Having an outdoor deck can be a wonderful addition to your home, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and expand your living space. However, unpleasant odors emanating from underneath the deck can quickly turn your outdoor oasis into an unenjoyable place. Here are some effective methods for getting rid of odors under your outdoor deck.
Identify the Source of the Odor
The first step is to identify where the odor is coming from so you can target your odor removal efforts effectively. Common sources of smells under decks include:
- Accumulated moisture and mildew from lack of sunlight and air circulation
- Decaying leaves, grass clippings, or other yard debris
- Animal urine or feces
- Rotting wood
- Spilled food or drink
Go under the deck and use your nose to sniff out the primary odor source. Look for visible signs of moisture, mildew, yard waste, animal droppings, or rotted deck boards. Locating the main origin of the smell will allow you to focus on eliminating that issue.
Improve Air Circulation
One of the best ways to get rid of odors under a deck is to increase air circulation in the area. The lack of sunlight and air movement allows smells to fester. Removing items blocking airflow and creating openings will help dry out the space and whisk odors away.
- Clear away all stored items, debris, overgrown vegetation, and anything else preventing air circulation.
- Consider installing lattice panels around the deck perimeter instead of solid skirting.
- Use fans or air movers under the deck to improve airflow.
- If possible, elevate the deck further off the ground to allow more airflow.
Increasing the movement of fresh air will help eliminate moisture buildup and dissipate musty odors.
Remove Built Up Mildew and Grime
Humidity and lack of sunlight under decks causes mildew and mold growth leading to unpleasant smells. Removing built up mildew and grime will help freshen the area.
- Use a hose with a strong spray nozzle to wash away loose dirt and debris under the deck.
- Scrub mildewed areas with a stiff brush and cleaning solutions containing chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach.
- For tougher mildew, apply deck cleaner containing sodium percarbonate, then rinse.
- Power wash or use a pressure washer if extensive scrubbing is needed to remove grime.
- Allow all cleaned areas to dry fully to prevent remolding.
Thoroughly washing away accumulated mildew and grime eliminates mustiness and foul odors.
Get Rid of Yard Debris and Waste
Rotting leaves, grass clippings, and other yard debris harbors odors. Animal feces and urine also causes strong smells. Getting rid of waste and debris underneath the deck can drastically reduce odors.
- Rake, sweep, or shovel out all leaves, sticks, grass clippings, dirt, and other yard debris.
- Use an enzyme cleaner specifically formulated to eliminate pet urine or feces odors.
- For persistent urine smells, treat the soil with lime to neutralize odors.
- Cover bare dirt areas with gravel, landscape fabric, or mulch to prevent weed growth and waste accumulation.
Performing a thorough cleaning of all yard debris, animal droppings, and other waste will help eliminate many unpleasant deck odors.
Replace Rotted or Moldy Deck Boards
Rotting, moldy deck boards are a common source of bad odors outside. Replacing any decking boards that are deteriorated or permeated with mold will remove this smell culprit.
- Inspect deck boards for soft, crumbly wood, moisture damage, or visible mold growth.
- Use a screwdriver to probe for rotted areas that need replacement.
- Remove and replace any severely damaged boards.
- Treat mildly rotted wood with a wood hardener to strengthen it.
- Make sure replacement deck boards are pressure treated.
Swapping out rotted decking boards for new pressure-treated lumber will get rid of odors from decaying wood. Properly maintaining your deck wood helps prevent future issues.
Use Odor Neutralizers
Specialized odor eliminating products can help neutralize and eliminate unpleasant smells under decks. These provide a deep clean smell rather than just masking odors.
- Apply an enzymatic cleaner made to remove odors from concrete and wood.
- Spread odor eliminating pellets or powder on the ground under the deck, allowing the rain to activate them.
- Place containers of activated charcoal or baking soda around the deck to absorb odors.
- Spray microbial cleaner onto wood surfaces to remove odors safely without harsh chemicals.
Odor eliminating products provide a simple and effective way to get rid of stubborn smells coming from under a deck.
Improve Drainage and Correct Moisture Issues
Excess moisture under decks from poor drainage often causes foul odors. Taking steps to improve drainage and eliminate standing water helps keep smells away.
- Use gravel, sand, or mulch to fill in low spots prone to water collection.
- Install French drains or catch basins to divert rainwater away from the deck.
- Slope the ground under the deck to encourage water runoff.
- Extend downspouts farther away from the deck perimeter.
- Improve gutters and drainage around the home to reduce water flow under the deck.
Addressing any moisture or drainage problems minimizes the conditions that breed odors and mildew growth under decks.
Regularly Clean Under the Deck
Make regularly cleaning under your deck part of your outdoor maintenance routine. This prevents future buildup of yard debris, waste, and moisture that causes odors.
- Check under the deck at least twice a year for any accumulating debris or smells.
- Rake or sweep away leaves or other yard waste before it decays.
- Use a hose or pressure washer to clean the deck substructure annually.
- Reapply odor removers or mildew spray treatments periodically.
- Monitor for any new odor sources or moisture issues.
Staying on top of cleaning under your deck minimizes odor causing grime and waste before it gets out of hand. Combining several of these methods provides the best solution for eliminating unpleasant odors from under outdoor decks. With a little time and elbow grease, you can restore your deck’s pleasant outdoor aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eliminating Odors Under Decks
What is the most common cause of odors under decks?
The most common source of smells under decks is accumulated moisture and mildew buildup from inadequate airflow and sunlight. Stagnant water and humidity breed mold and fungi growth leading to musty, unpleasant odors.
How can I find the source of smells under my deck?
Go under the deck and sniff around during dry weather to isolate the primary odor source. Look for visible signs of excessive moisture, mold growth, rotting wood, yard debris piles, or animal droppings that may be contributing to smells.
What is the best way to improve airflow under a deck?
Removing debris, installing lattice skirting panels, elevating the deck height, and using fans or air movers are great ways to increase airflow under a deck. Improved air circulation will dissipate odors and moisture.
Will bleach or peroxide get rid of odors under a deck?
Using deck cleaners and wood washes containing chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach, or sodium percarbonate can help eliminate mold and mildew odors when scrubbed onto affected areas. Rinse thoroughly after application.
What should I do with yard waste and debris under my deck?
It’s important to regularly rake, sweep, or shovel out all leaves, sticks, dirt, grass clippings, and other debris. Rotting organic matter causes bad odors. Properly disposing of yard waste keeps smells away.
How can I stop moisture problems under my deck?
Improving drainage, filling low spots, installing French drains, extending downspouts, and correcting any gutter issues helps keep the area under a deck drier. Eliminating excess moisture and standing water prevents odor causing mold and mildew growth.
Conclusion
Unpleasant odors coming from under your deck can make enjoying your outdoor living space unpleasant. Addressing the source of the smell by improving airflow, cleaning away mildew, removing debris, fixing rotted deck boards, and neutralizing odors provides effective odor elimination. Combining several approaches custom-tailored to your specific deck odor issue will yield the best results. With regular maintenance to prevent future buildup of smelly grime, you can successfully rid your deck of unpleasant odors and get back to relaxation and entertainment in your fresh-smelling outdoor oasis once again.