Secret of long lasting elegant decks.

A new deck looks very alluring but this magic can wear off all too soon if proper maintenance is not given to the decks. The trick lies in preventive care.As an act of nature, any wooden surface when exposed to sunlight or other ravages of nature, over a period of time starts losing its sheen. If the wood is uncoated, the deterioration will be faster whereas, in coated wood, the process will take effect after a while. The best way is to take proactive steps to ensure wood remains protected well before the stains start appearing on the surfaces. There are a variety of methods, both mechanical and chemical to keep wood smiling all through.

Getting rid of stains- root cause analysis.

Having emphasised the importance of preventive maintenance, let us look at ways and means of removing the stains that have already crept in and are taking the beauty off the wooden decks. The first step is to identify the causes of discoloration to apply the correct solution to the problem. The various causes of the discoloration could be ingress of foreign matter such as bird dropping, grease, tree saps etc,stains from nails and iron articles ,tannins and other chemical agents originating from the wood itself, fungus, algae and fading and graying of wood due to extended exposure to sunlight, moisture , water . There can also be a decomposition of the original protective coatings given of wood.

Agents for refurbishing

Bleaches are a very common and effective way to lighten Deck stains. There are a variety of bleaches to choose from. Bleaches can be classified into three major categories; chlorine bleaches, peroxide type bleaches and oxalic acids. If we know what caused stain, it would be helpful in selecting the right kind of bleach.

Chlorine - Chlorine is a very strong bleaching agent and can remove or lighten most dye stains. It also kills algae, moss etc but it can also cause damage to the wood itself if too strong a concentration is used. Besides, chorine can prove detrimental to surrounding greenery. A solution of about one and a half cup per gallon of water can be considered safe.

Peroxide bleaches - These come in two types A and B type. A combination of these should be used for effective results, Used individually, the peroxide bleaches may not be good enough to lighten deck stains. The combination is highly effective in lightening pigment stains, but it is generally not so good at dealing tiwht stains from dyes.

Oxalic Acids -Oxalic acid is a very good solution to stains caused by effects of oxidation. An example could be that black spot on the wood that was caused by contact of water with the wood, Water, as we know contains iron and the reaction of the tannic acids in woods causes these black spots. We can also see black spots in areas where nails or other fasteners are used, as contact with water results in the black ring. Oxalic acids are best to lighten the effects of exposure to weather conditions. There is a graying discoloration on wood due to outdoor exposure. Oxalic acids can lighten the color and establish an even tone on the entire wood.

A word of Caution

Finally, as we begin to use these bleaches, care must be taken to ensure protective masks, gloves are used so that the toxic nature of bleaches causes no harm to the person doing the job.