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Don't Make a Big Mistake
That Could Cost You Your Deck! |
Every spring, homeowners begin their annual homage to maintenance including deck power washing. And each year, homeowners take on the challenge of DIY deck cleaning and end up with damaged wood.
Why should I hire a professional pressure washing service to wash my deck?
Why? The biggest problem is that, in general, people don't know about wood, wood products or how not to harm them. A deck is a horizontal surface, which means it absorbs the maximum sun damage.
Strong UV rays from the sun cause puckers within the lignin’s found in the wood, weakening it and making cleaning a little more difficult. Direct sun also causes wood decks to turn grayish, which is a sign that your deck contains damage. This is one of the reasons
decks require a seal that has sunscreen.
Also, certain timbers attract a certain amount of dirt or rust from the water used. Most decks have experienced a certain amount of sun damage and deck power washing is not always the best thing to do. No matter how much accumulated dirt or mold, usually a good
deck power pressure washing will easily blast it away -- not only the mold, but the wood itself, causing extreme damage.
The power washer can actually remove lignin fibers and weaken the wood.
Spraying a weakened wood deck with a pressure washer can rip into the wood, creating permanent damage. If your deck is situated directly in the sun, and if you have neglected providing any maintenance, before performing any cleaning, contact Alpharetta pressure washing services to access any weak spots.
Another innocent mistake homeowners often make is using bleach and wire brushes, or power washers with the wrong jet nozzle to clean their deck.
If the deck has prior damage, you won't want to use household bleach or pressure that's too powerful, which can further weaken the wood fibers and create vulnerable spots that are prone to mold and mildew. In fact,
Clorox bleach is rarely used these days on wood decks. Instead, chlorine bleach is used. But keep in mind, chlorine is just as caustic and causes burning or allergic reactions to the skin, not to mention too much can also damage wood.
By utilizing expert Alpharetta pressure washing services homeowners will know if their wood deck has underlying damage, requires specific chemicals or if the wood deck requires sealing.
Finally, wood decks are the perfect environment for a number of issues:
- Insects: wood serves as a refuge for insects that breed inside since the larvae are nutrients and wood provides ideal protection.
- The slits: wood joints should be sealed with masonry to prevent dirt and moisture from settling inside. Otherwise, over time the wood will become severely impaired.
- Wood rot: the most common places wood begins to rot is in the wood joints, with masonry that is not sealed in untreated wood.
Homeowners looking to curb exterior expenses should never ignore deck power washing, as it can cause long-term damage.
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