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Architecture/Wood Deck To treat or not to treat

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Expert: - 4/4/2006


Question
Hi,
We live in south central Pennsylvania. We have a lovely deck. It's made of treated wood (but NOT the arsenic treated wood that is being phased out).  It is 2 years old, and this summer will be the 3rd year.  I think we need to pressure wash it and treat it with some kind of sealer.  There are several places where moss or algae is growing on it.  I think this green "vegetation" will consume the wood eventually, and cause it to rot if nothing is done.  My husband thinks it's just fine and we never have to do anything to it. What is your opinion?
Thank You,
Jane

Answer
Hi Jane - thanks for your question!

The green growth will definitely shorten the life of the deck - it's a fungus that feeds on moisture and cellulose.

Power washing is one way to clean it, but I wouldn't recommend it for a deck as new as yours.  Power washing will raise the grain and accelerate the rotting of the wood.

Even better than power washing is treating with a commercial fungicide - there are products made especially for cleaning decks.  They'll bleach out the green and kill the fungus at the same time.

Your deck is probably low to the ground without much air circulation, and may be in a shaded area.  Both of those factors contribute to retaining moisture and promoting fungus growth.  Do whatever you can to keep the deck dry and clean.

Definitely don't "seal" the deck - that will prevent the wood from "breathing" at all, and will cause it to rot out even faster.  Just keep it dry and clean - I can't say that too often!

Finally, treated wood is generally poor grade lumber (they don't pressure-treat the good stuff); it won't last long in your climate despite the treatment.  Whenever you get around to replacing it, consider composite products (Trex, etc.) or higher-grade lumber like cedar, redwood, Ipe, etc.  More expensive, yes, but much longer-lasting.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com
www.betterhomedesign.blogspot.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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