A timber deck doesn't just add space to your indoor/outdoor area; it can add real value to your home. The key to ensuring your deck is one of the hero spaces of your home is to keep it up with regular care and maintenance. Follow Masters Home Improvement's step-by-step guide to keep your deck looking as good as new for years to come.

 

Step 1
Sweeping goes a long way - Start by brushing the whole deck with a stiff broom. This helps get rid of loose dirt and lets you see where caked-on mud and moss might be lingering. A weekly sweep also helps prevent water and dust from drying out your boards.

Pressure washing is another option, but it can splinter wood and strip the deck of its protective coating.

 

Step 2

Cleaning - Add some detergent to a bucket of warm water or mix 500ml of bleach in 10 litres of water. Pour the solution onto the deck and scrub with a stiff broom or a large scrubbing brush.

Applying a stronger mixture of bleach or deck-cleaning solution can help get rid of stubborn stains. Alternatively, you can sand off stains and marks. We recommend that you sand the timber after cleaning so you don’t push dirt into the boards as you sand.

Some deck-cleaning products also remove the grey timber on weathered boards and restore the timber colour ready for the oil coating.

Use a hose on bird droppings as soon as you see them. This stops them from staining the boards.

 

Step 3

Assessing the damage - Once the deck is clean, check to see whether there are any loose boards, nails or moisture damage. You can hammer loose boards and nails back in, but timber that moisture has damaged will need more attention. Often, you can removed the damage by vigorously sanding with sandpaper. If most of the deck is rough and weathered, consider hiring an industrial sander.

After you've dealt with your stains and loose boards, give the deck a good hosing and let it dry.

 

Step 4

Oiling and staining - Oiling the deck seals it against the damaging effects of UV rays, which can dry it out and cause boards to shrink or crack.

We recommend choosing a water-based decking oil with advanced UV protection. These are easy to apply, dry quickly and are often resistant to mould and fungus.

Pour the oil into a roller tray. Using an oil applicator, roller or large brush, apply the oil to all areas of the deck. Then let it dry.

Depending on how much sunlight and rain your deck gets, you should add another one or two coats. Undercover decks can go two years without resealing.

 

Step 5

Staining your deck - Staining your deck can give it a lustrous, consistent look. Stain adds colour to your deck and highlights the natural timber grain.

Look for a stain that provides UV protection and weather resistance to help prevent greying of the timber.

You apply the stain the same way you do the oil (see above). Work from one side of the deck to the other, covering one board completely before moving on to the next one. This gives you a smooth finish without the risk of getting the blotchy spots that can occur by painting wet stain over dry stained areas.

 

Ref. Master.com.au

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