How To Test & Remove Mildew From Your Deck!
After a few years, most decks will start to turn a grayish color due to UV
rays from the sun. They may also begin to form mildew. Some folks mistake the
grayish color for a mildew problem and they use the wrong type of cleaner, doing
even more harm to their deck.
There is, however, a simple test you can perform on your deck to see if you have
a mildew problem. It's best to do this test now, before we get into the warmer
months when the mildew can really be a problem!
The test: Caution: before you work with any
chemicals, be sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles to shield your eyes! OK,
all you need to do is find a dark black or green spot on your deck and place a
drop of undiluted household bleach on the spot. If the spot disappears after a
minute or two, you've got mildew.
Tip: When it comes to decks, bleach based
cleaning products are designed to eliminate mildew. To tackle the graying and
staining, acid based products should be used.
Mildew Removal: One of the best formulas for
removing mildew is to mix 1-cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and 1-cup of
household liquid bleach with 1 gallon of water. You can use a stiff bristle
brush (non-metallic) to scrub your deck with the solution. Let it set for 15
minutes, then rinse with water. Note: you can find all of these materials at
your local home improvement store.
Bonus tip: If your deck is starting to gray,
you can buy a pre-mixed oxalic acid deck cleaner to do the job. Wearing rubber
gloves, eye protection and old clothes, apply the mix with a rag to one board at
a time. Scrub the board with a soft brush. Then, allow it to dry and rinse with
water. The oxalic acid and soft brush can be purchased at any home improvement
store.
Please
contact us, so that we can examine any mildew damage that has occurred.
