H O W - T O
outdoors
by DANNY LIPFORD
As the spot fo r everything from fam ily dinners to
backyard barbecues, your deck gets the kind of use
that can leave it looking worn. For long-lasting good
looks, it should be cleaned and repaired every season.
CLEAN Start by removing the
furniture from your wood deck and
sweeping or blowing off leaves or
other debris. Next, use a deck
cleaner or deck brightener on the
surface. Before applying the
cleaner, wet down any plants near
the deck and cover them with
sheets of plastic to protect them
from the harsh chemicals.
Mix the cleaning solution, and
apply it to the deck using a pump
garden sprayer or mop. Scrub
the deck with a push broom; rinse
off the cleaner with a hose after the
recommended time. While
pressure washers are often touted
for cleaning decks, they usually
aren’t necessary and can actually
damage the surface of the wood.
REPAIR Replace badly cracked,
warped, or rotten boards. Hammer
in nails that have worked loose, or
replace them with rust-resistant
deck screws. Sand rough spots and
remove splinters from the surface
of the deck and handrails.
FINISH If your deck needs to be
stained or sealed— I like Olympic’s
“ Maximum Waterproofing
Sealer”— make sure it’s clean and
dry, and rain is not forecast for at
least 24 hours. To reduce lap
marks, work when the deck is in
the shade. Use a pump garden
sprayer to apply the finish, going
over each section with a paintbrush
to spread out puddles and brush
the finish deep into the wood. Let
the sealer dry for the suggested
amount of time before replacing
your deck furniture and grill. ®
Danny is the host of the nationally
syndicated
showToday’s
Homeowner with Danny Lipford
(dannylipford.com).
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