How do you keep your new timber deck looking as good as new? Regular maintenance!
An exposed deck has to stand up to all sorts of punishment - too much moisture, drying out, ultraviolet light, mold, mildew, bacteria, spills, scrapes and foot traffic. Following a regular maintenance routine will not only enhance the appearance of your deck but also dramatically extend its life.
Sweeping your deck every week or two will help reduce the build up of dirt and grime and will also help to prevent mold and mildew. Mopping your deck once a month with a wood soap solution will clean up spills and stains as well as enhance the luster of the oil. As with your carpets, it's important to clean spills quickly to prevent staining.
Oiling twice yearly is the real key to a great looking deck. Spring and autumn are the best times to do it, so your deck is best able to deal with the extremes of sumer and winter. But it's not just a matter of slapping on another coat of oil - good preparation is the key to a good result!
The first step is to clean the deck thoroughly. You'll need a bucket of warm water, wood soap (or bleach/chlorine-free sugar soap), a stiff broom and plenty of elbow grease. If you've got some particularly stubborn stains you can try lightly sanding the area with a medium grade sandpaper or applying a diluted oxcalic acid solution to the area (often marketed as a 'Spa and Deck Cleaner').
If your deck is prone to developing mould (particularly common in very shady areas), using a deck clean solution that contains mold and mildew inhibitors is a good idea. These can be found in the deck oil section of your local paint and hardware store.
You'll need to wait until your deck is completely dry before applying any oil or stain - 24hrs is a good rule of thumb.
Now you face a delema...should you use an oil or a stain?
Traditionally, a stain is used to either change the colour of a deck or to bring some life back to a greying deck. We recommend that an oil with a slight stain is used on all decks. The school of thought behind this is that the stain acts as a type of sunscreen for the timber and will offer better protection against the harsh summer sun. It's worth noting that if your deck is a dark timber you should use a light coloured stain.
There are plenty of different brands on the market (some that also contain mould and mildew inhibitors) including environmentally and family friendly plant based oils and stains such as Livos, Ecowood and Bio Natural.
The oil/stain is best applied along the length of the decking boards (usually 4 boards at a time) using a woolen application pad on a long handle (found on the shelves next to the deck oils and cleaners). It's best to apply 2 thin coats rather than adopt the 'more is better' rule. Allow each coat to penetrate (each product is different, so please follow the directions on the tin) before wiping off any excess (we use a clean applicator pad for this). Following the manufacturer's recomended penetration time, apply a second thin coat and wipe off any excess as before.
After you've packed everything away, it's time for the final, and agruably most important, step in the process...make yourself a drink, sit down and enjoy your deck!