After a long winter that may have seen torrential rain, ice and even snow, decking can look a little tired and in need of some care and attention. In three easy steps, you can soon have your outside area ready for anything the summer has to offer.
Cleaning decking
- Start by sweeping the decking thoroughly with a stiff brush, paying particular attention to the grooves between the decking boards.
- Next clean the timber with a solution of a litre of bleach in 12 litres of water, with 5 tablespoons of ammonia-free laundry detergent added. Apply with a mop or pump sprayer and leave for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, scrub the decking with a brush before rinsing the cleaning solution off with a hose.
- Note – it is not recommended to use a pressure washer on timber decking as it can cause damage by splintering the wood. If you do need to use a pressure washer, for example for large areas, do not exceed a maximum pressure of 500psi, keep the nozzle away from the surface to avoid marking the timber and always move along the grain of the wood.
Fix any damage
Once the decking is clean and free of loose debris, check it closely for damage such as splintered or cracked boards, or water-damaged boards. Check also that newel posts, joists, spindles and handrails are all structurally sound. If any damage is found, replace the affected part to ensure your decking remains safe. Our decking department has everything you need, including fixings.
With the decking clean and repaired, it’s time to revive its looks.
How to treat and restore timber decking
If your timber decking has lost some of its colour through exposure to the elements, apply a decking stain to enhance its appearance. Protek Decking Stain contains resin additives for a flexible and hardwearing finish and is available in a choice of colours. Resistant to cracking and peeling, the decking stain should not be applied to new decks under three months old that have not had sufficient time to weather.
Where the colour of your decking has not faded, a protective coating should be applied to seal out moisture and give a long lasting finish. Protek Wood Protector is weather resistant and prevents excess dirt becoming ingrained in the timber, making the decking easier to sweep clean.
Correct care and maintenance will add years to the life of your timber decking but freshly installed decks will also benefit from a regular, annual maintenance programme from within three months of being installed, and the same steps can be followed.
At Witham Timber, we have over 200 years of experience in the provision of quality timber products to homes and businesses. All our decking products are manufactured from sustainable timber and our experienced sales team has a wealth of knowledge that they are always happy to share. If you have any queries regarding your decking or want to enquire about a new decking installation, call us on 01205 359188 or send an email to sales@withamtimber.co.uk