How to Maintain Outdoor Decking

by

Lesley Knowles

Decks are susceptible to damage from a lot of sources which include water, UV rays, snow, wind, foot traffic, and other biological agents, plus what a BBQ party can cause. The sun can cause a gray and weathered look which implies that your wood is drying out. Water from the rain, sprinklers, dew and others can cause algae, mildew, rot, and mold. Additionally, stains from rust, leaves, wax, food and drinks can damage the wood and make it look unpleasant.

Even if your timber supply is pressure-treated, it still can deteriorate especially when it is not maintained well. Proper and regular maintenance and regular cleaning are the most ideal ways to make sure your outdoor deck looks great for a long time. Remember, do not let any stains set or leave them overnight. Clean them up as soon as possible. Sweep often and do not forget to clean the spaces between the boards to remove debris like leaves and others.

Below is a more detailed procedure on how to clean and maintain your outdoor deck.

Step 1: Clean

Remove your furniture or potted plants and sweep the area. Water down your deck while protecting any plants you are not able to move like the one that grow in open ground nearby. Never work in direct sunlight, otherwise it will cause uneven application of materials and streaking. Aside from using bleach, use other special products to clean. Bleach alone only removes stains from mildew and is not able to revive wood fibers degraded by sun\’s rays and get rid of in-ground dirt. In addition, research shows that a surface which has been cleaned with bleach only will have a finish that will fail more quickly.

Once your deck is cleaned, use a reliable deck cleaner based on the directions of the manufacturer. Thoroughly rinse by brushing and hosing. Pressure-washing may be necessary for decks that are heavily stained. Do not seal a dirty deck. Also, never apply finish until it has dried for at least 2 days of warm weather. Most professionals make use of a device called the moisture meter to ensure that the deck is sufficiently dry for finishing.

Step 2: Sand and Repairs

After Step One, there may be weathered areas left. Lightly sand those areas including any splinters, raised grains, lumber stamps, superficial burns, pencil marks, and other marks that may appear through your deck finish.

Then repair anything that is causing any damage to the wood of your deck, things like replacing the head of your sprinkler. Also try moving your potted plants or furniture into other spots. Prolonged contact with the deck can cause damage and require extra treatment.

Step 3: Finish

Your deck is ready for finish after thorough prepping and final sweeping. Remember not to apply finish during the hottest hour of the day or when your deck is hot when you touch it. As a rule of thumb, the surface temperature should not go beyond 75 degrees.

If you want to get the best timber supplies for any decking project you may have, visit the website to

Serano Timber

,

seranotimber.com.au/

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com