www.lazysusanfurniture.co.ukHow to care for and maintain your wooden decking
If you have a wooden deck then it is important you look after it. Especially if you want it to last as long as possible! Many modern decks are created using pressure treated pine, which will easily last up to 40 years if its cared for and well looked after. However, there are still a few small problems that can occur such as splintering and discolouration. Luckily, Lazy Susan is on hand to help you prevent these potential problems, and by following a few small simple steps that we’ve compiled, you can keep your deck looking in tip top condition.
Maintaining your Deck
To start with, if your deck has only just been installed then you really should start by sealing it. However, it is vital you wait a couple of weeks before you actually do this. After it has been successfully sealed you should then reseal it once a year. Another annual job is to check for any loose boards and screws/nails. You should also make sure to clean the deck at least once a year too. To clean the deck properly you should first remove all furniture, planting etc away from the decking. Sweep the deck to ensure that there are no large pieces of debris in the way. Once it is swept clean you will then be able to check for loose nails and broken wood. If you do see any problems it is important to fix them before you continue to clean the deck.
It is not always essential but at this point I would always hose down the deck before using a cleaning solution, just to remove the dirt that builds up. Read the instructions on the cleaning products that you have purchased to see what they require. Failing to follow these instructions could potentially cause damage to the deck, so it’s worth 5 mins before you get started! As you will be using cleaning chemicals/detergent, please make sure that you take care of surrounding grass and plants. Once you have sprayed the solution onto the deck it will likely take some time to work. Again, read the instructions and see just how long you need to leave the product on the decking. Once that time has elapsed, make sure that you rinse it off thoroughly.
If you’ve got pressure washer (or you’re reading this to see what you need) then use it. They’re expensive, but to be honest they’re the best thing to remove any ingrained dirt/stains. Just be careful that you don’t use too much pressure as believe it or not these things are pretty powerful and you can easily damage the wood. In our opinion, these are the main steps that you should take once a year to maintain a wooden deck. It would also be a good idea to clear up any spills that occur on the deck straight away so that they have less chance of staining the wood and if you follow this advice your wooden decking area should last a very long time.
Re-staining your Deck
If your deck has been neglected and is beyond a good clean, and lets face it, between being walked on and the weather, decks take a a fair amount of abuse and usually do need to be redone every few years or so. In terms of the best type of stain to use, it really depends on the weather we’ve had and the amount of use/traffic that will determine how frequently your deck will need to be redone. The typical deck will last anywhere between two to five years, but choosing the right stain to start with and proper preparation can minimize the work and keep your deck looking new and protect the wood for much longer.
The normal ’staining’ process of a deck is to start by using a transparent or semi-transparent deck stain for the first few years of your deck’s life. As the wood gets a bit worn and begins to look uneven, switch to a semi-solid and then eventually move to a solid stain once the deck is a little more stained and things need covering up. The transparent, semi-transparent and semi-solid deck stains offer the least amount of protection and need to be redone every 2 years or so. However, they often look the best and thankfully require the least amount of preparation to re-stain. Solid deck stains, on the other hand, require more work to re-stain, but usually lasts about 5 years. If you do need to stain your deck or you’ve recently had a deck fitted and you’ve never done it before, then follow these steps and you can’t go wrong:
- Get the right equipment
The first thing to do is to get the equipment you’ll need: Power Washer with at least 3,000 psi that includes a fan tip of 40 degrees; A high-quality four-inch brush for the decking and a smaller brush for the railings; TSP or a substitute for TSP or trisodium phosphate to remove any ‘greasy’ stains; Boots and a good pair of water-proof trousers (make sure they’re PVC coated too) will get you started - Check the deck for damaged and/or loose boards
As we’ve already mentioned, you need to check the deck for loose or cracked boards because you will need to replace them before you start staining. Pick the same type of wood and secure the new one in with decking stainless steel screws. Trim any plants that you have around and completely wet any plants that sit near your deck and this will help protect them. - Get to grips with your power washer
Again, as we’ve already mentioned, these are pretty powerful machines that can even gouge the wood if you’re not careful. Spend a little time getting used to the machine. Clean the car or patio/brick drive as this will help you get the confidence you need to use it on your deck. Always use the 40-degree fan tip because it will give the most even spread. If you do not like the power washer the other suggestion is to use a stiff and sturdy bristle scrubbing brush and a bucket of hot water. This will take a little bit longer, and a little more effort, but to be honest it will give you the same result in the end. - Applying the Stain
Before you get started on the final stage, you need to make sure the deck is totally dry. 2 to 3 days of bright weather with no rain and after you’ve cleaned it should suffice. The best way to stain any deck is to use a brush. If you are using an oil-based stain, use a natural bristle brush. If you use a water-based stain, use a nylon brush. Although brushing on stain will give you the best finish, there are a few things that need to be done. Once you start this project, it needs to be completed without taking any breaks. Stopping in the middle of staining will leave overlap marks or dark lines where the stain was allowed to penetrate and dry. Always start about six inches ahead of your last brush stroke, and back-brush it onto a previously stained area to make an invisible blend line. Use a high-quality four-inch brush for the decking and a smaller brush for the railings.
