Deck Maintenance

Posted in: Deck Maintenance
Deck Cleaning Dilemma
By Martin Smith
May 24, 2008 - 6:15:35 AM

Question - My deck is made up of CCA treated wood, which as per print articles and television reports has been banned by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). As a result it is a matter of concern for me and I want to know how the existing deck can be safely cleaned and sealed, or does it need to be replaced with another lumber? Are any ways wherein I can prevent myself to be affected by the harms caused by the chemically treated wood? Please suggest me some favorable which I can take for cleaning and sealing the wooden deck?

Answer - For your kind information I would like to inform you that a statement released by EPA on 12th February 2002, clearly indicates that the agency has not any ways indicated the CCA treated lumber to pose as threat to the environment or as unsafe for being used in the deck structures and is still available in the lumber stores. So the print editors or the television reporters were either dead exhausted, over working or sleeping if they have reported such a statement. The agency has not recommended or ordered any replacement or removal of such existing structures around houses which include the deck or playground equipment. Considering that it is safe to assume that your existing structure is great if maintained properly.

Such chemically treated wood has been vastly used since 1940’s. In this process copper, chromium and arsenic combined are mixed with water and the dissolved resultant injected in the wood under high pressure. These chemicals are well capable to resist damages by insects or fungus, particularly the ones responsible for harming or rotting the wood. So they are in fact responsible for preserving the wood from harmful elements. In the recent years, a common perception has been formed by people that dangerous amongst of chemicals leach from the chemically treated lumber.   

It is a fact that chemicals may leach from timber, as they are soluble in water which clearly indicates melted snow or rain water to seep into the wood and mix with the chemical solution inside the wood. This further may seep out and the resultant water infected by the chemical can be harmful for you or your family or even the area around. Another doubt is whether the chemicals are sufficient to harm any one. In this regards, there have been many researches and studies, and we follow the studies by EPA which regards the treated lumber to be safe for use.

But we also have to consider the dynamics of the happenings. As we are all aware that these chemicals are soluble in water, we can certainly take measures for preventing water to enter the treated lumber, which would possibly be a great step for prevention. For doing so treat the lumber with superior quality synthetic resin water repellent, as these act as great sealants, in comparison to the sealants made of natural oils. The natural oil sealants attract mildew and algae, so these are not recommended, as they also turn the color of the deck to green and black, whereas the synthetic resin sealants do not let the algae and mildew to grow.

Before treating, make sure that the deck is properly cleaned. Do not consider using power washing as this effects the light colored rings formed in the wood during the summers. Secondly pressure washing may also push water deep inside the wood hence causing the chemical solutions to dissolve and seep out. If you ever try collecting the resulting water after power washing, you would observe millions of small wooden fibers which contain CCA chemicals.

Instead consider using oxygen bleach which is not as harsh as chlorine bleach and dissolves comfortably with water and does not affect the color of the wood. Also, it does not affect the surrounding vegetation, as in case of chlorine bleach. A lot of over the counter products are available in the market, which possess the chlorine bleach, but are sold under different names. Sodium hypochlorite, which is the chemical name of chlorine bleach, should also not be used.

After the oxygen bleach is properly dissolved in water, the solution can be conveniently applied over the deck. Once it is applied over the surface of the deck, you will observe froth forming over the surface and the millions of tiny bubbles will get to work on cleaning the wood. Let this happen for approximately ten-fifteen minutes and then brush of the bubbles with gentle strokes using a broom or a scrubbing brush. Rinse the surface with normal pressure water and let it dry. If you wish to apply some sealant over the surface, just let the surface dry, then you can apply the sealant after a few hours and then sit back and relax for a couple of years to clean the deck.



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