Why Is My Deck Turning Green

An algae stain on wood will be greenish brown in appearance and slippery to the touch.
Why is my deck turning green. The lifespan of a wooden fence depends on several factors including the type of wood and the maintenance work you invest in it. Not only is a green patio an eye sore but it can also cause structural damage if left unchecked. A pool s free chlorine level should be between two and four parts per million. Q i live in a town house that has an outdoor wood deck made of pressure treated 2 by 4s.
Algae will grow almost anywhere if the conditions are right and your deck is no exception. Simply stated the sun is responsible for turning your wood deck fence or shingles gray. Unfortunately this is an all too common problem experienced by homeowners. The decking has turned green with mildew and the builder has suggested using k2 spot remover to clean it.
Many of the common deck sealers you see are made with natural oils and waxes. Have you noticed your wooden patio deck turning green. Why does my wood turn gray and green. As leaves pine needles and other debris accumulate on your deck they block sunlight from reaching the wood s surface and create an ideal breeding.
The two main factors you ll need to be mindful of are debris and moisture. While you should try to hose and broom off the porch floor several times a summer to keep it clean nothing can stop the. Keeping your deck clean and pristine will not only make it more appealing cleaning the wood will help it last longer and protect it from harmful substances. Green stains on a deck usually indicate that the wood has fallen prey to algae.
Algae growth turns a pool green and algae grows when pool water lacks chlorine. At least some green discoloration will likely return in a year or two. It s not uncommon for algae to grow on wooden surfaces especially in areas that are shaded from sunlight. Black spots on your deck might be fungi decaying the wood or tannin stains.
If a chlorine test such as poolmastersmart test 4 way swimming pool and spa water chemistry test strips reveals a lower number add more chlorine to the pool water until it s in. The process occurs through photo oxidation of the surface catalyzed by uv radiation in sunlight and is augmented by rain changes in temperature traffic etc. That means with proper maintenance it s relatively easy to prevent your wood deck from turning green. Use the right chemical to clean the wood deck and remove these black spots.
It typically doesn t happen overnight but months or years of exposure to moisture can turn an otherwise clean patio deck to a yucky green tinted mess. These products are the very food that mildew and algae love to eat.