Decking Maintenance.

Regular maintenance will add years to the life of your deck, so twice a year – in spring and autumn – it’s sensible to give your decking a good going-over to remove dirt, grease, slippery algae and moss.

How to clean decking.
Step 1
First, if there are any large areas of moss or mould, start by scraping them off and sweeping them up. Then take a stiff-bristled broom and give the whole deck a thorough sweep, getting right in between the grooves.
Step 2
If you have a pressure washer and you want your deck spotless, give it a quick burst now, but don’t hold it too close or you can damage the wood. This maybe enough to clean the whole area or you may want to use a cleaning solution as well.
Step 3
Prepare your cleaner. You can use a specialist deck cleaner  or make up your own from laundry liquid dissolved in water. If you have moss, lichen or algae on your patio – and you’re almost certain to after a long, wet winter – then add a splash of bleach (as much as one part bleach to four parts water if it’s really bad).
Step 4
Apply your chosen cleaner to the decking using a watering can, then scrub the deck straightaway with your broom or brush, rubbing it into the grooves. Leave it to stand for up to 15 minutes to work (or follow instructions on the back of the deck cleaner box).
Step 5
Then, using a garden hose, a watering can filled with clean water, or a pressure washer, rinse the deck thoroughly.
Allow at least two days for your decking to dry before you apply decking paint or stain.

At Paul Smith Landscape and Gardening Services we can take care of this for you.