Wood Deck and Fence Cleaning and Staining articles

The Benefits Of Cleaning and Staining Your Decks and Fences in Seattle, Washington

Wood decks are an extension of your living area and offer a wonderful outdoor place to enjoy the barbecue and drinks with family and friends during the beautiful summer months outside.Wood deck and fence owners in the western Washington area have many challenges in maintaining their wooden structures. The long rainy season doesn't allow a wood deck to dry out properly and contributes to a lot of mold and rot problems.  Here are some tips and considerations to help you with your wood deck and fence and maintenance challenges.

After a long Seattle winter your wood deck is needing a good cleaning and probably a new coat of stain. Proper pressure washing is required to clean all the mold and dirt off of your deck, a rotary brush machine is best for large horizontal services and the standard pressure washer works well for hard-to-reach corners and vertical services like the pickets, railings and stairs. Regular cleaning of your deck or fence can help you discover any rotten or damaged areas that need replacement before the damage becomes too widespread or a safety concern.

Any damaged or rotten wood should be replaced before staining your deck or fence. Also if the deck or fence feels shaky that is a good sign that it's good to refasten the deck or fence boards. The best fastener to use for deck boards are number 10 oval head stainless steel 2 1/4 inch screws.

There are several types of stains to choose from. If you prefer the natural look with the woodgrain showing then the clear stain is a good choice to go with. Quality clear stains are water repelling and provide the best possible protection without covering up the natural beauty of the wood and are available in different shades. Solid color stains cover the wood just as a paint would and are available in a wide range of solid and semi transparent colors. A quality wood stain will bead water, so you know it's working and be breathable. This allows the wood to dry which helps prevent wood rot. Also the best stains resist mold, mildew and fungi and are more durable in high traffic areas.

The differences between wood and composite deck materials are that wood is a natural material sawn from logs and a composite is manufactured from a mixture of recycled wood and plastic materials. If you are ready have a cedar wood deck or fence it can last for many years as long as it is properly maintained. If you are building a new deck the composite material offers the advantage of not needing to be re-stained but the initial cost is higher and the look is not the same as the beauty of natural wood. Many homeowners are are comfortable doing their own deck maintenance and some are calling Seattle Sealwize to handle this important chore.

Concrete Sealing Seattle-How To Seal Your Concrete Driveway.

Concrete driveways around Seattle are usually looking pretty green with mold and moss by the end of the winter. Cleaning and sealing your concrete driveway is an inexpensive and simple way to improve the look of your home. Water can penetrate the concrete and expand from freezing and do damage to your concrete driveway. Salts used for melting ice on your driveway can also damage the concrete. Having a quality sealer on your concrete driveway can minimize damage from salt use in the winter and will also reduce the amount of water absorption.

First the driveway will need to be cleaned with a pressure washer and a degreaser if any oil stains need to be removed. The concrete needs to be allowed to dry for 24 hours before applying the sealer. Then the sealer can be applied with a garden sprayer or a roller. Be sure to avoid getting the sealer on to any windows or other painted objects, if that happens it should be washed off immediately with a sponge and soapy water. When applying the sealer it should be spread evenly in a thin coat, and any puddles should be rolled or brushed out evenly before they dry. Allow the sealer to dry for 24 hours before allowing traffic onto the driveway again. And be sure only to apply the sealer when no rain is in the forecast for at least 24 hours after you plan to apply the sealer.

A properly sealed concrete driveway will be easier to clean and looked much nicer with the protection of the sealant. The investment of sealing your concrete driveway will be well worth the small expense, time and energy expended. Seattle Sealwize will do a professional concrete cleaning and sealing job for you. Call 425-455-0104 for a free quote.

Seattle Sealwize will professionally clean and stain your Deck and or Fence and 

Clean and Seal your  Concrete.

Seattle Sealwize offers professional deck and concrete driveway sealing, staining, and cleaning services to home owners and commercial enterprises. We specialize in low maintenance deck restoration and preservation as well as permanent concrete sealing with the best state-of-the-art sealants available. Our trained technicians ensure excellent results and great customer service. All services are backed by industry leading warranties!

"The Ultimate for staining, sealing, hardening and protecting wood, concrete and masonry materials and structures!"