A solid wood deck can bring hours of enjoyment and so much beauty to your property. As the summer months have recently come to a quick close, you may be starting to button things up in preparation for the winter. The searing sun and many BBQs that you likely held out on your deck can sure leave their mark. Big Moose Pressure Cleaning is here to share some tips to help you clean and seal your deck as you prepare for winter.
Sweep & Clear Cracks on Deck
Your wood deck is filled with cracks where the planks meet. These cracks seem to accumulate all sorts of debris from wear and tear during the summer. You need to give your deck a good sweeping as you get ready to get it cleaned and sealed. This will include cleaning between each plank of your deck.
Scrub the Wood Deck
When cleaning your deck, you need to use the right tools to safely get the job done. Most people don’t have a pressure washer that can assist in cleaning their deck. Even if you do have a pressure washer, cleaning your deck with it isn’t recommended as a DIY homeowner task since you can easily cause damage to the wood if you aren’t careful. You should get an appropriate deck cleaner and a stiff bristled brush to help you get it thoroughly cleaned. There’s nothing a little elbow grease can’t get rid of on your deck.
Allow Deck to Dry Before Staining or Sealing
A big mistake that many homeowners make when they are trying to clean and seal their deck in preparation for winter is to not allow enough drying time throughout the process. You can’t simply wash your deck and then a couple hours later seal it. That will cause moisture to get trapped between the sealer and the planks which we be a lot of work to deal with later. You need to allow at least one full day for the drying process to be complete. If you live in an area that experiences high humidity levels, you may have to wait even longer. You should have no traces of water anywhere on the deck before you get ready to seal it.
Applying Deck Sealer
Some people will choose a deck stain that comes equipped with sealer built into it. If you aren’t interested in staining your deck and just want to make sure there is a sealant there to help keep moisture out of the wood this winter, you can simply buy a deck sealant to get the job done. This should be applied with a deck brush for easy application.
Deck Pressure Cleaning, Power Washing Services & More in McDonough, Barnesville, Fayetteville, Covington, Locust Grove, Griffin, Stockbridge & Social Circle Georgia
Before you seal your deck this fall, consider having the experts at Big Moose Pressure Cleaning help you with deck cleaning. Our high pressure washer will get all the dirt and debris off your deck to ensure the job is done right. Call us today!
