As the snow gradually melts away each spring, imperfections in your deck are slowly revealed. Over time leaves, mould, and mildew create ugly, slippery stains on the surface. To keep your deck looking and performing its best, regular cleaning is required.

Many people immediately think of bringing out the pressure washer for a quick cleaning. And, why not? It’s powerful, it’s fun to use, if only for the first half hour, and it takes the old grime and dirt away. Unfortunately, because of the power it releases, it also has the potential of removing the surface cellulose fibers revealing a coarse uneven finish with the woods fiber “hairs” sticking out requiring a sanding of the surface. The force of the water also removes natural oils from the surface of the wood causing it to appear unnaturally dry.

A superior method of reconditioning your deck is to use a deck wash instead of a pressure washer. This product can be applied by paint brush or roller, but the easiest and quickest method is to spray it on using a stain or garden sprayer. If your deck is gray from weathering, it will instantly turn the colour of…well, wood. But new wood. The finish on the deck will look like new without damage.

Here are the simple steps to a great looking deck:

1. Make the job as simple as possible by removing everything off the deck. Furniture, BBQ’s, planters, everything must go.
2. Get dirt and leaves off the deck by sweeping or using a lightweight blower.
3. Make sure there are no weeds or debris stuck in between the boards. Use a slim tool to remove debris trapped between the boards and pull out weeds.
4. Check your deck for structural integrity. Replace or repair any unstable posts as well as damaged boards. At the same time, you can sand any rough spots that may cause splinters.
5. Before starting, do a test in an inconspicuous spot of your deck.
6. If your deck has been treated with a waterproofer in the past, you can test if water proofing properties still remain by splashing the surface with a glass of water. If you see beads of water, it means you will need to slightly dampen the wood before applying the deckwash.
7. Soak the lawn and all plants surrounding the deck with water before application.
8. Cover shrubs and flowers located next to the deck. The over spray may harm these plants. Do not use your favorite table cloth or bed sheets to cover these plants because the wash will discolour them just like bleach.
9. Wear old clothes, gloves, and eye protection. Do not let the deck wash to come into contact with clothing or other fabrics as discolouration can occur.

1. Put the deck wash into a plastic bucket or pump-up sprayer. Do not use a metal container.
2. Start in an area that will allow you to work backwards. You do not want to walk on the surface being treated.
3. Apply the deck wash liberally. Use a coarse spray if you are using a sprayer. If you are using a bucket, you can use a brush or a roller to apply the deck wash.
4. For stubborn stains, a second coat may be required. These areas will need to be lightly brushed.
5. Clean up any overspray or spills with water. This is especially true for metal because the deck wash can cause pitting or discolouration.
6. After applying the wash on the deck, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes (do not exceed 30 minutes) then rinse the product off the deck using your garden hose. Be careful when walking on the deck when it is wet because the detergent in the wash makes the surface very slippery.
7. Again, you must saturate the lawn and plants surrounding the deck with water.

Now that your deck looks like new, you might consider applying a coat of stain on it, but you’ll have to give it time to dry first. A good week of sunny days should do.

As with all products, be sure to fully read the instructions before using, but it really is that simple and the results are truly amazing.