Decks and porches

[BABYSTEPSmc]

When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back deck
would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have everything
under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks. I
appreciate all of your suggestions.
Thanks,
Melissa
http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~

[Suzie-Q]

In article <oHAUc.5625$17.1215912@news1.epix.net>,
"BABYSTEPSmc" <babystepsmc@epix.net> wrote:

-> When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back deck
-> would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
-> junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
-> people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have everything
-> under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
-> well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks. I
-> appreciate all of your suggestions.
-> Thanks,
-> Melissa
-> http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
-> ~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~


I have found that the most effective way to clean my deck (and
I tend to let mine get real dirty) is with a mixture of detergent
(I use dishwashing liquid) and chlorine bleach in a bucket of hot
water. I get down on my knees with a scrub brush and clean away.
Rinse thoroughly.

Of course, if your deck isn't as dirty as mine there are probably
easier ways.

I just now wondered what might happen if I use my carpet shampooer!!
Maybe I'll try it.

You'll then want to put some sort of weatherproofer (Thompson's Water
Sealer, for example) on the deck once it's completely dry.
--
8^)~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail)
~~~~~~
"I reserve the absolute right to be smarter
today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson

http://home.earthlink.net/~sme617

***Revelation 22:12*** ICQ: 349878998

[Vox Humana]

"BABYSTEPSmc" <babystepsmc@epix.net> wrote in message
news:oHAUc.5625$17.1215912@news1.epix.net...
> When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back
deck
> would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
> junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
> people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have
everything
> under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
> well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks.
I
> appreciate all of your suggestions.

Decks can be high maintenance items. In my area, decks require a good
cleaning every year and sealing every two or three years. You can clean the
deck with a power washer that can be rented at any rental shop. Be careful
that you don't etch the wood - use the widest spray that is effective and
keep it moving. With the power washer, you may not need any chemicals. I
have a similar problem with green algae on my deck, and the PW quickly
removes it without any chemicals. The uneven dark areas will most likely
also come clean with the PW. As an alternative, or to treat problem areas,
you can use some chemicals. The old stand-by is some detergent or TSP mixed
with chlorine bleach in a bucket of water - maybe a cup of TSP and two cups
of bleach in a bucket of water. You can get a scrub brush that can be
screwed onto a push broom handle, and scrub the deck with that solution and
then rinse. There are oxygenated cleaners made especially for decks. They
do a good job and are easier on the wood but they cost more. The cleaners
will be sold along with deck stains and sealers. I would recommend that you
go to a reputable paint store (not the paint department at Wal-Mart) and ask
for some advice. Different weather conditions require different types of
products. What works well in a coastal area may not be a good choice in the
desert.

After a thorough cleaning, you should let the deck dry for a few days or a
week, depending on the weather. When it dry, you should follow-up with a
good sealer or stain that contains a sealer. Make sure that the product has
a UV blocker as it is the UV rays that will deteriorate the wood more than
water. Don't be tempted to use Thompson's Water Seal (or what ever they
call it) as it a waste of money.

[Phisherman]

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 04:13:08 GMT, "BABYSTEPSmc" <babystepsmc@epix.net>
wrote:

>When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back deck
>would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
>junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
>people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have everything
>under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
>well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks. I
>appreciate all of your suggestions.
>Thanks,
>Melissa
>http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
>~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~
>

Wear old clothes, rubber gloves, boots. Stir 1/2 cup TSP in 1 gallon
hot water until dissolved. Add 1 cup household bleach. Work a 3x3'
