Getting Rid of Mould and Mildew On Your Timber Deck

A timber deck adds a sense of warmth and value to your outdoor living space. Unfortunately, your timber deck may start developing some problems with time. Mould and mildew are among the problems you may encounter with your timber deck. Besides spoiling the look of your deck, mould and mildew will make the deck slippery, which means walking on it would be unsafe. Therefore, to prevent such outcomes, here is how you handle mildew and mould growth on your timber deck.

Work When It's Hot Outside

A sunny and hot day is the best for timber deck mould and mildew removal. This is simply because the intense heat usually helps kill the mould and mildew spores, which prevents further growth. In addition, on a hot day, the wood will dry quickly, making it much easier for you to remove the mould and mildew.

Hose Your Deck

After choosing a hot day, you want to wash your deck with high-pressurised hose. The high pressure often eliminates the mould and mildew. However, this doesn't always work, especially if the mould and mildew is extensive. This means you may have to try wood treatment cleaners.

Choose Your Wood Treatment Cleaners Carefully

Algae removing products are the first option you should try. They are specifically designed for removing mould and mildew. Since most of these algae removing cleaners are usually highly concentrated, you will have to dilute them before use. This can be a problem especially if you are unsure of the diluting ratios. In such a case, it would be best to go for pre-mixed products.

Vinegar and ammonia-free dishwashing detergents are also excellent alternatives for the algae removing cleaners. If you must use bleach, choose oxygen bleaching products and not chlorine. This is because chlorine is corrosive and can therefore damage the healthy wood. In some cases, especially when you didn't dilute the chlorine bleach correctly, you may end up with discolouration of some parts on your timber deck.

Once you apply your wood treatment solutions, you need to let them sit for a few minutes to work on the mould and mildew. You should then simply scrub the deck with a stiff brush and power wash it.

Prevention is usually the key to keeping mould and mildew at bay. For this reason, make sure your gutters don't discharge onto your deck. In addition, sweep your deck regularly and hose it from time to time.