How often should I clean my deck?

Your wood deck is an extension of your home and an amazing addition. From parties, to grilling, to just hanging out, it sees a lot of traffic every year. Over time, a deck can become worn and dirty. But how do you know when to clean it? How do you clean it? And how often should it be done? Spring is arguably the best time to clean your deck, but its not the only ideal time.

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HOW DO I KNOW WHEN ITS TIME TO CLEAN?

Here in new Jersey, we average roughly 6' of water every year between rain and snow. Wood is a porous material and absorbs moisture over time. This creates a breeding ground for algae, moss, mildew, and other times of growth. This growth can pose a wide variety of issues. Mildew and fungus can pose mild to severe health risks, especially if someone has an allergy to mold or mildew. A dirty deck can be an unsightly feature on the home, and it can decrease the equity of the property. Not to mention, all this growth can cause the deck to become slippery, which can pose a safety issue for anyone walking on it.

So how do we know when it's time to service the deck? Well, there's a couple things to keep in mind. Fresh wood is blonde in appearance, and turns grey, brown, green, or black over time as growth develops. If your deck looks like the one above, it might be time to get it cleaned. If you're someone who likes to regularly maintain your home, a good rule of thumb is to have your wood decking cleaned annually. Now the question is: how to maintain?

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HOW TO MAINTAIN MY DECK?

There are several ways to maintain a wood deck, but the most common method is through pressure or power washing. Pressure washing is using a high powered stream of water to remove dirt and debris, while power washing utilizes a similar method combined with hot water for deeper cleaning. Spring time is the ideal time of year to pressure wash your wood deck, as this removes dirt, grime, mildew, algae, and other growth before the summer growing period. Fall is also another great time to get this done, as it'll remove any growth and grime from the summer weather and traffic. Ideally, you want to ensure that there are no rain storms in the forecast for the next 24-48 hours, as this may allow the wood to absorb too much moisture and can lead to expensive wood rot.

Once a wood deck has been cleaned of growth and grime, it might be a good idea to have the deck stained and sealed to help prevent water absorption. By sealing the deck, you help mitigate the potential damage of water. But should you do this yourself, or hire a professional?

Power washing a deck does require a bit of skill but its not all that complicated, and can be done in just a few hours. If you don't already own a pressure washer, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 up to several thousand dollars, or you can rent one from your local box hardware store for about $50-$150 a day.

If you're planning on tackling this project yourself, there are a couple things to be aware of.

- Improper power washing can cause damage by stripping off paint, stain, and surface coatings.

-Never use bleach to clean, as this can cause more damage and problems.

-Power washing can cause excessive amounts of water being absorbed into the wood, leading to rot.

If you still plan on tackling this yourself, take your time doing this job and be very methodical. Start in the corners closest to the house, clean a perimeter, and work out to the edges from there. Go slow, and work along the direction and grain of the wood. Be extremely careful around asphalt and concrete edges, as these materials can become damaged by the high pressure water.

If you're looking to hire a professional, most professional power washing companies will offer some sort of non-toxic or biodegradable detergents in addition to the pressure washing. These detergents can save a ton of time and money in the job, as well as saving you repair costs down the road by acting as a sort of preventative treatment. Power washing professionals typically start around $150 but can range up to $1,000, depending on the amount of grime and the overall size of the deck.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

A clean deck can not only save you a ton of money in repair costs, especially with today's current wood prices, but it'll also add equity. If you're planning on selling your home, it might be worth considering hiring a professional service to clean your deck. Potential buyers will be more likely to make an offer on a home that was well taken care of, and are typically more willing to spend more money on their purchasing price. If you're not looking to sell, just think of how proud of your backyard you will be when your deck looks show ready and brand new again.

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