section and scrub the deck with this solution. Rinse. This should
remove most algae and mold. You may need to repeat the washing a
second time. Allow the deck to dry for a week and apply a
semi-transparent stain with a packet of mildew preventer mixed in. I
prefer Cabot Decking stain. The stain should last 2-4 years.

Always use a trivet for pots or ornaments to allow the deck to dry
out, else it will rot.

[BT Newsgroups]

there is a product here in the uk called Green Clean from Bacti Guard

I have used it in my back yard, and I kid you not, THIS STUFF WORKS.

and, it couldn't be easier. Bonus.

Pick a warm day, wake up early
liberally spray green clean all over the affected area.

Open a nice cold bear, and sit for the rest of the day (on the grass, not
the deck)
Keep your pets away from the deck for the rest of the day.
Go to bed.

When you wake the next morning ALL the green will have turned to a brown
crust.
Simply sweep this up with a stiff broom and a little pressure.

Extra bonus. The Green Clean will keep the green away for up to 1 year !!!

This works on decking, fencing, concrete, tar, asphalt, brickwork, clay pots

don't know about the dark patches from stuff sitting on it though.

If you want to buy some, please feel free to contact me (we sell it in our
store).

it comes in 1l trigger, 2.5l can, 5l can, 25l drum

Reguards

Justin Ferrell
Cleantech

www.cleantech.co.uk


"BABYSTEPSmc" <babystepsmc@epix.net> wrote in message
news:oHAUc.5625$17.1215912@news1.epix.net...
> When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back
deck
> would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
> junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
> people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have
everything
> under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
> well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks.
I
> appreciate all of your suggestions.
> Thanks,
> Melissa
> http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
> ~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~
>
>

[Arthur]

BT Newsgroups wrote:
>
> there is a product here in the uk called Green Clean
>
> Open a nice cold bear, and sit for the rest of the day (on the grass, not
> the deck)
> Keep your pets away from the deck for the rest of the day.
> Go to bed.
>
Also, keep your pets away from the bear!

Additionally, I've been given warnings by others that I risk washing
away the oil pressure treated material (in pressure treated outside
wood) if I used strong compounds and pressure washers. Is this true? In
the past I have used car wash compounds, with moderate success, figuring
that car wash soaps are supposed to be kind to the wax on vehicles. What
do you think?
Art

drartieatattd0tnet

[Vox Humana]

"Arthur" <artNOT@atc.net> wrote in message news:4124C654.3FFF161B@atc.net...
> BT Newsgroups wrote:
> >

>
> Additionally, I've been given warnings by others that I risk washing
> away the oil pressure treated material (in pressure treated outside
> wood) if I used strong compounds and pressure washers. Is this true? In
> the past I have used car wash compounds, with moderate success, figuring
> that car wash soaps are supposed to be kind to the wax on vehicles. What
> do you think?
> Art
>

Wood has been treated with a water soluble compound called CCA which is
Chromated Copper Arsenate for about 40 years. It isn't made ineffective by
pressure washing or detergents. There is a lot of controversy however
because it is toxic and the product is being eliminated. It does leach from
the lumber and shouldn't be used in play equipment or for planter boxes used
for vegetables. You shouldn't burn it and you should avoid inhaling saw
dust when working with it.

Pressure washing is one of the most common methods used to clean decks in my
area - used both by homeowners and professionals. It is very important
however, to use a UV protectant on the wood after cleaning it. It won't rot
because it has been treated, but it will deteriorate due to year around sun
exposure.

[BABYSTEPSmc]

Thanks to everyone for all of your help! I just can't wait to get it
finished! It's been raining here forever, and I'm praying for a nice
weekend so I can complete it. :)
Thanks again,
Melissa
http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~

"BABYSTEPSmc" <babystepsmc@epix.net> wrote in message
news:oHAUc.5625$17.1215912@news1.epix.net...
> When we bought our new home, we didn't realize what a problem our back
deck
> would become. It has some green stuff on it, and it has dark areas from
> junk laying on it. I fell in love with the charm of this home, but the
> people that previously lived here weren't the cleanest. We have
everything
> under control except for the deck. I read that non-chlorine bleach works
> well, but I thought I would ask around to see what everyone else thinks.
I
> appreciate all of your suggestions.
> Thanks,
> Melissa
> http://babystepscentral.tripod.com
> ~*~Where Moms Help Moms~*~
>
>