With all of the staying inside we have had to do because of the COVID-19 quarantine -- now, with warmer weather, is the time to get out and enjoy your beautiful outdoor living spaces. But we know that winter takes a toll on these areas, covering them with dirt, creating stains, mildew spreads, and moss grows. Here are five tips to get your deck, concrete hardscapes, retaining walls, and patios looking good for the summer season.

 

Begin any summer clean up with a good sweeping, removing dirt, grit, and leaves. Then, if summer furniture has been covered, but stored in place all winter, remove it. You want to know about any discolorations under the furniture.

 

1. Deck Cleaning. To pressure wash a deck, use a fan tip with a 40- or 45-degree angle. A brightener like oxalic acid can be added to the water to get rid of the faded and graying tone. Make sure to set the pressure to about 1,000 psi. Always check to make sure the spray is doing no damage in a less noticeable spot, then if all is well, start at the top rails, and then work to the deck floor boards. Cedar or redwood decks will show a pronounced change, but pressure treated pine will have a less obvious one.

 

1. Removing Stains. Pressure washing is an excellent way to remove stains from rust, mold, mildew, and the ravages of time. Sometimes, however, delicacy is needed. When cleaning concrete patios, a mixture of dish soap, warm water, and a dash of baking soda applied to the stain and scrubbed with an old broom will make it go away.

 

For a wood deck, it might take some sanding with 80 grit sandpaper to remove rust stains from old nails. The old nails should be removed and replaced with screws that are ½ inch longer than the nails. Replace one at a time. Then use the sand paper to gently remove the rust stains.

 

1. Getting Rid of Mold, Mildew, Moss and Algae. The key to getting rid of mold, mildew, moss, and algae is to get rid of the spores. Shaded and moist areas are the perfect conditions to get these going. Mold and mildew seep into wood, but a mixture of diluted bleach in soapy water will kill the spores on raw wood. On other surfaces, like cement retaining walls, a mixture of water and laundry detergent will help, along with some elbow grease and a brush. There are also commercial cleaners made to combat these agents. Once they have been removed, use a sealer to keep them from coming back.

 

1. Cleaning Outdoor Glass. It is unsanitary to eat at a table covered in outdoor grime like pollen, bird droppings, and leaf mold. First, remove all of the debris and dirt with a rag, then wipe it down with a lint-free cloth or sponge. Next, wash it with a mixture of water and glass approved household cleaner. Dish soap will work. Give it a good scrub with a fresh sponge. It might take a bit of scrubbing to get off any stuck-on stains. Rinse with a garden hose. Wipe dry. Finish with a window cleaner – like Glass Plus. This includes the top and the bottom of the table.

 

1. Cleaning Retaining Wall Raised Flower Beds. If you have flowers draping over a retaining wall, make sure to move them or cover them before cleaning, as a pressure washer will destroy them. For those that hang over the wall, gently pull them up into the bed, and cover the entire bed with a protective covering, like a tarp, while the work is being done around delicate plantings.

 

Or you can hire Steve Schroeder Services, LLC to clean your decks, retaining walls, patios, and cement hardscapes!

Steve Schroeder Services can get the job done during the week, while you keep working from home in your living room. He can have it done so you can begin to enjoy your outdoor spaces on the weekend.

 

If you are not familiar with Steve Schroeder Services, LLC, know that Schroeder’s mission is, “To Keep Putting Service Back into Customer Service with the Utmost Quality and Care.”

 

“I put my heart and soul into making sure that every job is done right!” Contact me at www.servicessold.net or call me at 507-398-3346 to book an appointment. I look forward to doing business with you soon!