How To Remove Mold From Stained Or Painted Wood
Although mold grows most easily on bare wood, old stain or paint that is beginning to fail can allow black mold to take root and grow. To clean mold from a stained or painted wood surface, use regular household dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Three or four tablespoons per gallon are enough to do the trick. Apply the solution and scrub until clean. Avoid using bleach to clean stained or painted wood as it can cause discoloration.
A pressure washer isnt a good option with painted decks as the pressure washer can easily strip the paint. Once the area is clean, apply vinegar to kill any black mold roots and as a preventative to stop new mold growth.
Professional Help When You Need It
If your deck becomes damaged and you need help replacing old boards or for any other home improvement projects, contact Mr. Handyman! Request service online or call 685-1377 today!
Nothing compliments a clean deck like a great-looking yard. If you’re too tired to clean the yard after the deck, The Grounds Guys can help. The Grounds Guys are part of Neighborlys trusted network of home service providers.
How To Remove Snow & Ice From Composite Decking
You probably wont use your deck regularly during the winter season, you may still want to clean pathways to your backyard and make it safe to walk.
To remove snow and ice from your composite deck, make sure you use tools and products that wont damage the deck surface.
Lets take a look at the safe ways to shovel your deck or use ice melt products.
Can you shovel snow off a composite deck?
Yes, you can shovel snow off composite decking without damaging the deck – if you have the right shovel!
Shovels with metal cutting edges nick, cut, and damage the composite decking.
To avoid this damage, make sure you use a shovel with a plastic or rubber edge. This removes the snow safely without scraping or harming the decks surface.
During light snows, you may not even need a shovel to clear your deck. If the snow is less than 1-2″ many homeowners just use a broom to remove it.
Can you use a snow blower on your deck?
Some homeowners have large decks or long walkways. If there is a lot of snow and you have easy ground access, it may be tempting to use a walk-behind snow blower to remove the snow.
This is not a good idea!
Like a metal-edged shovel, a snowblower cuts and damages the composite decking. It is not worth risking damage to your beautiful deck!
Can you use ice melt or rock salt on composite decking?
Removing snow with a plastic shovel or leaf blower is pretty basic, a thin layer of ice or sleet on your deck is a different ballgame.
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Cleaning & Removing Mold & Mildew From Decking
HOW TO REMOVE MOLD FROM COMPOSITE DECKING
It is always recommended to check with your Decking supplier on how best to remove mold from the Boards as some materials used in Boards should not have certain chemicals or cleaning solutions used on them. When mold spots appear on your beautifully laid Deck, it can be frustrating and gives the Deck a dirty, run-down appearance.
In most cases with Composite Decking, thanks to their low-maintenance properties. Removing mold, by cleaning the root problem away can be done quickly and effectively, using either Composite Deck Cleaner or kitchen dish soap and warm water to Clean Composite Decking.
Step 1 – Remove any furniture lighting and pots from your Decking. Then, with a brush , sweep away any debris and dirt.
Step 2 – If not using – Prepare a bucket of warm soapy water. To that, add a small amount of light dishwasher detergent.
Step 3 – Cover your Deck with a light coating of the Deck Cleaner or Soap Water, and once applied, use your Hard bristle Brush to gently scrub the Deck. This should start to remove any surface stain or dirt. Scrub the entity of the Deck thoroughly to remove dirt, stains, and mold.
Step 4 – Leave the Soap water or Deck Cleaner to sit on the Deck, allowing the cleaning properties to soak into the Deck, removing any stubborn dirt or stains.
Step 5 – Rinse the solution away thoroughly, and leave it to dry naturally. Once dry, replace all your garden furniture and pot plants.
HOW TO REMOVE MOLD FROM WOOD DECKING
Sweep Away Dirt And Debris
After you remove your furniture, you will also need to get rid of any natural debris that has accumulated on your deck over time. This can include:
- Leaves
- Food residue
- Any other debris
Forgetting to clean the gaps in your deck will not only reduce the cleanliness of your final product but could also have long-lasting negative effects like mold and mildew developing beneath the deck as well as rotting your underneath joists from the moisture.
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How To Remove Snow
If you live in a part of the country that experiences cold winters, ice and snow will be a concern with your deck. Fortunately, all you need is a plastic shovel and calcium chloride to get your deck back to new. Cleaning a Trex deck remains simple, even in freezing temperatures.
How Do I Naturally Clean My Wood Deck
Vinegar and baking soda are a power couple when it comes to natural cleaners. To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards.
Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water.
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Rinse Deck With Pressure Water Or Hose + Scrub Brush
Once the deck is completely saturated, Rinse it off thoroughly with water, a pressure washer and/or a scrub brush. A scrub brush will assist in the removing stains from moss, mold, algae and lichen.
For stubborn stains: If your composite deck is still showing stains after the application, you may need to reapply. Soak the deck for 2 hours or overnight then rinse as needed.
If stains come back: If this is your first time cleaning the deck, sometimes dirt, grime and mold can resurface considering the solution is pulling it out from under the surface. If this purge situation happens, which it does, you will need to repeat the process.
Need professional help? If hiring someone to do the job is what you would rather do, a roof cleaning contractor can be found in every state now, but if you can’t find one, we would be glad to speak to your local handyman and go over the cleaning process with them, just call us.
Best Deck Cleaner To Remove Mold On Decks
Since weve published this article, we have received some input on the best deck cleaner for mold on decks. Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internets go-to source for all things exterior wood and deck restoration-related. Like before, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your deck stain projects.
Wood decks are not naturally resistant to mold. When speaking of mold on decks, mold is a general term people commonly use to describe what might be moss, lichen, green algae, mildew, or other types of fungal growth. Mold is like the universal word to cover anything green or spore-like growing places it should not be growing like on your deck. Mold on decks can cause problems besides just being treacherous to walk on when wet. The issue with mold on decks can range from completely unsightly to decay, wood rot, and major structural damage. The good news is that mold can be removed from decks using common deck cleaning methods.
Choosing the best deck cleaner for mold on decks can be easy by doing an online search for oxygenated deck cleaners. Deck cleaners like Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner, Defy Wood Cleaner, and Messmers Wood and Deck Cleaner are just a few that are commonly used by professionals. To remove mold on decks is just a matter of using the right deck cleaner.
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Best Ways To Clean A Trex Deck
There are many ways to maintain the look of your Trex deck. Trex offers tons of guidelines on the “Care and Cleaning” section of their website about the best ways to clean your Trex product.
- Trex recommends cleaning older products like Trex Accents, Trex Origins, Trex Contours, Trex Profiles, or Trex Brasilia on a semiannual basis with a composite deck cleaner. Follow the directions on the cleaner.
- One annual spring and one annual fall cleaning are recommended.
- High performance Trex products like Trex Transcend, Trex Enhance, or Trex Select should be cleaned with soap and water or a gentle pressure washer.
- If you use a pressure washer, it must have a psi lower than 3100 and you should use a fan attachment to keep the warranty intact.
How To Remove Green Mold From Wood Decks
Shade keeps the deck inviting on a sunny day. Add moisture, and youre dealing with green mold on wood flooring, stairs and railings. Pressure washing can remove the mold, but its a job best handled by cleaning professionals.
1. Mix one-third cup of laundry detergent with 1 gallon of water. 2. Use a broom or stiff bristle brush to scrub mold off wood surfaces. 3. Rinse well, and repeat if necessary.
You can also use a mix of one-half gallon white vinegar and one-half gallon water. Keep mold at bay by regularly sweeping leaves and debris off decks and steps.
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Power Washing Composite Decks
That said, there are dangers to using a power washer. Though composite decking is more durable than real wood, its softer, which means its more susceptible to etching from a power washer. Using too narrow a nozzle in combination with a high PSI can cause the power washer to do irreparable damage to the decking.
With that in mind, its important to take a few precautions when using a pressure washer. Use a broad fan pattern and use a PSI no greater than 3,100 PSI to avoid the risk of denting the boards.
While washing, make sure to keep the nozzle head at least 8 inches away from the deck surface and move the wand in the same direction as the grain.
Begin by adding a safe cleaner to the reservoir, then spray the deck with soap. Give the soap time to penetrate the dirt. If there are any particularly dirty sections of the deck, use a brush to help work the grime-free.
Use a fan tip to rinse the boards, making sure to keep the nozzle a safe distance from the boards while working in the same direction as the grain. Make sure all soap is removed to avoid a film from forming once the deck dries.
How To Prepare Your Decking To Protect Against Mold And Mildew
Much like wooden decking, your composite decking can grow mold on it too. Mold is caused by outdoor moisture and water being trapped within cracks and joints which can freeze with low temperatures and expand causing the wood to crack, in addition to this black spots may appear from mold or mildew and can spread across the deck. Typically mold will grow on the dark parts of decking or parts where the sun hits it the least as it thrives in damp conditions. Decks become dirty from mud, leaves and dirt which wont only produce mold but mildew and other visual eye-saws. You should use a broom to push any rainwater left on your deck to reduce the risk of mold or mildew growth.
