How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your Patio

How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your Patio

Patios can be a great addition to your house, but if you don’t take care of them properly, they could become a haven for pests that chew on wood and create cracks in floors. Take some time and read through this brief to learn how to keep your patio looking its best!

• Power Wash Your Patio

If you have a patio surface that is caked with dirt and grime, the best way to get it clean is to use a pressure washer. A portable power washer uses a high-powered jet of water that removes everything from the top layer down to the baseboards. This process is best done in the spring or fall before the winter frost has a chance to hold onto your wood.

Patios also need to be kept clean to prevent damage from mold and rot. If left alone, mold will eat through your wood and create a hole that is extremely difficult to patch up without completely replacing the section of wood. Mold removal can be done with bleach or other cleaning agents, but the best solution is prevention.

• Avoid Mildew

To help keep your patio free from mildew, you’ll need to purchase a high-quality sealant for the boards. Wood is porous and can absorb moisture, which is what allows mildew to grow. A good sealer will prevent water absorption on all levels, helping your wood stay mold-free.

Also, be sure to sweep your patio every day. Dust and other particles can clog up the pores in your wood, preventing the natural flow of water into and out of the boards. This means that your patio will stay wetter for longer periods, creating a perfect environment for mildew growth.

• Scrubbing Down Your Patio

If you seal your wood but notice that it still has a smear of dirt on the surface, don’t worry. You aren’t going to have to pressure wash everything or purchase an entirely new patio set. Instead, grab your old toothbrush and some cleaning agents like bleach or soap. While taking off grime is best done with power washers, getting dirt off of the surface is best done with a little elbow grease.

After removing the grime, use your old toothbrush to scrub down any nooks or crannies that are caked with dirt. If you notice that your patio is starting to rot or warp, use the toothbrush to remove all of the dirt and mold. This will prevent further damage by ensuring that every bit of grime has been removed.

After you have taken care of all the dirt, use your soap to clean off the wood. A good scrub will not only get rid of the grime but also any other bacteria that has grown on top of it. Finally, reapply your sealant to protect your patio from water damage and future mold growth.

To help keep your patio looking its best,  pressure washing is recommended with the help of a power washer in the spring or fall before winter frost sets in and using sealant to protect against water damage. Make sure you sweep up dust particles every day so that they don’t clog up pores on wood surfaces; scrub dirt off when necessary with an old toothbrush and cleaning agents like bleach or soap. When all is done, make sure you reapply sealant to prevent future mold growth!

Author: Allen Brown.