COMMON
MAINTENANCE
CONCERNS
The continuous changes
in weather conditions
are extremely harsh on
your deck or other
pressure treated project.
Your maintenance plan
must be geared to
combat the problems
caused by water
absorption and water
loss, mildew growth,
and discoloration of the
wood due to the sun’s
ultraviolet light.
All of the maintenance
concerns discussed
below are weather
related. The degree to
which your pressure
treated project is affected
by them depends on
many factors. These
factors include general
climate conditions (such
as normal precipitation,
humidity, etc.) and
location in your yard
(with regard to direct
sun exposure, foliage
coverage, etc.) It is
important to note that
the pressure treatment
does not increase the
likelihood that your
deck or outdoor project will develop these natural defects to
any
|
|
greater degree than
the same material left
untreated. These
weather related defects
are beyond the control
of the pressure treatment
process and therefore,
are outside the scope
of the Lifetime
Limited Warranty.
SHRINKING &
SWELLING
Continuous water
absorption and water
loss in the wood used
for your deck or out-
door project will cause
its natural defects to surface. The most common are:
|
|
A well maintained
deck or outdoor project
will still experience
some of these natural
defects. However, the
extent can be significantly
reduced through a maintenance plan.
MILDEW GROWTH
Whenever wood,
including pressure
treated, is constantly
exposed to moist or
humid conditions, it will
mildew. This results in
an unsightly appearance.
Your preventative
maintenance plan will
need to include cleaning
your deck with a
cleaner containing a
mildewcide. This will
insure that as the
effectiveness of the mold
inhibitor declines over
time, your pressure
treated project will
remain bright and
attractive. Remember,
your focus here is on
the appearance and not
decay, because all of our
pressure treated wood
has a Lifetime Limited
Warranty against fungal
decay.
(continued
on next page) |
ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION
Without any preventative
steps taken to block the
sun’s ultraviolet rays, the
surface cells of the wood
on your pressure treated
project will begin to
discolor to the familiar
weathered gray. Although
some of you may prefer
this, others won’t. If you
want to maintain the
greenish tint of pressure
treated wood, you will
need to not only clean/
brighten your deck
periodically but also
choose a water repellent
finish with an ultraviolet
stabilizer. The stabilizer
will not prevent eventual
discoloration, but will
slow down the process.
Periodic reapplication of
a UV stabilizer will help
in this effort over an extended period of time.
INITIAL MAINTENANCE
1.Start by cleaning your
project with a cleaner/
brightener that contains
a mildewcide. Because
your deck is new, this
step is truly preventative.
2. Next, apply a topical
sealant for surface
protection. Do not use
a conventional multi-
coat paint system or
varnish. The per-
formance is nearly
always disappointing,
and repainting often has to be preceded by
scraping and sanding.
Instead choose |
|
either
a pigmented or clear
outdoor wood sealer.
Unlike true paints, these
sealers allow moisture
vapor to leave the wood
slowly after the coating
has been applied. For
that reason, either can be
applied as soon as the
surface no longer looks
wet. Your choice of sealer
should include not only a
water repellent but also a
UV stabilizer to slow the
discoloration process.
FIRST YEAR MAINTENANCE
1.Reapply cleaner/
brightener as described
in initial maintenance,
as well as another
application of your
outdoor wood sealant.
The topical water
repellent and ultra-
violet stabilizer will
keep your outdoor project looking fresh.
2.Complete your first
year maintenance after 12 months.
*Remember, even consistent
maintenance will not prevent
the natural defects of wood
from surfacing - but your efforts can minimize them.
FUTURE PERIODIC
PREVENTATIVE AINTENANCE
1.Depending on the
location of your outdoor project, with regard to
direct sun exposure, |
|
foliage coverage, etc.,
it may be sufficient to
clean/brighten and recoat every two years.
2. If you decide to wait
two or more years to
perform your next
cleaning/brightening,
you may want to use a
power washer. Be sure
that the cleaner/
brightener you use contains a mildewcide.
3. After every cleaning,
reapply an outdoor
wood sealer that
contains both a water
repellent and ultraviolet stabilizer.
Your maintenance efforts
will give you a pressure
treated project that will
look bright and fresh for
years to come
Pressure Treated Project Ideas:
• Decks
• Trash Receptacle Enclosures
• Fencing
• Garden Fencing
• Deck Skirting
• Porch & Patio Covers
• Trellis
• Window Screening
• Picnic Tables
• Gazebos
• Mobile Home Skirting
• Climber/Vine Supports
• Lattice
• Flower Bed Edging
• Pools
• Outdoor Ceiling
• Fence Tops
• Storage Areas |
|
