Proper Procedure For Acid Washing A Deck
Wooden decks darken over the passage of time, due to the reason that it is having constant exposure to the elements, which in turn take on a weathered appearance. The discoloration is due to the fact that the sun’s UV rays get directly onto the deck, which breaks down the wood surface causing it to turn gray. The homeowners can easily wash the gray away before restoring the deck to its natural color with the help of an oxalic acid wash. Oxalic acid has many cleaning as well as wood-bleaching applications, however, taking the appropriate safety precautions, it is safe to use all over your home.
Part 1: Preparation
- Remove all the furnishing items, including chairs, tables, benches, mats, and stands, from the deck in order to make the work hassle-free. Remove all the objects as well which may include potted plants, toys, as well as the barbeque grill.
- Get rid of any leaves or debris, with the help of a leaf blower. Examine the deck & if you find out any nails causing to adhere above the surface of the boards, get rid of them using a pry bar and then replace them with longer decking nails.
- Run a putty knife betwixt the boards in order to dislodge and scrape away any built-up debris. If left betwixt the boards, the buildup can absorb water and cause the boards to rot. Get rid of the dislodged debris from the deck, with the help of a leaf blower.
- Protect the nearby plants as well as bushes using plastic in order to safeguard the sensitive and tender plants in the event that some of the cleaners get stained on them.
Part 2: Acid Washing
- First of all, put hot water(1 gallon) into a plastic bucket. Wear rubber gloves before adding 16 oz of clear oxalic acid to the water. Wait as long as the oxalic acid is completely dissolved before using the solution.
- Sink your mop into the bucket before applying a plentiful amount of the solution to the deck boards. Prevent scrubbing the wood, & then let the solution sit on the deck for nearly 20 to 30 minutes as long as the wood is dry. The drying time may vary which is totally dependent on the air temperature as well as the humidity level.
- Finally, wash out the deck with clean water as soon as the wood is dry. With the help of a hose equipped with a power nozzle, make sure that all the cleaning solution gets washed away.