(NC) With warmer weather and longer days comes more time spent outdoors. As you spend more time on your deck, you may notice that it's a little dirty or that its surface is looking a little tired. Here are some quick tips on how to breathe new life into your outdoor haven.

The two main causes of damage to any exterior wood surface are water and ultra violet rays. Although some outdoor woods might have preservatives, they are still susceptible to damage from the elements.

The best way to protect your deck is to clean the surface prior to applying a water repelling product. Using a deck cleaner on the surface is key to removing oxidation, dirt, mould, mildew and dead wood fibres. Cleaners with brighteners in them can also restore the natural colour of cedar.

While a pressure washer can clean the surface, it won't remove all the mould or mildew and can damage the wood surface by removing wood fibres. Try using Thompson's WaterSeal Deck Wash to remove mill glaze on new wood, dirt, mildew and stains and make weathered wood look new. Their heavy duty cleaner removes weathered clear and tinted waterproofers and semi-transparent stains, while restoring the wood's natural colour and beauty.

Once the deck has been cleaned and has had time to dry, you will want to protect against water damage and ultra violet rays, while adding a little colour back into the wood. Modern sealants can be applied the same day you clear off your deck. Deck cleaner & brightener is specially formulated for redwood, cedar, mahogany and other highly extractive woods. Along with a WaterSeal stain, these products will help protect your deck for years to come.

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