General Tips & Guidance for Cleaning Decks and Driveways

Decks and driveways become dirty quickly because they are constantly outside in the elements, there are a number of ways to deal with the different issues you may face regarding the cleanliness of your driveway or decking.

Below is a short guide to addressing some of the main problems when trying to keep your deck and driveway as clean as possible.

Keep the Weeds Away

It may seem simple, but plucking up the weeds from between the paving stones, wooden slats or stones will make a big difference to how your driveways and decks look.

Whether you simply use a knife, weeding tool or spray weed killer, doing a little bit of gardening maintenance will improve the overall appearance of your deck and drive. Although you may not think it, something as simple as removing weeds can have a huge effect on how clean your drive looks and is.

Some beautiful decking in the back garden of this lovely house

Simply Sweep

Sweeping your drive and deck is another really easy way to keep them clean, especially during autumn when there are usually excessive amounts of leaves!

Sweeping regularly, perhaps once every 1-2 days, will ensure loose dust and things such as rubbish or leaves, are promptly removed and do not have time to get stuck too, or damage your drive or decking in anyway.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is the most popular option when it comes to cleaning a deck or driveway, as it doesn’t need to be done, as often, and there are many ways in which to do this. The pressure washes away dirt and grime quickly without hassle.

You may wish to hire a professional company who will come and clean them for you. The primary benefit of this is that the company is experienced and knows exactly how to use the equipment to produce the best result.

On the other hand, you may wish to do it yourself. Whether you already have a pressure washer, you use a hosepipe, or you hire a pressure washer for the day, it is important to remember to start with a low pressure and work your way up if necessary. This will make sure you do not damage the wood, particularly on decks, by mistake.

Removing Oil Spills and Mold

It is very common to get oil spills on your driveway, but fear not, for there is a way to remove them. If you get an oil spill on your concrete driveway, you can easily clean this by putting a little powdered cement on top of the spill; then you add a small amount of washing up liquid and hose it down.

Getting mold on your wooden deck is also quite a common problem, but one that can be fixed with something you probably already has in the house. If you apply apple vinegar and then let it sit there for 2 hours or so this should do the trick! Make sure you return to rinse it off with water though; otherwise it will attract lots of bugs.

An example of a long driveway up to a large house

Bleach on a Wooden Deck?

There are 2 different types of bleach, which can be used to clean decking, but both are controversial, as some believe using bleach can cause problems.

Chlorine based bleach is a very good cleaning product, but you have to be careful not to use too much or it will damage the wood. It breaks down the fibers that hold the wood together, so it’s best to use a dilution of ¼ bleach and ¾ water.

Oxygen bleach is a white powder that is dissolved in water. The best thing about this bleach is that it is environmentally friendly because it is biodegradable, however, it should never be used on new wood, as it will permanently damage it.

Conclusion

With these helpful tips and guidelines you should now have a better idea of the numerous way in which you may want to clean your driveway and / or decking. If you need a Los Angeles Deck Cleaning company, contact Squeegeepro for a quote.

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