Wood deck maintenance

[Jeff May]

I really need to clean & treat my wood deck.
It's been down for about 10 years. I usually just pressure wash it once or twice a summer.
It's at the point where I need to replace a few boards & use a cleaner on the rest.
Then I'd like to treat it with something, I'd prefer not to stain. Just apply a type of protectant on it, but nothing that will leave a build up.
Are the deck cleaners at the big box stores any good, or perhaps some of you all have some home recipes for a cleaner??
Any suggestions on what to use as a final treatment?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[MarlynOC]

I use Dawn dish washing soap with some oxaliic acid, spray on keep it damp and in about 15 minutes power wash off.
For a sealer look for Ready Seal or Armstrong Clark in your area

 

[jonshonda]

It really depends on what is growing on your deck. If it's just dirty, no mold, moss...etc...then some citrus cleaner should be just fine. If there is a bunch of stuff growing on it, then maybe something with a bleach?

Not sure why you don't want to use stain, but there is semi transparent or transparent stains that should give the look of natural wood. Oil based is the only way to go.

 

[MarlynOC]

If possible keep away from bleach as it kills the wood fibers quickly. Reason for oxallic or citric acids.

 

[Slednut]

I always use a rented sander, here's an after sanding and staining pic. The cedar decking is over 30 years old.

 

[rburke65]

Wash and stain...oil base....every year.

 

[cdestuck]

Wood decking is a waste. I’ve built a good many decks and do wood working but wood for decking is a waste. Looks good the first year or so but then despite yearly maintenance it keeps looking worse. Probably 19 years ago I ripped off the wood, left the joists and replaced it with 100%vinyl. Was a bit expensive but well worth it. Tree is cheaper but because there are wood fibers it will still fade some.

 

[yeldogt]

Typically, any household cleaner and bleach is a good start -- wash off throughly with a hose. In my area .. we have to eliminate any organic products on the wood with the bleach. Then follow with oxalic acid solution to brighten it up. Use a garden sprayer and a soft brush.

The old oil based sealers did not film like the new stuff ... once you start now ...it's yearly with PT and cedar. I'm surprised you did not damage with the pressure washer.

 

[yeldogt]

I always use a rented sander, here's an after sanding and staining pic. The cedar decking is over 30 years old.

30 years old -- that's why. We still have some old cedar around ... the stuff from 20 years ago is in the dumpster.

 

[6768rogues]

I replaced mine with Azek. When I had wood we used powdered deck cleaner that mixes with water. We saturated it and scrubbed it with a brush, then pressure washed it. It worked very well. It was long ago and I forgot the brand.