As the surface of a wood deck is exposed to sunlight, dirt, mildew, rain, or snow, it will eventually deteriorate in appearance. This phenomenon occurs fairly rapidly to uncoated wood.simple deck plans for mobile homes It can be prolonged from occurring by the use of a protective finish; however, even the best finish will succumb to the ravages of weathering in a few years and will need to be refinished. Proper cleaning and restoration is an essential first step in the refinishing of wood decks. There are a variety of products and methods to clean and restore wood surfaces. These include chemical as well as mechanical means. This article will review some of the types of deck cleaning and restoring products currently available and will also discuss the pros and cons of mechanical cleaning methods such as power washing. CAUSES OF DISCOLORATION There are a number of sources of discoloration of wood decks. These include: • dirt and other foreign materials such as tree sap, bird droppings, grease, etc. • fungal discolorations from mildew, mold, decay,[url=http://www.environmentallyfriendlyflooring.com/solution/1853.html]solid composite decking cheapest[/url] and sap stain growth • algae, moss, and lichen growth • nail and other iron stains • tannins and other extractives from the wood • graying of the wood due to surface decomposition by sunlight and moisture • fading/decomposition of weathered coatings. Some of these discolorations are chemical in nature; others are biological. All require some effort on the part of the homeowner or contractor for removal and all should be removed prior to refinishing. In addition to being unsightly, these discolorations and the agents that cause them can significantly interfere with the performance of subsequently applied coatings. Thus their removal is important from a performance as well as an aesthetic standpoint DECK CLEANERS AND RESTORERS Until about ten years ago there were few, if any, products of this type on the market Most coatings manufacturers recommended that decks and other exposed wood surfaces be cleaned before refinishing. The recommended cleaners were usually household products such as detergents for dirt removal and liquid bleach for mildew removal. Household cleaners and bleaches can be effective to some extent but they have their limitations. Also, since they are not usually designed for deck cleaning applications they can present some handling problems.wpc outdoor decking floor For example, liquid household bleach should not be mixed or used directly with ammonia or any detergents or cleansers containing ammonia since the resulting chemical reaction can form a potentially dangerous gas. About ten years ago products began appearing in the market that were specifically designed to clean and restore weathered wood surfaces such as decks and siding. Today there are a variety of such products available. Deck cleaners and restorers generally fall into one of three categories: chlorine bleaches, oxygen bleaches, or oxalic acid-based formulas. Each of these is discussed below. The resources come from:http://www.environmentallyfriendlyflooring.com/
