Serving Areas of
Carroll, Washington, Frederick, Howard and Western Baltimore Counties in Maryland.

We accept Credit Cards:
Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

MHIC # 51996

Decks

Professional Power Washing Services 

_{Not Just Clean....... Squeaky Clean!!!}

DECK RESTORATION PROCESS

To bring out the natural beauty of the wood we remove the dirt, mildew, old stains, and sealers.  Then we apply a high quality penetrating oil sealer.

• We start the cleaning process by applying a non-toxic cleaner to loosen up the dirt, mildew, and grey wood fibers.  These contaminants can then be easily washed away.  If old sealer or stain is present, it is removed with specially designed strippers.
   

• The deck is then power washed under moderate pressure.  By using these cleaners and strippers less pressure is required, therefore doing less damage to the surface of the wood.
   

• After the cleaning or stripping is complete, a wood brightener is applied.  This brings the wood back to its natural color and it neutralizes the stripper.
   

• The deck is then allowed to dry thoroughly before sealing.  (Approximately 1-2 days)
   

• Our sealer of choice is Ready Seal. It is a high quality penetrating oil sealer that offers optimal protection from sun and weather while providing a natural looking transparent finish in several different wood tones. For additional information visit their web site at www.readyseal.com.
   

• Two coats of sealer are applied to the floor and the tops of the railings.  Providing maximum protection to the areas that receive the most weather.
   

• We use a brush, sprayer or roller to apply the sealer, using the method best suited to the conditions and circumstances at the time. 
   

• Neatness is always one of our main concerns.  We do not want to leave more of a mess than when we started.
   

• The same products and basic process can also be used in the restoration of fences, cedar siding and cedar shingled roofs, though the application methods may be different.
   

• This treatment should be repeated about every two years depending on exposure and traffic.

 MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
DECK RESTORATION (CLEANING & PRESERVING)

Q.        Why does my deck need sealing or preserving?  It’s made of pressure treated lumber.

A.        Pressure treated lumber is treated to prevent rot, decay, and insect infestation.  However, constant changes in the moisture content due to water penetration can cause warping and splitting.  A wood preservative and sealant is needed to prevent excessive water penetration and damage.

Q.        Can you remove the grey color?

A.        The grey color is caused by the presence of degraded wood fibers on the surface.  We use special cleaners to remove these fibers, mildew and other dirt and brighten up the deck.

Q.        Can you remove the old stain or sealer?

A.        It is important to remove any old sealer or stain before applying a penetrating sealer.  Old finishes will interfere with penetration.

Q.        How often does it need to be done? 

A.        Decks should be cleaned and sealed about every two years, depending on its exposure to sun, weather and traffic.

Q.        What do you use to clean the deck?

A.        We use specially designed cleaners and strippers to remove mildew, dirt, grey color and old sealers to restore the deck to a like new condition.

Q.        Will it damage the grass or the bushes?

A.        The cleaner we use is safe on your shrubs and lawn.

Q.        How long does it usually take?

A.        Most jobs require one day for cleaning and one day for sealing with enough time in between for proper drying.

Q.        Are you licensed and insured?

A.        Yes.  We are licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.  MHIC# 51996.

Q.        Do you bring your own water?

A.        We do have the capability to haul some water to the job site.  However, some jobs require more water than we can haul.  You need to inform us in advance if water is a concern.

ARE YOU SAFE FROM YOUR DECK

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a pesticide commonly used in pressure-treated wood. It protects wood from deterioration, thus prolonging the life of outdoor wood structures such as decks and children’s play equipment. Recent EPA studies have shown that rainwater leaches CCA from the treated wood. A significant pesticide residue can be left on the wood’s surface. This pesticide residue can easily be wiped from the wood surface and picked up on hands or clothing.

The most toxic part of the CCA pesticide formulation is arsenic. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen which can be toxic to the skin and internal organs. These effects require long-term exposure and take years to develop. At high doses arsenic is an acute poison that can cause death./ However, the levels of exposure possible from arsenic in wood are too low to cause such acute effects. The major health concerns are that daily contact with arsenic leached from CCA treated wood might, under certain circumstances, lead to increased risk of long-term health problems.

During treatment, the boards are dipped into a CCA bath under high pressure. This forces arsenic into the wood but it doesn’t seal the wood against the weather. Once in the environment, rain water can penetrate into the wood and dissolve arsenic, bringing it back to the surface. As wood ages and cracks the process speeds up. New boards may also have a surface residue of arsenic that had not penetrated into the wood during the treatment process. The amount that leaches is enough to contaminate soil immediately below and next to the wood structure, and to leave a residual coating of dislodgeable arsenic on the wood surface.

Studies performed by he EPA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show that arsenic is readily available on the surface of CCA treated boards. The amount of arsenic that children and others can pick up from these boards may be greater than exposure from other sources. Arsenic is a natural trace element present in soil, water, food, and air. It is now clear that CCA treated wood can be a major source of arsenic for children who frequently play on treated play sets and decks. Arsenic is easily taken up onto hands from simple contact with the wood surface. Young children with frequent hand mouth activity may swallow some of this arsenic. While the amount taken up depends upon many factors, studies show that both new and old boards have a significant amount of arsenic on the surface. Given the widespread use of CCA-treated wood it is possible for some children and others to be exposed to arsenic on a daily basic.

A large amount of pressure treated lumber has been used over the last twenty years, for everything from decks and play sets to picnic tables and retaining walls, and though generally considered safe some steps need to be taken to cut down on the amount of CCA that is able to leach out of the wood. For existing CCA-treated wood, the best way to minimize arsenic leaching is to seal the wood by applying a sealant every two years. This practice is in accordance with the wood manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance of treated wood. Proper sealants will not only help keep the wood from cracking and splitting, it can also greatly decrease the amount of arsenic that can form a residue on the wood’s surface. EPA studies suggest that penetrating oil based stains are among the most affective sealants that can be used to prevent exposed outdoor surfaces from leaching arsenic.

Hand washing after contact is effective in reducing exposure, but is only practical after a child is finished playing. Sealants are the best way to protect yourself and your family from arsenic exposure to CCA from lumber and we will be glad to contact you every two years so that your deck stays properly protected. Deck maintenance is about more than protecting your deck from the elements, it is also about protecting you from your deck.