Window Genie Deck Washing & Sealing

Window Genie's wood care program is a time tested process that will provide superior results to any outdoor wood surface ranging from decks and fences to swingsets and gazebos.

Has your wood deck or wood fence become gray, dingy and weathered over the years? Have you thought that replacing the wood was the only answer? Do you avoid outdoor entertaining because you are embarrassed by how bad it looks? If the answer is yes, Window Genie has the solution that can save you time, money and a lot of aggravation.

Our initial wood cleaning process begins with a safe, medium-pressure wash to remove the dead wood fibers, as well as, old sealers and algae. Once the wood is back to a "like new" appearance, our trained technicians apply a premium wood sealer to safely protect your wood from the harmful effects of the sun and rain. With a variety of sealer colors designed to enhance the wood grain, not cover it up, our professionals will help you select the right color for your project. With a regular 2-year maintenance program, Window Genie will help keep your wood looking its best and avoid the costly problems of splintering, warping and cupping that occurs to unsealed wood.

One year after sealing, your deck will still be protected against water damage, rot and decay. Depending on the location of your deck and how often it is used, it may be necessary to do a light yearly cleaning for esthetic reasons. Sealing is not required at this point. If dirt accumulation is minimal, you should be able to do this yourself following the instructions below. Window Genie also offers a yearly cleaning service for your convenience.

	We pre-treat the wood with our own Dirt and Algae killer, if the wood is extremely gray or mildewed. This loosens the ground-in dirt and kills the mildew that exists on the surface, as well as down in the wood. It is also extremely effective when removal of old sealer is necessary.
	We pressure wash all exposed surfaces to safely remove dead wood fibers, dirt and mildew. This helps to restore the natural look to the wood and prepares it for the sealer.
	We protect the wood with a premium sealer with equipment specially designed to apply the correct amount of product. This protects the wood from the sun and water and gives a rich, lustrous finish to the wood.

Can I use bleach to clean my wood deck?

Window Genie never uses bleach on a deck and we recommend you don't either. Bleach does a good job of killing mildew but does nothing against dirt. Think about what you use when you do your laundry, you may use bleach as a whitening agent, but you still use a detergent to clean your clothes.

Bleach is used by paper manufacturers to break down lignin, which is the natural component that holds wood fibers together. Excessive bleach will do the same thing to a deck. If this happens the wood fibers will appear loose. With continued use, you will actually be able to tear the wood with a gentle push of your fingernail. In addition, when used in strong enough concentrations, bleach can actually corrode iron nails, nuts & bolts that may be holding your deck together.

When buying a commercial deck cleaner, check the labels for sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite. These ingredients are just technical terms for bleach, and will do the same damage as the bleach you buy in the supermarket. Don't be fooled by claims of "buffered bleach" either. Even with fancy names, bleach is still bleach, and it is always damaging.

I want to pressure wash myself

The pounds per square inch of water pressure (PSI) used in cleaning decks ranges from 300 to 3,000. Window Genie uses an average of 1500 - 2000 PSI, depending on the condition of the wood. Cedar and redwood demands much less pressure.

There are several low powered pressure washers marketed directly to homeowners. A pressure washer is not difficult to operate. HOWEVER, it is very easy for an untrained individual to damage wood with too much pressure. If you have never used a pressure washer before, experiment on a few old pieces of wood first. If you have a second story deck, you may be able to practice on the non-visible underneath portion. If you are also using a chemical cleaner, you will be able to clean the deck at a lower pressure.

If you are buying a pressure washer aimed at the home use, your only option will likely be cold water. That's okay. Window Genie uses and recommends cold water for wood surfaces. Heat causes wood to expand and this results in an over absorption of water that is damaging for the wood. Hot water pressure cleaning on wood is only suitable in situations where there are heavy grease stains or sealant. If that's the case, you should call a professional. Hot water pressure washing requires a trained professional.

Wood Fuzzies

Pressure washing removes the outer layer of dead wood. Sometimes this causes the wood to furr, sometimes referred to as fuzzies. The wood looks like it has some short fuzzy hairs. This is caused by the tearing of the wood fibers. This is normal, and will generally go away in 2 or 3 weeks. It is okay to apply sealer over fuzzies.

Fuzzies can also be removed with a light sanding. Depending on the extent of damage, a kitchen scrubber or pool brush may be all you need to blend in the damage. If the fuzzies are deep and more extensive you may wish to use sandpaper or bronze wool. We recommend using bronze wool as opposed to steel wool, because it will not leave a rust spot. If you scrub your wood deck with steel wool, tiny steel particles will be left behind. They may not even be visible. However, the small particles will remain in the wood and with rain they will begin to oxide. The result will be rust spots.

Cleaning a Previously Sealed Deck

When it's time to reseal your deck, it is very important that all previous sealer is removed before a new sealer is applied. This is true even if you are using the same brand sealer. Sealer works by being absorbed into the wood. If any old sealer remains, there will be interference with the absorption. Sodium Hydroxide based strippers will remove most old sealant. Be sure to follow product directions carefully. Soft woods such as cedar and pine are most susceptible to chemical damage from strippers.

Some brands of sealer are more difficult to remove than others. In our experience, Behr is one of the most difficult sealers to remove. It may be necessary to do at least two cleanings before all the old sealer is removed.

Window Genie uses our own cleaner, Window Genie Dirt and Algae Killer, to remove old sealers and stains from your deck.

Sealing Hints

Check the weather reports carefully. You need a three consecutive days with no rain: the day before you apply the sealer, the day you actually apply the sealer, and the day after it was applied.
When sealing a large deck that will need several cans, mix all the batches together in one container (if possible) to insure color uniformity and consistency. This is especially important if you are using some old sealer and some new sealer.
Always try to apply sealer to wet or damp sealer. If you choose to apply two coats, do it while the first coat is still wet.
Always brush out any runs or puddles quickly.
Sealers will generally cover 100 to 250 Sq. Ft per gallon. Check the label of your specific product. Older wood may need up to twice as much. Measure your deck and try to buy only what you need.
Try not to apply sealer during the hottest part of the day, or when the wood feels hot to the touch.

Additional Information

Your entire deck should be cleaned one year after sealing.

Your entire deck should be cleaned once year after sealing. Spot cleaning should be done as necessary, whenever something oily is spilled on your deck, such as a dropped hamburger. Scrub your deck with a solution of regular liquid dishwashing soap and warm water. Use a medium bristle, nylon scrub brush that will not dig into the wood too much. Rinse with plenty of water until no suds remain. Unless you have some problem spots that were left untreated for long periods of time, this cleaning should suffice. If you have extensive staining, algae or mold on your deck, a stronger cleaner will be necessary. From your local hardware store or Home Depot, purchase a liquid deck cleaner and brightener. This will be more aggressive than soap and water, but it will not remove the existing sealer. The product is safe and easy to use, just follow the instructions.

I want to learn general information about wood protection

American Wood-Preservers' Association: establishes the standards for the wood preservation industry.
American Wood Preservers Institute: Information on the types, uses, handling, and regulation of pressure treated wood.
The United States department of Agriculture has a forest product laboratory that answers many of your questions on wood. They also have an article describing the essentials of a good deck sealer.