Freshen Up That Deck and Protect It From Sun and Water

All decked out!

If your wood deck looks more like a pile of firewood than a setting for an afternoon barbecue, chances are it could use a little rejuvenating. Start by washing the deck with a solution of one cup powdered laundry detergent in a gallon of hot water. Add a cup of liquid chlorine bleach if mildew is present. Severely neglected decks will require a more potent commercial deck-bleaching product. Look for one that contains oxalic acid. Use this in combination with a power washer which can be rented from your local tool rental outlet or paint store. Finish the job with a coat of high-quality oil-base deck stain or clear wood finish. A product that contains uv inhibitors will offer added protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. And that's the On The House tip for today.



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