One of the most attractive exterior places of any home is the deck. Many homeowners are most proud of this part of their home. It is a perfect place for relaxation and quality leisure time. It’s not only that you have an entertainment space that many will envy, but a deck can increase the value of your home’s property if you decide to sell it.
If you have decided to renovate or rebuild your deck, you need to work out well some details. First of all, you need to look at the surface on which the deck will be made, and based on that, consider its styles and design. Special attention should be paid to the choice of material from which the deck will be built. Consider the type of land, climatic factors but also your budget.
The deck is usually made of wood. It is the most popular material in construction. However, the composite floor gained more and more popularity. These floors are gaining in popularity not only because they look very nice, but they are quite durable and easier to maintain.
Composite floors
If you opt for this type of flooring, you will have a deck of two types of material. They are both natural and synthetic. They are made of synthetic materials, and they are filled with wood. This floor really looks like a wooden ground. The beauty of the wooden texture is preserved, and the durability is maximum. These floors are very appreciated, and as we learn from www.dinodecking.co.uk if the job of installing this floor is done well, you will not have the slightest problem with it. These floors are very easy to maintain and due to their structure they are much heavier than classic wooden floors. They are produced in different colors, so they will fit into the environment very easily.
However, algae, moss, mildew and mold can grow on your composite substrate. Therefore, its proper maintenance is the key to its beauty and longevity. The owners of such floors are most bothered by green algae because they are very persistent. If you notice these algae, don’t panic. All you need is some information about it, a little bit of knowledge, the right equipment and adequate cleaning products.
How do you get green algae off a composite deck?
Anyone who already has experience with composite flooring knows how laborious it can be to remove green algae. The usual method of scrubbing and cleaning will not be enough to remove these algae. These algae spread very quickly, so if you notice them, react immediately so that they do not take off.
Now you must be wondering, well, but where did the algae on my floor come from?! It’s very simple. Take a look around your deck. If you see trees or any vegetation nearby, here are the solutions. The wind can very often cause leaves or pollen on your deck. When it comes to contact with moisture, in any way, here are the ideal conditions for the development of these persistent algae.
No one likes to walk on green algae, and they can be very awkward and pose a danger of slipping. Also, these algae retain moisture, so it can happen that cracks in the wood are made very quickly. In this way the wood very quickly sold and rotted. To prevent the deterioration of your deck and yourself from hard physical cleaning, prevention is the best solution. Take care of your deck. Clean it regularly and take care of small cracks. It is an ideal place for these green residents. If algae still appear, we suggest you take the following steps to remove them:
1. Cleaning accessories
Before you start the cleaning action, make sure you have everything you need. Provide an appropriate cleaner or you can make it yourself. In addition, you need a soft brush, not a hard one that would damage the surface, a cloth, a bucket, a power washer or a water hose. When you are sure that you have everything you need, we move on to the next step.
2. Make soap
Pour water into the bucket and make a soap bar to clean. You can use professional algae cleaners, if you don’t have something similar, you can do something similar in your own home. However, make sure that the tone is aggressive cleaning agents. In normal situations, floor detergent will suffice. If you want a slightly stronger effect, mix laundry detergent with water. You will be surprised by how effective it is in the fight against green attacks. Put 1/3 cup of washing powder in a gallon of water, just be careful not to contain ammonia. Use warm water, neither too hot nor too cold. If this doesn’t have the full effect either, try chlorine bleach. But be very careful, no more than ¾ cups per gallon of water. It can damage your floor. If the floor already has physical damage, avoid this method.
3. Cleaning process
Before you start applying the solution you have made, make sure that you can fuzzily remove the algae. You can use a dry soft check, never a spatula or knife because you will damage the surface. This would make your cleaning job much easier.
And then you can apply the solution. Apply evenly over the entire floor surface if algae are scattered everywhere. If they are still grouped into a certain part, let all the concentration be right there. We suggest that you apply the mixture a little wider than the direct space covered by the algae, to make sure you don’t skip anything. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. This process is best done early in the morning or early evening. Strong and direct sun will quickly dry out the water and your goal to get rid of algae will not be fulfilled.
After a certain amount of time, clean the floors with a soft brush. Here it is very important to be thorough so that even the smallest trace of algae disappears.
4. Rinsing
When you are absolutely sure that you have got rid of even the smallest algae, it is time to wash the floors. And at this stage it would not be good to have direct sunlight on your deck. If you do not have a water hose or electric sprayer, you can rinse the floor thoroughly by sprinkling clean water from the bucket. Be detailed, do not rush. Make sure there is no soap left on your floor. This is the last step to relaxation and enjoyment on your super clean deck.
If you do not want to deal with annoying green algae, we once again recommend that you take preventive action. Keep your deck clean regularly. What can help very well is the detailed cleaning of the deck every spring. You can hire someone to clean your pressure deck or simply buy a pressure washer. It is very easy to use, and you will be able to enjoy your deck all summer long.
