Refinishing your deck can make it look like new again. But in order to achieve that beautiful finished product, you should conduct regular deck cleaning. Otherwise you can wind up with marred coloring or damaged wood. Here is a guide to what deck cleaning mistakes you should avoid. 

Deck Cleaning Errors You Should Know About

1. Thinking the Rain Will be Enough

Before you stain your deck, it should be immaculately clean. That way no grime or debris will mar the stain application, and prevent the oil from fully absorbing into the wood. You may think that a heavy rain will do the job, but rainfall tends to leave bits of leaves and dirt behind. The best solution is to pressure wash your deck. 

2. Using Too Much Power

Because you can rent or buy your own power-washing tools, it can be tempting to try to do it yourself. But most homeowners who take this DIY approach to deck cleaning have little experience using power-washing tools, and can accidentally go overboard and damage their deck. Unless you’re experienced with the equipment, it’s best to let veteran specialists handle this tricky part of deck cleaning. 

3. Neglecting to Weather Watch

It isn’t always easy to find the time to stain your deck, so many homeowners do the job the first day they have free. But it’s imperative to consult the forecast beforehand and only stain when there’s no chance of rain for several days. Even if you nail your staining, the sudden onset of water will wash away some of finish, and prevent it from curing, leaving you with awkward spotting across the surface of your deck. 

To ensure your deck cleaning goes smoothly, it’s worth hiring a professional like Hot Shotz Mobile Power Wash, which serves St. Charles, MO, and the greater St. Louis area. In business for over three decades, their professionals offer expert pressure washing to remove all dirt and detritus without damaging your deck. You can receive a free estimate by calling (636) 939-0600 or learn more about their power washing  by visiting their website.