Cleaning Deck--Mold

Orion · 04-30-2017, 10:24 AM

My 15 year old dock and deck were green and even black with age and mildew. I used a $100 electric ( i.e. relatively low power) pressure washer and the whole deck and dock came out looking like new. The key is not to use too much pressure or the wood will start to lift. I followed up the cleaning with Thompson's Waterseal Waterproofing Stain after the deck had dried for several days.

thinkxingu · 04-30-2017, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

My 15 year old dock and deck were green and even black with age and mildew. I used a $100 electric ( i.e. relatively low power) pressure washer and the whole deck and dock came out looking like new. The key is not to use too much pressure or the wood will start to lift. I followed up the cleaning with Thompson's Waterseal Waterproofing Stain after the deck had dried for several days.

Just discovered my buddy has a power washer I can use. What are the fluids I'll be needing?

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Descant · 04-30-2017, 10:53 AM

What's under the dirt? Bare wood? Stained wood? Painted? Normally, I think of bleach for mildew, but you don't want to bleach the wood unevenly unless you plan to go back and stain it again. What's nearby? Will overspray harm nearby plants and or lawn? Pets?
I think most commercial deck cleaners are heavy into bleach as well as being heavy into price.
Simple Green is usually safe, but a bleach cleaning may serve as a preventative for mildew return. You may have to test in small areas first.
I wouldn't be surprised if the pressure washer without additives could do the job and then the sealer on top for future protection.
After many years cleaning and sealing a long shaded ramp, I finally covered it with opaque (solid color) stain. It requires re-cover in heavy wear areas, but generally looks better than the old un-coated wood.

04-30-2017, 10:24 AM	#1
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cow Island Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	pressure washer My 15 year old dock and deck were green and even black with age and mildew. I used a $100 electric ( i.e. relatively low power) pressure washer and the whole deck and dock came out looking like new. The key is not to use too much pressure or the wood will start to lift. I followed up the cleaning with Thompson's Waterseal Waterproofing Stain after the deck had dried for several days.

04-30-2017, 10:53 AM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,385 Thanks: 1,357 Thanked 1,629 Times in 1,061 Posts	Fluids? What's under the dirt? Bare wood? Stained wood? Painted? Normally, I think of bleach for mildew, but you don't want to bleach the wood unevenly unless you plan to go back and stain it again. What's nearby? Will overspray harm nearby plants and or lawn? Pets? I think most commercial deck cleaners are heavy into bleach as well as being heavy into price. Simple Green is usually safe, but a bleach cleaning may serve as a preventative for mildew return. You may have to test in small areas first. I wouldn't be surprised if the pressure washer without additives could do the job and then the sealer on top for future protection. After many years cleaning and sealing a long shaded ramp, I finally covered it with opaque (solid color) stain. It requires re-cover in heavy wear areas, but generally looks better than the old un-coated wood.