algea on wood deck

K

KGILL

New member
Did a deck today that had heavy concentrations of algea on the surface. Some of the wood had algea on the wood after cleaning. What do you suggest?

IMAGE_090.jpgIMAGE_097.jpgIMAGE_094.jpg

I used a contractor grade wood cleaner, and after not getting the results I wanted I moved to a bleach mixture of 1 part 12.5 SH and 4 parts water. Dwell times at least 10 minutes, in some areas 20 minutes.

With regards to the 3rd picture, should the wood vary like it shows in the picture or is one that much cleaner than the others and I need to go back?
 
Sometimes the wood develops stains from the algea being on there so long. Extra bleaching with bleach and acid will lighten the stain but not get rid of it.
 
Have you seen the wood dry? Lots of time that green will go away once dried. Also it could be ACQ treatment greenish tint? Sometimes is very hard to make go away but will be lighter when dried.

What cleaner did you use ?
 
I have not seen the wood dry, but I will in a couple of hours. I used Southern Stain and Seal's wood cleaner. I do not believe it is ACQ treatment, there is some in another area that I believe is ACQ treatment.

When using bleach, I have seen 1 part 12.5 to 4 parts water. Anybody ever use any stronger?

Thank you everyone. I'll let you know how it goes today.
 
KGILL said:
I have not seen the wood dry, but I will in a couple of hours. I used Southern Stain and Seal's wood cleaner. I do not believe it is ACQ treatment, there is some in another area that I believe is ACQ treatment.

When using bleach, I have seen 1 part 12.5 to 4 parts water. Anybody ever use any stronger?

Thank you everyone. I'll let you know how it goes today.
Click to expand...


Yes I have used my mix at 1/2 12%-1/2 water before for real nasty wood but I've had better luck using 1 part 12% - 1 part stripper and 3 parts water.

If what you used was a pre carb it won't get rid of mildew like 12% will. Pre carbs might get the mildew off the surface but not deep in the wood.
 
KGILL said:
With those mixtures you mentioned, how long do let them dwell?
Click to expand...


It all depends how the wood starts looking cause a mix that strong should have an immediate effect but at least 5-15 min dwell keeping it wet and also using a scrub brush while dwelling helps. Tho I still think a mixture with stripper allows you to not use more 12% than really needed. It allows you to not have to work real hard to remove the mildew/grayed wood.
 
Keenan, I usually use house wash mix and add about 16-20oz. of sodium hydroxide in a 5 gallon mix then downstream. 10-15 min. dwell and and rinse with about 2000 psi. Never had any issues removing algae.
 
I would turn that pressure down Johnson you're about a 1000 too high for wood

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
With algea you can use hot water and crank the pressure at first to get it off. Strong bleach or stronger bleach. Pressure is relative to the gallons per minute and the experience of the operator. Also ,hard wood or soft wood and direction of the grain. harder the wood the more pressure you can use. Sodium hydroxide doesn't work that great on biological matter.

I don't use pressure to clean wood anymore anyways . But I use it to rinse.
 
We have has some cases where we did a light sanding on those areas to remove the algae.
 
KGILL said:
I was worried for nothing as the green faded away when it was dried.
Click to expand...


Just what i thought....If it's mildew Bleach will without a doubt make it go away!

P.S I use around 2 k on pressure also with the right tip especially on Pine decks they are pretty tough. If you stay at the right height and keep the wand moving not a problem.
 
Johnson said:
You staining it?
Click to expand...

Nope, the customer is the owner of a printing shop and we traded labor for shirts. I am a small operation and it would have cost me a bunch to get one or two shirts. Getting ten, for cleaning his deck. His brother or brother in law ownes a paint shop and will provide stain.
 
Seymore_BlEaCh said:
Just what i thought....If it's mildew Bleach will without a doubt make it go away!

P.S I use around 2 k on pressure also with the right tip especially on Pine decks they are pretty tough. If you stay at the right height and keep the wand moving not a problem.
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I am glad you guys are here
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top