- Preventing algae formation on your sun-deck

Do you have a wood coated plywood or vinyl fabric covered sun-deck with a north exposure that ends up covered with green slimy algae every spring?

Sundecks made of lumber coated plywood or covered in vinyl fabric that have a northern exposure or are in protected areas such as under trees or shade lines from buildings or fences are subject to long damp periods. During the fall and winter, shorter days cause north exposed areas to remain damp for long periods allowing a spore to develop in the crevices of the wood coated plywood or vinyl fabric-hence the green algae. There is very little that can be done about this as deck coatings, stains or vinyl fabrics can only be treated with algaecides. Algaecides are a component of some formulas but are not 100% effective at maintaining an algae-resistant surface. If you're cleaning your deck to prepare for a new finish and have a water sealer or a semitransparent stain already in place it is very important to remove all the loose or peeling finish first. This can be done by using Biowash Stripex or if it's a latex finish using Biowash Stripex-L, available at your local building supply stores. Some homeowners leave natural red cedar untreated allowing it to weather to a natural gray color. This is not advisable as the top wood fibers die and become very dry when not protected from eroding wood rot in concealed areas. To bring the untreated deck to its original colour use a commercially produced deck wash, many of which are found in local building supply stores. After washing, allow the surface to dry and apply a good quality stain or natural wood finish. Vinyl covered decks and coated decks stained or deck coatings can be cleaned with Shell Busey's All Purpose Cleaner available at retail stores.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey