One of the most annoying things about Autumn is when the dead, falling leaves cause stains on your deck’s surface.  Discoloration can ruin the entire look of your deck, causing your beautiful backyard to look worn and ill-maintained.  Fortunately, there are many ways you can get rid of these stains and get your deck looking brand new again.  Each stain comes with a different form of removal.  Read on to find out what you can do about those stains on your deck.

Organic Stains

These are stains that come from organic material.  They can include dead leaves, mold, mildew, moss, green algae or sap.  Organic material requires a different method of cleaning, because it’s more than likely you’ll have to kill the organism before you can fully clean the area.  Using 4 parts bleach to 1 part water as a mixture to spray on algae will help to temporarily remove the stain; unfortunately, once the roots take hold in the wood, it’s very difficult to get rid of the plant entirely.  Bleach can be used, in a more harmless ratio, to get rid of stains such as leaf stains or moss.  These don’t form roots in wood, so they only need to be killed, and then cleaned away with simple deck cleaning solution and water.

Inorganic Stains

For material that isn’t made naturally, or material that isn’t living when you remove it, the stains should be removed with dish detergent.  Now, you have to put in a little elbow grease!  Mix the detergent with water and get to scrubbing.  Use a hard bristled brush to get rid of the stains quickly and efficiently.  If you notice the stain just after it has been formed, make sure you address it right away; the longer you let it sit, the harder it’ll be to remove.  Inorganic materials can include, candle wax, blood, paint, wine, coffee, and efflorescence.

Need your deck fixed up?  Mid Atlantic Deck & Fence is here to help!

Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence has almost 30 years of experience in building beautiful custom fences and decks throughout the state of Maryland. We have the expertise to design your dream fence or custom deck and have it installed in a headache-free process. Give us a call at 1-800-833-9310 or visit us online for a quote today! We offer many different styles of fencing and decking in addition to custom options designed specifically to suit your preferences and tastes. To see examples of our work and get more tips on how to choose the right fence for your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

 

Tags: autumn, deck maintenance, remove stains, rotting leaves, stains on deck