
What Happens If Decks Are Not Maintained
They say that time heals all wounds, but if you think about it, time has a habit of causing damage as well. Everything shows its age eventually, and that is because the world is constantly wearing on its occupants. This is true for people, and this is true for decks, too. As time passes, decks will collect various forms of debris, including dirt, moss, mold, algae, and pollen. At first, these substances will simply suffocate the deck’s vibrancy and leave it less visually appealing than before. Over time, though, debris will actively cause damage to a deck. This is because it grinds against the deck and erodes it; additionally, organic growths such as moss collect water and increase the chance of moisture damage.
Debris can obscure the true colors of decks. However, over time, decks can outright lose their color, turning them into drab, lifeless structures. Sunshine, as celebrated as it is, contains ultraviolet rays that break down the wood’s natural pigments. This causes colors to fade. Furthermore, decks can oxidize over time, resulting in the deterioration of their original appearance. To prevent decks from becoming dirty and visually unappealing, Bluebird Exteriors recommends deck washing and staining.
Necessary Gear For Deck Washing and Staining
How does a deck cleaning company prepare for deck washing and staining? First, the correct equipment must be obtained. We have listed the necessary gear below, so if you plan to pressure wash your own deck, make sure you obtain each of the following items:
- Pressure Washer. A pressure washer is the most important tool in pressure washing, as it pressurizes and filters water. This water is then sprayed through a hose to restore beauty to exterior surfaces such as decks.
- Detergent. In many cases, gentle detergents are used to facilitate the deck pressure washing process. This detergent is typically added to a special compartment in the pressure washer so it can be mixed with water.
- Sodium Hypochlorite. Many professional companies use cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite to weaken stubborn debris. Consider doing the same if faced with deep stains or organic debris (e.g. moss, mold, and algae).
- Safety Gear. It is always important to consider safety during pressure washing projects. For this reason, be sure to use protective eyewear, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. Protect your skin from pressurized water!
If you plan to stain your deck, be sure to also have the following equipment:
- Stain. Before it is applied to a deck, stain is a thick, colorful liquid that is sold by the gallon. Stain can be purchased at hardware stores, and each variety may result in different finishes, so shop around and choose your favorite.
- Painting Equipment. Stain is applied to a deck like paint—so much so, in fact, that we recommend you have paint trays, sticks, and brushes on hand. You can apply stain to a deck with either regular brushes or rollers.
- Drop Cloths. To protect any surfaces near the deck from unnecessary staining, consider covering them with drop cloths. Tarps will work just as well. You can also cover nearby plants to shield them from needless harm.
- Gloves. Finally, consider using gloves because stain is hard to remove from flesh. The chemicals in stain can even cause irritation. Wear gloves and let stain work on your deck instead of your fingers.
Pressure Washing the Deck
The process of pressure washing the deck begins with the removal of all furniture, decorations, and other objects. This ensures that these items do not get in the way of the work. After relocating these items, the pressure washer must be set to an appropriate amount of water pressure. The exact amount depends on the material the deck is made of. Generally, softwood decks should be washed with 500-800 PSI; hardwood decks should be washed with 800-1,200 PSI. The correct amount of water pressure ensures safe, damage-free results.
Next, the deck must be pressure washed square foot by square foot. During this process, it is prudent to not only clean the deck boards but also nearby railings and stairs. Pressurized water should easily remove all debris from surfaces, but if necessary, cleaning solutions may be used to weaken unwanted grime. For instance, Bluebird Exteriors uses sodium hypochlorite to break down stubborn debris, allowing it to be more easily rinsed away. The end result of deck pressure washing is a deck that is clean, vibrant, and even smoother to the touch.
The Deck Staining Process
After giving a recently pressure washed deck a couple of days to dry, property owners can move on to the deck staining process. First, any surfaces next to the deck that do not need to be stained should be protected with tarps or drop cloths. Next, stain should be stirred and poured into a paint tray. Finally, it can be brushed onto deck boards. Stain should be applied evenly; otherwise, it will not be absorbed uniformly, causing visual imperfections.
After application, stain will need two days to visually transform the deck. Once it is done, its effects will be instantly recognizable. Stain enhances the texture and color depth of a deck, and it revitalizes a weathered surface, giving its once-dull exterior a vibrant new lease on life.
Consider a Professional Deck Cleaning Company
It is crucial to always pressure wash a deck before staining it. This is why many Greene County, TN property owners reach out to Bluebird Exteriors, a professional deck cleaning company. We are a local company that proudly does this work, and we want to serve you next! Contact us online with information about your deck, and we will get back to you with a free cost estimate. If you like our price, you can confirm your interest and choose a time and date for your appointment.
