SPRING READY YOUR DECK
Step 1: Sweep the deck with a good, strong broom designed for outdoor use.
Step 2: Pull weeds from cracks, between planking and in crevices. (Weeds can disrupt deck integrity, especially patio tiles.)
Step 3: Clean embedded dirt, fungus stains and gray surface wood.
Tip: If you can't remove planters from the deck, protect them by covering them during deck prep and cleaning.
Tip: Consider a cold-water pressure washer. These operate at a maximum of 2,500 psi (a garden hose offers only 15 to 60 psi).
Tip: Consult your local hardware store to ensure that any chemicals you wish to use are safe for vegetation. (Ask about an oxalic acid solution.)
Tip: Check with the rental agency for what is the safest pressure setting and best washer tip to use for your deck. (A nozzle with a vertical slit is preferred to a circular opening.)
Step 4: Strip any flaking or unwanted finish.
Tip: Even new decks can require the removal of unseen barriers like mill glaze (on cedar) or excess wax (on pressure-treated wood).
Step 5: Seal with a protective water-repellent finish.
Tip: Choose a water repellent that contains a mildewcide. | 
