Garden decking is a fantastic foundation for any outdoor seating area, but you need to look after it to avoid costly repairs. Being outdoors, decking is the most vulnerable to harsh weather and other issues, like pests. To help you get the most out of your decking, we’ve gathered together a series of maintenance tips.
Visual Inspection
Before you get the broom and pressure washer out, carry out a visual inspection of your entire deck. You’re checking for any out-of-place cracks or instances of wood rot, which will lead to more damage if ignored. If you find any loose parts, you need to repair them before you continue with the following maintenance tasks.
Sweep Regularly
Sweeping your deck might feel like a chore, but you should try and implement it into your weekly house maintenance schedule. After your initial surface sweep, take a putty knife and get into all of the cracks to remove any trodden-in dirt.
Water Testing
After sweeping the deck properly, it’s time to dig out the pressure washer, but you need to carry out a water test first. The water test is easy and will tell you whether there are any unnoticed leaks. Simply grab a jar of water and pour it over the surface. If the deck is protected, the water will bead up on the surface. If the test fails, it’s time to thoroughly wash and re-stain the deck.
If there’s any part of the deck allowing water through, it’s important to carry out a further visual inspection for wood rot. In some cases, the damage may be expensive and call for a replacement. If this is the case, follow this link to find out everything you need to know about decks St.Louis from Fence & Deck Depot.
Pressure Washing
Once you’ve dug all the dirt out and carried out a water test, it’s time to start pressure washing. Just when you think the deck is clean, you’ll be surprised at how much dirt comes off. If you need to re-stain your deck, a round of pressure washing is a fantastic way to remove stains and paint.
If you’d rather not use the pressure washer, you can brush-wash the deck instead. To do this, you’ll need to get down and dirty with a cleaning brush and some mild detergent. If you’ve got tough stains on the deck, we recommend an industrial-grade degreaser.
Sand and Seal
After your deck is completely dry, you’ll need to sand it down to remove any splinters caused by the washing process. Providing all is smooth, you’re ready to move on to seal the deck. There are plenty of colors available, but darker options will be more suited to UV. If you want to achieve a more tinted finish, we recommend staining the wood after the sealant has dried.
Keep your deck looking fresh by carrying out regular maintenance, even during the winter months. Not only will regular cleaning keep your deck looking fresh, but it will also help you avoid costly repairs.
