How to Look After Your Decking
Decking is the ideal way of creating a space for entertaining, but like anything else, it will need regular maintenance if it is to stay in good condition. Fortunately, decking maintenance is a simple matter.
Sweep the decking
The first step is to remove any larger particles from the decking. Clear away any furniture or soft furnishings first so you can access the entire deck, then sweep with a soft broom. This should remove leaves and other large debris that tends to accumulate.
Mix the cleaner
You should use a specialist deck cleaner to clean the timber. This should be available from any hardware store and will need to be diluted with water, so make sure you read the instructions. You should wear gloves and goggles while mixing the cleaner to make sure you don't get it in your eyes or on your skin.
Scrub the deck
You should now scrub the deck using a soft-bristled brush or broom and the cleaning mixture. It is important you cover the entire area, so it will be easiest to work in strips from one side to the other. When you have covered the entire deck you will need to leave the mixture on for several minutes.
Rinse
You will now need to rinse the mixture off the deck. You can use a pressure washer to do this, although a garden hose will do just as well. Make sure that all the cleaning solution is removed as it can otherwise cause discolouration or damage the timber.
Leave to dry
The deck will now need to dry off thoroughly. It is, therefore, a good idea to clean it on a sunny day. It will not take long for the timbers to dry out in good weather.
Oil the deck
After the deck has dried out, you can oil it to protect it from the weather and give it a new fresh look. Use an oil that is designed for timber products and apply it with a brush, taking care to get into the gaps between the timbers. It is best to treat two or three boards at a time. You may need more than one coat. Therefore, check the instructions on the tin and make sure the deck has dried out before applying the next coat.
Your deck will now be cleaned and refreshed, ready for another round of relaxing and entertaining with your family and friends.
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