I have a severe mold issue with my wood deck. I clean it all the time with bleach and water, but it has become annoying. I can’t seem to arrest the mold for any length of time.
Signed, Not so well decked out!
Dear Decked,
The first thing anyone wants to do before sprucing up their deck is to go around the deck and be assured that your decking is secured. Loose decking is the cause of many ills with most decks. I recommend reattaching your decking with stainless steel decking screws (they come with multi-colored heads to better match your deck colors), as opposed to a variety of nail options.
Washing the mold off your deck with bleach and water only provides immediate gratification. The secret to less mold growing on your deck is not only to clean it, but to kill it.
You can do this by using a mold cleaner and inhibitor. Once you have completed this process, lightly sand your deck. I recommend using a medium grit sand paper for this process.
If your decking is pressure treated lumber, you will want to sand the ends of each board (the lone exception being if your deck was built in/around or prior to January 2004). The reason for this is for that pressure treated lumber emits sap. Remember, sap is much like water, in that it will take the course of least resistance. Because of this, the sap will seep out of the ends of the board. By sanding the ends of these boards, you will remove the dried up sap, thus allowing deeper penetration of your sealer or stain (I recommend using a small belt sander for the ends of the boards, if possible).
Once sanded, wipe the entire deck area down. Then it is time to apply your deck sealer or stain. I recommend a new product manufactured by Seal-Once. The company’s deck sealers and stains are not only environmentally friendly, but they provide outstanding protection — six years on horizontal surfaces; 10 years on vertical surfaces — which means more time for BBQs.
Here’s a timely tip, so to speak, for you summertime weekend warriors. It is best to schedule the application of your stain and/or sealer during the morning hours. Mid-day hours are often too hot for good adhesion; and by applying during late afternoon hours, you run the risk of evening dew affecting your newly-applied stains or sealers.
Finally, trim back any trees or shrubs that are overtaking your deck area. Trees and shrubs that grow too close to your home, often block out much needed daylight.
Now, fire up the grill, and with your well-maintained deck, you may be able to extend the five second rule to 10.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.