Deck Mold

[Peter Milne]

Peggy,I have noticed considerable mold (black specks) in the non skid cross hatched areas of our deck. It shows up clearly on cloudy or rainy days, but disappears almost the instant the sun shines.How would you get rid of this stuff? And just as importantly, how can I keep it from returning?Thanking you in advance.Peter Milne

 

[Steve Dion]

Try Clorox Gel.

Peter:They only way you can prevent mold/mildew from spawning is to kill the spores. I have found that the Clorox Gel is a great cleanup product for the decks. We have some trees in our marina that drop leaves with a sticky yellow sap. I put some of the Clorox Gel on the spots and they actually disolve. Nothing else removed this stuff very well (other than acetone, which I only use reluctantly).You may want to consider mixing up a bucket of boat soap and a cup or two of bleach as an overall treatment and see if this helps too. Be careful when using bleach (you know what it does to fabrics).

 

[Peggie Hall/Headmistress]

Go with Steve's advice

 

[Vic]

Found a cheap power washer from Home Depot ...

cleaned up these spots and other deck problems pretty quickly ... and I'm talking a few years of not doing it. And this is without scrubbing at all. Just don't use too concentrated a spray pattern.Vic

 

[Chris Gonzales]

Like I said

Bleach is good! Thank you, Peggy, for agreeing.By the way Steve, since I am now berthed right across from you, is there a chance I can borrow your Clorox?Chris

 

[Steve Dion]

Not much left!

Chris:I don't have much left. I love bleach. Drink it with my Vodka!<g>

 

[Jim Maroldo]

Bleach is best

Just to reinforce the opinions already given here, I use the Clorox deck cleaner (from Home Depot, etc.) every spring. I spray it on with a tank sprayer, spritz with a bit of water, give a little scrub to work it in to the nooks & crannys, and blast it all off with the power washer. Works great, lasts all season, and its quick, too! Enjoy!Jim Maroldos/v: Lil' Wass Ett