A backyard deck is the best platform for good times, but that wooden surface requires proper care. Proper care is essential for your timber decking to keep its beautiful colour and natural look. It will also stay smooth to the touch and free from splinters, which makes your deck a safe environment for children and pets. If you look after your timber deck annually, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Washing and cleaning your deck:
Who doesn’t love a clean deck but leaves and dirt on your deck for a long time can lead to discoloration, mold,d and rotting on your beautiful timber decks. Try to give your deck a good cleaning as regularly as you can, but the minimum requirement is that you maintain your deck at least once a year.
When you start cleaning, sweep your deck to remove visible debris and dirt from the surface. It is important to use a soft-bristled brush or broom and the right cleaning solution for your deck to clean your deck’s surface.
There is a specific timber deck cleaner for wood decking, and products tailored especially for composite decks. It is recommended to use deck cleaner to help wash away dirt, build-up and kill mould and fungus.. For more severe situations, call professional cleaners to help you out.
Deck repair and general maintenance:
It will be easy to inspect and identify any problem areas once you’ve cleaned your deck and to check for loose, split or rotten boards. It’s necessary to repair these, fix them back in place, or replace them with new ones. If it is not fixed as soon as possible, it can lead to additional deck deterioration.
Timber boards can expand and shrink as it ages, making nails and screws rise above its surface. If this occurs, grab a hammer and nail punch or screwdriver and put them back into place, slightly below the deck’s surface. Remember to inspect your deck for any rusty nails or screws, replace them right away because they can cause discoloration to your timber.
Apply stains and sealants for your deck:
To protect your beautiful backyard deck from the ravages of sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations, you need to apply sealants and stains on your deck. First, you need to know what the difference between sealants and stains is.
Sealants are primarily used to protect against moisture damage. They contain waterproof or hydrophobic properties and have thicker viscosity than stains. Sealants do not contain any pigmentation.
Stains, on the other hand, provide a stronger UV protection than sealants and they always include pigmentation which adds color to your deck. But they lack moisture protection.
A combination of stains and sealants offers good protection against both UV and moisture damage with the least drawbacks. The recommendation is to apply the stains to your deck first then after 48 hours, apply sealant.
The general rule of thumb is that you should re-apply stains and sealants once a year. In sunnier regions, this rule is strongly recommended to protect your deck from powerful UV rays. Less sunny places can get away with a two or even three years cycle.
Before the application of stains and sealants, you must sand your deck carefully to ensure the sealant can soak into the wood evenly and completely so that the products can provide long-term protection for your deck.
