Decking has been a popular part of our gardens in recent years, allowing us to make the most of the British climate and enjoy our wooden decking. There’s nowhere better than some timber decking in your backyard to soak up the sun and eat outdoors. However, when you return to your garden in Spring, you may see that the winter months have left your decking green, slippery, and dirty, highlighting the need for proper deck maintenance. The colour and polish may have deteriorated as a result of exposure to the sun, rain, snow, and frost. Don’t worry, with a little care and protection, you can have clean decking that looks wonderful again in no time with a simple cleaning and treatment routine.
Deck maintenance and how to clean your decking
Knowing what has to be done is essential before starting any decking repair or maintenance job. The deck’s condition, intended appearance, and treatments needed could vary.
Using Pressure Washer
If you decide use a pressure washer to clean your deck, you should still sweep it with a broom and protect the surrounding area to ensure that nothing is ruined. Test the pressure washer first in a hidden place to ensure that it won’t damage the decking. To evenly spread the water pressure, use the widest possible nozzle. To get rid of extremely difficult areas on your deck boards, continue scrubbing with a wire brush.
Use a Cleaning Solution
Some all-purpose decking cleaners may be used to clean your deck and get rid of any mould that may be forming on it, ensuring your deck boards remain in good condition. It’s an easy fix for a variety of issues and will have your deck looking like new in no time.
Decking treatments for maximum care and maintenance
Over time, dirt and dust may accumulate in the honeycomb of tiny cells that make up wood, changing the decking’s general appearance, colour, and brightness.
Regular deck stain just colours the surface area of the wood rather than filling the gaps, so dirt may still enter the cracks.
The easiest way to ‘cap’ these cells is to seal them with Decking Oil, which is put on in liquid form but hardens when dry, closing the open pores. Your decking will have a gorgeous surface that won’t dry out or break thanks to the oil, which also strengthens the timber’s structure as it hardens.
Some decking oils will also include UV filters, which will assist in preventing the wood from greying in the future, keeping your deck looking its best. Apply the oil in two coats with a soft-haired paint brush. The soft-haired brush allows for uniform distribution of the deck oil and also serves as a sponge to soak up any excess deck oil, which can then be utilised further down the deck boards. Oils should be applied lightly and evenly. In the best weather, the first coat will often be touch dry in an hour. If you’ve chosen a coloured oil, you’ll need a second layer to protect the wood and enhance the colour. The process is easy and affordable, and by the end of the day, your decking will be looking clean and ready for summer.