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Can You Pressure Wash Vinyl/pvc Decking
While composite decking is made from a blend of wood and plastic materials, vinyl/PVC decking is most often 100% plastic. This is not an issue when it comes to pressure washing a PVC deck though. As long as you stick to the same guidelines as with composite decking and apply the pressure washer carefully, it should work fine.
How Not To Clean Your Composite Deck
Depending on the stain or cleaning issue you have, you may be tempted to apply a chemical cleaner to the stain to clean your deck.
We do not recommend this solution for cleaning a composite surface!
Remember – composite materials clean easier and better than the traditional wood deck, and using the soap-and-water method in chapter 1 removes most of the dirt and stains.
However, if the soap-and-water cleaning doesnt remove a particular stain, dont default to a chemical cleaner.
Harsh chemicals, such as bleach, are NOT recommended on any composite surface! These chemicals can eat away at the composite structure and leave permanent discolorations and damage.
If you need to use a chemical solution to remove a spot or stain on your deck, check the decking manufacturers website for their approved cleaning solutions.
Using an approved cleaning solution ensures two things:
While a composite deck is less maintenance and easier to clean than a traditional wooden deck, the homeowner still needs to make sure it is kept clean and free from unwanted stains and materials.
Thankfully, composite decking is easily cleaned with the soap-and-water method or basic power washing.
If you have a wooden deck and want to replace it with composite decking, or if you are looking to build the deck or porch of your dreams, then contact the team at Keystone Custom Decks today!
We offer various outdoor living services including:
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How To Remove Mold From Your Deck
It is always a good idea to check with your manufacturer for recommendations. For instance, TREX® Composite decking recommends UltraMean2 as an eco-friendly alternative to many of the other harsh deck cleaners on the market. A common misconception when dealing with a moldy deck is to use Chlorine Bleach to clean it. This is NOT a good idea.
The best solution for composite decking is a sodium percarbonate based cleaner, such as UltraMean2. It will provide you with a deep clean without damaging the deck.
How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck
Designing and building a deck suited to your wants and needs can be fun and exciting. But when it comes to care and maintenance, its important to know what youre getting yourself into beforehand. Examine the pros and cons of composite or wood decking — specifically when it comes to how to clean your decking. And in addition to routine cleaning, you should also be aware of other maintenance work you may need to do from time to time on your deck.
For natural wood lovers, properly cleaning a wood deck requires annual care. You can buy deck cleaning solution at your local hardware store or make your own homemade concoctions from various household products that are effective in fighting mildew, algae, oil and debris.
In addition to cleaning, youll also need to routinely stain or seal your natural deck to keep it looking fresh and protect it from the harsh effects of elemental damage — mainly heat and moisture. In some cases, your natural wood deck may also splinter, requiring sanding or replacing loose boards from time to time.
Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance they wont splinter and you dont need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects.
Lets learn more about tackling cleaning and keeping your deck in great shape!
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Using Commercial Decking Cleaning Products
One of the easiest ways to remove mould is by using decking cleaning products specifically designed to remove moss and algae from your decking. You can find them in your local stores. The most effective ones are oxygenated decking cleaning products that contain sodium percarbonate. They often come in powder form, but liquid cleaners are also common.
How do you use these cleaners? For many commercial mould-removing cleaners, you only need to wet the decking with it and leave it for a few minutes for the chemicals to take effect. Finally, rinse the decking with water. You can also use a power washer in the lowest possible setting. There are also products that you can apply to the decking and leave until it dries. Of course, instructions depend on the product youre using.
Commercial cleaning products are among the most effective ways to remove mould from your decking. Unfortunately, they can cost more than using natural DIY means.
What Is A Trex Deck
Trex is a best-selling brand of composite decking and fencing that is manufactured out of a combination of wood and plastic particles. The decks are made from recycled materials like sawdust and plastic bags, so it is environmentally friendly as well as beautiful. The plastic components help to prevent rot from moisture damage, while the wood guards the deck against the harmful rays of the sun.
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Cleaning A Composite Deck
A composite deck should have at least one good cleaning every year. We clean ours in the spring before putting out our outdoor furniture and then we usually will hose it off in the fall.
Because composite decking is more durable and requires less maintenance than your traditional wood deck, composite is much easier to take care of. There is no sanding, repairing and staining year after year.
