Garden decking can transform an outdoor area, and create a stylish extension to your living space, but if not maintained, can soon fall into disrepair…
Clean
Now is the perfect time of year to give your decking a good clean. Blast away the memories of Summer’s al fresco living, and get ready for Winter’s hibernation and darkness! We think the Karcher K2 Compact Pressure Washer is an ideal home jet washer.
If you don’t have access to a pressure washer, then thoroughly wet down your deck and scrub it with a stiff brush. We love Gorilla Brooms available from Mackays in Cambridge.
If there are slightly rotten boards or areas on your decking, scrape away the really soft or flaking wood with a metal pallet knife and apply a wood treatment liberally to the area, and leave to dry for 24 hours. Lumberjack Triple Action Wood Treatment is idea
Protect
Decking is at its most vulnerable in the Winter months, so a good decking oil treatment, once a year will help protect your deck from damp and frost.
After cleaning, leave your decking to dry for 24 hours. Sweep away any debris and leaves; make sure the outside temperature is at least 8 degrees; then paint the decking with an undiluted decking oil using a wide, soft brush or fabric roller. Apply liberally, but don’t have it pooling on the surface. We love Barrettine All in One Decking Oil Treatment.
Repeat the process for a second coat if you want extra protection. Allow to dry for 24 hours, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you start!
If your decking is in particularly bad condition, you can spruce it up by diluting the decking oil with one part white spirit to four parts decking oil and painting onto your deck liberally. This will help lift off any staining as well as water-proofing for the future.
For larch or hardwood decking we recommend using Osmo decking oil in order to preserve the wood’s natural character.
If you know your decking is beyond maintaining and needs to be professionally restored or replaced, then get in touch with us now for a quote. Here’s some more of our recent work in Cambridge:
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